Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 88
अर्थान्ब्रूयान्न चापत्सु गुणान्ब्रूयान्न चात्मनः । आदद्यान्न च साधुभ्यो नासत्पुरुषमाश्रयेत्
arthānbrūyānna cāpatsu guṇānbrūyānna cātmanaḥ | ādadyānna ca sādhubhyo nāsatpuruṣamāśrayet
Hendaklah dia berbicara tentang harta dan siasah, tetapi bukan pada saat gawat. Hendaklah dia menyebut tentang kebajikan, tetapi bukan kebajikan dirinya. Janganlah mengambil daripada orang saleh, dan jangan sekali-kali berlindung pada orang jahat.
Nārada
Tirtha: Vastrāpatha-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A dharmic teacher instructs a ruler/pilgrim at a Prabhāsa shrine: the ruler turns away from a dark, deceitful figure (asat-puruṣa) and bows to a serene sādhū; a scroll of counsel remains closed during a storm (āpada).
FAQs
Dharma in leadership means humility, protecting the virtuous, and refusing dependence on immoral allies.
It is situated within the Vastrāpatha-kṣetra Māhātmya of Prabhāsa; the verse is ethical instruction within that sacred-place narrative.
None; it prescribes moral boundaries for rulers (do not exploit sādhus; avoid wicked refuge).