Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 81

Devanagari script

क्लेशरूपाः कृष्णवर्णाः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदाः । बहुभुजो मानिनो दक्षा राग द्वेषोपवर्जिताः

Transliteration

kleśarūpāḥ kṛṣṇavarṇāḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradāḥ | bahubhujo mānino dakṣā rāga dveṣopavarjitāḥ

Translation

அவர்கள் துன்பத்தின் உருவம் போலவும் கருநிறத்தவர்களாகவும் உள்ளனர்; ஆயினும் எல்லா சாஸ்திரங்களிலும் தேர்ந்தவர்கள். அவர்கள் பலபுஜம் (மிக வலிமைமிக்கோர்), தம்மை உயர்வாக எண்ணுவோர், திறமையுடையோர், ராக-த்வேஷமற்றோர்.

Word by Word

• क्लेशरूपाः: of afflictive nature
• क्लेशरूपाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्लेश + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (क्लेशरूपाः = having the form/nature of affliction)

• कृष्णवर्णाः: black-complexioned
• कृष्णवर्णाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (कृष्णः वर्णः येषाम् = black-complexioned)

• सर्वशास्त्रविशारदाः: expert in all scriptures
• सर्वशास्त्रविशारदाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + शास्त्र + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सर्वेषु शास्त्रेषु विशारदाः = expert in all treatises)

• बहुभुजः: many-armed
• बहुभुजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (बहवः भुजाः येषाम् = many-armed)

• मानिनः: proud; self-respecting
• मानिनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• दक्षाः: capable; skilled
• दक्षाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• राग: attachment/passion
• राग: Hetu/Apadana (Source/Reason; in compound sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (समुच्चित-द्वन्द्वार्थे प्रथमपदम्)

• द्वेषोपवर्जिताः: free from hatred (and attachment)
• द्वेषोपवर्जिताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वेष + उपवर्जित (कृदन्त; उप-√वृज्/√वर्ज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (द्वेषेण/द्वेषात् उपवर्जिताः = free from hatred; contextually with previous word: free from attachment and hatred)

Speaker

Unspecified (contextual narrator within Dharmāraṇyakhaṇḍa)

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Dharmāraṇya (region)

Type: kshetra

Skanda Dialogue

Listener: nṛpa (king)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A striking tableau of powerful, dark-complexioned figures with multiple arms (symbolic of might), holding scrolls and weapons; their faces show stern self-regard, suggesting capability mixed with menace.

Characters & Entities

• Śāstra
• Rāga
• Dveṣa

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Even with learning and capability, a troubling nature harms society; freedom from rāga-dveṣa is praised as a stabilizing virtue.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No holy site is mentioned; the verse focuses on traits and disposition.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

None; the emphasis is on inner discipline—transcending attachment and aversion.