Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 84
ये शास्त्रज्ञाने सत्यस्मिन्सर्वकर्मार्थसाधके । न कुर्वंत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्तदत्र परमद्भुतम्
ye śāstrajñāne satyasminsarvakarmārthasādhake | na kurvaṃtyātmanaḥ śreyastadatra paramadbhutam
जो सत्य शास्त्र-ज्ञान रखते हैं—जो समस्त धर्मकर्मों के प्रयोजन को सिद्ध करता है—फिर भी अपने ही श्रेय का आचरण नहीं करते; यही यहाँ परम अद्भुत है।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative convention)
Scene: A scholar holding a manuscript stands before a shining gateway labeled ‘śreyas’; yet he turns away toward mundane pursuits. Above, a celestial figure gestures in astonishment—‘paramadbhutam’.
FAQs
Even genuine scriptural learning is futile if it does not lead one to pursue śreyas—inner spiritual welfare and liberation-oriented living.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it gives a general dhārmic exhortation within the Kaumārikākhaṇḍa context.
No explicit rite is prescribed; the verse prescribes a life-choice: acting toward śreyas in light of śāstra.