Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 70
कस्मिन्वेदं स्मृतौ कस्यां प्रोक्तमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे । परुषैरिति वाक्यैर्मां नकुलेति ब्रवीषि यत्
kasminvedaṃ smṛtau kasyāṃ proktametadbravīhi me | paruṣairiti vākyairmāṃ nakuleti bravīṣi yat
Katakan kepadaku: dalam Veda yang mana, dalam Smṛti yang mana, diajarkan hal ini—bahwa dengan kata-kata kasar engkau harus menyapaku, “nakula”?
Nakula (mongoose)
Scene: A composed disputant asks for scriptural citation: open palm, questioning gaze; the other figure holds or sits near manuscripts, challenged to justify harsh speech.
FAQs
Dharma is aligned with śāstra: cruelty in speech cannot be justified by scripture; true authority supports restraint and respect.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse appeals to Veda and Smṛti as moral standards.
None; the verse implies ethical observance—avoidance of paruṣa-vākya (harsh speech).