Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 12
दीनांधकृपणेभ्यश्च दानं कार्पटिकेषु च । वृषभस्तत्र दातव्यः प्रवृत्ते क्रूरकर्मणि । उपवासं ततः कुर्यात्तस्मिन्नहनि भामिनि
dīnāṃdhakṛpaṇebhyaśca dānaṃ kārpaṭikeṣu ca | vṛṣabhastatra dātavyaḥ pravṛtte krūrakarmaṇi | upavāsaṃ tataḥ kuryāttasminnahani bhāmini
One should give charity to the poor, the blind, and the destitute, and also to needy mendicants. There, when harsh deeds arise in the world, a bull should be given in donation. Thereafter, O fair lady, one should observe a fast on that day.
Sūta (deduced); addressee within verse: Bhāminī (a lady, likely Devī in the ongoing dialogue)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra (Someśvara/Somnātha)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Bhāminī (addressed as ‘O fair lady’)
Scene: At Prabhāsa, pilgrims approach the Someśvara shrine; a donor offers food and cloth to the poor and blind, and presents a decorated bull as vṛṣabha-dāna; the devotee then undertakes a solemn fast.
FAQs
Pilgrimage merit is perfected through compassion—supporting the vulnerable, making significant gifts, and practicing self-restraint via fasting.
Prabhāsakṣetra, where dāna and upavāsa are highlighted as tīrtha-enhancing disciplines.
Give charity to the poor/blind/destitute and needy mendicants; perform vṛṣabha-dāna; observe upavāsa (fasting) that day.
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