Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 7
अधमेन कृतं सम्यङ्न भवेदिति मे मतिः । उत्तमश्चाधमार्थे वै कुर्वन्दुर्गतिमाप्नुयात्
adhamena kṛtaṃ samyaṅna bhavediti me matiḥ | uttamaścādhamārthe vai kurvandurgatimāpnuyāt
في رأيي، ما يفعله غيرُ الصالح لا يتمّ على وجهه الصحيح؛ وحتى «الأفضل» إذا عمل لأجل غرض دنيء فقد ينال سوء المصير.
Uncertain from snippet (teacher/narrator addressing Yudhiṣṭhira)
Listener: Yudhiṣṭhira
Scene: A cautionary teaching: the sage points to two contrasting figures—one unfit attempting a rite with disorder, another high-status figure turning toward a dark path symbolizing ignoble intent; the riverbank remains serene, heightening the moral contrast.
FAQs
Right action requires both fitness (adhikāra) and right intention; otherwise the act misfires and can lead to harm.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is a general dharma maxim within the Revā Khaṇḍa narrative.
It cautions that rites done by the unqualified are not ‘properly done,’ and that base motives corrupt even a capable performer.