Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 67
दातुरेवोपकाराय वदत्यर्थीति देहि मे । यस्माद्दाता प्रयात्यूर्ध्वमधस्तिष्ठेत्प्रतिग्रही
dāturevopakārāya vadatyarthīti dehi me | yasmāddātā prayātyūrdhvamadhastiṣṭhetpratigrahī
Si peminta berkata: “Aku berhajat—berilah kepadaku,” demi kebaikan si pemberi sendiri; kerana pemberi terangkat ke atas, sedangkan penerima semata-mata tetap di bawah.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa convention)
Scene: A humble supplicant speaks ‘dehi me’ while a radiant path rises behind the giver; the receiver stands on lower ground, emphasizing the verse’s moral geometry.
FAQs
The request for alms is framed as an opportunity for the donor’s uplift; giving generates puṇya and spiritual ascent.
No tīrtha is specified; the verse focuses on the moral economy of dāna.
Encourages dāna to the arthī (supplicant), implying merit accrues primarily to the giver.