Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 21
अध्रुवेण शरीरेण यद्यभीष्टं न साध्यते । पश्चात्स शोच्यते मंदः पतितेऽस्मिञ्छरीरके
adhruveṇa śarīreṇa yadyabhīṣṭaṃ na sādhyate | paścātsa śocyate maṃdaḥ patite'smiñcharīrake
या अनित्य देहाने जर अभिष्ट साध्य झाले नाही, तर नंतर हा मंदबुद्धी जन देह पडल्यावर शोक करीत बसतो.
Śrī Devī
Scene: A traveler hesitating at a crossroads while a shadowy figure of Time (Kāla) approaches; a fallen garland symbolizes the body’s fall; a temple silhouette in the distance represents the unfulfilled goal.
FAQs
Because the body is impermanent, dharma urges timely effort—otherwise regret arises at life’s end.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the teaching is ethical and existential.
No specific ritual is named; it reinforces the urgency to undertake meaningful sādhanā such as tapas while able.