Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 27
स्वार्थोद्युक्तधियो ये स्युरन्वर्थास्तेप्यसुंधराः । मरणं प्रकृतिश्चैव जीवितं विकृतिर्यदा
svārthodyuktadhiyo ye syuranvarthāstepyasuṃdharāḥ | maraṇaṃ prakṛtiścaiva jīvitaṃ vikṛtiryadā
स्वार्थपरायणधियः ये स्युः, नाममात्रेण जीविनोऽपि ते न खलु जीवनधारिणः। यदा मरणं प्रकृतिरिव मन्यते, जीवनं च विकृतिरिव भवति, तदा धर्ममूल्यविपर्यासः सञ्जायते।
Indradyumna (contextual continuation)
Scene: A contemplative figure stands at a crossroads: one path crowded with grasping hands and gold (self-interest), the other with a lamp, water-pot, and open palms (dharma). A subtle motif shows a corpse-like shadow clinging to the selfish path, while the dharmic path glows with life.
FAQs
A life centered on selfishness is portrayed as spiritually hollow, as if life itself has lost its proper meaning.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is nīti (ethical instruction) within the Purāṇic story.
None; the emphasis is on inner disposition—moving from svārtha to hitācaraṇa (benefiting others).