Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 9
एवं तस्मादभिज्ञाय सत्यर्थशपथांश्चरेत् । वृथा हि शपथान्कुर्वन्प्रेत्य चेह विनश्यति
evaṃ tasmādabhijñāya satyarthaśapathāṃścaret | vṛthā hi śapathānkurvanpretya ceha vinaśyati
एवं तस्मादभिज्ञाय सत्यार्थमेव शपथान् चरेत्; वृथा शपथान् कुर्वन् इह च प्रेत्य च विनश्यति।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A person stands at a crossroads: one path labeled ‘Satyārtha-śapatha’ leading to light, the other ‘Vṛthā-śapatha’ leading to decay in both worlds; a balance scale of Dharma weighs speech against truth.
FAQs
Use solemn speech responsibly: an oath is sacred and should be invoked only to uphold truth.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the teaching is ethical and universal.
A behavioral prescription: avoid frivolous oaths; take śapatha only when it serves satya (truth).