Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 60
उवाच च तपस्वी तं जगदुद्धरणक्षमः । गृहाणेमां विभूतिं त्वं ललाटफलके कुरु
uvāca ca tapasvī taṃ jagaduddharaṇakṣamaḥ | gṛhāṇemāṃ vibhūtiṃ tvaṃ lalāṭaphalake kuru
அப்போது உலகை உயர்த்த வல்ல தவசி அவனிடம் கூறினார்— “இந்த விபூதியை ஏற்று; அதை நெற்றிப்பலகையில் அணிந்து கொள்.”
Tapasvī/Muni (unnamed)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka-ādi ṛṣis
Scene: A radiant ascetic extends a pinch of sacred ash to the listener, instructing him to anoint the forehead; the moment is intimate, initiatory, and protective.
FAQs
Śaiva sacred symbols (vibhūti) are presented as carriers of protective and purifying power when given by a realized guide.
Kāśī’s Vimalodaka Saras setting continues, now linked to Śaiva protection enabling progress toward tīrtha rites.
Applying vibhūti on the forehead (lalāṭa), a Śaiva protective and devotional practice.