Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 43
भाजनेषु च तिष्ठत्सु स्वस्तिं कुर्वन्ति ये द्विजाः । तदन्नमसुरैर्भुक्तं निराशाः पितरो गताः
bhājaneṣu ca tiṣṭhatsu svastiṃ kurvanti ye dvijāḥ | tadannamasurairbhuktaṃ nirāśāḥ pitaro gatāḥ
While the vessels are still set in place, if the twice-born utter ‘svasti’ (benedictions) before the proper time, that food is consumed by the Asuras, and the Pitṛs depart disappointed.
Skanda (deduced from Prabhāsa-khaṇḍa māhātmya narration style)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A śrāddha meal scene: vessels still standing with food; a brāhmaṇa raises hand to say ‘svasti’ too early; shadowy asura figures consume the subtle essence; luminous pitṛ figures turn away with disappointed faces, fading into the background.
FAQs
Correct sequence matters in dharma; premature completion-signals can nullify the intended recipient of the offering.
Prabhāsa-kṣetra, where the śrāddha procedure is taught with cautions to protect its fruit.
Do not utter concluding benedictions (‘svasti’) while the ritual vessels/serving is still in progress; complete the rite in proper order.