Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 23
चिन्तयामास मेधावी नाहं शोचामि जीवितुम् । मयाहूता द्विजश्रेष्ठा यज्ञार्थं वेदपारगाः । इन्द्राद्याश्च सुराः सर्वे स क्रतुः स्यान्न मे त्वतः
cintayāmāsa medhāvī nāhaṃ śocāmi jīvitum | mayāhūtā dvijaśreṣṭhā yajñārthaṃ vedapāragāḥ | indrādyāśca surāḥ sarve sa kratuḥ syānna me tvataḥ
Der Weise sann nach: „Um mein Leben trauere ich nicht. Für das Opfer habe ich die erlesensten Brāhmaṇas, kundig in den Veden, eingeladen, ebenso alle Götter, beginnend mit Indra. Darum darf dieses Ritual nicht meinetwegen scheitern.“
Trita (self-reflection/inner resolve voiced in narration)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Assemblage of sages (naimiṣāraṇya frame, typical) / within episode addressed to a 'fair-complexioned lady' later
Scene: A learned brāhmaṇa, calm and resolute, reflects that his life is secondary to the successful completion of a grand sacrifice for which Vedic experts and the gods have been invited; the sacred landscape of Prabhāsa is implied.
FAQs
Dharma is upheld by steadfast commitment to sacred duty; even in suffering, one should protect the integrity of yajña and one’s vows.
The teaching is embedded in the Prabhāsakṣetra-māhātmya, reinforcing Prabhāsa’s sacrality through exemplary dharmic resolve.
The verse emphasizes completing a kratu/yajña as undertaken, honoring invited Veda-knowing brāhmaṇas and the devas—i.e., fidelity to sacrificial commitments.