Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 4
ब्राह्मणस्त्रीनरेंद्राणां बालवृद्धतपस्विनाम् । पितृमातृगुरूणां च नाप्रियं मनसा वदेत्
brāhmaṇastrīnareṃdrāṇāṃ bālavṛddhatapasvinām | pitṛmātṛgurūṇāṃ ca nāpriyaṃ manasā vadet
బ్రాహ్మణులు, స్త్రీలు, రాజులు, బాలులు, వృద్ధులు, తపస్వులు—అలాగే తండ్రి, తల్లి, గురువుల పట్ల—మనసులోనైనా అప్రీతికరమైన కఠిన వాక్యాలు పలకకూడదు।
Sārasvata (continuing)
Tirtha: Vastrāpatha-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A pilgrim household at Prabhāsa listens to a sage’s counsel; the central figure restrains speech, hands folded, while elders, a guru, women, children, and ascetics are respectfully seated.
FAQs
Inner and outer speech must be disciplined; reverence and non-harm begin in the mind and extend to words toward revered groups.
The conduct is taught as part of Vastrāpathakṣetra’s māhātmya in Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa, describing behavior worthy of a holy place.
A behavioral vrata is implied: refrain from harsh speech (vāṅ-niyama), even mentally, toward Brahmins, elders, ascetics, parents, and teachers.