Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 36
अनाथं कृपणं वृद्धं स्त्रियं बालं निरागसम् । परिरक्ष धनैः प्राणैर्बुद्ध्या शक्त्या बलेन च
anāthaṃ kṛpaṇaṃ vṛddhaṃ striyaṃ bālaṃ nirāgasam | parirakṣa dhanaiḥ prāṇairbuddhyā śaktyā balena ca
Protège l’orphelin, le miséreux, le vieillard, la femme, l’enfant et l’innocent : par tes biens, par ta propre vie, par l’intelligence, l’aptitude et la force.
Unspecified (didactic instruction within Brahmottarakhaṇḍa; speaker not stated in the snippet)
Scene: A protector figure distributing food and coins, supporting an elderly person, shielding a woman and child from danger; a compassionate yet strong stance; background hints of a pilgrimage road with a rest-house and a sacred flag.
FAQs
True dharma expresses itself as protection and compassionate support for those who cannot defend themselves.
No location is mentioned; the verse is a general dharmic mandate.
Implied dāna and service: using wealth and capacity to protect and sustain the vulnerable.