Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 40
आत्मप्रत्ययवान्देही क्वेश्वरश्चेदृशोऽस्ति हि । ऐश्वर्यस्यापि सारं स जग्राहैतन्निशामय
ātmapratyayavāndehī kveśvaraścedṛśo'sti hi | aiśvaryasyāpi sāraṃ sa jagrāhaitanniśāmaya
ایسا حکمران کہاں ہے جو جسم میں رہتے ہوئے بھی خودی کے یقین میں ثابت قدم ہو؟ اس نے تو اقتدار کے جوہر کو بھی پا لیا ہے؛ اسے خوب سنو۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative mode)
Scene: A ruler sits not on a high throne but on a simple seat beside sages; a luminous steady flame at his heart symbolizes ātma-pratyaya; regalia is present but secondary, indicating essence over display.
FAQs
The highest sovereignty is self-mastery; inner conviction and restraint form the essence of true rulership.
No tirtha is mentioned; the verse continues an ethical portrait within the chapter’s discourse.
No ritual; it exhorts attentive listening and learning of the dharmic essence of leadership.