Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 12
ऊषरे वापितं बीजं भिन्नभांडे च गोदुहम् । भस्मनीव हुतं हव्यं मूर्खे दानमशाश्वतम्
ūṣare vāpitaṃ bījaṃ bhinnabhāṃḍe ca goduham | bhasmanīva hutaṃ havyaṃ mūrkhe dānamaśāśvatam
Как семя, посеянное в бесплодную землю, как молоко, вылитое в разбитый сосуд, и как жертвенное приношение (хавис), брошенное в пепел, — такова милостыня, данная глупцу: не приносит она долговечного плода.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa default)
Scene: Triptych allegory: (1) seed scattered on white, saline barren land; (2) milk pouring from a cracked pot; (3) ghee offered into cold ashes—then a fourth implied panel: a donor giving to a foolish recipient, the gift slipping away without benefit.
FAQs
For dāna to bear enduring merit, the recipient must be capable of receiving and honoring it.
No specific site is referenced; the verse is a general dharma instruction.
Avoid giving sacred offerings/charity in ways that nullify their fruit—choose recipients wisely.