Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 37
के च प्रकाराश्चत्वारः किंस्वित्तत्त्रिविधं द्विज । पयो नाशाश्च के प्रोक्ता दानस्यैतत्स्फुटं वद
ke ca prakārāścatvāraḥ kiṃsvittattrividhaṃ dvija | payo nāśāśca ke proktā dānasyaitatsphuṭaṃ vada
“Ano ang apat na paraan (ng dāna), at ano ang sinasabing tatluhan, O dalawang-beseng-isinilang? At anu-ano ang mga ‘pagkalugi’ na itinuturo tungkol sa dāna? Ipaliwanag mo ang lahat nang malinaw.”
The King
Listener: Śaunaka et al. (frame) / the addressed brāhmaṇa (‘dvija’) within the story
Scene: The questioner presses for finer distinctions: four modes, a threefold principle, and the ‘destroyers’ of merit—suggesting a teacher about to enumerate with finger-counting gestures.
FAQs
Understanding the right categories of dāna includes knowing what strengthens merit and what causes its decline.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse continues a doctrinal interrogation on dāna.
A request for a precise explanation of dāna’s types, a threefold division, and factors that destroy or reduce its fruit.