Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 89
किंचित्प्रार्थय दास्यामि प्राह विष्णुस्ततो वरम् । त्वयि भक्तिर्दृढा मेऽस्तु स च तद्दुर्लभं ददौ
kiṃcitprārthaya dāsyāmi prāha viṣṇustato varam | tvayi bhaktirdṛḍhā me'stu sa ca taddurlabhaṃ dadau
তেতিয়া বিষ্ণুৱে ক’লে, “কিছু প্ৰাৰ্থনা কৰা; মই তোমাক বৰ দিম।” সিয়ে ক’লে, “তোমাৰ প্ৰতি মোৰ ভক্তি দৃঢ় হওক।” আৰু বিষ্ণুৱে সেই দুষ্প্ৰাপ্য বৰ দান কৰিলে।
Narrator (Sūta) reporting; Viṣṇu speaks; devotee’s request is quoted
Scene: Viṣṇu offers a boon with open palm; the petitioner asks only for firm devotion. Viṣṇu’s expression is approving, granting a subtle, luminous blessing rather than a tangible object.
FAQs
The greatest and rarest blessing is unwavering devotion itself, surpassing worldly gains.
No tīrtha is specified; the emphasis is on inner dharma—bhakti as supreme attainment.
No specific rite is prescribed; it presents a dharmic hierarchy of boons, elevating devotion as foremost.