The sages said:
1-2. O Sūta, Sūta the fortunate disciple of Vyāsa, obeisance to thee. Please explain again the glorification of the holy ashes, of the Rudrākṣa and of Śiva’s names. Lovingly explaining the three, please delight our minds.
Sūta said:
3-4. It is good that you have referred to this matter that is highly beneficent to the world. You are blessed, holy and ornaments to your families since you own Śiva as your sole great favourite deity. The anecdotes of Śiva are dear to you all for ever.
5. Those who adore Śiva are blessed and content. Their birth is fruitful and their family is elevated.
6. Sins never touch those from whose mouth the names Sadāśiva, Śiva etc. come out for ever, as they do not touch the burning charcoal of the khadira wood.
7. When a mouth utters “Obeisance to Thee, holy Śiva” that mouth is on a par with holy centres destroying all sins.
8. It is certain that the benefit of making pilgrimages to holy centres accrues to one who lovingly looks at His holy face.
9. O brahmins, the place where these three are found is the most auspicious one. A mere contact of the place accords the benefit of taking a holy dip in the sacred Triveṇī.
10. Śiva’s name, the ashes and the Rudrākṣa beads—these three are very holy and are on a par with Triveṇī (the confluence of the three holy rivers).
11. The sight of the persons who have these three in their bodies is a rare occurrence. But when obtained it removes all sins.
12. There is no difference at all between these two—a sight of the holy man and a bath in the Triveṇī. He who does not realise this is undoubtedly a sinner.
13. The man who has no ashes on his forehead, has not worn Rudrākṣa on his body and does not utter names of Śiva shall be shunned as one does a base man.
14. As said by Brahmā, Śiva’s name is on a par with Gaṅgā, the ash is equal to Yamunā and Rudrākṣa destroys all sins (and is equal to Sarasvatī).
15-16. Brahmā wishing to bestow beneficence weighed one against the other. He put on one side the benefit achieved by a person in whose body the three things were present.
On the other side he put the blessedness achieved by those who took their bath in the holy Triveṇī. Both were found equal. Hence scholars shall wear these always.
17. From that time onwards Brahmā, Viṣṇu and other Devas wear these three. Their very sight dispels sins.
– Shiva Maha Purana ( J. L Shashtri )