Skanda Purana 15 (AITM)

THE
skanda -pu r An a
pa rt xv
MOTILAL-BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS
PRIVATE L IM IT E D *D E L H I
First Edition: Delhi, 1957
Reprint- Delhi, 1987,1994, 2003
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CONTENTS
sk an d a -pu r An a
Book V: AVANTYA KHAN DA
Section III: REVA-KHANDA • m
101. The Greatness of Sarikarsana Tlrtlia■ •

333
102. The Glory of Manmalhesvara Tirtha 333
103. The Greatness ol the Confluence (Of Krandl and
Narmada) 334
104. The Greatness of Suvarnasila Tlrtlia 351
105. The Greatness of Karanja Tirtha 352
106. The Greatness of Kamada Tirtha 352
107. The Greatness of Bhandarl Tirtha
• ■
354
108. The Greatness of Rohlnl Tirtha 354
109. The Greatness of Cakra Tirtha 356
110. The Greatness of Dhautapapa Tirtha 358
111. The Greatness of Skanda Tirtha 358
112. The Greatness of Angirasa Tirtha 362
113. The Greatness of Koti Tirtha
v
363
114. The Greatness of Ayonisambhava Tirtha 364
115. The Greatness of Ahgaraka Tirtha 364
116. The Greatness of Pandu Tirtha
* •
365
117. The Greatness of Trilocana Tirtha 366
118. The Greatness of Indra Tirtha 366
119. The Greatness of Kalhod! Tirtha 369
120. The Greatness of Kambukesvara Tirtha 370
121. The Greatness of Soma Tirtha 372
122. The Greatness of Kohana Tirtha 375
123. The Greatness of Karmadesvara Tirtha 378
124. The Greatness of Nannadesvara Tirtha 378
125. The Greatness of Ravi Tirtha 379
126. The Greatness of Ayoniprabhava Tirtha 382
127. The Greatness of Agni Tirtha 384
Sknnda Pur ana
128. The Greatness of Bhrkutesvara Tirtha 384

129. The Greatness of Brahma Tlrtha 385
180. The Greatness of Dcvatlrtha 386
181. The Greatness of Nagesvara Tlrtha 387
182. The Greatness of Adivaraha Tlrtha 390
188. The Glory of Kaubera and other Tirthas 391
134. The Greatness of Rainesvara Tlrtha 395
135. The Greatness of Siddhesvara .Tirtha 396
136. The Greatness of Ahalya Tlrtha 396
137. The Greatness of Karkatcsvara Tlrtha
■
398
138. The Greatness of Sakra Tirtha 399
139. The Greatness of Somatirtha 400
140. The Greatness of Nandahrada Tirtha 401
141. The Greatness of Tapesvara Tlrtha 402
142. The Greatness of Kukniin! Tit th.i
■
404
143. The Greatness of Yojancsvara Tlrtha 411
144. The Greatness of Dvadasi Tirtha 413
145. The Greatness of Siva Tirtha 413
146. The Greatness of Asmahaka Tirtha 414
147. The Great ness of Siddhesvara Tirtha 422
148. The Greatness of Marigalesvara Tirtha 423
149. The Greatness of Litiga Varaha Til tha 425
150. The Greatness of Kusumesvara Tirtha
__ * _
427
151. The Greatness of Svetavaraha Tirtha 431
152. The Greatness of* Bhargalcsvara Tirtha 433
153. The Greatness of Adityesvara Tirtha 434
154. The Greatness of Kalakalesvara Tlrtha 437
155. Attainment of Siddhi by Canakya 438
156. The Greatness of Suklatirtha 447
157. The Greatness of Hurhkarasvami 450
158. The Greatness of Sangamesvaia Tirtha 452
159. The Greatness of Anarakesvara Tirtha 453
160. The Greatness of Moksa Tirtha 461
161. The Greatness of Sarpa Tirtha 462
162. The Greatness of Gopcsvara Tirtha 463
163. The Greatness of Na£a Tirtha 464
164. The Greatness of Saiiivauresvara Tirtha 464
165. The Greatness of Siddhesvara Tirtha 465
166. The Greatness of Siddhesvari Tirtha 466
167. The Greatness of Markandesvara Tirtha
Л m
467
Contents
168. The Greatness of Ankuresvara Tirtha 470

