Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 38
ब्रह्मोवाच । यच्छ्राद्धं दक्षिणाहीनं तिलैर्दर्भैर्विवर्जितम् । तत्सर्वं ते मया दत्तं यद्यपि स्यात्सुतीर्थगम्
brahmovāca | yacchrāddhaṃ dakṣiṇāhīnaṃ tilairdarbhairvivarjitam | tatsarvaṃ te mayā dattaṃ yadyapi syātsutīrthagam
Brahmā dit : « Tout śrāddha accompli sans dakṣiṇā, et dépourvu de sésame et d’herbe darbha, de tout cela je t’ai accordé l’intégralité du fruit, même s’il fut fait en un gué sacré excellent (sutīrtha). »
Brahmā
Tirtha: Sutīrtha (generic epithet)
Type: ghat
Listener: Rākṣasa (questioner in preceding verses)
Scene: Brahmā instructs about śrāddha defects: a ritual scene with a pitṛ-śrāddha setup—darbha rings, sesame, offerings—contrasted with an incomplete rite; Brahmā’s pronouncement confers/redirects the fruit.
FAQs
Even at a great tīrtha, rites should be complete; śrāddha requires proper components and respectful giving (dakṣiṇā).
A “sutīrtha” (excellent sacred place) is referenced generally; the emphasis is that place alone does not replace correct śrāddha procedure.
Śrāddha should include dakṣiṇā, sesame (tila), and darbha grass; omission is treated as a significant defect.