Skanda Purana — Vishnu Khanda, Shloka 80
प्रतिमाश्च प्रदातव्या द्विजेभ्यो धेनुपूर्विकाः । सुवर्णं रजतं वस्त्रं तथान्नं च विशेषतः । दातव्यं चंद्रसुप्रीत्यै हर्षादेवं द्विजन्मने
pratimāśca pradātavyā dvijebhyo dhenupūrvikāḥ | suvarṇaṃ rajataṃ vastraṃ tathānnaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ | dātavyaṃ caṃdrasuprītyai harṣādevaṃ dvijanmane
Qu’on offre aussi des images sacrées (pratimā) aux brāhmaṇas, précédées du don d’une vache. Or, argent, vêtements et, tout particulièrement, nourriture doivent être donnés. Ainsi, dans la joie, qu’on remette ces présents au « deux-fois-né » pour la grande satisfaction de Candra (la Lune divine).
Brahmā (deduced; Vaiṣṇava-khaṇḍa narration style)
Tirtha: Ayodhyā
Type: kshetra
Scene: A ceremonial gifting: a cow led forward with garlands; beside it, a small icon wrapped in cloth; trays of gold and silver, folded garments, and heaps of food offerings; the donor’s hands raised in reverent joy, moon motif subtly present.
FAQs
Devotion is perfected through dāna—sharing wealth and sustenance to uphold dharma and please the deity.
Ayodhyā is the textual setting; the rite and its charities are taught as part of Ayodhyā’s māhātmya.
Donate a cow first, then icons, gold, silver, clothing, and especially food to brāhmaṇas, joyfully, to please Candra.