Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 10
ब्राह्मणो ह्यनधीयानस्तृणाग्निरिव शाम्यति । तस्मै हव्यं न दातव्यं न हि भस्मनि हूयते
brāhmaṇo hyanadhīyānastṛṇāgniriva śāmyati | tasmai havyaṃ na dātavyaṃ na hi bhasmani hūyate
Ein Brāhmaṇa, der die Veden nicht studiert, erlischt wie ein Grasfeuer. Darum soll man ihm kein havya darbringen, denn in Asche gießt man keine Opfergabe.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa default)
Scene: A vivid allegory: a bright sacrificial fire beside a learned brāhmaṇa reciting; contrasted with a heap of cold ashes near an unstudied brāhmaṇa—an oblation ladle pauses, refusing to pour into ashes.
FAQs
Learning and discipline sustain spiritual potency; without study, religious capacity withers.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse teaches a dharmic standard for offerings.
Havya (sacrificially intended gifts/oblations) should not be given to a brāhmaṇa who neglects Vedic study.