Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 43
सौख्येन वा धनस्यापि श्रद्धया स्वल्पगोर्थवान् । समर्थो हि महत्पुण्यं शक्त आप्तुं क्व वास्ति सः
saukhyena vā dhanasyāpi śraddhayā svalpagorthavān | samartho hi mahatpuṇyaṃ śakta āptuṃ kva vāsti saḥ
Walau hidup dalam kenyamanan dan berharta, dan walau beriman, siapakah yang dengan bekal sedikit sungguh mampu meraih pahala (puṇya) yang agung?
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced)
Scene: A reflective householder or ascetic sits with minimal possessions, weighing a small offering in the palm while a distant vision of grand tīrthas and temples fades behind—signaling that merit is not purchased by abundance.
FAQs
The verse questions easy assumptions about ‘great merit,’ pushing the listener toward deeper sincerity and sustained dharma, not mere comfort or resources.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse.
No direct rite is stated; the theme touches on śraddhā and the challenge of earning mahat-puṇya.