Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 21
विधवानां व्रतस्थानां सर्वेषां लिंगिनां तथा । हृदि स्थितो महान्कामो व्रतचर्याबहिःस्थिताः
vidhavānāṃ vratasthānāṃ sarveṣāṃ liṃgināṃ tathā | hṛdi sthito mahānkāmo vratacaryābahiḥsthitāḥ
Même parmi les veuves vouées aux vœux, et parmi tous ceux qui portent des marques religieuses, un grand désir demeure assis dans le cœur ; leur observance n’est qu’extérieure, non intérieure.
Nārada
Type: kshetra
Scene: A group of vow-observers with external religious marks stand at a tīrtha; their faces show restlessness while a subtle inner flame of desire is depicted in the heart; a sage-like figure points inward, indicating inner purification over outward display.
FAQs
True vrata is inward transformation; outward marks and practices without inner restraint are incomplete.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned in this verse.
Vrata-caryā (discipline of vows) is referenced, emphasizing that it must be internal, not merely external.