Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 12
उपकारप्रदानं च यत्किंचित्तस्य संमतम् । अन्यस्मिन्दिवसे शूद्रः स पिता पूर्वजन्मनः । तस्य पञ्चत्वमापन्नः संप्राप्ते चायुषः क्षये
upakārapradānaṃ ca yatkiṃcittasya saṃmatam | anyasmindivase śūdraḥ sa pitā pūrvajanmanaḥ | tasya pañcatvamāpannaḥ saṃprāpte cāyuṣaḥ kṣaye
Lalu dia memberikan segala bantuan yang dipersetujui dan bermanfaat baginya. Kemudian, pada suatu hari yang lain, śūdra itu—yang pernah menjadi ayahnya dalam kelahiran terdahulu—mencapai kematian ketika usia hayatnya berakhir.
Narrator (contextual Purāṇic narration within Tīrthamāhātmya; likely Skanda)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A poignant reveal: the supported śūdra is understood as the former father; soon after, he dies at lifespan’s end. The benefactor’s steady assistance is shown as fulfilled duty amid impermanence.
FAQs
Obligation and gratitude can transcend a single lifetime; death is certain, so one should complete duties of care while time remains.
The setting remains within a Nāgarakhaṇḍa Māhātmya; this verse itself does not name the tīrtha.
Practical ‘upakāra’ (acts of benefit) is highlighted; formal post-death rites are introduced in the following verse.