Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 76
विशंका जायते तस्मिन्वाक्यं तदपि दोषवत् । तस्माद्यः स्वप्रियं त्यक्त्वा श्रोतुश्चाप्यथ यत्प्रियम्
viśaṃkā jāyate tasminvākyaṃ tadapi doṣavat | tasmādyaḥ svapriyaṃ tyaktvā śrotuścāpyatha yatpriyam
Suspicion arises about such a statement, and even that speech becomes tainted. Therefore, one should abandon what is merely pleasing to oneself and also consider what is pleasing to the listener—
Lomaharṣaṇa/Sūta (deduced, Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative frame)
Scene: A clear water pot symbolizes pure speech; when self-pleasing motives enter, the water clouds and a serpent of suspicion coils around it; when motives are purified, the water clears and reflects a deity’s light.
FAQs
Self-serving speech breeds doubt; dharmic speech avoids ego-driven pleasure and seeks trustworthy communication.
No holy site is referenced in this verse.
None; the ‘prescription’ is cultivating trust by purifying motives in speech.