Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 85
तत्र मर्त्यैः क्रिया सर्वाः क्रियते न मखोद्भवाः । यस्मात्स यज्ञपुरुषो न सुप्तो भागमश्नुते
tatra martyaiḥ kriyā sarvāḥ kriyate na makhodbhavāḥ | yasmātsa yajñapuruṣo na supto bhāgamaśnute
En ese tiempo, los mortales pueden realizar todos los ritos acostumbrados, pero no se emprenden los sacrificios nacidos del gran makha, porque el Señor, que es el mismo Puruṣa del Sacrificio, mientras duerme no recibe Su porción.
Sūta (narrative voice)
Scene: A ritual hall stands quiet: fire altars unlit, priests holding ladles at rest; meanwhile householders continue simple daily worship. Above, Viṣṇu as Yajñapuruṣa reclines, indicating the pause in grand sacrifices.
FAQs
Ritual efficacy depends on divine participation; dharma recognizes seasons when certain sacrificial acts are suspended.
Though a general rule is stated, it is taught within the Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra-centered māhātmya of the Nāgarakhaṇḍa.
During the Lord’s śayana season, major sacrificial rites (makha-type yajñas) are to be avoided, while other customary rites may continue.