Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 2
अथान्यजनसामान्यैर्गुरुभिर्नीतिकोविदैः । नृणां कृतोपदेशानां सिद्धिर्भवति कीदृशी
athānyajanasāmānyairgurubhirnītikovidaiḥ | nṛṇāṃ kṛtopadeśānāṃ siddhirbhavati kīdṛśī
But when instruction is given to people by gurus who are merely ordinary persons, though skilled in worldly conduct—what kind of accomplishment results then?
Ṛṣis (sages)
Scene: Sages, with thoughtful expressions, pose a probing question; in the background, two contrasting figures: a brahmavādin guru radiating calm, and a worldly-wise instructor gesturing busily—highlighting the difference between nīti and tattva.
FAQs
Worldly competence alone may not yield the highest spiritual siddhi; the sages probe the need for deeper authority and faith.
No holy site is mentioned; the verse is part of a doctrinal inquiry about teaching and attainment.
None explicitly; it frames a question about the efficacy of instruction from different kinds of teachers.