Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 66
मिथ्याप्रसादितो वाक्यमाकर्णयति यः शनैः । चपलश्चापिमायावी शठो मिथ्याविनीतकः
mithyāprasādito vākyamākarṇayati yaḥ śanaiḥ | capalaścāpimāyāvī śaṭho mithyāvinītakaḥ
مَن تُغريه المداهنة الكاذبة فيُصغي للنصيحة ببطء؛ وهو متقلّب، مخادع، ماكر، لا يعرف إلا التواضع المتصنّع—فإن الحكماء يذمّونه لعدم صلاحيته لحياةٍ على نهج الدharma.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative convention
Scene: A council-like setting: a self-satisfied man leans toward flattering courtiers while a calm sage points to a dharma-śāstra palm-leaf; the hypocrite’s folded hands are shown as theatrical, contrasted with the sage’s steady gaze.
FAQs
True vinaya (humility) and honest discernment are dharmic; hypocrisy, fickleness, and being swayed by flattery lead one away from righteousness.
No tīrtha is referenced in this verse.
None; the verse focuses on inner character and discernment.