Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 49
न चैताः परिनिन्दामो जनिर्यार्भ्यः प्रवर्तते । केवलं तान्विनिंदामो ये च तासु निरर्गलाः
na caitāḥ parinindāmo janiryārbhyaḥ pravartate | kevalaṃ tānviniṃdāmo ye ca tāsu nirargalāḥ
We do not condemn these women, for their conduct arises from their own nature and upbringing. We censure only those who, toward them, behave without restraint.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration to sages)
Listener: The addressed group; implicitly also the men who behave without restraint
Scene: A balanced judgment scene: the speaker gestures in two directions—one indicating understanding/leniency toward the conditioned, the other indicating censure toward the unrestrained; listeners show mixed reactions (relief, shame, anger).
FAQs
Dharma emphasizes self-restraint; moral fault lies with the unrestrained mind rather than blaming others.
No tīrtha is referenced in this verse; it focuses on ethical discernment in conduct.
None; the verse highlights moral discipline (niyama/saṃyama) rather than a rite.