Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 136
यस्यैते नियता दंडाः स त्रिदंडी यतिः स्मृतः । अनुरागं जनो याति परोक्षे गुणकीर्तनम्
yasyaite niyatā daṃḍāḥ sa tridaṃḍī yatiḥ smṛtaḥ | anurāgaṃ jano yāti parokṣe guṇakīrtanam
यस्यैते दण्डा नियता दृढा भवन्ति स त्रिदण्डी यतिरिति स्मृतः। तस्मिन् जनोऽनुरागं याति; परोक्षेऽपि तस्य गुणकीर्तनं करोति॥
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A tridaṇḍī ascetic holding three staffs bound together, standing calmly as villagers bow; in the background, people speak of his virtues even after he has walked away, indicating enduring influence.
FAQs
A true renunciant is defined by consistent threefold self-restraint; such integrity naturally inspires devotion and praise.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned in this verse.
The normative mark of the tridaṇḍī is prescribed: regulated discipline in speech, action, and mind.