Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 7
दृष्ट्वा लोप्त्रं तदग्रस्थं तमूचुर्मुनिपुंगवम् । मार्गेणानेन चायातो लोप्त्रहस्तो मलिम्लुचः । ब्रूहि शीघ्रं महाभाग केन मार्गेण निर्गतः
dṛṣṭvā loptraṃ tadagrasthaṃ tamūcurmunipuṃgavam | mārgeṇānena cāyāto loptrahasto malimlucaḥ | brūhi śīghraṃ mahābhāga kena mārgeṇa nirgataḥ
समोर ठेवलेले जलपात्र पाहून त्यांनी मुनिश्रेष्ठास म्हटले—‘याच मार्गाने जलपात्र हातात घेऊन तो दुष्ट लुटारू आला होता. हे महाभाग, लवकर सांगा—तो कोणत्या वाटेने बाहेर गेला?’
Sūta (narrating); pursuers speaking within the verse
Type: cave
Scene: Pursuers point toward the path and address the serene sage, gesturing at the water-pot placed before him, demanding the robber’s exit route.
FAQs
Social pressure can demand immediate answers, but dharma requires careful speech—especially for one observing a vow.
The incident unfolds at Viśvāmitrī Tīrtha, a ‘sat-tīrtha’ praised as greatly purifying.
No direct ritual is prescribed; the verse sets up the ethical conflict around speech, silence, and protecting life.