Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 23
स संवर्तो न चाक्रामत्येष शल्यमसंशयम् । प्रष्टव्योऽभिमतं चासावुपाश्रित्य विनीतवत्
sa saṃvarto na cākrāmatyeṣa śalyamasaṃśayam | praṣṭavyo'bhimataṃ cāsāvupāśritya vinītavat
ఆయనే సంవర్తుడు; ఇతడు దీనిని దాటడు—ఇది నిస్సందేహం. కాబట్టి వినయంతో ఆయనను ఆశ్రయించి నీకు ఇష్టమైనదాన్ని అడుగు.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A group of seekers pauses at a distance, then approaches the ascetic Saṃvarta with folded hands, careful not to cross a marked boundary or ‘śalya’ (a prohibitive point), their posture low and deferential.
FAQs
Approach to spiritual authority must be through humility (vinaya); true sages are restrained even in unusual situations.
The wider Kāśī setting remains the sacred backdrop, though this verse focuses on recognizing Saṃvarta.
A behavioral discipline is implied: approach a sage respectfully and inquire without arrogance.