Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 81
धर्मज्ञोऽस्मीति यो मोहादात्मानं प्रतिपद्यते । स वायुं मुष्टिना बद्धुमीहते कृपणो नरः
dharmajño'smīti yo mohādātmānaṃ pratipadyate | sa vāyuṃ muṣṭinā baddhumīhate kṛpaṇo naraḥ
Wer aus Verblendung meint: „Ich bin ein Kenner des Dharma“, der ist ein erbärmlicher Mensch—er versucht, den Wind mit der Faust zu binden.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa convention)
Listener: (implied) the audience; utterance by Yājñavalkya
Scene: A symbolic scene: a man clenches his fist at empty air while wind swirls visibly around, mocking the attempt; beside him a compassionate sage looks on, illustrating the folly and pity of self-proclaimed dharma-knowers.
FAQs
Self-proclaimed righteousness born of delusion is futile; true dharma requires lived discipline and humility, not mere self-labeling.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it functions as a general dharma-instruction within the Kaumārikākhaṇḍa.
None explicitly; the verse critiques inner pride rather than prescribing a rite.