Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 173
एको बंधुर्नास्ति ततो द्वितीयो हृदी स्थितं तमहमनुब्रवीमि । तेनानुशिष्टा बांधवा बंधुमंतः सप्तर्षयः सप्त दिवि प्रभांति
eko baṃdhurnāsti tato dvitīyo hṛdī sthitaṃ tamahamanubravīmi | tenānuśiṣṭā bāṃdhavā baṃdhumaṃtaḥ saptarṣayaḥ sapta divi prabhāṃti
قريبٌ حقٌّ واحدٌ لا ثاني بعده. ذاك الساكن في القلب أُعلنه. وبإرشاده، يلمع الأقرباء الذين لهم القريب الحق—الريشيّون السبعة—سبعةً في السماء.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa context)
Tirtha: Saptarṣi-maṇḍala (symbolic/celestial)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A night sky with the Saptarṣi constellation shining; below, seven sages seated in a circle around a central heart-lotus radiance symbolizing the one Bandhu within.
FAQs
The indwelling Lord is the sole true ‘relative’ and refuge; those guided by Him attain luminous, exalted status like the Saptarṣis.
No explicit tīrtha is named; the verse emphasizes the heart as the supreme sacred locus (inner pilgrimage).
No explicit rite; it prescribes alignment with divine instruction (anuśāsana) and taking refuge in the one inner Bandhu.