Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 129
चिरं पृच्छेच्च श्रृणुयाच्चिरं न परिभूयते । धर्मे शत्रौ शस्त्रहस्ते पात्रे च निकटस्थिते
ciraṃ pṛcchecca śrṛṇuyācciraṃ na paribhūyate | dharme śatrau śastrahaste pātre ca nikaṭasthite
দীৰ্ঘকাল সুধিব লাগে আৰু দীৰ্ঘকাল শুনিব লাগে—তেতিয়া সহজে পৰাভূত নহয়। কিন্তু ধৰ্মকাৰ্যত, শত্রুৰ সন্মুখত, হাতে অস্ত্ৰ থাকিলে, আৰু যোগ্য পাত্ৰ ওচৰত থাকিলে—বিলম্ব কৰা উচিত নহয়।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: Split-scene: on one side a student patiently questioning a teacher; on the other, a warrior facing an enemy with weapon ready; a third vignette shows a donor placing gifts into a worthy ascetic’s hands immediately—illustrating ‘do not delay’ when pātra is near.
FAQs
Be patient in learning (ask and listen), but act without delay when dharma, danger, or a deserving opportunity for charity is present.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is a general nīti (ethical) instruction.
It implicitly commends prompt dāna (giving) when a pātra (worthy recipient) is nearby.