Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 105
Devanagari script
अन्तःक्षुरा वाङ्मधुराः कूपाश्धन्नास्तृणौरिव । कुर्वते ये बहून्मार्गांस्तांस्तान्हेतुबलन्विताः
Transliteration
antaḥkṣurā vāṅmadhurāḥ kūpāśdhannāstṛṇauriva | kurvate ye bahūnmārgāṃstāṃstānhetubalanvitāḥ
Translation
内には剃刀のごとき刃を秘め、言葉は甘い。草に覆われた井戸のようである。多くの（欺きの）道を作る者は、次々に、理屈と力を武器としてそれを行う。
Word by Word
अन्तःक्षुराःrazor-like within (inwardly sharp)
अन्तःक्षुराः:
Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootअन्तः + क्षुर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)
वाक्-मधुराःsweet in speech
वाक्-मधुराः:
Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootवाक् + मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)
कूपाःwells
कूपाः:
Upamana (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
TypeNoun
Rootकूप (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)
धन्नाःcovered/filled (reading uncertain)
धन्नाः:
Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootधन्य/धन्न (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेद)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)
तृणैःwith grass
तृणैः:
Karana (Instrument/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootतृण (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)
इवlike/as
इव:
Sambandha (Comparison marker/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव (अव्यय)
Formउपमा-सूचक (comparative particle)
कुर्वतेthey do/perform
कुर्वते:
Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootकृ (धातु)
Formलट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada)
येwho
ये:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootयद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)
बहून्many
बहून्:
Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootबहु (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)
मार्गान्paths/ways
मार्गान्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootमार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)
तान्those
तान्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)
तान्those (same)
तान्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)
हेतुबलान्विताःendowed with reasons and strength
हेतुबलान्विताः:
Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootहेतु + बल + अन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; अन्वि धातोः क्त)
Formपुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)
Speaker
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)
Visual Art Cues
Scene: A charming speaker with honeyed lips offers directions at a crossroads; beneath his robe a hidden razor gleams. Nearby, a well disguised with grass lures a traveler—symbolizing concealed danger under pleasant appearance.
FAQs
Do not be misled by pleasant words; discern inner intent, as deception can be hidden beneath sweetness.
No holy site is mentioned; the verse teaches moral vigilance.
None; it advises discernment and caution regarding persuasive but harmful influences.