Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 9
न जलोत्तरणे शक्ता यद्वन्नौः कर्णवर्जिता । तद्वच्छ्रेष्ठोऽप्यनाचारो विप्रो नोद्धरणक्षमः
na jalottaraṇe śaktā yadvannauḥ karṇavarjitā | tadvacchreṣṭho'pyanācāro vipro noddharaṇakṣamaḥ
Wie ein Boot ohne Ruder das Wasser nicht zu überqueren vermag, so ist auch ein Brāhmaṇa—selbst wenn er hochgeachtet ist—ohne rechte Lebensführung nicht fähig, andere zu erlösen.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa default)
Scene: A river crossing scene: a grand-looking brāhmaṇa stands by a boat lacking a rudder, unable to guide passengers; beside him, a humble, disciplined figure holds a proper rudder, symbolizing ācāra as steering power.
FAQs
Conduct (ācāra) is essential; status without discipline cannot guide or uplift others.
None; the verse is a dharma maxim supporting proper recipient selection.
Implicitly: do not treat mere social eminence as qualification; prioritize ācāra in religious giving and honor.