Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 44
एकमप्यक्षरं यत्र गुरुः शिष्ये निवेदयेत् । पृथिव्यां नास्ति तद्द्रव्यं यद्दत्त्वा ह्यनृणी भवेत्
ekamapyakṣaraṃ yatra guruḥ śiṣye nivedayet | pṛthivyāṃ nāsti taddravyaṃ yaddattvā hyanṛṇī bhavet
Quand bien même un guru ne transmettrait à son disciple qu’une seule syllabe, il n’est sur la terre aucune richesse dont le don puisse rendre vraiment quitte de cette dette.
Narrative context (likely within Sūta’s narration; speaker not explicitly marked in this verse)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya sages (frame likely)
Scene: A solemn teaching moment: guru seated with palm-leaf manuscript, disciple kneeling, receiving a single syllable as luminous script; wealth piles shown as inadequate in the corner, emphasizing immeasurability.
FAQs
Knowledge received from a true teacher is beyond material repayment; reverence and lifelong gratitude are implied.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned in this verse; it supports the broader Mahātmya’s dharmic message.
It implies the ideal of guru-dakṣiṇā and honoring the teacher, but no specific rite is detailed.