Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 64
किं धनेन करिष्यंति देहिनो भंगुराश्रयाः । यदर्थं धनमिच्छंति तच्छरीरमशाश्वतम्
kiṃ dhanena kariṣyaṃti dehino bhaṃgurāśrayāḥ | yadarthaṃ dhanamicchaṃti taccharīramaśāśvatam
Was werden die verkörperten Wesen, die auf eine zerbrechliche Stütze bauen, mit Reichtum ausrichten? Um dieses Körpers willen begehren sie Besitz, doch dieser Körper selbst ist vergänglich.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa convention)
Scene: A contemplative pilgrim stands before a cremation ground edge or a fading silhouette of a body, while holding a small purse; he turns toward a temple where lamps are being offered—wealth redirected from bodily obsession to sacred service.
FAQs
Wealth pursued for bodily comfort is misguided because the body is fragile and impermanent; one should turn toward dharma and lasting merit.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it provides a general purāṇic reflection supporting dāna and detachment.
No direct ritual is prescribed here; it sets the ethical foundation for dāna by stressing impermanence.