Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 52
सामान्यं याचितं न्यासमाधिर्दाराश्च दर्शनम् । अन्वाहितं च निक्षेपः सर्वस्वं चान्वये सति
sāmānyaṃ yācitaṃ nyāsamādhirdārāśca darśanam | anvāhitaṃ ca nikṣepaḥ sarvasvaṃ cānvaye sati
Common property; what is obtained by solicitation; deposits and pledges; one’s wife; and whatever is held in trust or kept as a deposit—indeed, even one’s entire estate when heirs exist—these are not to be given away as dāna.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Listener: Rājan (King)
Scene: A donor stands before a brāhmaṇa with various items labeled as ‘deposit’, ‘pledge’, ‘common property’; a divine or sage figure gestures ‘do not give’ while pointing to a ledger/scroll of dharma; heirs and family stand behind the donor.
FAQs
Charity must be righteous: do not give away what is entrusted, pledged, shared, or owed to heirs.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse lays down ethical limits for dāna.
Avoid donating deposits, pledged items, entrusted goods, and property that rightfully belongs to others or heirs.