Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 34
अहो कष्टमिदं कूक्तं तीर्थराजेन मोहतः । सन्तोऽपि न गुणा वाच्याः स्वयं सद्भिः स्वका यतः
aho kaṣṭamidaṃ kūktaṃ tīrtharājena mohataḥ | santo'pi na guṇā vācyāḥ svayaṃ sadbhiḥ svakā yataḥ
அய்யோ, மயக்கத்தால் ‘தீர்த்தராஜன்’ கூறிய இந்த உரை எவ்வளவு வருந்தத்தக்கது! ஏனெனில் குணங்கள் இருந்தாலும் நல்லோர் தம் குணங்களைத் தாமே புகழ்ந்து சொல்லார்; அவை தமக்கே உரியவை.
Dharma (Dharma-deva)
Scene: Dharma addresses the assembly with a composed yet firm expression, gently chastising the tīrtha-rāja for deluded self-praise; the tīrtha-rāja appears chastened, the assembly attentive.
FAQs
Self-praise is a mark of delusion; true goodness is modest and does not advertise itself.
A tīrtha identified as “Tīrtharāja” is discussed, in the context of how pride can diminish a place’s renown.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse teaches ethical restraint in speech, especially regarding one’s own merit.