Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 35
दीक्षामन्त्रविहीनोऽपि मुच्यते चाब्दिकादघात् । ये पुनर्विधिवत्स्नान्ति मन्त्रैः पञ्चभिरेव च
dīkṣāmantravihīno'pi mucyate cābdikādaghāt | ye punarvidhivatsnānti mantraiḥ pañcabhireva ca
Even one who lacks dīkṣā (initiation) and mantras is freed from the sin accrued over a year. But those who bathe again according to proper rule, using precisely five mantras, gain the fuller fruit of the rite.
Deductively: Purāṇic narrator
Type: tirtha
Scene: Two groups at the same ford: one simple pilgrim without formal initiation bathing with folded hands; another group led by a priest recites five mantras in sequence while bathing, holding ritual vessels; both are shown receiving purifying radiance, the latter more structured and ceremonial.
FAQs
The tīrtha’s grace is accessible even to the uninitiated, while disciplined, rule-based practice with mantra yields heightened religious efficacy.
The Revā Khaṇḍa tīrtha under discussion, praised for granting release from yearly sin even without formal initiation.
Vidhivat-snānā (properly prescribed bathing) employing five mantras (pañca-mantra).