Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 2
अशक्त्या हि शरीरस्य नियमानां कथं चरेत् । व्रतं हि सुकुमारांगो दानैर्वापि वदस्व नः
aśaktyā hi śarīrasya niyamānāṃ kathaṃ caret | vrataṃ hi sukumārāṃgo dānairvāpi vadasva naḥ
“Namun jika tubuh lemah, bagaimana dapat menjalankan disiplin yang ketat? Beritahulah kami suatu vrata yang sesuai bagi yang bertubuh halus—atau jalan melalui dana, iaitu sedekah dan kebajikan.”
Ṛṣis (sages)
Type: kshetra
Listener: pilgrims/ṛṣis (inquisitors)
Scene: A pilgrim-assembly respectfully questions the narrator about a gentle vow for the weak-bodied; the atmosphere is compassionate and instructional, with ascetics and householders listening.
FAQs
Purāṇic dharma accommodates human limitation: when austerities are difficult, suitable vratas and dāna provide an accessible path of merit.
No tirtha is named in this verse; it focuses on practical dharma and eligibility.
It requests guidance on a manageable vrata and/or merit through dāna (charitable giving) for those unable to keep strict niyamas.