Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 17
यदि जानासि तं ब्रूहि सुहृत्संगो न निष्फलः । ततोऽहमब्रवं तांश्च विचार्येदं पुनःपुनः
yadi jānāsi taṃ brūhi suhṛtsaṃgo na niṣphalaḥ | tato'hamabravaṃ tāṃśca vicāryedaṃ punaḥpunaḥ
“Jika kamu mengenal beliau, katakanlah kepada kami—pergaulan dengan sahabat yang berhajat baik tidak pernah sia-sia.” Lalu aku, setelah menimbang hal itu berulang-ulang, pun berkata kepada mereka.
Residents of Nāḍījaṅgha (first half), then Narrator (second half)
Listener: The inquirers/seekers
Scene: The seekers request direct guidance; the sage pauses in contemplation, eyes lowered, counting on fingers or holding a rosary, then prepares to speak—signaling repeated reflection and benevolent counsel.
FAQs
Good company and guidance from a true well-wisher lead to meaningful spiritual outcomes; sincere seekers are answered.
The verse prepares for the identification of Saṃvarta’s abode, which is disclosed as Vārāṇasī in the next verse.
None; it emphasizes the value of seeking and trusting beneficent guidance (suhṛt-saṅga).