Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 177
धर्मं न व्ययते कोऽपि मुनीनां पूर्वसंचितम् । तपोधर्मविहीनानां गतिस्तेषां न विद्यते
dharmaṃ na vyayate ko'pi munīnāṃ pūrvasaṃcitam | tapodharmavihīnānāṃ gatisteṣāṃ na vidyate
Niemand kann das Dharma mindern, das die Weisen früherer Zeiten angesammelt haben; doch für jene, die Tapas und Dharma entbehren, gibt es keinen wahren Weg und kein glückverheißendes Ziel.
Guru
Listener: Disciple/pilgrim interlocutor
Scene: A line of ancient sages in meditation, their accumulated radiance forming an undiminishing aura; in contrast, a heedless figure without discipline stands in shadow at the edge of a sacred riverbank.
FAQs
Pilgrimage and sacred narratives are fulfilled by tapas and dharma; without them, spiritual progress (gati) is blocked.
No particular tīrtha is named in this verse; it gives general dharmic doctrine within the tīrthamāhātmya.
It implicitly prescribes tapas (austerity) and dharmic living rather than a specific ceremonial act.