Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 62
श्राद्धं करोति मूढात्मा विहीनं स्थानजैर्द्विजैः । स्थानजैरपि वाऽशुद्धैस्तस्य तद्व्यर्थतां व्रजेत्
śrāddhaṃ karoti mūḍhātmā vihīnaṃ sthānajairdvijaiḥ | sthānajairapi vā'śuddhaistasya tadvyarthatāṃ vrajet
«والأحمقُ القلب يُقيم الشرادها (śrāddha) من غير براهمةٍ من أهل الموضع؛ أو يُقيمها مع براهمةٍ محليّين غير طاهرين—فتغدو تلك الشعيرة له باطلةً لا ثمرة لها».
Viśvāmitra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A cautionary tableau: a pilgrim about to conduct śrāddha is stopped by a sage, pointing to impure or unsuitable priests; the offerings fade symbolically, indicating futility.
FAQs
Rituals require both correct setting and qualified officiants; otherwise, even sacred acts may become fruitless.
The same tīrtha context (Gayākūpī-related), with emphasis on its local ritual ecosystem (sthānaja dvijas).
Do not perform śrāddha without qualified local brāhmaṇas, and avoid impure/unqualified officiants even if local.