Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 88
अर्थान्ब्रूयान्न चापत्सु गुणान्ब्रूयान्न चात्मनः । आदद्यान्न च साधुभ्यो नासत्पुरुषमाश्रयेत्
arthānbrūyānna cāpatsu guṇānbrūyānna cātmanaḥ | ādadyānna ca sādhubhyo nāsatpuruṣamāśrayet
Qu’il parle des ressources et de la conduite à tenir, mais non aux heures de détresse ; qu’il parle des vertus, mais non des siennes. Qu’il ne prenne rien aux gens de bien, et qu’il ne cherche jamais refuge auprès des méchants.
Nārada
Tirtha: Vastrāpatha-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A dharmic teacher instructs a ruler/pilgrim at a Prabhāsa shrine: the ruler turns away from a dark, deceitful figure (asat-puruṣa) and bows to a serene sādhū; a scroll of counsel remains closed during a storm (āpada).
FAQs
Dharma in leadership means humility, protecting the virtuous, and refusing dependence on immoral allies.
It is situated within the Vastrāpatha-kṣetra Māhātmya of Prabhāsa; the verse is ethical instruction within that sacred-place narrative.
None; it prescribes moral boundaries for rulers (do not exploit sādhus; avoid wicked refuge).