Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 21
शूद्रस्य द्विजशुश्रूषा तया जीवन्वणिग्भवेत् । शिल्पैर्वा विविधैर्जीवेद्द्विजातिहितमाचरन्
śūdrasya dvijaśuśrūṣā tayā jīvanvaṇigbhavet | śilpairvā vividhairjīveddvijātihitamācaran
For a Śūdra, service to the twice-born (dvija) is the proper livelihood; by that he may even prosper as a trader. Or he may live by various crafts, always acting for the welfare of the twice-born.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Māheśvarakhaṇḍa; likely within Sūta’s recitation context)
Listener: vatsa (disciple/son-figure; unspecified in the given excerpt)
Scene: A craftsman and a temple-servant: one repairing a shrine lamp/doorway, another offering water to a scholar-priest; the emphasis is dignified labor and service as sacred support.
FAQs
Livelihood should be aligned with dharma—service, honest craft, and conduct aimed at social and religious welfare.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it gives general dharma guidance within the chapter’s narrative.
No specific rite is prescribed here; the instruction concerns ethical livelihood and supportive conduct.