Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 59
निंदा च शिवभक्तानां प्रायश्चितैर्न शुद्ध्यति । रुद्राक्षा यस्य गात्रेषु ललाटे च त्रिपुंड्रकम्
niṃdā ca śivabhaktānāṃ prāyaścitairna śuddhyati | rudrākṣā yasya gātreṣu lalāṭe ca tripuṃḍrakam
शिवभक्तांची निंदा प्रायश्चित्तांनीही शुद्ध होत नाही. पण ज्याच्या अंगावर रुद्राक्ष आणि ललाटावर त्रिपुंड्र असते—तो अत्यंत पावन मानला जातो।
Unknown (contextual narrator within Brahmottara-khaṇḍa; likely a Purāṇic narrator addressing a listener)
Scene: Two contrasting vignettes: on one side a figure speaking harshly toward ascetics (darkened aura); on the other, a serene Rudrākṣa-wearing devotee with Tripuṇḍra, radiant and protected by Śiva’s unseen presence.
FAQs
Bhakta-aparādha (offense to devotees) is portrayed as extremely grave; devotion expressed through Rudrākṣa and Tripuṇḍra is exalted.
No particular tīrtha is named; the focus is ethical conduct toward devotees and Shaiva identifiers (Rudrākṣa, Tripuṇḍra).
Wearing Rudrākṣa on the body and applying Tripuṇḍra on the forehead as marks of Shaiva observance.