Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 3
मातापितृभ्यां न करोति कामान्बन्धूनशोकान्न करोति यो वा । कीर्तिं हि वा नार्जयते न मानं नरः स जातोऽपि मृतोऽत्र लोके
mātāpitṛbhyāṃ na karoti kāmānbandhūnaśokānna karoti yo vā | kīrtiṃ hi vā nārjayate na mānaṃ naraḥ sa jāto'pi mṛto'tra loke
यो मातापितृभ्यां यथोचितान् कामान् न करोति, यो वा बन्धून् अशोकान् न करोति, कीर्तिं मानं च न अर्जयते—स नरः जातोऽपि लोकेऽस्मिन् मृततुल्य एव।
Tāraka (continuation)
Scene: A moral tableau: a householder neglecting aged parents and sorrowful kin contrasted with an honoured, dutiful son; the neglected figure appears shadowed, ‘dead while living’.
FAQs
Dharma begins with responsibility—service to parents, protection of family, and a life that earns honour through right action.
None; the verse teaches gṛhastha/social dharma.
No explicit rite is stated; the prescription is ethical: serve parents and support one’s kin.