Skanda Purana — Reva Khanda — Chapter 87

SkP-RK 87.1

मार्कण्डेय उवाच: उत्तानपादो राजेन्द्र पृच्छति स्म महेश्वरम् । सिद्धाश् च कीदृशा देव अपूज्याश् चैव कीदृशाः

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca: uttānapādo rājendra pṛcchati sma maheśvaram / siddhāś ca kīdṛśā deva apūjyāś caiva kīdṛśāḥ

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Uttānapāda, O best of kings, asked Maheśvara: "And what sort are the accomplished ones, O god, and what sort are those not worthy of honour,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.2

श्राद्धे चैवाह्निके यज्ञे दाने चैव विशेषतः । एतद् आख्याहि मे देव कस्य दानं न दीयते

śrāddhe caivāhnike yajñe dāne caiva viśeṣataḥ / etad ākhyāhi me deva kasya dānaṃ na dīyate

in a śrāddha, in the daily rite, in a sacrifice, and especially in a gift? Tell me this, O god: to whom is a gift not to be given?"

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.3

ईश्वर उवाच: यथा काष्ठमयो हस्ती यथा चर्ममयो मृगः । ब्राह्मणश् चानधीयानस्त्रयस्ते नामधारकाः

īśvara uvāca: yathā kāṣṭhamayo hastī yathā carmamayo mṛgaḥ / brāhmaṇaś cānadhīyānastrayaste nāmadhārakāḥ

Īśvara said: As an elephant made of wood, as a deer made of leather, so a brahmin who has not studied — these three are bearers of a name (only).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.4

रोगी हीनातिरिक्ताङ्गः काणः पौनर्भवस् तथा । अवकीर्णः कुण्डगोलौ श्राद्धे दाने न शुद्ध्यति

rogī hīnātiriktāṅgaḥ kāṇaḥ paunarbhavas tathā / avakīrṇaḥ kuṇḍagolau śrāddhe dāne na śuddhyati

A sick man, one with a limb deficient or superfluous, a one-eyed man, one born of a remarried woman, one who has broken his vow of chastity, a kuṇḍa and a gola — (such a one) is not pure for a śrāddha or a gift.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.5

माहिष्यो वृषलः स्तेनो वार्धक्यो ऽथ विशेषतः । एते विप्राः सदा त्याज्याः पश्चान् मानं प्रशंसति

māhiṣyo vṛṣalaḥ steno vārdhakyo 'tha viśeṣataḥ / ete viprāḥ sadā tyājyāḥ paścān mānaṃ praśaṃsati

A māhiṣya, a śūdra, a thief, and especially a usurer — these brahmins are always to be avoided; afterwards one praises the honour (shown).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.6

प्रतिग्रहं तु गृह्णाति कालज्ञानं विना द्विजः । तस्य दानं न दातव्यं वृथा भवति निष्फलम्

pratigrahaṃ tu gṛhṇāti kālajñānaṃ vinā dvijaḥ / tasya dānaṃ na dātavyaṃ vṛthā bhavati niṣphalam

But when a twice-born man accepts a gift without knowledge of the (proper) time, to him no gift should be given; it becomes vain and fruitless.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.7

दरिद्रान् देहि राजंस् त्वं मा समृद्धान् कदाचन । व्याधितस्यौषधं पथ्यं नीरुजस्य किमौषधम्

daridrān dehi rājaṃs tvaṃ mā samṛddhān kadācana / vyādhitasyauṣadhaṃ pathyaṃ nīrujasya kimauṣadham

Give to the poor, O king, never to the prosperous: medicine and a regimen are for the sick man — what medicine is there for one without disease?

