Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 24
पितृमातृसुतभ्रातृयोषिद्बंधुजनाधिकः । जायते चैकलः प्राणी म्रियते च तथै कलः
pitṛmātṛsutabhrātṛyoṣidbaṃdhujanādhikaḥ | jāyate caikalaḥ prāṇī mriyate ca tathai kalaḥ
Même entouré du père et de la mère, des fils, des frères, de l’épouse et de nombreux proches, l’être naît seul—et de même il meurt seul.
Unspecified (Dharmāraṇyakhaṇḍa narrative voice; traditionally framed within Sūta’s discourse in Purāṇic setting)
Scene: A human figure at birth and at death shown as solitary moments; relatives appear around but cannot cross the threshold; a subtle path leading onward symbolizes the soul’s lone journey.
FAQs
It cultivates vairāgya: despite social bonds, the soul’s journey at birth and death is solitary, so one must rely on dharma.
No location is praised; the verse serves as a universal reflection often used to intensify pilgrimage-purpose and renunciation.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; the verse prescribes a contemplative discipline—remembering mortality to prioritize dharma.