Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 68
त्वं मुने मन्यसे चेदं कुलीनोऽस्मीति बुद्धिमान् । ततः क्षिपसि मां मूढ नकुलोऽयमिति स्मयन्
tvaṃ mune manyase cedaṃ kulīno'smīti buddhimān | tataḥ kṣipasi māṃ mūḍha nakulo'yamiti smayan
اے مُنی! اگر تو اپنے آپ کو دانا اور شریف النسب سمجھتا ہے، تو پھر اے نادان، ‘یہ تو نَکول ہے’ کہہ کر مسکرا کر مجھے کیوں طعنہ دیتا اور بے عزت کرتا ہے؟
Nakula (mongoose) addressing Yājñavalkya (the muni)
Scene: A heated exchange: a revered-looking sage is confronted by a smaller ascetic/being who rebukes him for smilingly insulting with the word ‘nakula’ (mongoose). Gestures emphasize moral reprimand and wounded dignity.
FAQs
True wisdom is shown by humility and respectful speech; pride in birth or learning does not justify contempt.
No; the verse is a moral confrontation within the narrative.
None; it critiques harshness and ridicule as violations of dharma.