Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 81
क्व देवाः संति मिथ्यैतद्दृश्यंते चेद्भवंत्यपि । सर्वा च कूटविप्राणां द्रव्यायैषा विकल्पना
kva devāḥ saṃti mithyaitaddṛśyaṃte cedbhavaṃtyapi | sarvā ca kūṭaviprāṇāṃ dravyāyaiṣā vikalpanā
“Where, indeed, are the gods? This is false. Even if it is said they are ‘seen’ and thus exist, it is all merely an invented scheme—devised by fraudulent brahmins for the sake of wealth.”
Unspecified in snippet (within Māheśvarakhaṇḍa, likely Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa narrating a discourse)
Scene: A skeptic speaks sharply in a public setting, dismissing gods and accusing brahmins of greed; listeners react with shock, while a dharmic figure prepares to respond.
FAQs
It condemns religious hypocrisy—using sacred claims as a pretext for gaining wealth—and warns against deceit in the name of dharma.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned in this verse; it is a general polemical statement within the discourse.
None; the verse critiques motivations behind religious activity rather than prescribing a rite.