Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 47
परोपकरणं कायादसारात्सारमुद्धरेत् । धर्मे रागः श्रुतौ चिंता दाने व्यसनमुत्तमम्
paropakaraṇaṃ kāyādasārātsāramuddharet | dharme rāgaḥ śrutau ciṃtā dāne vyasanamuttamam
నశ్వరమైన దేహంలోని అసారంలోనుంచి సారాన్ని వెలికితీయాలి—పరోపకారం. ధర్మంపై ప్రేమ, శ్రుతి-శాస్త్రాలపై మననం, దానంలో ఉత్తమమైన ఆసక్తి—ఇవే శ్రేష్ఠం।
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa frame)
Scene: A human figure holding a fragile body-symbol (withered leaf/earthen pot) draws out a glowing jewel labeled ‘paropakāra’; nearby are three panels: devotion to dharma, contemplation of śruti (open palm-leaf manuscript), and generous giving (hands offering food/coins).
FAQs
The ‘essence’ to be drawn from a fragile human body is altruistic service, devotion to Dharma, scriptural reflection, and habitual generosity.
None is specified; the verse is a universal dharma-instruction.
Dāna (charity) is praised as an ideal, along with sustained engagement in Dharma and scripture.