Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 26
परेषामनपेक्ष्यैव कृतप्रतिकृतं हि यः । प्रवर्तते हितायैव स सुहृत्प्रोच्यते बुधैः
pareṣāmanapekṣyaiva kṛtapratikṛtaṃ hi yaḥ | pravartate hitāyaiva sa suhṛtprocyate budhaiḥ
பிறரை எதிர்பாராமல், செய்த உதவிக்கு உதவியாகத் திருப்பிச் செய்து, பரஹிதத்திற்காக மட்டுமே செயல்படுபவனையே ஞானிகள் ‘உண்மையான சுஹ்ருத்’ எனக் கூறுவர்।
Indradyumna (contextual continuation of his reflection on friendship)
Scene: A didactic vignette: a traveler-friend offers water, shade, and guidance to another without being asked; in the background, a tīrtha path with a well and a small shrine underscores pilgrimage ethics.
FAQs
Friendship in dharma is measured by selfless initiative and active concern for another’s good.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse is an ethical definition within the narrative.
None; the prescription is moral conduct—repaying kindness and acting for others’ welfare.