Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 110
असत्यभाषी दम्भीच सदा धर्मध्वजी खलः । लोभी दुरात्मा कथको न कर्ता कर्हिचित्क्वचित्
asatyabhāṣī dambhīca sadā dharmadhvajī khalaḥ | lobhī durātmā kathako na kartā karhicitkvacit
J’étais menteur et hypocrite—un scélérat brandissant sans cesse l’étendard du « dharma ». Cupide et d’esprit mauvais, je n’étais qu’un prêcheur de paroles, jamais un homme d’actes—en aucun temps, en aucun lieu.
A repentant sinner (self-confession narrative; specific name not in snippet)
Scene: A remorseful preacher stands with a ‘dharma-banner’ and scripture in hand, yet behind him lie symbols of greed (coins) and deceit (mask); his face shows shame as he confesses his duplicity.
FAQs
Dharma must be lived, not merely displayed; hypocrisy and greed hollow out religious life.
No holy site is referenced in this verse.
None; it emphasizes ethical practice over performative religiosity.