Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 36

Devanagari script

अनाथं कृपणं वृद्धं स्त्रियं बालं निरागसम् । परिरक्ष धनैः प्राणैर्बुद्ध्या शक्त्या बलेन च

Transliteration

anāthaṃ kṛpaṇaṃ vṛddhaṃ striyaṃ bālaṃ nirāgasam | parirakṣa dhanaiḥ prāṇairbuddhyā śaktyā balena ca

Translation

当护持孤苦无依者、贫乏者、老者、妇女、孩童与无过者：以财物、以生命、以智慧、以能力、以力量而护之。

Word by Word

• अनाथम्: the helpless/orphan
• अनाथम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• कृपणम्: the poor/wretched
• कृपणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• वृद्धम्: the old person
• वृद्धम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्त्रियम्: a woman
• स्त्रियम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• बालम्: a child
• बालम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• निरागसम्: blameless
• निरागसम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् (उपसर्ग) + आगस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); नञ्/निर्-प्रत्ययार्थ (without fault)

• परिरक्ष: protect
• परिरक्ष: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि + रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• धनैः: with wealth/resources
• धनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• प्राणैः: with (your) life(s); at the cost of life
• प्राणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बुद्ध्या: with intelligence
• बुद्ध्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• शक्त्या: with strength/ability
• शक्त्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• बलेन: with force
• बलेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Unspecified (didactic instruction within Brahmottarakhaṇḍa; speaker not stated in the snippet)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A protector figure distributing food and coins, supporting an elderly person, shielding a woman and child from danger; a compassionate yet strong stance; background hints of a pilgrimage road with a rest-house and a sacred flag.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

True dharma expresses itself as protection and compassionate support for those who cannot defend themselves.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No location is mentioned; the verse is a general dharmic mandate.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

Implied dāna and service: using wealth and capacity to protect and sustain the vulnerable.