Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 21
गुणत्रयमयैर्भावैः सततं प्राणबुद्बुदाः । येषां वाक्यजलेनैव पापिष्ठा अपि शुद्धताम् । प्रयांति पापपुंजाश्च भस्मसाद्यांति पापिनाम्
guṇatrayamayairbhāvaiḥ satataṃ prāṇabudbudāḥ | yeṣāṃ vākyajalenaiva pāpiṣṭhā api śuddhatām | prayāṃti pāpapuṃjāśca bhasmasādyāṃti pāpinām
త్రిగుణజన్య భావాలచే నడిపింపబడే జీవులు నిత్యం ప్రాణబుడగలవలె; వారి వాక్యజలమాత్రంతోనే మహాపాపులకూడా శుద్ధి పొందుతారు, పాపుల పాపరాశులు భస్మమవుతాయి।
Brahmā (continuing narration; devas speaking within the narrative)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A group of weary pilgrims, burdened by dark soot-like ‘sins,’ approach luminous sages; from the sages’ mouths flows a clear stream of syllables like water, washing the pilgrims; heaps of black ash crumble into sacred vibhūti.
FAQs
Satsanga and the teachings of realized ones are portrayed as a direct purifier—burning accumulated sin and restoring inner purity.
The statement functions within the Amarakantaka–Narmadā tīrtha māhātmya, where sages/brāhmaṇas sanctify the place by presence and teaching.
Listening to and honoring the purifying instruction of brahmavid teachers (implicit practice of śravaṇa/satsaṅga).