Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 59
निंदा च शिवभक्तानां प्रायश्चितैर्न शुद्ध्यति । रुद्राक्षा यस्य गात्रेषु ललाटे च त्रिपुंड्रकम्
niṃdā ca śivabhaktānāṃ prāyaścitairna śuddhyati | rudrākṣā yasya gātreṣu lalāṭe ca tripuṃḍrakam
Phỉ báng các tín đồ của Śiva thì dù làm nghi thức sám hối cũng không được thanh tịnh. Nhưng ai mang Rudrākṣa trên thân và Tripuṇḍra trên trán—người ấy được tuyên là vô cùng thanh khiết.
Unknown (contextual narrator within Brahmottara-khaṇḍa; likely a Purāṇic narrator addressing a listener)
Scene: Two contrasting vignettes: on one side a figure speaking harshly toward ascetics (darkened aura); on the other, a serene Rudrākṣa-wearing devotee with Tripuṇḍra, radiant and protected by Śiva’s unseen presence.
FAQs
Bhakta-aparādha (offense to devotees) is portrayed as extremely grave; devotion expressed through Rudrākṣa and Tripuṇḍra is exalted.
No particular tīrtha is named; the focus is ethical conduct toward devotees and Shaiva identifiers (Rudrākṣa, Tripuṇḍra).
Wearing Rudrākṣa on the body and applying Tripuṇḍra on the forehead as marks of Shaiva observance.