Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 73
हीनानुक्रोशतो मानान्न च वक्ष्यामि किंचन । वक्ता श्रोता च वाक्यं च यदा त्वविकलं भवेत्
hīnānukrośato mānānna ca vakṣyāmi kiṃcana | vaktā śrotā ca vākyaṃ ca yadā tvavikalaṃ bhavet
Aus Mitgefühl für die Geringeren und aus Achtung vor den Würdigen werde ich nichts aufs Geratewohl sagen. Erst wenn Sprecher, Hörer und Aussage allesamt unversehrt sind, ist die Rede würdig, ausgesprochen zu werden.
Lomaharṣaṇa/Sūta (deduced, Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative frame)
Scene: A composed teacher pauses before speaking, weighing compassion for the unready and honor for the worthy; the listener sits attentive; the spoken words appear as a luminous, orderly script only when all are aligned.
FAQs
Right speech depends on fitness of context: a capable speaker, a receptive listener, and a clear message.
None is specified; the verse teaches universal dharma regarding discernment in speech.
No external rite; it prescribes ethical restraint and situational discernment.