Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 12
उपकारप्रदानं च यत्किंचित्तस्य संमतम् । अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे शूद्रः स पिता पूर्वजन्मनः । तस्य पञ्चत्वमापन्नः संप्राप्ते चायुषः क्षये
upakārapradānaṃ ca yatkiṃcittasya saṃmatam | anyasmindivase śūdraḥ sa pitā pūrvajanmanaḥ | tasya pañcatvamāpannaḥ saṃprāpte cāyuṣaḥ kṣaye
আর যা কিছু তার মঙ্গলকর ও তার কাছে গ্রহণীয় ছিল, তেমন উপকার সে করত। পরে অন্য একদিন সেই শূদ্র—যে পূর্বজন্মে তার পিতা ছিল—আয়ুর অবসানে মৃত্যুকে প্রাপ্ত হল।
Narrator (contextual Purāṇic narration within Tīrthamāhātmya; likely Skanda)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A poignant reveal: the supported śūdra is understood as the former father; soon after, he dies at lifespan’s end. The benefactor’s steady assistance is shown as fulfilled duty amid impermanence.
FAQs
Obligation and gratitude can transcend a single lifetime; death is certain, so one should complete duties of care while time remains.
The setting remains within a Nāgarakhaṇḍa Māhātmya; this verse itself does not name the tīrtha.
Practical ‘upakāra’ (acts of benefit) is highlighted; formal post-death rites are introduced in the following verse.