Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 129
चिरं पृच्छेच्च श्रृणुयाच्चिरं न परिभूयते । धर्मे शत्रौ शस्त्रहस्ते पात्रे च निकटस्थिते
ciraṃ pṛcchecca śrṛṇuyācciraṃ na paribhūyate | dharme śatrau śastrahaste pātre ca nikaṭasthite
دیر تک پوچھنا اور دیر تک سننا چاہیے—تب آدمی آسانی سے مغلوب نہیں ہوتا۔ مگر دھرم کے کام میں، دشمن کے سامنے، جب ہاتھ میں ہتھیار ہو، اور جب اہلِ پاتر قریب کھڑا ہو—تاخیر نہیں کرنی چاہیے۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: Split-scene: on one side a student patiently questioning a teacher; on the other, a warrior facing an enemy with weapon ready; a third vignette shows a donor placing gifts into a worthy ascetic’s hands immediately—illustrating ‘do not delay’ when pātra is near.
FAQs
Be patient in learning (ask and listen), but act without delay when dharma, danger, or a deserving opportunity for charity is present.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse is a general nīti (ethical) instruction.
It implicitly commends prompt dāna (giving) when a pātra (worthy recipient) is nearby.