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
Mencela para bhakta Śiva tidak menjadi suci walaupun dengan amalan penebusan. Namun sesiapa yang memakai Rudrākṣa pada tubuh dan Tripuṇḍra pada dahi—dia diisytiharkan amat disucikan.
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.