Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 6
महेश्वरं च ये भक्ता भक्ता नारायणं च ये । तेषां दर्शनमात्रेण नश्यंते ते विदूरतः
maheśvaraṃ ca ye bhaktā bhaktā nārāyaṇaṃ ca ye | teṣāṃ darśanamātreṇa naśyaṃte te vidūrataḥ
Ces forces périssent de loin au seul regard des dévots, qu’ils soient dévots de Maheśvara ou dévots de Nārāyaṇa.
Lomaharṣaṇa Sūta (deduced for Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration)
Scene: Two groups of radiant devotees—one with Śiva marks (vibhūti, rudrākṣa), one with Vaiṣṇava marks (ūrdhva-puṇḍra, tulasī)—stand calmly; dark afflictive spirits disintegrate at a distance, unable to approach their combined radiance.
FAQs
True bhakti itself is protective; holiness radiates outward, dispelling negativity even without direct confrontation.
No particular tīrtha is named in this verse; it glorifies the spiritual potency of devotees (bhaktas).
No ritual is prescribed; the emphasis is on bhakti and the sanctifying power of darśana (sacred sight).