Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 151
अथ स्वर्गेऽथ नरेक स्थिताः कर्माभियंत्रिताः । शक्नुवंति वरानेतान्दातुं ते चेश्वराः कथम्
atha svarge'tha nareka sthitāḥ karmābhiyaṃtritāḥ | śaknuvaṃti varānetāndātuṃ te ceśvarāḥ katham
அவர்கள் ஸ்வர்கத்திலோ நரகத்திலோ இருந்து, கர்மத்தால் கட்டுப்பட்டவர்களாக இருந்தால்—‘ஈச்வரர்’ எனக் கூறப்படுபவர்கள் இத்தகைய வரங்களை எவ்வாறு அளிக்க இயலும்?
Karaṃdhama (continuing the query)
Scene: The king presses the question about Pitṛs’ lordship; the sage remains composed. Symbolic imagery shows a wheel of karma binding beings, while a stream of merit rises from offerings, suggesting lawful transfer beyond personal ‘lordship’.
FAQs
It questions apparent contradictions: karmic determinism versus the traditional belief that satisfied ancestors bestow blessings.
No tīrtha is specified in this verse.
No new prescription is given; it continues the inquiry about the results attributed to Śrāddha.