Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 31
नायं तस्यास्ति वै लोकः कुत एव परो भवेत् । तस्माद्विजानता यत्नात्त्याज्यमेव वृथा वचः
nāyaṃ tasyāsti vai lokaḥ kuta eva paro bhavet | tasmādvijānatā yatnāttyājyameva vṛthā vacaḥ
Für einen solchen Menschen gibt es nicht einmal Wohlergehen in dieser Welt—wie sollte es dann eine höhere Welt geben? Darum soll der Verständige sich bemühen und nutzloses Gerede gänzlich aufgeben.
Narrative context (Maheshvara Khanda tradition: Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa relating a dialogue)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya sages (frame implied)
Scene: A didactic moment: an elder/kingly figure admonishes a strong warrior about abandoning futile speech; the atmosphere is sober, corrective, and morally charged.
FAQs
Useless talk harms both worldly well-being and spiritual progress; disciplined speech supports dharma and higher attainments.
None is mentioned; the teaching is universal and ethical rather than geographic.
The prescription is behavioral: renounce vṛthā-vacana (futile speech) through deliberate effort.