Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 34
अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः । सन्तोऽपि न गुणा वाच्याः स्वयं सद्भिः स्वका यतः
aho kaṣṭamidaṃ kūktaṃ tīrtharājena mohataḥ | santo'pi na guṇā vācyāḥ svayaṃ sadbhiḥ svakā yataḥ
अहो, मोहाने ‘तीर्थराजा’ने उच्चारलेले हे वचन किती क्लेशकारक आहे! कारण गुण असले तरी सज्जन स्वतःचे गुण स्वतः सांगत नाहीत; ते तर स्वकीयच असतात.
Dharma (Dharma-deva)
Scene: Dharma addresses the assembly with a composed yet firm expression, gently chastising the tīrtha-rāja for deluded self-praise; the tīrtha-rāja appears chastened, the assembly attentive.
FAQs
Self-praise is a mark of delusion; true goodness is modest and does not advertise itself.
A tīrtha identified as “Tīrtharāja” is discussed, in the context of how pride can diminish a place’s renown.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse teaches ethical restraint in speech, especially regarding one’s own merit.