Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 59
मध्यमां वर्जयित्वा तु अंगुलीक्द्वयेन च । एवं त्रिरेखासंयुक्तो ललाटे यस्य दृश्यते । स शैवः शिववज्ज्ञेयो दर्शनात्पापनाशनः
madhyamāṃ varjayitvā tu aṃgulīkdvayena ca | evaṃ trirekhāsaṃyukto lalāṭe yasya dṛśyate | sa śaivaḥ śivavajjñeyo darśanātpāpanāśanaḥ
درمیانی انگلی کو چھوڑ کر دو انگلیوں سے—جس کے ماتھے پر تین لکیروں والا نشان دکھائی دے، اسے شَیو ماننا چاہیے، گویا شیو ہی؛ اس کے دیدار سے ہی پاپ نَشٹ ہوتے ہیں۔
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the Ṛṣis (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative style)
Tirtha: Kedāra/Kedāranātha-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: null
Scene: A Śaiva ascetic with bright tripuṇḍra stands near Kedāra; pilgrims fold hands as they behold him, and a visual motif of dark smoke (sins) dissolves upon sight.
FAQs
External sacred marks (like the tripuṇḍra) signify inner Śiva-bhakti, and honoring such devotees is itself purifying.
Within Kedārakhaṇḍa, the broader context is Kedāra sacred geography, though this verse specifically praises Śaiva-lakṣaṇa rather than naming a single tirtha.
Applying the tripuṇḍra on the forehead using two fingers (excluding the middle finger) is indicated as a Śaiva practice.
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