Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 105

Devanagari script

अन्तःक्षुरा वाङ्मधुराः कूपाश्धन्नास्तृणौरिव । कुर्वते ये बहून्मार्गांस्तांस्तान्हेतुबलन्विताः

Transliteration

antaḥkṣurā vāṅmadhurāḥ kūpāśdhannāstṛṇauriva | kurvate ye bahūnmārgāṃstāṃstānhetubalanvitāḥ

Translation

Au dedans ils sont comme des rasoirs, mais leur parole est douce; tels des puits recouverts d’herbe. Ceux qui ouvrent de multiples voies (trompeuses) le font tour à tour, armés d’arguments et de puissance.

Word by Word

• अन्तःक्षुराः: razor-like within (inwardly sharp)
• अन्तःक्षुराः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तः + क्षुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वाक्-मधुराः: sweet in speech
• वाक्-मधुराः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक् + मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कूपाः: wells
• कूपाः: Upamana (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• धन्नाः: covered/filled (reading uncertain)
• धन्नाः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन्य/धन्न (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तृणैः: with grass
• तृणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• इव: like/as
• इव: Sambandha (Comparison marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-सूचक (comparative particle)

• कुर्वते: they do/perform
• कुर्वते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बहून्: many
• बहून्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• मार्गान्: paths/ways
• मार्गान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तान्: those
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तान्: those (same)
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• हेतुबलान्विताः: endowed with reasons and strength
• हेतुबलान्विताः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेतु + बल + अन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; अन्वि धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

Speaker

Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A charming speaker with honeyed lips offers directions at a crossroads; beneath his robe a hidden razor gleams. Nearby, a well disguised with grass lures a traveler—symbolizing concealed danger under pleasant appearance.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Do not be misled by pleasant words; discern inner intent, as deception can be hidden beneath sweetness.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No holy site is mentioned; the verse teaches moral vigilance.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

None; it advises discernment and caution regarding persuasive but harmful influences.