Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 47
परोपकरणं कायादसारात्सारमुद्धरेत् । धर्मे रागः श्रुतौ चिंता दाने व्यसनमुत्तमम्
paropakaraṇaṃ kāyādasārātsāramuddharet | dharme rāgaḥ śrutau ciṃtā dāne vyasanamuttamam
নাশৱন্ত দেহৰ পৰা সাৰ উলিয়াব লাগে—পৰোপকাৰ, অৰ্থাৎ আনৰ সেৱা। ধৰ্মত অনুৰাগ, শ্ৰুতি-শাস্ত্ৰত চিন্তা, আৰু দানত উত্তম আসক্তি—এইবোৰেই শ্ৰেষ্ঠ।
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa frame)
Scene: A human figure holding a fragile body-symbol (withered leaf/earthen pot) draws out a glowing jewel labeled ‘paropakāra’; nearby are three panels: devotion to dharma, contemplation of śruti (open palm-leaf manuscript), and generous giving (hands offering food/coins).
FAQs
The ‘essence’ to be drawn from a fragile human body is altruistic service, devotion to Dharma, scriptural reflection, and habitual generosity.
None is specified; the verse is a universal dharma-instruction.
Dāna (charity) is praised as an ideal, along with sustained engagement in Dharma and scripture.