Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 11
मंकिरुवाच । किं वरेण सुरश्रेष्ठ मम वृद्धस्य सांप्रतम् । किञ्चिन्मे परमं दुःखं स्थितस्यात्र परं प्रभो
maṃkiruvāca | kiṃ vareṇa suraśreṣṭha mama vṛddhasya sāṃpratam | kiñcinme paramaṃ duḥkhaṃ sthitasyātra paraṃ prabho
मंकी म्हणाला—“हे देवश्रेष्ठ, आता माझ्या वृद्धावस्थेत वराचा काय उपयोग? तरीही, हे परम प्रभो, येथे राहणाऱ्या मला एक मोठे दुःख सतावत आहे.”
Maṃkir
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śiva (Mahādeva)
Scene: Maṃki, frail with age, speaks with folded hands yet a pained expression; Śiva stands compassionate. The scene emphasizes humility and the poignancy of late-life reflection.
FAQs
True devotion values spiritual resolution over personal gain; even a boon is secondary to removing inner grief and obstacles to worship.
Prabhāsa-kṣetra, where the devotee remains engaged and seeks a deeper fulfillment than worldly benefits.
No direct prescription; the verse frames the devotee’s intention behind seeking divine help.