Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 21
यद्ब्रवीमि वचः सत्यं शृणुध्वं तन्नराधिपाः । आत्मनो वीर्यसदृशं केवलं न तु दर्पतः
yadbravīmi vacaḥ satyaṃ śṛṇudhvaṃ tannarādhipāḥ | ātmano vīryasadṛśaṃ kevalaṃ na tu darpataḥ
Hỡi các bậc quân vương, xin lắng nghe: lời ta nói là chân thật. Ta chỉ nói điều tương xứng với dũng lực của chính mình, chứ không phải do kiêu mạn suông.
Warrior-speaker within the narrative (Bhīma implied); framed by Sūta’s narration
Scene: Barbarīka addressing kings with calm firmness: one hand raised in oath-like gesture, face composed—strength without arrogance; kings listen respectfully.
FAQs
Even in heroic contexts, dharma requires truthfulness and restraint—valor should not become boastful pride.
The immediate passage continues the Guptakṣetra-centered narrative, though this verse itself addresses conduct.
None; the emphasis is ethical—satya (truth) and measured speech.