Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 36
सार्वभौमो महीपाल एकोऽन्यश्च निरीहकः । सुभगस्तु तयोर्नित्यं भूयाद्भूयो निरीहकः
sārvabhaumo mahīpāla eko'nyaśca nirīhakaḥ | subhagastu tayornityaṃ bhūyādbhūyo nirīhakaḥ
एक जण सार्वभौम राजा, पृथ्वीचा पालक असू शकतो; दुसरा निरिह, निष्काम असू शकतो. पण या दोघांत वारंवार धन्य तोच, जो स्पृहारहित आहे।
Atri (contextual continuation of the teaching)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis / pilgrims as implied audience
Scene: A symbolic tableau: on one side a crowned universal monarch with attendants; on the other a serene, simply clad ascetic. The radiance of ‘fortune’ subtly surrounds the desireless one.
FAQs
Worldly sovereignty is inferior to inner freedom; the greatest auspiciousness is desirelessness.
Not a named site in this verse; it supports the Māhātmya theme that pilgrimage sanctity is measured by detachment.
No ritual; it offers a value-judgment elevating desirelessness as the highest blessing.