Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 62
विचचार तदा मत्तः किलाहं वारणो यथा । कृत्याकृत्यविचारेण विमुक्तोऽतीव गर्वितः
vicacāra tadā mattaḥ kilāhaṃ vāraṇo yathā | kṛtyākṛtyavicāreṇa vimukto'tīva garvitaḥ
Dann streifte ich umher wie ein rasender Elefant—befreit von der Unterscheidung dessen, was zu tun und zu lassen ist, und übervoll von Hochmut.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A lone figure roams wildly like a rutting elephant, eyes unfocused, ornaments disheveled; the landscape blurs to show inner confusion, with shadowy forms of ‘kārya/akārya’ slipping away.
FAQs
When pride destroys moral discernment, a person becomes reckless; dharma requires humility and discrimination.
No holy site is referenced; the verse teaches ethical discernment.
No ritual is prescribed; it is a behavioral admonition.