169. The Abduction of Kamamohini 473
170. Mandavya Impaled *
477
171. Dialogue between Siindili and the Sages 479
172. The Greatness of Mandavya Tirtha 484
173. The Greatness of Suddhesvara Tirtha 491
174. The Greatness of Gopesvara Tirtha 492
175. The Greatness of Kapilesvara Tirtha 493
176. The Greatness of Pitigalesvara Tirtha 495
177. The Greatness of Rhutisvara Tirtha 498
178. The Greatness of Gangavahaka Tirtha 500
179. The Greatness of Gautamesvara Tirtha 503
180. The Greatness of Dasasvamedha Tirtha 504
181. The Creation of Bhrgukaccha (Broach) 511
182. The Greatness of Bhrgukaccha Tirtha 517
183. The Greatness of Kedarcsvara Tirtha 522
184. The Greatness of Dhautapapa.Tirtha 524
185. The Greatness of Erandi Tirtha
Я 9
526
186. The Greatness of Kanakhalesvara Tirtha 527
187. The Greatness of Kalagnirudra Tirtha 531
188. The Greatness of Salagrama Tirtha 532
189. The Greatness of Udirna Varaha Tirtha
я
533
190. The Greatness of Candrahasa Tirtha 537
191. The Greatness of Dvadasaditya Tirtha 540
192. The Birth of Sripati 541
193. The Greatness of Sripati Tirtha 549
194. The Marriage of Sripati 555
195. The Glory of Sripati 562
196. The Greatness of Hariisatirtha 565
197. The Greatness of Mulasthana Tirtha 565
198. The Greatness of Siilesvara Tirtha 566
199. The Greatness of Asvina Tirtha 575
200. The Greatness of Savitri Tirtha 576
201. The Greatness of Deva Tirtha 578
202. The Greatness of Sikhitirtha 579
203. The Greatness of Koti Tirtha 580
204. The Greatness of Paitamaha rirtha 580
205. The Greatness of Kurkurl Tirtha 582
206. The Greatness of Dasakanya Tirtha 583
207. The Greatness of Suvarnabindu Tirtha
Л 584
Skanda Purana
208. The Greatness of Rnamocana Tirtha

« •
585
209. The Greatness of Bharabhuti Tirtha 586
210. The Greatness of Purikhila Tirtha 600
211. The Greatness of Mundi Tirtha • •
600
212. The Greatness of Ekasala Dindimesvara
• • * Tirtha 602
213. TheGreatness of Amalesvara Tirtha 603
214. The Greatness of Sri Kapala Tirtha 604
215. The Greatness of Srrtgl Tirtha 605
216. The Greatness of Asadhl
• • 605
217. The Greatness of Erandl Tirtha• i
606
218. The Greatness of Jamadagnya Tirtha 606
219. The Greatness of Koti Tirtha 611
220. The Greatness of Lotanesvara Tirtha
» •
611
221. The Greatness of Hariisesvara Tirtha 616
222. The Greatness of Tiladesvara Tirtha 618
223. The Greatness of Vasavesvara Tirtha 620
224. The Greatness of Kotlsvara Tirtha
«
621
225. The Greatness of Alikesvara Tirtha 622
226. The Greatness of Vimalesvara Tirtha 624
227. Special Injunctions regarding the Pilgrimage 626
228. The Benefit of Pilgrimage by Proxy 632
229. The Benefit of Listening to this Purana 633
230. The Scries of Tlrthas Enumerated 636
231. The Number of Tlrthas Enumerated 642
232. The Finale of the Rcva Khanda 9 •
646
INDEX 651
SKANDA PURANA
Book V: AVANTYA KHAN DA
S ection III: REVA-KHANDA
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED ONE
The Greatness oj Sankarsana Tirtha

*
Sri M arkandeya said:

