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
বর্বরীক বলল: যে নিরাশায় উপকার করে, সেই-ই ‘সাধু’ নামে কথিত। আর যে প্রত্যাশা রেখে উপকার করে, তার সাধুত্বে কী গুণ থাকে?
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.