Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 21
गुणत्रयमयैर्भावैः सततं प्राणबुद्बुदाः । येषां वाक्यजलेनैव पापिष्ठा अपि शुद्धताम् । प्रयांति पापपुंजाश्च भस्मसाद्यांति पापिनाम्
guṇatrayamayairbhāvaiḥ satataṃ prāṇabudbudāḥ | yeṣāṃ vākyajalenaiva pāpiṣṭhā api śuddhatām | prayāṃti pāpapuṃjāśca bhasmasādyāṃti pāpinām
Die Wesen sind stets wie Blasen des Atems, getrieben von Zuständen, die aus den drei Guṇas entstehen. Doch durch das Wasser eurer Worte allein erlangt selbst der größte Sünder Reinheit, und die Sündenberge der Schuldigen werden zu Asche.
Brahmā (continuing narration; devas speaking within the narrative)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A group of weary pilgrims, burdened by dark soot-like ‘sins,’ approach luminous sages; from the sages’ mouths flows a clear stream of syllables like water, washing the pilgrims; heaps of black ash crumble into sacred vibhūti.
FAQs
Satsanga and the teachings of realized ones are portrayed as a direct purifier—burning accumulated sin and restoring inner purity.
The statement functions within the Amarakantaka–Narmadā tīrtha māhātmya, where sages/brāhmaṇas sanctify the place by presence and teaching.
Listening to and honoring the purifying instruction of brahmavid teachers (implicit practice of śravaṇa/satsaṅga).