Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 12
ऊषरे वापितं बीजं भिन्नभांडे च गोदुहम् । भस्मनीव हुतं हव्यं मूर्खे दानमशाश्वतम्
ūṣare vāpitaṃ bījaṃ bhinnabhāṃḍe ca goduham | bhasmanīva hutaṃ havyaṃ mūrkhe dānamaśāśvatam
بنجر زمین میں بیج بونا، ٹوٹے برتن میں گائے کا دودھ ڈالنا، اور راکھ میں ہویہ کی آہوتی دینا—اسی طرح احمق کو دیا ہوا دان پائیدار نہیں، اس کا پھل دیرپا نہیں ہوتا۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa default)
Scene: Triptych allegory: (1) seed scattered on white, saline barren land; (2) milk pouring from a cracked pot; (3) ghee offered into cold ashes—then a fourth implied panel: a donor giving to a foolish recipient, the gift slipping away without benefit.
FAQs
For dāna to bear enduring merit, the recipient must be capable of receiving and honoring it.
No specific site is referenced; the verse is a general dharma instruction.
Avoid giving sacred offerings/charity in ways that nullify their fruit—choose recipients wisely.