Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 71
स्थानिकं मूर्खमप्येवमलाभे गुणिनामपि । हीनांगमधिकांगं वा दूषितं नो तथा परम्
sthānikaṃ mūrkhamapyevamalābhe guṇināmapi | hīnāṃgamadhikāṃgaṃ vā dūṣitaṃ no tathā param
اگر اہلِ فضیلت برہمن میسر نہ ہوں تو مقامی شخص—اگرچہ نادان ہو—قبول کیا جا سکتا ہے؛ کیونکہ ناپاک، خواہ اعضا میں کمی ہو یا زیادتی، ایسا آلودہ شخص اس سے کہیں زیادہ ضرر رساں ہے۔
Skanda (deduced)
Type: ghat
Listener: nṛpa (king)
Scene: A pilgrim consults elders at a ghat: a humble local brāhmaṇa stands to one side; a visibly ‘tainted’ figure is refused. The scene emphasizes discernment rather than spectacle.
FAQs
When ideal options are absent, dharma permits a pragmatic substitute, but impurity that corrupts the rite should be avoided.
The verse reflects the tīrtha’s ritual culture (respect for locals) within Nāgarakhaṇḍa’s sacred-place instructions.
If qualified brāhmaṇas cannot be found, accept a local; but avoid those considered dūṣita (ritually tainted).