Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 51
नखा मज्जा खवैमल्यं शुक्रवृद्धिः क्रमाद्भवेत् । एवं द्वादशधान्नस्य परिणामः प्रकीर्त्यते
nakhā majjā khavaimalyaṃ śukravṛddhiḥ kramādbhavet | evaṃ dvādaśadhānnasya pariṇāmaḥ prakīrtyate
In due order arise nails, marrow, the cleansing of the bodily cavities, and the increase of semen. Thus is proclaimed the twelvefold transformation of food.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A sequential, almost alchemical depiction: food essence moving through stages culminating in nails, marrow, bodily cleansing, and increased semen—shown as symbolic icons (nail, bone marrow, luminous cleansing channels, white seed) rather than literal anatomy.
FAQs
Since the body’s vitality is refined through many stages, one should preserve it and dedicate its power to righteous action.
None is specified in this verse.
No ritual is stated; it concludes a physiological teaching on food transformation.