Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 31
नायं तस्यास्ति वै लोकः कुत एव परो भवेत् । तस्माद्विजानता यत्नात्त्याज्यमेव वृथा वचः
nāyaṃ tasyāsti vai lokaḥ kuta eva paro bhavet | tasmādvijānatā yatnāttyājyameva vṛthā vacaḥ
ایسے شخص کے لیے اس دنیا میں بھی بھلائی نہیں؛ پھر آخرت کی بھلائی کہاں سے ہوگی؟ لہٰذا جو سمجھ رکھتا ہے وہ کوشش کرکے فضول اور بےکار کلام کو بالکل ترک کرے۔
Narrative context (Maheshvara Khanda tradition: Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa relating a dialogue)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya sages (frame implied)
Scene: A didactic moment: an elder/kingly figure admonishes a strong warrior about abandoning futile speech; the atmosphere is sober, corrective, and morally charged.
FAQs
Useless talk harms both worldly well-being and spiritual progress; disciplined speech supports dharma and higher attainments.
None is mentioned; the teaching is universal and ethical rather than geographic.
The prescription is behavioral: renounce vṛthā-vacana (futile speech) through deliberate effort.