Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 31
नायं तस्यास्ति वै लोकः कुत एव परो भवेत् । तस्माद्विजानता यत्नात्त्याज्यमेव वृथा वचः
nāyaṃ tasyāsti vai lokaḥ kuta eva paro bhavet | tasmādvijānatā yatnāttyājyameva vṛthā vacaḥ
अशा व्यक्तीस या लोकातही कल्याण नाही; मग परलोक कसा मिळेल? म्हणून जो जाणतो त्याने प्रयत्नपूर्वक निरर्थक वचनांचा सर्वथा त्याग करावा।
Narrative context (Maheshvara Khanda tradition: Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa relating a dialogue)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya sages (frame implied)
Scene: A didactic moment: an elder/kingly figure admonishes a strong warrior about abandoning futile speech; the atmosphere is sober, corrective, and morally charged.
FAQs
Useless talk harms both worldly well-being and spiritual progress; disciplined speech supports dharma and higher attainments.
None is mentioned; the teaching is universal and ethical rather than geographic.
The prescription is behavioral: renounce vṛthā-vacana (futile speech) through deliberate effort.