Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 44
एकमप्यक्षरं यत्र गुरुः शिष्ये निवेदयेत् । पृथिव्यां नास्ति तद्द्रव्यं यद्दत्त्वा ह्यनृणी भवेत्
ekamapyakṣaraṃ yatra guruḥ śiṣye nivedayet | pṛthivyāṃ nāsti taddravyaṃ yaddattvā hyanṛṇī bhavet
Selbst wenn ein Guru dem Schüler nur eine einzige Silbe vermittelt, gibt es auf Erden keinen Reichtum, dessen Gabe einen wahrhaft schuldenfrei machen könnte.
Narrative context (likely within Sūta’s narration; speaker not explicitly marked in this verse)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya sages (frame likely)
Scene: A solemn teaching moment: guru seated with palm-leaf manuscript, disciple kneeling, receiving a single syllable as luminous script; wealth piles shown as inadequate in the corner, emphasizing immeasurability.
FAQs
Knowledge received from a true teacher is beyond material repayment; reverence and lifelong gratitude are implied.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned in this verse; it supports the broader Mahātmya’s dharmic message.
It implies the ideal of guru-dakṣiṇā and honoring the teacher, but no specific rite is detailed.