Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 157
राजोवाच । भूतादिभ्यो यथा विप्र नाम्ना वोद्दिश्य दीयते । सुरादीनां कथं चैव संक्षेपेण न दीयते
rājovāca | bhūtādibhyo yathā vipra nāmnā voddiśya dīyate | surādīnāṃ kathaṃ caiva saṃkṣepeṇa na dīyate
Raja berkata: “Wahai brāhmaṇa, sebagaimana persembahan kepada makhluk seperti bhūta diberikan dengan menyebut nama mereka—mengapa persembahan kepada para dewa dan yang lain tidak juga diberikan demikian, secara ringkas?”
Rājā (the king)
Scene: A king respectfully questions a learned brāhmaṇa about why offerings to gods cannot be done merely by naming, as is done for bhūta-bali; the setting suggests a sacred precinct with ritual vessels and fire nearby.
FAQs
It probes ritual logic: if dedication-by-name works for some recipients, what governs proper dedication for gods and other classes of beings?
No tīrtha is mentioned.
The verse references uddiśya dāna—giving offerings by explicitly designating recipients by name.