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.8

उत्तानपाद उवाच: विधिश् च कीदृशी देव कथं श्राद्धस्य च क्रिया । दानं च दीयते येन तन् ममाख्यातुम् अर्हसि

uttānapāda uvāca: vidhiś ca kīdṛśī deva kathaṃ śrāddhasya ca kriyā / dānaṃ ca dīyate yena tan mamākhyātum arhasi

Uttānapāda said: And what is the rule, O god, and how is the performance of a śrāddha, and by what means is a gift given? That you ought to tell me.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.9

देव उवाच: श्राद्धं कृत्वा गृहे भक्त्या सुस्नातो विजितेन्द्रियः । वाग्यतस् तर्पयेत् तावद् यावत् संख्यामलङ्घयन्

deva uvāca: śrāddhaṃ kṛtvā gṛhe bhaktyā susnāto vijitendriyaḥ / vāgyatas tarpayet tāvad yāvat saṃkhyāmalaṅghayan

The god said: Having performed the śrāddha at home with devotion, well bathed, with senses subdued and speech restrained, he should make the water-offering just so far, not exceeding the (prescribed) number.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.10

शूलभेदं ततो गत्वा स्नानं कृत्वा यथाविधि । पञ्चस्थानेषु यः श्राद्धं हव्यकव्यादिभिश् चरेत्

śūlabhedaṃ tato gatvā snānaṃ kṛtvā yathāvidhi / pañcasthāneṣu yaḥ śrāddhaṃ havyakavyādibhiś caret

Then having gone to Śūlabheda and bathed according to the rule, whoever should perform the śrāddha at the five places with offerings to gods and ancestors and the rest,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.11

पिण्डदानं च य कुर्यात् पायसैर् मधुसर्पिषा । तस्य तत्फलम् आप्नोति तस्मिंस् तीर्थे न संशयः

piṇḍadānaṃ ca ya kuryāt pāyasair madhusarpiṣā / tasya tatphalam āpnoti tasmiṃs tīrthe na saṃśayaḥ

and whoever should make the offering of rice-balls with milk-rice, with honey and ghee — he obtains that fruit of it at that tīrtha, there is no doubt.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.12

उपानहौ च यो दद्याद् ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः । गच्छेद् विमानमारूढस् त्व् अमरैः परिवारितः

upānahau ca yo dadyād brāhmaṇebhyo viśeṣataḥ / gacched vimānamārūḍhas tv amaraiḥ parivāritaḥ

And whoever should give a pair of sandals to brahmins especially, he would go mounted on a celestial car, surrounded by the immortals.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.13

उत्तमं च गृहं दद्यात् सप्तधान्यैश् च पूरितम् । स स्वर्गलोके वसति काञ्चने भवनोत्तमे

uttamaṃ ca gṛhaṃ dadyāt saptadhānyaiś ca pūritam / sa svargaloke vasati kāñcane bhavanottame

And he should give an excellent house filled with the seven grains: he dwells in the world of heaven in a golden mansion of the best kind.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.14

तिलधेनुं च यो दद्यात् सवत्सां विधिपूर्वकम् । नाकपृष्ठे वसेत् तावद् यावद् आहूतसंप्लवम्

tiladhenuṃ ca yo dadyāt savatsāṃ vidhipūrvakam / nākapṛṣṭhe vaset tāvad yāvad āhūtasaṃplavam

And whoever should give, according to the rule, a cow of sesame together with its calf, he would dwell on the vault of heaven as long as the dissolution of beings (endures).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.15

गृहे वा यदि वारण्ये तीर्थे वा कुपथेषु च । तोयम् अन्नं च यो दद्याद् यमलोकं न पश्यति

gṛhe vā yadi vāraṇye tīrthe vā kupatheṣu ca / toyam annaṃ ca yo dadyād yamalokaṃ na paśyati

Whether at home or in the forest, at a tīrtha or on bad roads, whoever gives water and food does not see the world of Yama.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.16

अक्षयं चान्नदानं च तोयभूमिस् तथैव च । अन्नदानात् परं दानं न भूतो न भविष्यति

akṣayaṃ cānnadānaṃ ca toyabhūmis tathaiva ca / annadānāt paraṃ dānaṃ na bhūto na bhaviṣyati

