Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 4
रक्तेन तस्य मे शूलं निर्मलं नैव जायते । शुभव्रततपोजप्यरतो ब्रह्मन्मया हतः
raktena tasya me śūlaṃ nirmalaṃ naiva jāyate | śubhavratatapojapyarato brahmanmayā hataḥ
«Par son sang, mon trident ne devient nullement pur. Ô Brahman, bien qu’il fût voué aux vœux propices, à l’ascèse et à la récitation, c’est moi qui l’ai tué».
Īśvara (Śiva)
Scene: Śiva holds the trident, looking contemplative; the trident’s tip is stained, symbolizing unresolved impurity; Brahmā listens as Śiva expresses moral concern over slaying a vow-keeping ascetic demon.
FAQs
External observances (vrata, tapas, japa) do not by themselves confer purity when aligned with adharma; inner intent and righteousness are decisive.
No tīrtha is named yet; the verse motivates the ensuing tīrtha-yātrā for purification.
Vrata (vows), tapas (austerity), and japa (recitation) are referenced, but not prescribed; they are discussed in relation to moral fitness.