Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 72
हीनवर्णात्मवृत्तिश्च वैद्यो धर्मध्वजी च यः । यश्च शास्त्रमतिक्रम्य स्वेच्छयैवाहरेत्करम्
hīnavarṇātmavṛttiśca vaidyo dharmadhvajī ca yaḥ | yaśca śāstramatikramya svecchayaivāharetkaram
Celui qui vit d’un métier d’un ordre social inférieur ; le médecin qui agit sans retenue dharmique ; l’hypocrite qui brandit la religion comme un étendard ; et celui qui, transgressant les śāstras, prélève l’impôt selon son seul bon plaisir — tous sont ici blâmés comme transgresseurs de la juste règle.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative convention
Scene: A hypocritical ascetic-like figure with religious banner taking bribes; a physician ignoring dharma; a tax-collector seizing goods without warrant; a śāstra manuscript shown as the violated standard.
FAQs
Outward displays of piety without righteousness are condemned, and rulers must act within śāstric limits—especially in taxation.
No tīrtha is mentioned; this is an ethical/governance teaching.
None; the verse addresses śāstra-guided conduct and just taxation rather than ritual practice.