Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 7
न तस्य जायते श्रेयस्तत्समुत्थं कथंचन । एतत्प्रोक्तं तदा तेन यदा स्थानं ददौ हि नः
na tasya jāyate śreyastatsamutthaṃ kathaṃcana | etatproktaṃ tadā tena yadā sthānaṃ dadau hi naḥ
Daripada perbuatan yang tidak wajar itu, tiada sekali-kali lahir pahala yang membawa keberkatan. Inilah yang telah diisytiharkan olehnya pada waktu itu, ketika baginda menganugerahkan tempat ini kepada kami.
Nāgara brāhmaṇas (collectively), citing an earlier authority (contextual)
Tirtha: Nāgara-kṣetra (implied)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A declarative moment: the original grant is recalled; a sage-like authority states that no śreyas arises from the improper act; listeners absorb the rule in calm seriousness.
FAQs
Spiritual merit (śreyas) depends not only on the act but on correct dharmic conditions and sanctioned procedure within a sacred place.
The verse refers to a specific ‘sthāna’ (sacred jurisdiction) within Nāgarakhaṇḍa’s tīrtha narrative, presented as specially allotted to the Nāgara brāhmaṇas.
A negative prescription: rites done in violation of the established local rule do not generate śreyas (spiritual benefit).