Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 34
उद्वेगजननः क्रूरः स च वै ब्रह्महा स्मृतः । गवां तृषाभिभूतानां जलार्थमुपसर्पताम्
udvegajananaḥ krūraḥ sa ca vai brahmahā smṛtaḥ | gavāṃ tṛṣābhibhūtānāṃ jalārthamupasarpatām
Celui qui engendre l'angoisse et se montre cruel est en effet considéré comme un tueur de brahmane — surtout s'il fait obstacle aux vaches tourmentées par la soif qui s'approchent de l'eau.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)
Scene: A herd of cows, ribs visible from thirst, approaches a pond/river; a cruel man blocks the path with a staff; a compassionate ascetic/householder intervenes, guiding the cows to water under a sacred tree.
FAQs
Cruelty that creates fear and distress—especially toward helpless beings like thirsty cattle—is treated as a grave adharma akin to brahmahatyā.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it teaches universal purāṇic dharma within the Kaumārikākhaṇḍa context.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; the implied dharmic duty is to allow access to water and not obstruct beings in need.