Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 26
परेषामनपेक्ष्यैव कृतप्रतिकृतं हि यः । प्रवर्तते हितायैव स सुहृत्प्रोच्यते बुधैः
pareṣāmanapekṣyaiva kṛtapratikṛtaṃ hi yaḥ | pravartate hitāyaiva sa suhṛtprocyate budhaiḥ
ಇತರರನ್ನು ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿಸದೆ, ಮಾಡಿದ ಉಪಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರತಿಉಪಕಾರ ಮಾಡಿ, ಕೇವಲ ಪರಹಿತಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರತನಾಗುವವನೇ—ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತರು ‘ನಿಜವಾದ ಸುಹೃದ’ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ।
Indradyumna (contextual continuation of his reflection on friendship)
Scene: A didactic vignette: a traveler-friend offers water, shade, and guidance to another without being asked; in the background, a tīrtha path with a well and a small shrine underscores pilgrimage ethics.
FAQs
Friendship in dharma is measured by selfless initiative and active concern for another’s good.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse is an ethical definition within the narrative.
None; the prescription is moral conduct—repaying kindness and acting for others’ welfare.