Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 121
मायाविनां हि ब्रुवतां वाक्यं चांडबरावृतम् । कुनाणकमिवोद्दीप्तं परीक्षेयं सदा सताम्
māyāvināṃ hi bruvatāṃ vākyaṃ cāṃḍabarāvṛtam | kunāṇakamivoddīptaṃ parīkṣeyaṃ sadā satām
Denn die Rede der Trügerischen ist vom Glanz der Schaustellung umhüllt; wie eine falsche Münze, die schimmert, soll sie von den Guten stets geprüft werden.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) addressing the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative convention)
Scene: A wise person holds a shining coin to the light and then to a touchstone, while a deceiver smiles behind a veil of glittering words; the scene emphasizes testing over appearance.
FAQs
Do not be misled by eloquence or display; a virtuous person tests claims by dharma and truth.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it gives general dharma-guidance relevant to all pilgrimage contexts.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; the practice here is ethical vigilance—examining speech and intent.