Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 55
देवाग्निगुरुसाधूनां निंदा गोब्राह्मणस्य च । प्रत्यक्षं वा परोक्षं वा राज्ञां मंडलिनामपि
devāgnigurusādhūnāṃ niṃdā gobrāhmaṇasya ca | pratyakṣaṃ vā parokṣaṃ vā rājñāṃ maṃḍalināmapi
دیوتاؤں، مقدس آگنی، اپنے گرو اور سادھوؤں کی نِندا کرنا؛ اسی طرح گائے اور برہمن کی توہین کرنا—رو برو ہو یا پسِ پشت؛ اور بادشاہوں و حکمرانوں کے بارے میں بھی بدگوئی کرنا—یہ سب گناہ آلود طرزِ عمل کے طور پر مذموم ہے۔
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A pilgrim stands before a Śiva shrine with folded hands; nearby are a sacred fire/lamps, a seated guru, sādhus, a cow with calf, and a brāhmaṇa reciting—while shadowy figures whispering behind backs are shown being turned away, symbolizing rejection of slander.
FAQs
Purity of speech is dharma: disrespect toward the sacred, the virtuous, and social protectors creates spiritual demerit.
No tīrtha is specified; the verse provides general dharma that supports tīrtha-māhātmya practice.
It prescribes restraint from nindā (reviling) and cultivation of reverence; no single ritual act is detailed.