Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 34
उद्वेगजननः क्रूरः स च वै ब्रह्महा स्मृतः । गवां तृषाभिभूतानां जलार्थमुपसर्पताम्
udvegajananaḥ krūraḥ sa ca vai brahmahā smṛtaḥ | gavāṃ tṛṣābhibhūtānāṃ jalārthamupasarpatām
जो क्रूर होकर उद्वेग उत्पन्न करता है, वह भी ब्रह्महा माना गया है। विशेषतः जो प्यास से पीड़ित गायों को जल के लिए आते समय रोकता है।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)
Scene: A herd of cows, ribs visible from thirst, approaches a pond/river; a cruel man blocks the path with a staff; a compassionate ascetic/householder intervenes, guiding the cows to water under a sacred tree.
FAQs
Cruelty that creates fear and distress—especially toward helpless beings like thirsty cattle—is treated as a grave adharma akin to brahmahatyā.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it teaches universal purāṇic dharma within the Kaumārikākhaṇḍa context.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; the implied dharmic duty is to allow access to water and not obstruct beings in need.