Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 85
तत्र मर्त्यैः क्रिया सर्वाः क्रियते न मखोद्भवाः । यस्मात्स यज्ञपुरुषो न सुप्तो भागमश्नुते
tatra martyaiḥ kriyā sarvāḥ kriyate na makhodbhavāḥ | yasmātsa yajñapuruṣo na supto bhāgamaśnute
Pada masa itu, manusia boleh melaksanakan segala upacara kebiasaan; namun yajña yang lahir dari makha (kurban agung) tidak dilakukan—sebab Tuhan sebagai Yajña-Puruṣa, ketika sedang tidur, tidak menerima bagian persembahan-Nya.
Sūta (narrative voice)
Scene: A ritual hall stands quiet: fire altars unlit, priests holding ladles at rest; meanwhile householders continue simple daily worship. Above, Viṣṇu as Yajñapuruṣa reclines, indicating the pause in grand sacrifices.
FAQs
Ritual efficacy depends on divine participation; dharma recognizes seasons when certain sacrificial acts are suspended.
Though a general rule is stated, it is taught within the Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra-centered māhātmya of the Nāgarakhaṇḍa.
During the Lord’s śayana season, major sacrificial rites (makha-type yajñas) are to be avoided, while other customary rites may continue.