Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 24
पितृमातृसुतभ्रातृयोषिद्बंधुजनाधिकः । जायते चैकलः प्राणी म्रियते च तथै कलः
pitṛmātṛsutabhrātṛyoṣidbaṃdhujanādhikaḥ | jāyate caikalaḥ prāṇī mriyate ca tathai kalaḥ
ପିତା, ମାତା, ପୁତ୍ର, ଭ୍ରାତା, ପତ୍ନୀ ଓ ଅନେକ ବନ୍ଧୁଜନ ଘେରିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରାଣୀ ଏକାକୀ ଜନ୍ମ ନେଉଛି, ଏବଂ ଏକାକୀ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ବରଣ କରୁଛି।
Unspecified (Dharmāraṇyakhaṇḍa narrative voice; traditionally framed within Sūta’s discourse in Purāṇic setting)
Scene: A human figure at birth and at death shown as solitary moments; relatives appear around but cannot cross the threshold; a subtle path leading onward symbolizes the soul’s lone journey.
FAQs
It cultivates vairāgya: despite social bonds, the soul’s journey at birth and death is solitary, so one must rely on dharma.
No location is praised; the verse serves as a universal reflection often used to intensify pilgrimage-purpose and renunciation.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; the verse prescribes a contemplative discipline—remembering mortality to prioritize dharma.