1-6. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to an extremely
splendid Tirtha on the northern bank of Narmada in the centre
of Yajnavata (sacrificial hall), well-known on the earth as Sankarsana.
It is destructive of sins. Formerly, О king, a penance was performed
by Balabhadra there.
Devas are present there itself in the vicinity, О prince. Sambhu
is stationed there along with Uma. Kcsava too is present there.
By way of rendering help to all living beings, Sankara, the
destroyer of sins, has been installed there by Balabhadra with
great devotion, О great king.
Subduing anger and all the sense-organs, a devotee should
take his holy bath on the eleventh day in a bright fortnight
(of a month). He should bathe Siva with honey. One who
__
devoutly performs Sraddha unto the Pitrs there itself goes to

the highest region in accordance with the words of Balabhadra.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWO
The Glory of Manmaihesvara Tirtha

*
Sri Markandeya said:

1-7. Thereafter, a person should go to Manmathesa Tirtha
bowed down to by all the Devas. Merely by taking holy bath,
О king, the man will not see the world of Yama.
A woman "having no child, who takes her holy bath there,
О son of Pandu, obtains a son truthful and steadfast in his Vratas.
334 Skanda Puranaw
A man who takes the holy bath there, remains clean and
mentally controlled and observes fast for a night, О king, obtains
the benefit of (gifting) a thousand cows.
A king of Tlrthas fulfilling all desires like it will never be.
One who observes fast for three nights, О king, shall obtain
the benefit of (the Dana of) a hundred thousand cows.
The devotee should make arrangements for dance. Paramesvara
is pleased with the sounds of vocal and instrumental music and
keeping awake at night.
Mahadeva called Manmathesvara was seen by me at Erandl.
Even if Yama be angry, he is not capable of doing anything.
A good man sees everything good.
Sambhu was installed by Kama. Hence, О king, he is the
bestower of cherished desires. Manmathesvara is a flight of
stairs extending from the earth to the heavenly path.
8-12. The speciality here, О son of Bharata, is in the perfor
mance of Sraddha at dusk. By the gift of cooked food, О great
king, an excellent berefit has been proclaimed.
Thus everything has been recounted to you due to your
devotion, О descendant of Bharata. Manmathesvara is well-
known all over the ocean-bound earth. О excellent one among
the sons of Pandu, (devotees) should make a gift of cows on
the thirteenth lunar day in the bright half of the month of
Caitra.
A devotee goes there with the sense-organs well-controlled,
keeps awake at night before the deity, О excellent king, and
devoutly offers light before the deity with ghee. The benefit
thereof is the same whether the devotee is a woman or a man.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THREE
The Greatness of the Confluence

(Of Erandi and Narmada)
ф
Sri Mdrkandeya said:

1-8. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the exalted
confluence of Егапф. The account of this was heard formerly
by me, О king, even as Siva was recounting it.
V.iii. 103.9-16 335
Earlier Sankara was asked this very question by Gauri. О

tiger among kings. The Lord spoke about it, (though) it is a
very splendid, great secret.
I war a said:
Listen, О goddess, to this greatest of secrets not mentioned
to anyone by me. There is an extremely splendid Tlrtha on the
northern bank of Reva. О goddess; it destroys the sin of foeticide.
It yields cherished desires and causes increase in the number
of sons.
Parvati said:
Recount, О Mahadeva, the details of the extremely splendid
Tlrtha. How is it destructive of the sin of foeticide? How does
it accord cherished desires? How is it a guide to heaven?
Isvara said:
О great goddess, there is a mental son of Brahma named
Atri. He is always engaged in Agnihotra. He adored Devas and
guests. Seven Somasamsthas (variety of Soma Sacrifice) were
performed by the Brahmana, О Parvati.
His wife, well-known by the name Anasuya is endowed with
all good qualities. She is a chaste lady always engaged in the
duties and welfare of her. Lord. In fact, her husband is her very
vital breath. Thus they spent their days. They had neither a
son nor a daughter.
Once, in the afternoon, О great goddess, О beautiful lady,
they were comfortably seated talking about what had befallen
them earlier, both happiness and misery.
Atri said:
9-16. О my beloved, (you are) a splendid, gentle lady of
great beauty in all the limbs, richly endowed with learning and
humility, having the eyes resembling petals of a lotus, with a
face resembling the full moon, walking slowly with the weight
of the huge hips! There is no other woman like you in all the
three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile creatures.
It is cited by expounders of the Vedas that a woman is one
336 Skanda Purdna
who gives sexual pleasure and a son. О beautiful lady, my

