Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 32
अतिमानादतिक्रोधात्स्नेहाद्वा यदि वा भयात् । प्रायश्चित्तमनर्हं तु ददत्तत्पापमश्नुते
atimānādatikrodhātsnehādvā yadi vā bhayāt | prāyaścittamanarhaṃ tu dadattatpāpamaśnute
Par orgueil excessif, par colère excessive, par attachement, ou même par crainte—si l’on prescrit une expiation à quelqu’un qui n’y est pas apte, celui qui la prescrit encourt ce péché même.
Smṛti-authority brāhmaṇas (as a collective)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A didactic moment: a senior brāhmaṇa raises a hand in instruction, cautioning against biased expiation; other brāhmaṇas listen gravely; Parāvasu stands respectfully, awaiting judgment.
FAQs
Religious authority must be exercised without bias; wrong guidance given from ego, anger, attachment, or fear becomes a moral fault for the adviser.
No tīrtha is referenced in this verse; it is a dharmaśāstric principle within the chapter.
A caution regarding prāyaścitta: it must be prescribed appropriately and only to a suitable recipient.