Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 26
समुन्नतोपि संपत्त्या विनयानतकंधरः । आकरोपि गुणानां हि गुणिष्वाकारगोपकः
samunnatopi saṃpattyā vinayānatakaṃdharaḥ | ākaropi guṇānāṃ hi guṇiṣvākāragopakaḥ
แม้รุ่งเรืองด้วยสมบัติ เขาก็ยังนอบน้อมก้มคอด้วยความถ่อมตน แม้เป็นดุจขุมเหมืองแห่งคุณธรรม เขาก็ซ่อนความเลิศไว้ท่ามกลางผู้มีคุณธรรมทั้งหลาย
Skanda (narrating the itihāsa)
Scene: A wealthy merchant stands with lowered head and folded hands before elders and virtuous people; despite fine garments, his posture is modest. Around him, other noble persons converse—his virtues are present yet understated, like a hidden treasure.
FAQs
True virtue is marked by humility; greatness is safeguarded by modesty rather than display.
No tīrtha is named in this verse; it builds the moral foundation for the forthcoming Kāśī-centered mahātmya narrative.
None; it teaches dharmic disposition—humility and non-ostentation—as spiritual discipline.