Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 78
बर्बरीक उवाच । उपकुर्यान्निराकांक्षो यः स साधुरितीर्यते । साकांक्षमुपकुर्याद्यः साधुत्वे तस्य को गुणः
barbarīka uvāca | upakuryānnirākāṃkṣo yaḥ sa sādhuritīryate | sākāṃkṣamupakuryādyaḥ sādhutve tasya ko guṇaḥ
বৰ্বৰীক ক’লে: যি নিৰাকাঙ্ক্ষ হৈ উপকাৰ কৰে, তাকেই সত্য সাধু বোলা হয়। যি প্ৰতিদানৰ কামনাৰে উপকাৰ কৰে, তাৰ সাধুত্বত গুণ ক’ত?
Barbarīka
Scene: Barbarīka speaks with composed conviction, teaching that true goodness is selfless help; listeners appear reflective, the scene emphasizing moral gravity over spectacle.
FAQs
True virtue is selfless help—service offered without craving recognition, reward, or return.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it emphasizes universal dharma (selfless conduct).
No ritual is prescribed here; the ‘prescription’ is ethical—perform upakāra (help/charity) without expectation.