The gift of food is imperishable, and likewise (the gift of) water and land; there has not been nor will there be a gift higher than the gift of food.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.17

उत्तानपाद उवाच: कन्यादानं कथं देव कर्तव्यं कथयस्व तत् । प्रतिग्रहं तथा तोष्यं कन्योद्वाहम् उपस्करम्

uttānapāda uvāca: kanyādānaṃ kathaṃ deva kartavyaṃ kathayasva tat / pratigrahaṃ tathā toṣyaṃ kanyodvāham upaskaram

Uttānapāda said: How, O god, is the giving of a maiden to be performed? Tell me that — and likewise the receiving (of her), the satisfying (of the parties), the wedding of the maiden, and its appurtenances.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.18

दातव्यं कस्य वै दानं दत्तं भवति चाक्षयम् । उत्तमं मध्यमं वापि कनीयांसं कथंचन

dātavyaṃ kasya vai dānaṃ dattaṃ bhavati cākṣayam / uttamaṃ madhyamaṃ vāpi kanīyāṃsaṃ kathaṃcana

To whom indeed should the gift be given so that, once given, it becomes imperishable — a highest, a middling, or in any case a lesser (gift)?

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.19

ईश्वर उवाच: सर्वेषाम् एव दानानां कन्यादानं विशिष्यते

īśvara uvāca: sarveṣām eva dānānāṃ kanyādānaṃ viśiṣyate

The Lord said: Of all gifts whatsoever, the gift of a maiden is the most excellent.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.20

यो दद्यात् परया भक्त्या अभिगम्य च यत्नतः । कुलीनस्य स्वरूपस्य गुणज्ञस्य विशेषतः

yo dadyāt parayā bhaktyā abhigamya ca yatnataḥ / kulīnasya svarūpasya guṇajñasya viśeṣataḥ

He who, having approached (the groom) and with the utmost devotion and care, (gives her) — especially to one of good family, of good form, and knowing (her) qualities—

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.21

सुलग्ने च मुहूर्ते च दद्यात् कन्याम् अलंकृताम् । अश्वान् नागांश् च वासांसि यो दद्याच् चैव भक्तितः

sulagne ca muhūrte ca dadyāt kanyām alaṃkṛtām / aśvān nāgāṃś ca vāsāṃsi yo dadyāc caiva bhaktitaḥ

and who at a good conjunction and (auspicious) moment gives the maiden adorned, and who out of devotion gives horses, elephants, and garments—

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.22

तस्य वासो भवेत् तत्र पदं यत्र निरामयम् । येन सा दुहिता दत्ता प्राणेभ्यो ऽपि गरीयसी

tasya vāso bhavet tatra padaṃ yatra nirāmayam / yena sā duhitā dattā prāṇebhyo 'pi garīyasī

his dwelling shall be there, in that place which is free of affliction; by whom that daughter, dearer even than life-breaths, has been given,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.23

तेन सर्वम् इदं दत्तं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् । धनं कन्यार्थतः कल्प्यो न रोचयति दुर्मतिः

tena sarvam idaṃ dattaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram / dhanaṃ kanyārthataḥ kalpyo na rocayati durmatiḥ

by him this whole threefold world with all that moves and does not move has been given. Wealth is to be reckoned as being for the maiden's sake; the fool does not care for (this).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.24

स भवेत् कर्मचाण्डालः कोशकारो भवेन् मृतः । कन्यार्थं याचते यस् तु स धनी निर्धनो ऽपि वा

sa bhavet karmacāṇḍālaḥ kośakāro bhaven mṛtaḥ / kanyārthaṃ yācate yas tu sa dhanī nirdhano 'pi vā

He becomes an outcaste by his deeds, and when dead becomes a silkworm — but whoever begs for the sake of a maiden, whether he be rich or poor,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.25

