Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 93
नारुद्रः पूजयेद्रुद्रं भक्तरूपस्य यो हरः । रुद्ररूपममुं हत्वा कीदृशं जन्मनो भवेत्
nārudraḥ pūjayedrudraṃ bhaktarūpasya yo haraḥ | rudrarūpamamuṃ hatvā kīdṛśaṃ janmano bhavet
ருத்ரன் அல்லாதவன் ருத்ரனை எவ்வாறு வழிபட முடியும்—ஹரனே பக்தரூபம் எடுத்திருக்கையில்? இந்த ருத்ரரூபதாரியை கொன்றால் பிறவியில் என்ன நிலை வரும்?
Tāraka (implied, continuing the battle-dialogue context)
Listener: Implied interlocutor within battlefield dialogue (Skanda/Vāsudeva context)
Scene: A contemplative pause amid battle: the speaker questions the morality of slaying one who bears Rudra’s form as a devotee; the background dims, focusing on faces—concern, restraint, and the looming shadow of karmic consequence.
FAQs
Harming a true devotee of Rudra is spiritually perilous; devotion is to be revered as a manifestation of the Lord’s presence.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; the focus is on dharma regarding Rudra and His devotees.
No ritual is prescribed; the verse emphasizes ethical restraint and reverence toward Rudra-bhaktas.