Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 105

Devanagari script

अन्तःक्षुरा वाङ्मधुराः कूपाश्धन्नास्तृणौरिव । कुर्वते ये बहून्मार्गांस्तांस्तान्हेतुबलन्विताः

Transliteration

antaḥkṣurā vāṅmadhurāḥ kūpāśdhannāstṛṇauriva | kurvate ye bahūnmārgāṃstāṃstānhetubalanvitāḥ

Translation

Bên trong họ như lưỡi dao cạo, nhưng lời nói lại ngọt ngào; như giếng bị cỏ che phủ. Kẻ bày ra nhiều nẻo đường (lừa dối) thì lần lượt làm vậy, mang theo lý lẽ và sức mạnh làm khí giới.

Word by Word

• अन्तःक्षुराः: razor-like within (inwardly sharp)
• अन्तःक्षुराः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तः + क्षुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वाक्-मधुराः: sweet in speech
• वाक्-मधुराः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाक् + मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कूपाः: wells
• कूपाः: Upamana (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• धन्नाः: covered/filled (reading uncertain)
• धन्नाः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन्य/धन्न (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तृणैः: with grass
• तृणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• इव: like/as
• इव: Sambandha (Comparison marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-सूचक (comparative particle)

• कुर्वते: they do/perform
• कुर्वते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), आत्मनेपद (Ātmanepada)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बहून्: many
• बहून्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• मार्गान्: paths/ways
• मार्गान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तान्: those
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तान्: those (same)
• तान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• हेतुबलान्विताः: endowed with reasons and strength
• हेतुबलान्विताः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेतु + बल + अन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; अन्वि धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

Speaker

Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A charming speaker with honeyed lips offers directions at a crossroads; beneath his robe a hidden razor gleams. Nearby, a well disguised with grass lures a traveler—symbolizing concealed danger under pleasant appearance.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Do not be misled by pleasant words; discern inner intent, as deception can be hidden beneath sweetness.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No holy site is mentioned; the verse teaches moral vigilance.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

None; it advises discernment and caution regarding persuasive but harmful influences.