Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 11
मंकिरुवाच । किं वरेण सुरश्रेष्ठ मम वृद्धस्य सांप्रतम् । किञ्चिन्मे परमं दुःखं स्थितस्यात्र परं प्रभो
maṃkiruvāca | kiṃ vareṇa suraśreṣṭha mama vṛddhasya sāṃpratam | kiñcinme paramaṃ duḥkhaṃ sthitasyātra paraṃ prabho
Maṃkir dit : «Ô le meilleur des dieux, à quoi me sert une grâce à présent, moi qui suis vieux ? Pourtant, une grande peine m’accable tandis que je demeure ici, ô Seigneur suprême.»
Maṃkir
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śiva (Mahādeva)
Scene: Maṃki, frail with age, speaks with folded hands yet a pained expression; Śiva stands compassionate. The scene emphasizes humility and the poignancy of late-life reflection.
FAQs
True devotion values spiritual resolution over personal gain; even a boon is secondary to removing inner grief and obstacles to worship.
Prabhāsa-kṣetra, where the devotee remains engaged and seeks a deeper fulfillment than worldly benefits.
No direct prescription; the verse frames the devotee’s intention behind seeking divine help.