Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 23
चिन्तयामास मेधावी नाहं शोचामि जीवितुम् । मयाहूता द्विजश्रेष्ठा यज्ञार्थं वेदपारगाः । इन्द्राद्याश्च सुराः सर्वे स क्रतुः स्यान्न मे त्वतः
cintayāmāsa medhāvī nāhaṃ śocāmi jīvitum | mayāhūtā dvijaśreṣṭhā yajñārthaṃ vedapāragāḥ | indrādyāśca surāḥ sarve sa kratuḥ syānna me tvataḥ
मेधावी चिन्तयामास—“नाहं जीवितुं शोचामि। मया यज्ञार्थं वेदपारगा द्विजश्रेष्ठा आहूताः, इन्द्राद्याश्च सर्वे सुराः। अतः स क्रतुः मत्तो न विफलः स्यात्।”
Trita (self-reflection/inner resolve voiced in narration)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Assemblage of sages (naimiṣāraṇya frame, typical) / within episode addressed to a 'fair-complexioned lady' later
Scene: A learned brāhmaṇa, calm and resolute, reflects that his life is secondary to the successful completion of a grand sacrifice for which Vedic experts and the gods have been invited; the sacred landscape of Prabhāsa is implied.
FAQs
Dharma is upheld by steadfast commitment to sacred duty; even in suffering, one should protect the integrity of yajña and one’s vows.
The teaching is embedded in the Prabhāsakṣetra-māhātmya, reinforcing Prabhāsa’s sacrality through exemplary dharmic resolve.
The verse emphasizes completing a kratu/yajña as undertaken, honoring invited Veda-knowing brāhmaṇas and the devas—i.e., fidelity to sacrificial commitments.