Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 21
धननामा वणिक्कश्चित्तत्रैव वसते सदा । धनाढ्यः स तु धर्मात्मा सदा धर्मपरायणः
dhananāmā vaṇikkaścittatraiva vasate sadā | dhanāḍhyaḥ sa tu dharmātmā sadā dharmaparāyaṇaḥ
அங்கே ‘தன’ என்ற பெயருடைய ஒரு வணிகன் எப்போதும் வாழ்ந்தான். செல்வமிக்கவனாயினும் அவன் தர்மசிந்தையுடன் எந்நாளும் தர்மத்தில் நிலைத்திருந்தான்।
Unspecified narrator within Prabhāsakṣetra Māhātmya (deductively: Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa narrating to sages)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Rājñī (queen)
Scene: Portrait-like introduction of Dhana the merchant: a prosperous yet modestly composed figure in a sacred city, suggesting inner righteousness over outward opulence.
FAQs
Wealth is not condemned; it is sanctified when joined to steadfast dharma and right conduct.
Prabhāsa Kṣetra, where the narrative sets the exemplary dharmic life of a resident devotee.
No direct rite is prescribed here; the verse establishes the character of a dharma-oriented householder in the sacred region.