Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 24
वर्द्धन्युवाच । मा भयं कुरु देवेश यमस्यार्कसुतस्य च । अयं स्वार्थपरो धर्म यशसे च समाचरेत्
varddhanyuvāca | mā bhayaṃ kuru deveśa yamasyārkasutasya ca | ayaṃ svārthaparo dharma yaśase ca samācaret
Varddhanī said: “Do not fear, O Lord of the gods—neither Yama, the Sun’s son, nor anything else. This dharma is pursued for one’s rightful aim, and it should also be practiced for good repute.”
Varddhanī
Tirtha: Dharmāraṇyaka
Type: kshetra
Listener: Devēśa (addressed as ‘Lord of the gods’; contextually Śakra/Indra)
Scene: Varddhanī addresses a divine figure with calm assurance, dismissing fear of Yama; a forest-āśrama ambience with subtle celestial presence.
FAQs
When dharma is rightly practiced, fear of punitive forces diminishes; ethical conduct supports both inner good and honorable reputation.
Not a direct site-glorification verse; it supports the Dharmāraṇya narrative by framing dharma as protective.
No specific rite; it is an exhortation to practice dharma steadily and without fear.