Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 96
राजोवाच । यदि त्वं नारदो विप्र राज्यमस्त्वखिलं तव । अहं हि ब्राह्मणानां ते दास्यं कर्ता न संशयः
rājovāca | yadi tvaṃ nārado vipra rājyamastvakhilaṃ tava | ahaṃ hi brāhmaṇānāṃ te dāsyaṃ kartā na saṃśayaḥ
राजा बोला—हे विप्र नारद! यदि आप ही हैं, तो यह समस्त राज्य आपका हो। मैं तो आपके और ब्राह्मणों का सेवक बनूँगा—इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं।
Rājā (Dharmavarmā; inferred from next verse context)
Listener: Nārada (in-scene); broader audience are the sages in the frame narrative
Scene: A king, hands folded, offers his kingdom and personal service to sage Nārada; attendants and brāhmaṇas witness the vow of humility in a royal court setting.
FAQs
Ideal kingship honors spiritual authority: the ruler protects society by serving dharma and respecting brāhmaṇas and sages.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is part of a dharmic dialogue on kingship and reverence.
No explicit ritual; it affirms brāhmaṇa-sevā and support as a dharmic obligation of rulers.