Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 73
हीनानुक्रोशतो मानान्न च वक्ष्यामि किंचन । वक्ता श्रोता च वाक्यं च यदा त्वविकलं भवेत्
hīnānukrośato mānānna ca vakṣyāmi kiṃcana | vaktā śrotā ca vākyaṃ ca yadā tvavikalaṃ bhavet
Out of compassion for the inferior—and out of regard for the worthy—I will not say anything at random. Only when the speaker, the listener, and the statement are all unimpaired does speech become fit to be uttered.
Lomaharṣaṇa/Sūta (deduced, Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative frame)
Scene: A composed teacher pauses before speaking, weighing compassion for the unready and honor for the worthy; the listener sits attentive; the spoken words appear as a luminous, orderly script only when all are aligned.
FAQs
Right speech depends on fitness of context: a capable speaker, a receptive listener, and a clear message.
None is specified; the verse teaches universal dharma regarding discernment in speech.
No external rite; it prescribes ethical restraint and situational discernment.