Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 86
पठित्वा सकलं जन्म ब्रह्मचारि यथा वृथा । बहुक्लेशात्प्राप्तभार्यः सावृथाऽप्रियवादिनी
paṭhitvā sakalaṃ janma brahmacāri yathā vṛthā | bahukleśātprāptabhāryaḥ sāvṛthā'priyavādinī
যে ব্যক্তি সারাজীবন কেবল পড়াশোনাতেই কাটায়, সে ব্রহ্মচারীর মতোই বৃথা থাকে। আর বহু কষ্টে প্রাপ্ত স্ত্রীও বৃথা, যদি সে কঠোর ও অপ্রিয় বাক্য বলে।
Dharmavarman (continued)
Scene: A reflective householder-scholar sits with palm-leaf manuscripts; beside him a brahmacārin figure symbolizes 'mere study'. In the background, a domestic scene shows discord caused by harsh speech, contrasted with a serene, dharmic household.
FAQs
External achievements (study, marriage) are ‘fruitless’ without dharma, harmony, and right conduct.
No sacred place is referenced; it is an ethical reflection within the narrative.
None; the verse offers moral evaluation of life choices and outcomes.