Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 40
आत्मप्रत्ययवान्देही क्वेश्वरश्चेदृशोऽस्ति हि । ऐश्वर्यस्यापि सारं स जग्राहैतन्निशामय
ātmapratyayavāndehī kveśvaraścedṛśo'sti hi | aiśvaryasyāpi sāraṃ sa jagrāhaitanniśāmaya
Où donc trouve-t-on un souverain tel que lui—incarné, et pourtant ferme dans la confiance en soi (clarté intérieure) ? Il a saisi jusqu’à l’essence même de la souveraineté ; écoute ceci avec attention.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative mode)
Scene: A ruler sits not on a high throne but on a simple seat beside sages; a luminous steady flame at his heart symbolizes ātma-pratyaya; regalia is present but secondary, indicating essence over display.
FAQs
The highest sovereignty is self-mastery; inner conviction and restraint form the essence of true rulership.
No tirtha is mentioned; the verse continues an ethical portrait within the chapter’s discourse.
No ritual; it exhorts attentive listening and learning of the dharmic essence of leadership.