Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 68
त्वं मुने मन्यसे चेदं कुलीनोऽस्मीति बुद्धिमान् । ततः क्षिपसि मां मूढ नकुलोऽयमिति स्मयन्
tvaṃ mune manyase cedaṃ kulīno'smīti buddhimān | tataḥ kṣipasi māṃ mūḍha nakulo'yamiti smayan
يا أيها الحكيم، إن كنت تظن نفسك عاقلاً ومن سلالةٍ كريمة، فلماذا—يا أحمق—تُهينني مبتسمًا وأنت تقول: «هذا نَكُولٌ (نمس)»؟
Nakula (mongoose) addressing Yājñavalkya (the muni)
Scene: A heated exchange: a revered-looking sage is confronted by a smaller ascetic/being who rebukes him for smilingly insulting with the word ‘nakula’ (mongoose). Gestures emphasize moral reprimand and wounded dignity.
FAQs
True wisdom is shown by humility and respectful speech; pride in birth or learning does not justify contempt.
No; the verse is a moral confrontation within the narrative.
None; it critiques harshness and ridicule as violations of dharma.