Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 89
निन्दामवज्ञां कुरुते भक्तो भूत्वा न जीवति । एवं दृष्ट्वा निमित्तानि विपरीतानि योगवित्
nindāmavajñāṃ kurute bhakto bhūtvā na jīvati | evaṃ dṛṣṭvā nimittāni viparītāni yogavit
यो भक्तो भूत्वा निन्दामवज्ञां च करोति, स दीर्घं न जीवति। एवं विपरीतानि निमित्तानि दृष्ट्वा योगवित् सावधानो भवेत्।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced)
Listener: Pāṇḍava (addressed in nearby verses; the teaching context continues)
Scene: A yogin-devotee stands at a crossroads of pilgrimage paths; shadowy figures whisper slander while ominous birds/portents appear; the yogin turns inward, restraining speech and mind.
FAQs
Devotion without humility is self-destructive; slander and contempt undermine spiritual life and invite downfall.
None is mentioned; the verse emphasizes moral conduct within devotion and yoga.
No ritual is prescribed; the instruction is ethical—avoid nindā and avajñā.