Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 70
दूरतोऽसौ द्विजस्त्याज्य आत्मनः श्रेय इच्छता । हीनाङ्गानतिरिक्ताङ्गान् येषां पूर्वापरं न हि
dūrato'sau dvijastyājya ātmanaḥ śreya icchatā | hīnāṅgānatiriktāṅgān yeṣāṃ pūrvāparaṃ na hi
आत्मनः श्रेय इच्छता तादृशो द्विजो दूरतोऽपि त्याज्यः; ये हीनाङ्गा अतिरिक्ताṅ्गाश्च, येषां च पूर्वापरविवेकः नास्ति।
Skanda (contextual attribution within Revā Khaṇḍa narration)
Scene: A pilgrim or patron stands at a distance, respectfully declining association with an undisciplined would-be officiant; the scene emphasizes restraint and discernment rather than hostility.
FAQs
Discernment in religious giving protects one’s spiritual merit; not every claimant is a fit recipient.
The instruction is embedded in the Someshvara-focused Revā Khaṇḍa setting.
To avoid certain categories of persons when selecting participants/recipients for sacred rites.