Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 18
भक्ते द्वेषो बहिः प्रीती रुचितं गुरुलघ्वपि । मुखे च कटुता नित्यं धनिनां ज्वरिणामिव
bhakte dveṣo bahiḥ prītī rucitaṃ gurulaghvapi | mukhe ca kaṭutā nityaṃ dhanināṃ jvariṇāmiva
يبغضون العابدَ في الباطن، وإن أظهروا المودّة في الظاهر؛ ويستطيبون الثقيلَ والخفيفَ بحسب الهوى. وفي أفواههم مرارةٌ دائمة—كمن تلسعه الحُمّى—هكذا حالُ الأغنياء.
An unnamed renunciate/narrator within the Tīrthamāhātmya
Type: kshetra
Scene: A wealthy person greets a devotee with a forced smile while shadowy inner hostility is suggested; his mouth emits sharp, thorn-like speech motifs; nearby, a serene devotee remains composed.
FAQs
Greed can distort relationships—producing hypocrisy and harsh speech; dharma calls for inner sincerity toward bhaktas.
No specific tirtha is referenced in this verse; it supports the broader Mahatmya by teaching the conduct suited to pilgrims and seekers.
No explicit rite; the implied sādhana is ethical restraint—sweet speech, sincerity, and reverence for devotees.