Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 1
ऋषय ऊचुः । भूय एव महाभाग वद माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् । अतिथेः कृत्यमस्माकं विस्तरेण च सूतज
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | bhūya eva mahābhāga vada māhātmyamuttamam | atitheḥ kṛtyamasmākaṃ vistareṇa ca sūtaja
Les sages dirent : « Ô très fortuné, dis encore une fois ce māhātmya suprême. Et toi, fils de Sūta, explique-nous en détail le devoir juste envers l’atithi, l’hôte. »
Ṛṣis (Sages)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Sūta-putra (Sūta’s son)
Scene: A circle of sages respectfully address Sūta’s son, hands folded, requesting renewed narration of the supreme māhātmya and detailed guidance on duties toward a guest.
FAQs
True dharma is learned through humble inquiry; the sages seek the practical path—especially the sacred duty of honoring guests.
This verse introduces a teaching section; no particular tīrtha is identified in the verse itself.
An explicit request for instruction on atithi-kṛtya—proper conduct and service to guests.