Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 80
वार्यतामिति विप्रोऽयं महद्दूषणबाषकः । न केवलं पापभागी श्रोता वै स्यान्न संशयः
vāryatāmiti vipro'yaṃ mahaddūṣaṇabāṣakaḥ | na kevalaṃ pāpabhāgī śrotā vai syānna saṃśayaḥ
«أوقفوه!»—إن هذا البراهمن يتفوّه ببهتان عظيم. وليس المتكلم وحده، بل حتى السامع سيصير شريكًا في الإثم يقينًا—لا ريب.
Character within the story (likely the sakhī/companions), narrator default: Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)
Scene: A companion urgently raises a hand to stop a brāhmaṇa from speaking; her expression is stern and protective, warning that even hearing the slander brings sin.
FAQs
Dharma includes guarding one’s speech and hearing; participating in slander—by speaking or listening—creates pāpa.
None; the verse is ethical instruction within a narrative.
A behavioral prescription: restrain slander and avoid listening to it.