Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 4
ब्राह्मणस्त्रीनरेंद्राणां बालवृद्धतपस्विनाम् । पितृमातृगुरूणां च नाप्रियं मनसा वदेत्
brāhmaṇastrīnareṃdrāṇāṃ bālavṛddhatapasvinām | pitṛmātṛgurūṇāṃ ca nāpriyaṃ manasā vadet
À l’égard des brahmanes, des femmes, des rois, des enfants, des vieillards et des ascètes—ainsi que du père, de la mère et des maîtres—qu’on ne profère rien de dur ni de déplaisant, même en pensée.
Sārasvata (continuing)
Tirtha: Vastrāpatha-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A pilgrim household at Prabhāsa listens to a sage’s counsel; the central figure restrains speech, hands folded, while elders, a guru, women, children, and ascetics are respectfully seated.
FAQs
Inner and outer speech must be disciplined; reverence and non-harm begin in the mind and extend to words toward revered groups.
The conduct is taught as part of Vastrāpathakṣetra’s māhātmya in Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa, describing behavior worthy of a holy place.
A behavioral vrata is implied: refrain from harsh speech (vāṅ-niyama), even mentally, toward Brahmins, elders, ascetics, parents, and teachers.