Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 23
चिन्तयामास मेधावी नाहं शोचामि जीवितुम् । मयाहूता द्विजश्रेष्ठा यज्ञार्थं वेदपारगाः । इन्द्राद्याश्च सुराः सर्वे स क्रतुः स्यान्न मे त्वतः
cintayāmāsa medhāvī nāhaṃ śocāmi jīvitum | mayāhūtā dvijaśreṣṭhā yajñārthaṃ vedapāragāḥ | indrādyāśca surāḥ sarve sa kratuḥ syānna me tvataḥ
ผู้มีปัญญาใคร่ครวญว่า “เรามิได้เศร้าโศกต่อชีวิตของตน เราได้อัญเชิญพราหมณ์ผู้ประเสริฐ ผู้เชี่ยวชาญพระเวท เพื่อการบูชายัญ และได้อัญเชิญเหล่าเทพทั้งปวงมีพระอินทร์เป็นต้นด้วย เพราะฉะนั้นพิธีกรรมศักดิ์สิทธิ์นั้นอย่าได้ล้มเหลวเพราะเราเลย”
Trita (self-reflection/inner resolve voiced in narration)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Assemblage of sages (naimiṣāraṇya frame, typical) / within episode addressed to a 'fair-complexioned lady' later
Scene: A learned brāhmaṇa, calm and resolute, reflects that his life is secondary to the successful completion of a grand sacrifice for which Vedic experts and the gods have been invited; the sacred landscape of Prabhāsa is implied.
FAQs
Dharma is upheld by steadfast commitment to sacred duty; even in suffering, one should protect the integrity of yajña and one’s vows.
The teaching is embedded in the Prabhāsakṣetra-māhātmya, reinforcing Prabhāsa’s sacrality through exemplary dharmic resolve.
The verse emphasizes completing a kratu/yajña as undertaken, honoring invited Veda-knowing brāhmaṇas and the devas—i.e., fidelity to sacrificial commitments.