Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 66
व्याघ्र उवाच । अन्येषां चैव भूतानां तद्दानं युज्यते शुभे । अहिंसया भवेद्येषां प्राणयात्रान्नपूर्वकम्
vyāghra uvāca | anyeṣāṃ caiva bhūtānāṃ taddānaṃ yujyate śubhe | ahiṃsayā bhavedyeṣāṃ prāṇayātrānnapūrvakam
Harimau berkata: Wahai wanita yang mulia lagi membawa tuah, sedekah “tanpa takut” itu layak bagi makhluk lain—mereka yang dapat mengekalkan kehidupan dengan ahimsa, bersandar pada makanan sebagai penopang hidup.
Vyāghra (the tiger)
Listener: Nandinī
Scene: A tiger, surprisingly articulate and composed, addresses Nandinī with folded forepaws or respectful posture, questioning how abhaya-dāna applies to beings whose sustenance depends on violence.
FAQs
It raises the dilemma of applying non-violence and fearlessness when a being’s livelihood seems tied to harming others.
The verse is part of the lead-up to a local shrine’s praise; the specific sacred Liṅga is introduced shortly afterward.
No direct ritual; it frames a moral question about ahiṃsā and sustaining life.