Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 64
किं धनेन करिष्यंति देहिनो भंगुराश्रयाः । यदर्थं धनमिच्छंति तच्छरीरमशाश्वतम्
kiṃ dhanena kariṣyaṃti dehino bhaṃgurāśrayāḥ | yadarthaṃ dhanamicchaṃti taccharīramaśāśvatam
ഭംഗുരമായ ആശ്രയത്തിൽ നിൽക്കുന്ന ദേഹികൾ ധനത്തോടെ എന്ത് നേടും? ഏത് ശരീരത്തിനായി അവർ ധനം ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നുവോ, ആ ശരീരമേ അനിത്യം.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa convention)
Scene: A contemplative pilgrim stands before a cremation ground edge or a fading silhouette of a body, while holding a small purse; he turns toward a temple where lamps are being offered—wealth redirected from bodily obsession to sacred service.
FAQs
Wealth pursued for bodily comfort is misguided because the body is fragile and impermanent; one should turn toward dharma and lasting merit.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it provides a general purāṇic reflection supporting dāna and detachment.
No direct ritual is prescribed here; it sets the ethical foundation for dāna by stressing impermanence.