Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 17
यदि जानासि तं ब्रूहि सुहृत्संगो न निष्फलः । ततोऽहमब्रवं तांश्च विचार्येदं पुनःपुनः
yadi jānāsi taṃ brūhi suhṛtsaṃgo na niṣphalaḥ | tato'hamabravaṃ tāṃśca vicāryedaṃ punaḥpunaḥ
„Wenn ihr ihn kennt, so sagt es uns—der Umgang mit einem wohlwollenden Freund ist niemals fruchtlos.“ Daraufhin sprach ich zu ihnen, nachdem ich die Sache immer wieder erwogen hatte.
Residents of Nāḍījaṅgha (first half), then Narrator (second half)
Listener: The inquirers/seekers
Scene: The seekers request direct guidance; the sage pauses in contemplation, eyes lowered, counting on fingers or holding a rosary, then prepares to speak—signaling repeated reflection and benevolent counsel.
FAQs
Good company and guidance from a true well-wisher lead to meaningful spiritual outcomes; sincere seekers are answered.
The verse prepares for the identification of Saṃvarta’s abode, which is disclosed as Vārāṇasī in the next verse.
None; it emphasizes the value of seeking and trusting beneficent guidance (suhṛt-saṅga).