Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 122
आदौ मध्ये तथा चांते येषां वाक्यमदोषवत् । कषदाहैः स्वर्णमिव च्छेदेऽपि स्याच्छुभं शुभम्
ādau madhye tathā cāṃte yeṣāṃ vākyamadoṣavat | kaṣadāhaiḥ svarṇamiva cchede'pi syācchubhaṃ śubham
ஆரம்பம், நடு, முடிவு—மூன்றிலும் குறையற்ற சொல் உடையோர், தொடுகல் மற்றும் தீயால் சோதிக்கப்பட்ட பொன்னைப் போல; வெட்டி ஆராய்ந்தாலும் நன்மையே நிலைக்கும்.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) addressing the sages (deduced)
Scene: Goldsmith imagery: a pure gold ornament is rubbed on a touchstone, heated in fire, and even cut—yet it shines; beside it, a scroll of flawless words remains unblemished through scrutiny.
FAQs
True speech is consistent and withstands scrutiny; integrity is proven through testing, not appearance.
No tīrtha is directly mentioned; the verse supports dharmic discernment applicable to all sacred journeys.
None; the ‘test’ is metaphorical—evaluating consistency and purity of words.