Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 76
एतत्पवित्रमघनाशकरं विचित्रं शम्भोर्गुणानुकथनं परमं रहस्यम् । यः श्रावयेद्बुधजनान्प्रयतः पठेद्वा संप्राप्य भोगविभवं शिव मेति सोंते
etatpavitramaghanāśakaraṃ vicitraṃ śambhorguṇānukathanaṃ paramaṃ rahasyam | yaḥ śrāvayedbudhajanānprayataḥ paṭhedvā saṃprāpya bhogavibhavaṃ śiva meti soṃte
This wondrous and supremely secret narration of Śambhu’s virtues is purifying and destroys sin. Whoever, with discipline, recites it or causes the wise to hear it—after attaining worldly enjoyments and prosperity—finally reaches Śiva.
Sūta (contextual, phalaśruti style)
Scene: A sage recites Śiva’s glories to an assembly of wise listeners; the spoken mantra-like verses appear as luminous script, washing away dark ‘pāpa’ shadows; above, Śiva’s serene form beckons.
FAQs
Hearing and reciting Śiva’s glories purifies the mind, destroys sin, and ultimately leads to union with Śiva.
No particular pilgrimage site is specified; the verse glorifies Śiva-kathā (narration of Śiva’s virtues) as a universal purifier.
Śravaṇa and pāṭha: making the wise hear (śrāvayet) and disciplined recitation/reading (prayataḥ paṭhet).