Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 72
हीनवर्णात्मवृत्तिश्च वैद्यो धर्मध्वजी च यः । यश्च शास्त्रमतिक्रम्य स्वेच्छयैवाहरेत्करम्
hīnavarṇātmavṛttiśca vaidyo dharmadhvajī ca yaḥ | yaśca śāstramatikramya svecchayaivāharetkaram
हीनवर्णवृत्तिजीवी वैद्यः, धर्मध्वजी च यः; यश्च शास्त्रमतिक्रम्य स्वेच्छयैव करमाहरेत्—एते धर्ममर्यादाभङ्गिनः निन्द्यन्ते।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa narrative convention
Scene: A hypocritical ascetic-like figure with religious banner taking bribes; a physician ignoring dharma; a tax-collector seizing goods without warrant; a śāstra manuscript shown as the violated standard.
FAQs
Outward displays of piety without righteousness are condemned, and rulers must act within śāstric limits—especially in taxation.
No tīrtha is mentioned; this is an ethical/governance teaching.
None; the verse addresses śāstra-guided conduct and just taxation rather than ritual practice.