Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 23
स संवर्तो न चाक्रामत्येष शल्यमसंशयम् । प्रष्टव्योऽभिमतं चासावुपाश्रित्य विनीतवत्
sa saṃvarto na cākrāmatyeṣa śalyamasaṃśayam | praṣṭavyo'bhimataṃ cāsāvupāśritya vinītavat
ਉਹ ਸੰਵਰਤ ਹੈ; ਨਿਸ਼ਚੇ ਹੀ ਉਹ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਘੇਗਾ ਨਹੀਂ—ਇਹ ਸ਼ਲ੍ਯ ਬੇਸੰਦੇਹ ਹੈ। ਫਿਰ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ, ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਤੂੰ ਚਾਹੇਂ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਛੀਂ।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A group of seekers pauses at a distance, then approaches the ascetic Saṃvarta with folded hands, careful not to cross a marked boundary or ‘śalya’ (a prohibitive point), their posture low and deferential.
FAQs
Approach to spiritual authority must be through humility (vinaya); true sages are restrained even in unusual situations.
The wider Kāśī setting remains the sacred backdrop, though this verse focuses on recognizing Saṃvarta.
A behavioral discipline is implied: approach a sage respectfully and inquire without arrogance.