Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 67
दातुरेवोपकाराय वदत्यर्थीति देहि मे । यस्माद्दाता प्रयात्यूर्ध्वमधस्तिष्ठेत्प्रतिग्रही
dāturevopakārāya vadatyarthīti dehi me | yasmāddātā prayātyūrdhvamadhastiṣṭhetpratigrahī
سوال کرنے والا 'مجھے دو' کہہ کر دراصل دینے والے ہی کا بھلا کرتا ہے؛ کیونکہ دینے والا بلندی کی طرف جاتا ہے، جبکہ صرف لینے والا نیچے ہی رہتا ہے۔
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa convention)
Scene: A humble supplicant speaks ‘dehi me’ while a radiant path rises behind the giver; the receiver stands on lower ground, emphasizing the verse’s moral geometry.
FAQs
The request for alms is framed as an opportunity for the donor’s uplift; giving generates puṇya and spiritual ascent.
No tīrtha is specified; the verse focuses on the moral economy of dāna.
Encourages dāna to the arthī (supplicant), implying merit accrues primarily to the giver.