Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 65
शतं सहस्रं विश्वं च सर्वमक्षय वाचकम् । परिमाणं शतं त्वेव नैतदक्षय्यवाचकम्
śataṃ sahasraṃ viśvaṃ ca sarvamakṣaya vācakam | parimāṇaṃ śataṃ tveva naitadakṣayyavācakam
‘शंभर’, ‘हजार’ आणि ‘संपूर्ण विश्व’—हे सर्व शब्द अक्षयाचा बोध करू शकतात. पण ‘शंभर’ हे जेव्हा मोजमापाच्या परिमाणाने सांगितले जाते, तेव्हा ते अक्षयवाचक ठरत नाही।
Unclear (didactic voice within the discourse; likely Sūta’s recitation)
Scene: A learned brāhmaṇa-teacher explaining the subtle difference between measured numbers and ‘inexhaustible’ merit, with palm-leaf manuscript and disciples listening in a quiet āśrama setting.
FAQs
Scriptural language uses numbers both literally and as indicators of vast/inexhaustible results; context determines meaning.
None; the verse is about interpretation and terminology, not sacred geography.
None; it clarifies wording that may relate to ‘akṣaya’ merit in other contexts.