Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 48
वेश्यो वाच । वयं तु स्वैरचारिण्यो वेश्यास्तु न पतिव्रताः । अस्मत्कुलोचितो धर्मो व्यभिचारो न संशयः
veśyo vāca | vayaṃ tu svairacāriṇyo veśyāstu na pativratāḥ | asmatkulocito dharmo vyabhicāro na saṃśayaḥ
वेश्या बोली—हम स्वेच्छाचारिणी स्त्रियाँ हैं; वेश्याएँ पतिव्रता नहीं होतीं। हमारे कुल का रूढ़ धर्म परपुरुष-सम्बन्ध ही है—इसमें संदेह नहीं।
Veśyā/Gaṇikā (courtesan)
Scene: The courtesan speaks plainly, posture confident yet tinged with resignation; the merchant listens, the jewel between them symbolizing the moral bargain.
FAQs
Purāṇic narratives often contrast social role-based conduct with higher dharma, preparing a lesson on discernment, restraint, and spiritual transformation.
No tīrtha is mentioned in this verse.
None; this is a declaration of social identity and customary conduct.