Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 72
इति चिंतयतश्चित्ते हा दुःखोऽयं प्रतिग्रहः । प्रतिग्रहेण विप्राणां ब्राहयं तेजो हि शाम्यति
iti ciṃtayataścitte hā duḥkho'yaṃ pratigrahaḥ | pratigraheṇa viprāṇāṃ brāhayaṃ tejo hi śāmyati
Tandis que je méditais en mon cœur : «Hélas, douloureuse est cette acceptation de dons !»—car, en acceptant des présents, l’éclat brāhmanique (tejas) des brāhmaṇas s’éteint véritablement.
Hārīta
Listener: dhīmat (wise interlocutor)
Scene: A sage sits in introspection, hand to chest or chin, expressing remorse; a pile of gifts or coins lies nearby, symbolizing the burden of acceptance; a faint aura around the sage appears dimmed.
FAQs
Unchecked acceptance of gifts can erode a brāhmaṇa’s tejas; purity and restraint guard spiritual power.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is a dharma teaching about dana and receiving.
It cautions against pratigraha (receiving gifts) as a dharmic discipline, especially for brāhmaṇas.