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
جو رودر نہیں ہے وہ رودر کی پوجا کیوں کرے—جبکہ ہر خود ایک بھکت کی شکل میں ہے؟ رودر کی شکل والے اس شخص کو مار کر کس قسم کا جنم ہو سکتا ہے؟
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.