Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 44
सर्वस्वं जीवितं चापि दद्यादश्रद्धया यदि । नाप्नुयात्स फलं किंचिच्छ्रद्दधानस्ततो भवेत्
sarvasvaṃ jīvitaṃ cāpi dadyādaśraddhayā yadi | nāpnuyātsa phalaṃ kiṃcicchraddadhānastato bhavet
Quand bien même quelqu’un donnerait tout, jusqu’à sa propre vie, s’il le fait sans śraddhā, il n’obtient aucun fruit. Qu’on devienne donc un donateur doté de śraddhā, la foi révérencieuse.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A dramatic contrast: a figure theatrically offering riches and even stepping toward self-sacrifice, yet surrounded by a grey, empty aura; beside, a modest devotee with folded hands radiates warm light—signifying śraddhā as the true offering.
FAQs
The merit of charity depends on śraddhā; without faith, even the greatest gift becomes fruitless.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it teaches a general rule of Purāṇic dāna-dharma.
Give with śraddhā; the inner disposition is prescribed as essential for dāna to bear fruit.