Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 98
भक्तो रुद्रो कृपावांश्च जंतुष्वेव हरव्रतः । तदेनं भूतमर्त्येषु द्रोग्धारं त्वं पिनाकिनः
bhakto rudro kṛpāvāṃśca jaṃtuṣveva haravrataḥ | tadenaṃ bhūtamartyeṣu drogdhāraṃ tvaṃ pinākinaḥ
A devotee of Rudra is compassionate and steadfast in Hara’s vow, especially toward living beings. Therefore, you—O bearer of the Pināka—may strike this treacherous one among beings and mortals.
Viṣṇu (continuing instruction; vocative 'pinākinaḥ' addresses Śiva by epithet)
Listener: Skanda (and/or the addressed Pinākin figure within the scene)
Scene: Viṣṇu’s counsel culminates in a decisive moment: Skanda (or addressed Pinākin figure, depending on narrative staging) is urged to strike the treacherous one; compassion is shown as the motive, not rage.
FAQs
True devotion to Rudra is inseparable from compassion; harming beings contradicts Śiva’s dharmic vow.
No tīrtha is referenced in this verse.
No formal ritual; it highlights the ethical vow (vrata) of compassion associated with Hara.