Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 23
बाल्ये च यौवने चापि वार्धक्येपि विनश्यति । तेन चंचलदेहेन कोऽर्थः स्वार्थो न चेद्भवेत्
bālye ca yauvane cāpi vārdhakyepi vinaśyati | tena caṃcaladehena ko'rthaḥ svārtho na cedbhavet
یہ بچپن میں بھی فنا ہوتا ہے، جوانی میں بھی، اور بڑھاپے میں بھی۔ پھر اس بے قرار جسم کی کیا قدر، اگر اپنا حقیقی مقصد حاصل نہ ہو؟
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: Three panels (child, youth, elder) each fading like sand drawings; in the center, a steady flame labeled ‘svārtha’ remains unmoved, with a pilgrim offering a lamp to Śiva.
FAQs
Because the body can fail at any stage of life, one should prioritize the soul’s aim—dharma and liberation—over bodily attachment.
None is directly praised in this verse; it provides the ethical-philosophical foundation for the ensuing tapas on Himavat.
No explicit rite is stated; the verse urges inner resolve toward the highest good.