Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 39
वेताला राक्षसप्राया बलाद्गृह्णन्ति योषितः । तस्मात्त्वं मानुषो भूत्वा वेतालत्वमवाप्स्यसि
vetālā rākṣasaprāyā balādgṛhṇanti yoṣitaḥ | tasmāttvaṃ mānuṣo bhūtvā vetālatvamavāpsyasi
Os Vetālas, semelhantes aos Rākṣasas, arrebatam as mulheres à força. Por isso, tu, mesmo tendo nascido humano, alcançarás a condição de Vetāla.
Gālava (continuing the curse)
Tirtha: Setukṣetra (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A didactic tableau: vetālas portrayed as rākṣasa-like beings overpowering women, while a curse pronouncement frames the moral consequence—human birth leading to vetāla-hood due to such acts.
FAQs
Forcible violation of dharma rebounds as a fitting destiny—one becomes what one chooses through action and intent.
The Setukhaṇḍa’s Setu-kṣetra framework contextualizes the story, presenting the sacred land as a stage for dharmic retribution.
No ritual is stated; the verse defines the curse by linking wrongdoing to a corresponding nature of rebirth.