Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 47
परोपकरणं कायादसारात्सारमुद्धरेत् । धर्मे रागः श्रुतौ चिंता दाने व्यसनमुत्तमम्
paropakaraṇaṃ kāyādasārātsāramuddharet | dharme rāgaḥ śrutau ciṃtā dāne vyasanamuttamam
Từ thân thể mong manh này, hãy rút lấy tinh hoa—phụng sự người khác. Yêu mến Chánh Pháp, suy niệm lời dạy thánh, và một “niềm say” cao quý đối với bố thí—ấy là điều tối thượng.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa frame)
Scene: A human figure holding a fragile body-symbol (withered leaf/earthen pot) draws out a glowing jewel labeled ‘paropakāra’; nearby are three panels: devotion to dharma, contemplation of śruti (open palm-leaf manuscript), and generous giving (hands offering food/coins).
FAQs
The ‘essence’ to be drawn from a fragile human body is altruistic service, devotion to Dharma, scriptural reflection, and habitual generosity.
None is specified; the verse is a universal dharma-instruction.
Dāna (charity) is praised as an ideal, along with sustained engagement in Dharma and scripture.