Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 23
बाल्ये च यौवने चापि वार्धक्येपि विनश्यति । तेन चंचलदेहेन कोऽर्थः स्वार्थो न चेद्भवेत्
bālye ca yauvane cāpi vārdhakyepi vinaśyati | tena caṃcaladehena ko'rthaḥ svārtho na cedbhavet
それは幼少においても滅び、若き時にも滅び、老いにおいてもまた滅びる。この移ろいやすい身に、真の目的が成就しないなら、いかなる価値があろうか。
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: Three panels (child, youth, elder) each fading like sand drawings; in the center, a steady flame labeled ‘svārtha’ remains unmoved, with a pilgrim offering a lamp to Śiva.
FAQs
Because the body can fail at any stage of life, one should prioritize the soul’s aim—dharma and liberation—over bodily attachment.
None is directly praised in this verse; it provides the ethical-philosophical foundation for the ensuing tapas on Himavat.
No explicit rite is stated; the verse urges inner resolve toward the highest good.