Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 58
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । न वयं रक्षितुं शक्ता राज्यं पार्थिवसत्तम । तत्किं तेन गृहीतेन येन स्याद्राज्यविप्लवः
brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ | na vayaṃ rakṣituṃ śaktā rājyaṃ pārthivasattama | tatkiṃ tena gṛhītena yena syādrājyaviplavaḥ
Les brāhmanes dirent : « Ô le meilleur des rois, nous ne sommes pas capables de protéger un royaume. À quoi bon accepter ce qui provoquerait le bouleversement du pays ? »
Brāhmaṇas
Type: kshetra
Listener: the king (pārthiva-sattama)
Scene: Brāhmaṇas, calm but firm, raise a hand in gentle refusal, explaining they cannot protect a kingdom; the king listens, the tīrtha waters and shrine witnessing a dharma-based decision.
FAQs
Dharma requires role-clarity: charity must not destabilize society; brāhmaṇas prioritize spiritual duties over political rule.
The teaching is delivered within Nāgarakhaṇḍa’s Tīrthamāhātmya setting, where righteous governance supports sacred life in the kṣetra.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse provides dharma-guidance about appropriate acceptance of gifts.