Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 12
अभ्यागतस्य कस्यापि सर्वसत्कारसद्व्रती । किं त्वेष पंचमो यो वो दृश्यते सरलाकृतिः
abhyāgatasya kasyāpi sarvasatkārasadvratī | kiṃ tveṣa paṃcamo yo vo dṛśyate saralākṛtiḥ
ଆସିଥିବା ଯେକୌଣସି ଅତିଥିଙ୍କୁ ସମସ୍ତ ସତ୍କାର-ସମ୍ମାନ ଦେବା ମୋର ସଦ୍ବ୍ରତ। କିନ୍ତୁ ତୁମମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଏହି ପଞ୍ଚମଜଣ କିଏ, ଯେ ଏଠାରେ ସରଳ ଆକୃତିରେ ଦିଶୁଛି?
Kūrma
Listener: Kuruśreṣṭha / Kurusattama (addressed later in the passage)
Scene: A dharmic host speaks with folded hands, declaring his vow to honor any guest; he notices a fifth figure among a group—plain, unadorned, yet quietly radiant—prompting respectful curiosity.
FAQs
True hospitality is universal, yet sacred narratives often test discernment through unexpected visitors.
No specific sacred site is named in this verse; it focuses on the encounter and recognition within the story.
The implied prescription is complete satkāra (honoring) of guests; no detailed rite is stated.