Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 34
विसाधितव्यान्यन्नानि स्वशक्त्या देवपितृषु । मनुष्य द्विजभूतेषु नियुज्याश्नीत सर्वदा
visādhitavyānyannāni svaśaktyā devapitṛṣu | manuṣya dvijabhūteṣu niyujyāśnīta sarvadā
अपनी शक्ति के अनुसार अन्न पकाना चाहिए; देवों और पितरों को विधिपूर्वक अर्पित करके, फिर मनुष्यों, द्विज अतिथियों और समस्त प्राणियों में बाँटकर—तभी सदा भोजन करना चाहिए।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative mode)
Scene: A household kitchen and courtyard: food being cooked, then offered at a small shrine (devas), a pitṛ-tarpaṇa vessel nearby, guests (dvijas/atithis) seated for bhojana, and animals/birds receiving portions; the householder eats last.
FAQs
Eating becomes sacred when preceded by offering, sharing, and compassion; food is to be a vehicle of dharma, not mere consumption.
No specific tirtha is referenced; the verse teaches universal anna-dharma (food ethics) in Purāṇic tradition.
Offer food to Devas and Pitṛs and then serve humans/guests and other beings; only afterward should one eat.