Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 17
देशे काल उपायेन द्रव्यं श्रद्धासमन्वितम् । पात्रे प्रदीयते यत्तत्सकलं धर्मलक्षणम्
deśe kāla upāyena dravyaṃ śraddhāsamanvitam | pātre pradīyate yattatsakalaṃ dharmalakṣaṇam
দেশ, কাল ও যথাযথ উপায়ে, শ্রদ্ধাসহ যে দান যোগ্য পাত্রকে দেওয়া হয়—তাই সম্পূর্ণরূপে ধর্মের লক্ষণ।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A ‘Dharma-lakṣaṇa’ diagrammatic scene: five pillars labeled deśa, kāla, upāya, dravya, śraddhā, pātra support a radiant altar; a donor offers with folded hands; the act shines complete.
FAQs
Righteous giving is defined by context (place/time), proper method, faith, and the worthiness of the recipient.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned; the verse gives universal criteria applicable to all sacred settings.
Perform dāna with śraddhā, at an appropriate deśa and kāla, following proper procedure, and to a pātra (worthy person).