Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 34
अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः । सन्तोऽपि न गुणा वाच्याः स्वयं सद्भिः स्वका यतः
aho kaṣṭamidaṃ kūktaṃ tīrtharājena mohataḥ | santo'pi na guṇā vācyāḥ svayaṃ sadbhiḥ svakā yataḥ
وا أسفاه! ما أشدَّ هذه الكلمة إيلامًا، وقد نطق بها «ملكُ التيـرثات» في غمرة الوهم. فإن الصالحين، وإن كانت فيهم الفضائل حقًّا، لا يعلنون محاسن أنفسهم، لأنها من شأنهم هم.
Dharma (Dharma-deva)
Scene: Dharma addresses the assembly with a composed yet firm expression, gently chastising the tīrtha-rāja for deluded self-praise; the tīrtha-rāja appears chastened, the assembly attentive.
FAQs
Self-praise is a mark of delusion; true goodness is modest and does not advertise itself.
A tīrtha identified as “Tīrtharāja” is discussed, in the context of how pride can diminish a place’s renown.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse teaches ethical restraint in speech, especially regarding one’s own merit.