Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 85
तत्र मर्त्यैः क्रिया सर्वाः क्रियते न मखोद्भवाः । यस्मात्स यज्ञपुरुषो न सुप्तो भागमश्नुते
tatra martyaiḥ kriyā sarvāḥ kriyate na makhodbhavāḥ | yasmātsa yajñapuruṣo na supto bhāgamaśnute
সেই সময়ত মর্ত্যলোকে মানুহে সকলো প্ৰচলিত কৰ্ম-কাণ্ড কৰিব পাৰে, কিন্তু মহাযজ্ঞ (মখ) জনিত যজ্ঞ-অনুষ্ঠান কৰা নহয়—কাৰণ যজ্ঞপুৰুষ প্ৰভু নিদ্ৰাৰত থাকিলে নিজৰ ভাগ গ্ৰহণ নকৰে।
Sūta (narrative voice)
Scene: A ritual hall stands quiet: fire altars unlit, priests holding ladles at rest; meanwhile householders continue simple daily worship. Above, Viṣṇu as Yajñapuruṣa reclines, indicating the pause in grand sacrifices.
FAQs
Ritual efficacy depends on divine participation; dharma recognizes seasons when certain sacrificial acts are suspended.
Though a general rule is stated, it is taught within the Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra-centered māhātmya of the Nāgarakhaṇḍa.
During the Lord’s śayana season, major sacrificial rites (makha-type yajñas) are to be avoided, while other customary rites may continue.