Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 135
म्रियते यदि संग्रामे धातुर्दद्भोऽपयाचितम् । केचिद्युध्यत्सु वीरेषु सृक्किणी संलिहंति च
mriyate yadi saṃgrāme dhāturdadbho'payācitam | kecidyudhyatsu vīreṣu sṛkkiṇī saṃlihaṃti ca
“If the ‘support’ dies in battle, then the ‘tooth’ is left unasked-for.” And some—while heroes were still fighting—kept licking their lips.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa context)
Scene: A speaker utters a cryptic proverb while nearby figures lick their lips, eyes fixed on the fighting—suggesting ghoulish anticipation; the battlefield continues behind them with fallen ‘supports’ and broken weapons.
FAQs
It criticizes predatory delight in others’ suffering, implying that dharma requires compassion and self-control even amid conflict.
None is specified.
None.