Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 17
एकमप्यक्षरं यस्तु गुरुः शिष्ये निवेदयेत् । पृथिव्यां नास्ति तद्द्रव्यं यद्दत्त्वा ह्यनृणी भवेत्
ekamapyakṣaraṃ yastu guruḥ śiṣye nivedayet | pṛthivyāṃ nāsti taddravyaṃ yaddattvā hyanṛṇī bhavet
Selbst wenn ein Guru dem Schüler nur eine einzige Silbe vermittelt, gibt es auf Erden keinen Reichtum, der—selbst dargebracht—einen wahrhaft von dieser Schuld befreien könnte.
Skanda (deduced from teacher-honoring phalaśruti sequence)
Scene: A guru gently teaching a single syllable to a student; the student bows deeply, offering symbolic gifts that appear inadequate, while a radiant script-letter (akṣara) glows between them to show its immeasurable value.
FAQs
The gift of sacred knowledge is beyond material valuation; gratitude and reverence toward the guru are central to dharma.
Dvārakā is the narrative context, though the verse primarily glorifies the guru principle within Purāṇic tradition.
No specific rite is named; it implies that honoring and supporting the teacher is a dharmic obligation beyond repayment.