Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 40
तत्र तुष्टा महालक्ष्मीर्निवसेद्दानवारिणा । वाणिज्यं नीचसेवा च वेदानध्ययनं तथा
tatra tuṣṭā mahālakṣmīrnivaseddānavāriṇā | vāṇijyaṃ nīcasevā ca vedānadhyayanaṃ tathā
Di sana, Mahālakṣmī yang berkenan bersemayam pada orang yang berpaling dari ‘pemberian’ yang lahir dari adharma. Berniaga, mengabdi kepada yang hina, dan bahkan mempelajari Veda demi nafkah pun—dalam semangat itu—patut dihindari.
Sūta (deduced, Brāhma Khaṇḍa dharma-narration context)
Scene: A householder turning away from a tainted gift; Mahālakṣmī appears seated on a lotus within the home, indicating prosperity born of purity; symbols of trade/service/paid recitation shown as temptations set aside.
FAQs
Prosperity (Lakṣmī) is linked to purity of means—wealth should be earned and received without adharma.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse speaks of dharmic livelihood and the presence of Lakṣmī.
It emphasizes refusing improper ‘gifts’ (dāna-vāraṇa) and cautions against livelihoods/actions that compromise dharma.