Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 41
स्वशक्त्या सर्व भूतेषु यदसौ न पराङ्मुखः । तीर्थायेके प्रशंसंति नंदभद्रो न मन्यते
svaśaktyā sarva bhūteṣu yadasau na parāṅmukhaḥ | tīrthāyeke praśaṃsaṃti naṃdabhadro na manyate
Sapagkat sa sariling lakas ng loob ay hindi siya tumatalikod sa alinmang nilalang, kaya may ilang pumupuri sa kanya bilang isang “tīrtha” (banal na pook ng paglalakbay-dasalin). Ngunit si Nandabhadra mismo ay hindi tumatanggap ng gayong papuri.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative style)
Tirtha: Nandabhadra (as a ‘jīva-tīrtha’ / living tīrtha)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Villagers, ascetics, and the poor approach Nandabhadra from all sides; he faces none away, hands open in welcome. A subtle river-ford motif behind him suggests ‘crossing’ (tīrtha). He gently declines garlands offered in praise.
FAQs
True holiness is measured by unwavering benevolence toward all beings, not by self-proclaimed status.
No single geographic tīrtha is named; the verse elevates righteous conduct itself as ‘tīrtha-like’ purity.
No external rite is prescribed; the emphasis is on inner strength and non-aversion toward beings.