Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 27
तावन्ति वर्षाणि महानुभावः स्वर्गे वसेत्पुत्रपौत्रैश्च सार्द्धम् । तत्रान्नदो याति महेशलोकमसंख्यवर्षाणि न संशयोऽत्र
tāvanti varṣāṇi mahānubhāvaḥ svarge vasetputrapautraiśca sārddham | tatrānnado yāti maheśalokamasaṃkhyavarṣāṇi na saṃśayo'tra
Pendant autant d’années, l’homme de grande noblesse demeure au ciel avec ses fils et ses petits-fils. Là, celui qui donne la nourriture parvient au séjour de Maheśa pour d’innombrables années ; nul doute à ce sujet.
Mārkaṇḍeya (to Yudhiṣṭhira)
Tirtha: Revā-tīrtha (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Pāṇḍava (contextual)
Scene: Two-stage vision: first, the noble donor enjoys Svarga with descendants; then a transition to Maheśa-loka—Śiva’s radiant realm—where the anna-dātā is welcomed, with Śiva’s emblematic presence (trident, crescent, matted hair) and serene brilliance.
FAQs
Anna-dāna is exalted as a Śaiva merit that can elevate one beyond Svarga to Maheśa’s realm.
Within the Revā Khaṇḍa setting, the teaching frames charity as part of tīrtha-centered dharma connected to Śiva’s grace.
Anna-dāna—donation of food.