Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 65
शतं सहस्रं विश्वं च सर्वमक्षय वाचकम् । परिमाणं शतं त्वेव नैतदक्षय्यवाचकम्
śataṃ sahasraṃ viśvaṃ ca sarvamakṣaya vācakam | parimāṇaṃ śataṃ tveva naitadakṣayyavācakam
‘நூறு’, ‘ஆயிரம்’, ‘முழு உலகம்’—இத்தகைய சொற்கள் அனைத்தும் அக்ஷயத்தைச் சுட்டலாம். ஆனால் ‘நூறு’ அளவாகக் குறிப்பிட்டால் அது அக்ஷயவாசகம் அல்ல।
Unclear (didactic voice within the discourse; likely Sūta’s recitation)
Scene: A learned brāhmaṇa-teacher explaining the subtle difference between measured numbers and ‘inexhaustible’ merit, with palm-leaf manuscript and disciples listening in a quiet āśrama setting.
FAQs
Scriptural language uses numbers both literally and as indicators of vast/inexhaustible results; context determines meaning.
None; the verse is about interpretation and terminology, not sacred geography.
None; it clarifies wording that may relate to ‘akṣaya’ merit in other contexts.