Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 18
न विद्यया केवलया तपसा वापि पात्रता । यत्र वृत्तिमिमे चोभे तद्वि पात्रं प्रचक्षते
na vidyayā kevalayā tapasā vāpi pātratā | yatra vṛttimime cobhe tadvi pātraṃ pracakṣate
صرف علم سے، یا صرف ریاضت و تپسیا سے، عطیہ قبول کرنے کی اہلیت پیدا نہیں ہوتی۔ جس میں سُچّا آچرن اور یہ دونوں اوصاف ایک ساتھ ہوں، وہی حقیقی مستحق (پاتر) کہلاتا ہے۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A discerning donor in a pilgrimage setting weighs two candidates: one learned but ethically lax, another austere but lacking learning; the ideal recipient is shown with both scriptural study and impeccable conduct.
FAQs
True worthiness is holistic: learning and austerity must be joined with right conduct.
No tīrtha is referenced; the teaching is ethical and applicable across sacred geographies.
Before giving dāna, examine whether the recipient embodies both spiritual discipline and proper conduct.