अभोज्यो भवते मर्त्यः सर्ववस्तुषु वर्जितः । गृहे तस्य च यो ऽश्नीयाज् जिह्वालम्पटको नृप

abhojyo bhavate martyaḥ sarvavastuṣu varjitaḥ / gṛhe tasya ca yo 'śnīyāj jihvālampaṭako nṛpa

that mortal becomes one whose food may not be eaten, excluded from all things; and whoever, greedy of tongue, would eat in his house, O king—

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.26

राजोवाच: वित्तं न विद्यते यस्य कन्योद्वाहे ऽवतिष्ठति

rājovāca: vittaṃ na vidyate yasya kanyodvāhe 'vatiṣṭhati

The king said: (What of him) who has no wealth (yet) is engaged in the marrying off of a maiden?

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.27

देव उवाच: स्ववित्तेनानुकर्तव्यं कन्योद्वाहनम् एव च

deva uvāca: svavittenānukartavyaṃ kanyodvāhanam eva ca

The god said: The marrying off of a maiden is indeed to be carried out with one's own wealth.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.28

कन्या नाम समुच्चार्य न दोषो याचकस्य च । अभिगम्योत्तमं दानम् आहूतं चैव मध्यमम्

kanyā nāma samuccārya na doṣo yācakasya ca / abhigamyottamaṃ dānam āhūtaṃ caiva madhyamam

But having uttered the word 'maiden', there is no fault in the one who asks (for help). A gift (given after) approaching (the recipient) is the highest, and one given to an invited person is middling.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.29

अधमं प्रोच्यमानं तु सेवादानं च निष्फलम् । असमर्थे न दातव्यं कन्यादानं तथैव च

adhamaṃ procyamānaṃ tu sevādānaṃ ca niṣphalam / asamarthe na dātavyaṃ kanyādānaṃ tathaiva ca

But (a gift) given when asked for is the lowest, and a gift (given) for service is fruitless. To one who is incapable no gift should be given, and likewise not the gift of a maiden.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

SkP-RK 87.30

समर्थस् तारयेद् विद्वान् काष्ठं क्षिप्तं यथा जले । यथा नौका तथा विद्वांस् तारयेत् परमं तटम्

samarthas tārayed vidvān kāṣṭhaṃ kṣiptaṃ yathā jale / yathā naukā tathā vidvāṃs tārayet paramaṃ taṭam

A capable, learned man would carry (one) across, as a piece of wood thrown into water; as a boat does, so the learned man would carry (one) across to the farther shore.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.31

आहिताग्निस् तु यो भूत्वा गृह्नञ् शूद्रप्रतिग्रहम् । इह जन्मनि शूद्रत्वं मृतः श्वा चोपजायते

āhitāgnis tu yo bhūtvā gṛhnañ śūdrapratigraham / iha janmani śūdratvaṃ mṛtaḥ śvā copajāyate

But he who, having become one who has set up the sacred fires, accepts a gift from a śūdra, (attains) śūdra-hood in this birth, and when dead is born as a dog.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.32

वृथा क्लेशाश् च जायन्ते ब्राह्मणस्याग्निहोत्रिणः । असत् प्रतिग्रहं गृह्णन् नापदं च विना द्विजः

vṛthā kleśāś ca jāyante brāhmaṇasyāgnihotriṇaḥ / asat pratigrahaṃ gṛhṇan nāpadaṃ ca vinā dvijaḥ

And the toils of a brahmin who offers the agnihotra become vain (if), without any emergency, the twice-born accepts an improper gift.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

SkP-RK 87.33

तत्सर्वं नाशयेत् तस्य भिन्ना नौका यथाम्भसि । अतिक्लेशवशार्जितं विनाशयति तत्क्षणात्

tatsarvaṃ nāśayet tasya bhinnā naukā yathāmbhasi / atikleśavaśārjitaṃ vināśayati tatkṣaṇāt

That would destroy all of his (merit), as a broken boat in the water; it destroys in that very moment what was earned by extreme toil.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition