Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 79
नमोऽधर्माय महते न विद्मो यस्य वै भवम् । परमाणुमपि व्यक्तं कोत्र विद्यामदः सताम्
namo'dharmāya mahate na vidmo yasya vai bhavam | paramāṇumapi vyaktaṃ kotra vidyāmadaḥ satām
Ehrerbietung dem mächtigen Adharma, dessen Wirken wir nicht zu ermessen wissen! Wenn nicht einmal die Wahrheit eines Atoms klar erkannt ist, wo könnte unter den Weisen noch Wissensstolz bestehen?
Yājñavalkya (following the transition in 78)
Listener: (implied) the audience; the utterance is by Yājñavalkya within the narrated scene
Scene: A contemplative rishi (Yājñavalkya) bows inwardly, hands joined, eyes lowered; behind him a symbolic motif: a tiny atom-like spark contrasted with a vast dark cloud labeled ‘Adharma/Avidyā’, indicating the disproportion between human knowing and cosmic forces.
FAQs
Because knowledge is limited and adharma is subtle, the wise renounce arrogance and remain humble.
No sacred geography appears in this verse; it is a philosophical reflection within the dialogue.
None; it prescribes an inner discipline—freedom from vidyā-mada (pride of learning).