Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 89
किंचित्प्रार्थय दास्यामि प्राह विष्णुस्ततो वरम् । त्वयि भक्तिर्दृढा मेऽस्तु स च तद्दुर्लभं ददौ
kiṃcitprārthaya dāsyāmi prāha viṣṇustato varam | tvayi bhaktirdṛḍhā me'stu sa ca taddurlabhaṃ dadau
Da sprach Viṣṇu: „Bitte um etwas; ich werde dir eine Gabe, einen Segen, gewähren.“ Er bat: „Möge meine Bhakti zu Dir fest und unerschütterlich sein.“ Und Viṣṇu gewährte diesen Segen—wahrlich schwer zu erlangen.
Narrator (Sūta) reporting; Viṣṇu speaks; devotee’s request is quoted
Scene: Viṣṇu offers a boon with open palm; the petitioner asks only for firm devotion. Viṣṇu’s expression is approving, granting a subtle, luminous blessing rather than a tangible object.
FAQs
The greatest and rarest blessing is unwavering devotion itself, surpassing worldly gains.
No tīrtha is specified; the emphasis is on inner dharma—bhakti as supreme attainment.
No specific rite is prescribed; it presents a dharmic hierarchy of boons, elevating devotion as foremost.