Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 6
दुर्लभा भक्तिः सूर्ये वा दुर्लभं तस्य चार्चनम् । दानं च दुर्लभं तस्मै ततो होमश्च दुर्लभः
durlabhā bhaktiḥ sūrye vā durlabhaṃ tasya cārcanam | dānaṃ ca durlabhaṃ tasmai tato homaśca durlabhaḥ
سورج دیو میں بھکتی نایاب ہے؛ اس کی ارچنا بھی نایاب ہے۔ اس کے لیے دان دینا بھی کم یاب ہے، اور اس کے لیے ہوم (آگ میں آہوتی) کرنا تو اس سے بھی زیادہ نایاب ہے۔
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A four-panel visual: (1) devotee in meditation (bhakti), (2) offering flowers at Sūrya altar (arcana), (3) giving alms (dāna), (4) tending a small sacred fire (homa) under the sun—each labeled ‘durlabha’.
FAQs
True devotion expressed through worship, charity, and homa is uncommon; the verse urges valuing and undertaking these higher disciplines.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse discusses devotional and ritual rarity in general.
Arcana (formal worship), dāna (charity), and homa (fire-offering) dedicated to Sūrya.