Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 23
न्यायेनागतया वृत्त्या भिक्षया वार्तयापि च । संतोषो यस्य सततं सा तुष्टिरिति चोच्यते
nyāyenāgatayā vṛttyā bhikṣayā vārtayāpi ca | saṃtoṣo yasya satataṃ sā tuṣṭiriti cocyate
جو شخص حلال و منصفانہ طریقے سے حاصل کی ہوئی روزی پر—خواہ بھیک سے ہو یا دیانت دار کسب سے—ہمیشہ راضی رہے، اسی کو قناعت (تُشٹی) کہا جاتا ہے۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative style)
Listener: Disciple/ṛṣi
Scene: A serene person receiving simple alms in a bowl, and another earning modestly through honest work; both shown with the same calm, satisfied expression, with a balanced scale symbolizing ‘nyāya’ (justice).
FAQs
Be content with what comes through righteous means, whatever one’s mode of livelihood.
None is mentioned; the teaching is ethical and universal.
No specific rite; it prescribes the niyama of santoṣa grounded in honest livelihood.