Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 21
छद्मनोपचरेद्यस्तु पितरौ स्वामिनं गुरून् । प्राप्तव्यार्थस्यातिकष्टात्परिभ्रंशोर्थजो भवेत्
chadmanopacaredyastu pitarau svāminaṃ gurūn | prāptavyārthasyātikaṣṭātparibhraṃśorthajo bhavet
பெற்றோர், தலைவன், குருமார்கள் இவர்களிடம் வஞ்சகமாக நடப்பவன், மிகுந்த முயற்சியால் பெற்ற செல்வமும் தன் தீவினையால் அழிவடையும்.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages (deduced from Māheśvara-khaṇḍa context)
Scene: A student/servant smiling outwardly while hiding a dagger-like scroll behind his back from parents and guru; coins spill through a torn pouch, symbolizing wealth-ruin born of deceit.
FAQs
Deceit toward parents, teachers, and benefactors destroys one’s prosperity; dharma is the true foundation of success.
No single tīrtha is named in this verse; it teaches general Purāṇic dharma within the Kaumārikā-khaṇḍa discourse.
No specific rite is prescribed; the verse gives an ethical injunction—truthful, respectful conduct toward elders.