Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 17
परापवादो नो वाच्यः परेर्ष्यां न च कारयेत् । असत्यं नैव वक्तव्यं प्राणैः कंठगतैरपि
parāpavādo no vācyaḥ parerṣyāṃ na ca kārayet | asatyaṃ naiva vaktavyaṃ prāṇaiḥ kaṃṭhagatairapi
دوسروں کی بدگوئی ہرگز نہ کی جائے، اور نہ ہی دوسروں کے بارے میں حسد بھڑکایا جائے۔ جھوٹ کبھی نہ بولا جائے—اگرچہ جان گلے تک آ جائے، حتیٰ کہ جان کی قیمت پر بھی نہیں۔
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda speaking to Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Ānandakānana)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A devotee stands firm before threats, refusing to lie; around him, gossipers are shown turning away, while the devotee’s truthful speech is depicted as a clear stream flowing toward a temple.
FAQs
Purity of speech is central: avoid slander and envy, and hold to truth even under extreme pressure.
Kāśī implicitly, as a place where strict dharmic speech is especially enjoined.
Not a ritual but a vrata-like discipline: refrain from slander, envy, and lying.