Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 17
ऋषभ उवाच । श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणेषु प्रोक्तो धर्मः सनातनः । वर्णाश्रमानुरूपेण निषेव्यः सर्वदा जनैः
ṛṣabha uvāca | śrutismṛtipurāṇeṣu prokto dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | varṇāśramānurūpeṇa niṣevyaḥ sarvadā janaiḥ
Ṛṣabha said: “The eternal dharma is declared in the Śruti, the Smṛti, and the Purāṇas. In accordance with one’s varṇa and āśrama, it should be practiced at all times by people.”
Ṛṣabha (Śivayogin)
Scene: Ṛṣabha speaks in a teaching posture, perhaps seated among listeners; the scene conveys scriptural authority—palm-leaf manuscripts, attentive disciples, and a calm didactic atmosphere.
FAQs
Dharma is timeless and scripturally grounded; it is to be lived consistently in ways suited to one’s duties and stage of life.
No tīrtha is specified; the verse is doctrinal, establishing the authority and universality of dharma.
No single ritual; it prescribes continual practice of dharma according to varṇāśrama responsibilities.