Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 35
त्रेतायां द्वापरे चापि किमु प्राप्ते कलौ युगे । एवमल्पायुषो ज्ञात्वा मानवान्सूतनंदन
tretāyāṃ dvāpare cāpi kimu prāpte kalau yuge | evamalpāyuṣo jñātvā mānavānsūtanaṃdana
In the Tretā and Dvāpara ages—and all the more now that the Kali age has arrived—knowing thus that human beings are short-lived, O beloved son of Sūta, one should seek an easier means to attain the fruits of pilgrimage.
Narrative address (Sūta’s discourse context; addressee: Sūtanandana)
Listener: Sūtanandana / Śaunaka-group (addressed explicitly)
Scene: A sage instructs a listener while four yugas are symbolized—golden, silver, bronze, dark—ending in Kali’s shadow; the teaching points toward a compassionate shortcut for pilgrims.
FAQs
Because human life is short—especially in Kali-yuga—Dharma emphasizes accessible means to gain pilgrimage merit.
No single tīrtha is named in this verse; it introduces the problem of attaining many tīrtha-fruits within limited time.
No specific rite is prescribed yet; the verse sets up the search for a simpler method connected with tīrtha practice.
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