Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 26
परेषामनपेक्ष्यैव कृतप्रतिकृतं हि यः । प्रवर्तते हितायैव स सुहृत्प्रोच्यते बुधैः
pareṣāmanapekṣyaiva kṛtapratikṛtaṃ hi yaḥ | pravartate hitāyaiva sa suhṛtprocyate budhaiḥ
مَن لا ينتظر غيره، بل يعمل خالصًا لخيرِ الآخر ويُجازي الإحسانَ بالإحسان، فذلك يسمّيه الحكماء صديقًا حقًّا.
Indradyumna (contextual continuation of his reflection on friendship)
Scene: A didactic vignette: a traveler-friend offers water, shade, and guidance to another without being asked; in the background, a tīrtha path with a well and a small shrine underscores pilgrimage ethics.
FAQs
Friendship in dharma is measured by selfless initiative and active concern for another’s good.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse is an ethical definition within the narrative.
None; the prescription is moral conduct—repaying kindness and acting for others’ welfare.