Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 9
एवं तस्मादभिज्ञाय सत्यर्थशपथांश्चरेत् । वृथा हि शपथान्कुर्वन्प्रेत्य चेह विनश्यति
evaṃ tasmādabhijñāya satyarthaśapathāṃścaret | vṛthā hi śapathānkurvanpretya ceha vinaśyati
সেয়ে এই কথা জানি, সত্যৰ অৰ্থতেই শপথ কৰা উচিত। কিয়নো যি বৃথা শপথ কৰে, সি এই জীৱনতেও আৰু মৃত্যুৰ পাছতো বিনষ্ট হয়।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A person stands at a crossroads: one path labeled ‘Satyārtha-śapatha’ leading to light, the other ‘Vṛthā-śapatha’ leading to decay in both worlds; a balance scale of Dharma weighs speech against truth.
FAQs
Use solemn speech responsibly: an oath is sacred and should be invoked only to uphold truth.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the teaching is ethical and universal.
A behavioral prescription: avoid frivolous oaths; take śapatha only when it serves satya (truth).