Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 120
अप्येकं यो महारुद्रं जपेद्वीरेश सन्निधौ । जापयेद्वा भवेत्तस्य कोटिरुद्रफलं ध्रुवम्
apyekaṃ yo mahārudraṃ japedvīreśa sannidhau | jāpayedvā bhavettasya koṭirudraphalaṃ dhruvam
Even if one recites the Mahārudra mantra just once in the presence of Vīreśa, or causes it to be recited by others, the fruit for him is certainly equal to that of a Koṭi-Rudra.
Skanda (deduced from Kāśīkhaṇḍa dialogue convention)
Tirtha: Vīreśa-sannidhi (Kāśī)
Type: temple
Scene: A pilgrim stands before the Vīreśa liṅga on the Gaṅgā-side, hands in añjali, softly reciting Mahārudra; nearby, learned brāhmaṇas chant on behalf of donors, with lamps and bilva leaves offered.
FAQs
In Kāśī, devotion performed with faith at a praised shrine is amplified; even a small act of japa near Vīreśa yields vast merit.
The presence (sannidhi) of Vīreśa in Kāśī is praised as a powerful locus for Rudra-oriented practice.
Japa of the Mahārudra (personally) or arranging japa through others (jāpana), promising Koṭi-Rudra-equivalent fruit.