Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 131
मध्यैश्च मध्यतां याति श्रेष्ठतां याति चोत्तमैः । इति धर्मं स्मरन्नाहं संगमार्थी पुनस्तव । यन्निन्दसि द्विजानेव यैरपेयोऽर्णवः कृतः
madhyaiśca madhyatāṃ yāti śreṣṭhatāṃ yāti cottamaiḥ | iti dharmaṃ smarannāhaṃ saṃgamārthī punastava | yannindasi dvijāneva yairapeyo'rṇavaḥ kṛtaḥ
คบคนปานกลางย่อมเป็นปานกลาง คบคนประเสริฐย่อมถึงความประเสริฐ ระลึกถึงธรรมข้อนี้ ข้าจึงใคร่ขอคบหาท่านอีกครั้ง แต่ท่านกลับกล่าวร้ายต่อทวิชะ ผู้ซึ่งแม้แต่มหาสมุทรก็ทำให้ดื่มมิได้
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) addressing the sages (deduced; verse contains a direct address to 'you')
Scene: Two figures in dialogue: one earnest seeker requesting companionship; the other scornful, gesturing dismissively toward brāhmaṇas. In the distance, the ocean appears darkened/undrinkable as a symbolic memory of brāhmaṇa potency.
FAQs
One’s level is shaped by one’s company; dharma also requires respect for the learned and the twice-born.
No specific tīrtha is named; the ocean reference is mythic illustration rather than a site-mahātmya.
No direct ritual is stated; it prescribes ethical conduct—seeking noble company and refraining from reviling dvijas.