Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 9
न जलोत्तरणे शक्ता यद्वन्नौः कर्णवर्जिता । तद्वच्छ्रेष्ठोऽप्यनाचारो विप्रो नोद्धरणक्षमः
na jalottaraṇe śaktā yadvannauḥ karṇavarjitā | tadvacchreṣṭho'pyanācāro vipro noddharaṇakṣamaḥ
Seperti perahu tanpa kemudi tak mampu menyeberangi air, demikian pula—meski terpandang—seorang brāhmaṇa tanpa ācāra (tata laku benar) tidak sanggup menyelamatkan orang lain.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa default)
Scene: A river crossing scene: a grand-looking brāhmaṇa stands by a boat lacking a rudder, unable to guide passengers; beside him, a humble, disciplined figure holds a proper rudder, symbolizing ācāra as steering power.
FAQs
Conduct (ācāra) is essential; status without discipline cannot guide or uplift others.
None; the verse is a dharma maxim supporting proper recipient selection.
Implicitly: do not treat mere social eminence as qualification; prioritize ācāra in religious giving and honor.