Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 150
नेन्दुं न तारकाश्चैव नादयेन्नात्मनः शिरः । स्वस्रा दिहित्रा मात्रा वा नैकांतासन माचरेत्
nenduṃ na tārakāścaiva nādayennātmanaḥ śiraḥ | svasrā dihitrā mātrā vā naikāṃtāsana mācaret
Qu’il ne fixe pas la lune ni les étoiles, et qu’il ne frappe jamais sa propre tête par agitation ou ostentation. Qu’il ne demeure pas non plus en complète retraite, seul, avec sa sœur, sa fille, ni même avec sa mère.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A devotee sits in a temple corridor with eyes lowered, not looking up at moon or stars; he steadies his mind, hands on mālā; a second vignette shows him refusing an invitation to sit alone in a secluded room, choosing an open courtyard instead; self-harm is negated by a calm posture and composed face.
FAQs
A disciplined devotee avoids both agitation and situations that can invite suspicion or mental disturbance.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is about ethical safeguards in conduct.
Behavioral restraints: avoid gazing at moon/stars (as prescribed in this observance), avoid self-harm gestures, and avoid secluded sitting with women relatives.