happiness is that happiness which can be expected of a person
without a son.
I have no son even as clever in all the rites as I am. О
beautiful lady, even by his very birth a son saves his father
about to fall into the Naraka named Put if he happens to be
a great sinner.
Excellent sons redeem their grandfathers who being engaged
in evil actions had fallen into terrible plights, even if they have
gone to Vaitaranl.
One wins over the worlds through one’s sons. One attains
the highest goal through a grandson. Then through the grand
son of the son one attains the eternal Brahman. There is no
other kinsman on a par with a son whether in this world or
in the other.
I am worried over this during day as well as midnight, nay
always. My limbs are dried up like waters of a river during
summer.
Anasuya said:
17-20, О Brahman a, what you bewail I too grieve over; what
gives you great anguish burns me within my mind.
Think about that rite whereby long-lived sons endowed with
good qualities will be born and whereby Prajapati (Brahma
himself) may be pleased.
Atri said:
О fair lady, penance has been performed by me, penance
that is very difficult for anyone born under the Sun to do. I
am now exhausted in my body as a result of observing Vratas,
fasts, restraints and intake of mere vegetarian diet of greens.
I am incapable of any further great Vrata. Hence I bewail my
self. The secret of my heart has been divulged to you by me.
i
Anasuya said:
21-33. A chaste lady enhances the sexual pleasure of her
husband and makes the family flourish. She is the means of
realizing the threefold aim of human life. Hence she deserves
Цм£ praise of learned persons.
V.iii.103.21-33 337
_ _ _ *
Japa, Tapas (penance), pilgrimage, adoration of Siva, prac

tice of Mantras and propitiation of deities - these six cause the
downfall of women and Sudras (if undertaken without the
concurrence of a husband or a Brahman a priest).
Such a great defect is involved in the practice of a Vrata by
women. This is what all the sages say as has been cited in the
Vedas.
With your permission, О holy Brahmana, I shall perform
even a very difficult penance. I shall propitiate the excellent
Suras for the purpose of getting a son.
Atri said:
Well, well, О highly intelligent lady engaged in doing what
pleases me! О fair lady, you have been commanded by me.
Undertake a penance for the sake of a son so that I may be
free from indebtedness to Devas, Pitrs and human beings.
In all the three worlds, there is no kinsman on a par with
one’s own wife. Therefore, Devas proclaim that there is no
other pleasure on a par with that of wife. If wife is pleasant
faced, sons too are pleasant-faced. If wife is averse, sons too
turn away their faces. Hence all people including Devas, Asuras
and human beings praise wife.
О lady of exalted Vratas, О highly intelligent lady, О lady
of auspicious vision and Sattva quality! At my bidding do perform
a penance quickly for the sake of a son.
Isvara continued:
At the conclusion of these words of her husband, she prostrated
before him with eight limbs touching the ground and said:
“With your favour, О eminent Brahmana, I shall attain all the
cherished desires.”
That fawn-eyed lady of excellent complexion and graceful
gait of a swan observed holy vows and came to River Narmada,
the divine river originating from Siva's perspiration and capable
of destroying all sins. Merely by perceiving her, masses of sins
perish. Merely by taking the holy bath therein, one obtains the
benefit of a horse-sacrifice.
О great goddess, those men with faith who drink her auspicious
water (obtain great benefit). Drinking her water is on a par
338 Skanda Purana
with drinking the Soma juice. No doubt need be entertained

