Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 31
न तासां पतयोऽस्माकं प्रकुर्वंति प्रतिग्रहम् । कथंचिदपि सुश्रोणि लोभ्यमानापि भूरिशः
na tāsāṃ patayo'smākaṃ prakurvaṃti pratigraham | kathaṃcidapi suśroṇi lobhyamānāpi bhūriśaḥ
« Leurs époux — nos sages — n’acceptent pas les dons ; même fortement tentés de mille façons, ô toi aux hanches gracieuses, ils ne prennent rien. »
Narrator-embedded speech (continuing the same speaker’s counsel)
Tirtha: Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: Austerely dressed sages gesture refusal with calm faces while a woman stands with offerings; the scene emphasizes restraint rather than conflict.
FAQs
True ascetic and brāhmaṇic steadiness is shown by refusing improper acceptance (pratigraha), even under strong temptation.
The statement is tied to the sage-community situated in/near Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra within the māhātmya narrative.
A dharmic restriction is implied: sages should not engage in pratigraha (accepting gifts).