Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 17
कुष्ठ्युवाच । कुत आगम्यते विप्र क्व यास्यसि वदाऽधुना । एवं लावण्ययुक्तोऽपि किमेकाकी यथार्तिभाक्
kuṣṭhyuvāca | kuta āgamyate vipra kva yāsyasi vadā'dhunā | evaṃ lāvaṇyayukto'pi kimekākī yathārtibhāk
Si kusta berkata: “Wahai brahmana, dari mana engkau datang dan ke mana engkau pergi sekarang? Walau berhias keelokan, mengapa engkau sendirian, seakan memikul dukacita?”
Kuṣṭhī (the leper brāhmaṇa/householder)
Scene: A leper, marked by disease yet dignified, addresses a radiant young brāhmaṇa traveler; the contrast between affliction and beauty is central, with an undertone of empathy and curiosity.
FAQs
Suffering invites inquiry and guidance; respectful questioning becomes the beginning of transformation in Purāṇic tīrtha stories.
Not yet; the question prompts the traveler’s account that will introduce the sacred place and its benefits.
None directly; the verse models respectful address and inquiry (vinaya) as part of dharmic conduct.