Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 89
निन्दामवज्ञां कुरुते भक्तो भूत्वा न जीवति । एवं दृष्ट्वा निमित्तानि विपरीतानि योगवित्
nindāmavajñāṃ kurute bhakto bhūtvā na jīvati | evaṃ dṛṣṭvā nimittāni viparītāni yogavit
जो भक्त बनकर भी निंदा और अवज्ञा करता है, वह दीर्घायु नहीं होता। ऐसे विपरीत निमित्तों को देखकर योग का ज्ञाता सावधान होकर आचरण करे।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced)
Listener: Pāṇḍava (addressed in nearby verses; the teaching context continues)
Scene: A yogin-devotee stands at a crossroads of pilgrimage paths; shadowy figures whisper slander while ominous birds/portents appear; the yogin turns inward, restraining speech and mind.
FAQs
Devotion without humility is self-destructive; slander and contempt undermine spiritual life and invite downfall.
None is mentioned; the verse emphasizes moral conduct within devotion and yoga.
No ritual is prescribed; the instruction is ethical—avoid nindā and avajñā.