Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 26
परेषामनपेक्ष्यैव कृतप्रतिकृतं हि यः । प्रवर्तते हितायैव स सुहृत्प्रोच्यते बुधैः
pareṣāmanapekṣyaiva kṛtapratikṛtaṃ hi yaḥ | pravartate hitāyaiva sa suhṛtprocyate budhaiḥ
ผู้ใดไม่คอยพึ่งพาผู้อื่น กระทำการตอบแทนคุณต่อคุณ และดำเนินไปเพื่อประโยชน์ของผู้อื่นเท่านั้น—บัณฑิตทั้งหลายเรียกผู้นั้นว่าเป็นมิตรแท้
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.