Chapter 23 of 25 · Vidyeshvara Samhita · Overall chapter 30 of 464
Rudraksha and Shiva's Names
Suta explains why Shiva's name, vibhuti (sacred ash) and rudraksha together are equated with the Triveni confluence itself, and dedicates the bulk of the chapter to the purifying power of Shiva's names specifically - illustrated by the redemptions of King Indradyumna and an unnamed sinning brahmani.
The rishis said
Suta, very fortunate disciple of Vyasa, we bow to you. Please tell us the greatness of ash, the greatness of rudraksha and the greatness of his excellent names. Tell us these three so that our minds may be pleased and delighted.
Suta replied
You have asked a virtuous question that benefits the world. You are extremely blessed and sacred, the ornaments of your lines, since the extremely auspicious Shiva is himself your god. The accounts of Sadashiva are always loved in this world and are dear to you. Such blessed people have accomplished their aims, and their taking birth in bodies is successful. Those who worship Shiva uplift their lines. When the names of Shiva, Shivaa and Sadashiva come from people's mouths, sins do not touch them, as if the mouth were burning coal of khadira wood. A mouth that says "Shri Shiva, I bow to you" becomes a sacred holy place that destroys all sins. If a man looks lovingly at such a mouth, he certainly reaps the fruits of visiting a holy place. Brahmanas, a place where all three exist together is auspicious; the mere sight of it is like the fruit of bathing at Triveni. Shiva's name, ash and rudraksha, these three are extremely sacred and said to be like Triveni. The sight of a person who has all three on his body is very rare in this world and destroys sins. There is no difference between seeing such a person and Triveni. Doubtless a person who does not know this is a sinner. A man who does not wear rudraksha on his body, who has no ash on his forehead and who does not say Shiva's names is the worst of men and should be shunned. Shiva's name is like the Ganga, ash like the Yamuna, and rudraksha like Vidhatri's daughter. They destroy all sins. Brahma, the benefactor, once placed the fruits of all three together on the body on one side and bathing at Triveni on the other and found them equal. Learned men gain these fruits. Since they were found equal, learned men must always wear them. Since that day Brahma, Vishnu and the other gods wear these three, since the sight of them destroys sins.
The rishis said
You have told the fruits of these three, one excellent in vows. But tell us specifically the greatness of Bhava's names.
Suta replied
Rishis, wise ones, the immortals have this knowledge of Shiva. Brahmanas, listen lovingly and attentively to this greatness. It is a great secret, even in the sacred texts, Puranas and shrutis. Brahmanas, out of affection for you I will reveal it now. Best of brahmanas, except for Maheshvara, who is beyond everything in this cosmic egg and beyond cause and effect, who knows the greatness of these three? But briefly I will tell it. Brahmanas, listen cheerfully; it destroys all sins. Like a great forest fire, Shiva's names burn down a mountain of sins; they are easily reduced to ashes. This is true, doubtless true. Shounaka, with sins as their roots there are many kinds of misery, and Shiva's names destroy these; nothing else destroys them completely. A man on earth who devoutly does japa of Shiva's names follows the Vedas, is auspicious in self, blessed and held to be learned. Sage, there are many kinds of dharma followed by those who want fruits. Foremost among these is faith in doing japa of Shiva's names. Men commit many kinds of sins on earth, and Shiva's names destroy all of them. Men commit many sins, the killing of a brahmana and others; Shiva's names are called wonderful and unmatched, since they destroy all of these. Shiva's names are like a boat for those who wish to cross the ocean of samsara. Doubtless they destroy the sins that are the root cause of samsara. Great sage, for beings the root cause of samsara is sins, and Shiva's names are like an axe that certainly cuts them down. For those afflicted by the blazing fire of sins, Shiva's names are amrita to drink. As long as one is scorched by the blazing fire of sins one can never gain peace. Shiva's names are like nectar showering down and flooding. So in the midst of this blazing samsara there is nothing to grieve. There are great-souled ones who have developed great devotion to Shiva's names; because of this they gain liberation at once, in every way. Lord among sages, it destroys all sins, but one gains devotion to Shiva's names only after scorching oneself through austerities across many births. In general, liberation is easily gained by those who have unwavering devotion to Shiva's names and not by anyone else; that is my view. If a person commits many sins but lovingly does japa of Shiva's names, doubtless he is freed from all of them, like a tree reduced to ashes in a forest blaze; in the same way Shiva's names burn down those sins. Shounaka, if a person wears the sacred ash on his limbs and lovingly does japa of Shiva's names, doubtless he crosses this terrible samsara. If a man steals brahmanas' property and kills many brahmanas, when he lovingly does japa of Shiva's names he is not touched by these sins. Having considered all the Vedas, it was long ago determined that the best way to cross samsara is japa of Shiva's names. Best of sages, why say more? I will quote only one shloka on the greatness of Shiva's names, which destroy all sins: "Shambhu's names have more power to destroy sins than a man has power to commit them." Sage, King Indradyumna long ago committed a great sin, but by the power of Shiva's names he gained an excellent destination. In the same way a brahmani who committed many sins gained an excellent destination by the power of Shiva's names. Best of brahmanas, so I have told the greatness of these excellent names. Now hear the greatness of ash, which destroys all sins and purifies.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.