Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 71
स्थानिकं मूर्खमप्येवमलाभे गुणिनामपि । हीनांगमधिकांगं वा दूषितं नो तथा परम्
sthānikaṃ mūrkhamapyevamalābhe guṇināmapi | hīnāṃgamadhikāṃgaṃ vā dūṣitaṃ no tathā param
إن لم يُنال براهمنةٌ ذوو فضيلةٍ وأهلية، جاز قبولُ براهمنٍ محليٍّ وإن كان جاهلًا؛ لأنه ليس بأشدّ ضررًا من «المدنَّس» غير الطاهر، سواء كان ناقصَ الأعضاء أو زائدَها.
Skanda (deduced)
Type: ghat
Listener: nṛpa (king)
Scene: A pilgrim consults elders at a ghat: a humble local brāhmaṇa stands to one side; a visibly ‘tainted’ figure is refused. The scene emphasizes discernment rather than spectacle.
FAQs
When ideal options are absent, dharma permits a pragmatic substitute, but impurity that corrupts the rite should be avoided.
The verse reflects the tīrtha’s ritual culture (respect for locals) within Nāgarakhaṇḍa’s sacred-place instructions.
If qualified brāhmaṇas cannot be found, accept a local; but avoid those considered dūṣita (ritually tainted).