Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 20
परिक्षीणान्मित्रबन्धून्स्वामिनं दयितानुगान् । अवमन्य निवृत्तात्मा क्लिष्टवृत्तिः सदा भवेत्
parikṣīṇānmitrabandhūnsvāminaṃ dayitānugān | avamanya nivṛttātmā kliṣṭavṛttiḥ sadā bhavet
مَن انصرف قلبُه وراح يَحتقر الأصدقاء والأقارب الضعفاء، ويُهين سيّدَه ومن يتبعونه بإخلاص، يعيش دائمًا في حالٍ مضطربةٍ مُتعَبةٍ ومشقّةٍ ملازمة.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A wealthy figure turning away with disdain from an aged friend and a frail dependent; the atmosphere around him becomes thorny and dark, symbolizing ‘kliṣṭa-vṛtti’ (afflicted livelihood).
FAQs
Dharma is tested in how one treats the vulnerable and dependent; contempt hardens the heart and returns as continual distress.
No specific sacred geography is referenced in this verse.
None; it teaches relational dharma—respect, gratitude, and care toward the weakened and dependent.