Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 21
छद्मनोपचरेद्यस्तु पितरौ स्वामिनं गुरून् । प्राप्तव्यार्थस्यातिकष्टात्परिभ्रंशोर्थजो भवेत्
chadmanopacaredyastu pitarau svāminaṃ gurūn | prāptavyārthasyātikaṣṭātparibhraṃśorthajo bhavet
Quiconque se conduit avec tromperie envers ses parents, son maître ou ses enseignants—même s’il s’épuise à rechercher la prospérité—subit la ruine de cette même richesse, née de sa propre faute.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages (deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa context)
Scene: A student/servant smiling outwardly while hiding a dagger-like scroll behind his back from parents and guru; coins spill through a torn pouch, symbolizing wealth-ruin born of deceit.
FAQs
Deceit toward parents, teachers, and benefactors destroys one’s prosperity; dharma is the true foundation of success.
No single tīrtha is named in this verse; it teaches general Purāṇic dharma within the Kaumārikā-khaṇḍa discourse.
No specific rite is prescribed; the verse gives an ethical injunction—truthful, respectful conduct toward elders.