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
Barbarīka sprach: „Nur der heißt wahrhaft ein guter Mensch, der hilft, ohne etwas zu erwarten. Wer aber hilft und dabei eine Gegenleistung begehrt — welche Tugend liegt darin, ihn ‚gut‘ zu nennen?“
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.