Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 57
यस्मात्पापेन दुःखानि तीव्राणि सुबहून्यपि । तस्मात्पापं न कर्तव्यमात्मपीडाकरं हि तत्
yasmātpāpena duḥkhāni tīvrāṇi subahūnyapi | tasmātpāpaṃ na kartavyamātmapīḍākaraṃ hi tat
کیونکہ گناہ سے سخت اور بہت سے دُکھ پیدا ہوتے ہیں، اس لیے گناہ نہیں کرنا چاہیے؛ کہ وہ حقیقت میں اپنے ہی آپ کو اذیت دینا ہے۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A stark moral scene: a person about to commit a harmful act sees a shadowy reflection of their own suffering; the sage points to the heart, indicating ‘self-torment’. Background shows Yama’s noose faintly as a cautionary symbol.
FAQs
Avoid pāpa because it inevitably returns as suffering; true self-interest lies in dharma and merit.
No tīrtha is mentioned; it is a universal ethical teaching.
No specific ritual is prescribed; the instruction is moral restraint—do not commit sinful acts.