Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 44
सर्वस्वं जीवितं चापि दद्यादश्रद्धया यदि । नाप्नुयात्स फलं किंचिच्छ्रद्दधानस्ततो भवेत्
sarvasvaṃ jīvitaṃ cāpi dadyādaśraddhayā yadi | nāpnuyātsa phalaṃ kiṃcicchraddadhānastato bhavet
ആരെങ്കിലും ശ്രദ്ധയില്ലാതെ തന്റെ സർവ്വസ്വവും, ജീവനും പോലും ദാനം ചെയ്താലും അവന് യാതൊരു ഫലവും ലഭിക്കില്ല. അതിനാൽ ശ്രദ്ധയുള്ള ദാതാവാകണം.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A dramatic contrast: a figure theatrically offering riches and even stepping toward self-sacrifice, yet surrounded by a grey, empty aura; beside, a modest devotee with folded hands radiates warm light—signifying śraddhā as the true offering.
FAQs
The merit of charity depends on śraddhā; without faith, even the greatest gift becomes fruitless.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it teaches a general rule of Purāṇic dāna-dharma.
Give with śraddhā; the inner disposition is prescribed as essential for dāna to bear fruit.