(about this).
34-44. Those who remember her (Narmada) day and night
even from a distance of hundreds of Yojanas, are liberated
from all sins. They go to Rudraloka.
In the vicinity of Narmada, within a pair of Yojanas are
those two (? Rudraloka and Soma juice). О lady of excellent
complexion, those who die there do not see Yama.
Then, О beautiful lady, the lady with wide eyes began to
observe holy restraints on the northern bank at the auspicious
confluence of Erandi, taking a diet of only vegetarian food (of
mere greens). By means of auspicious Vratas and Stotras she
propitiated the three Devas.
О great goddess, during summer she performed the pen
ance within the five fires. During rainy season, she performed
Candrayana Vrata with wet clothes on. When Hemanta (win
ter) set in, she remained in the midst of water always.
She took the holy bath in the morning; then performed the
Sandhya prayers; then she offered libations to Devas and Sages.
After performing the adoration of Devas, she performed Н о та
in accordance with the injunctions. She woi shipped the Vaisnava
worlds by means of Snana (holy bath), Japa and Н ота.
When a hundred years passed off thus, Rudra, Visnu and
Pitamaha assumed the forms of Brahmanas and came there,
• *
О my beloved, to the confluence of Erandi. They stood in

front of her and began to recite Vcdic passages.
Anasuya discontinued her Japa, saw them carefully again
and again, duly offered Argha, and remained standing.
The lady of wide eyes said: “Now my birth has become fruit
ful. Now my penance has become fruitful By seeing Brahmanas
one is rid of all sins.”
Then she circumambulated them and prostrated before them.
She said: “I shall offer to you, О sages of purified souls, bulbuous
roots, roots, fruits, greens and the sacred NIvara rice grains.”
The Brahmanas said:

45-51. О lady of excellent Vratas, \\c are satisfied with your
wonderful penance and the truthfulness of the penance. Further,
4t)k!*ough seeing you all our desires are fulfilled.
We were rather curious to know why you have undertaken
V.iii. 103.52-62 339
the Vrata of sages. Were you performing the severe penance

for the sake of heaven, salvation or for the sake of a son?
Anasuyd said:
Svarga is achieved through penance. The highest goal (Moksa)
is attained through penance. Wealth and love can be acquired
through penance. A son of very good qualities can be obtained
through penance. О Brahmanas, penance alone bestows the
benefits of all cherished desires.
The Brahmanas said:

m
You are a lady beautiful in every limb. You are slender, dark-
complexioned, one having wide eyes and supple limbs. You
have good physical form and the graceful gait of a swan. What
have you to do with penance? Why do you subject yourself to
sufferings?
Anasuyd said:
I notice the sign as though you are Rudra, Visnu and Pitamaha
(Brahma) himself in disguised forms.
Isvara continued:
At the end of her speech they revealed their own forms. The
Devas with the refulgence of a crore of suns stood there in
their own forms.
52-62. О great goddess, there was Janardana having four
arms holding conch, discus and club, clad in yellow robes and
having the complexion of an AtasI flower. Hari who had the
vehicle of Garuda was accompanied by Sri. The glorious Lord
was standing in his own form with a beaming face.
О great goddess, Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds,
came to the banks of Narmada, clad in yellow robes. He had
four faces resembling lotus. He was riding on his swan. He had
a rosary in his hand.
There was Mahesvara himself, the omnipresent Lord, riding
on his bull. He had ten arms. His complexion was beautified
by the holy ash smeared over the limbs; the Three-eyed Lord
with five faces had matted hairs for a crown. The crescent
340 Skanda Parana
*
moon adorned his head. The omnipresent Mahesvara appeared

in this form.
On having a grand vision like this of the Devas, the chaste
lady Anasuya trembled and looked at them again and again.
Anasuya said:
*
What are the features and functions of Visnu, Rudra and
Pitamaha? I would rather listen to this. Do tell me entirely.
Brahma said:
1 am Brahma, the rainy season. The waters are glorified (as
my form). I have been declared as one having the form of
clouds. I cause downpour of rain on the surface of the earth.
During the twilight of dawn, when the Sun rises, I (develop)
all the seeds. This is the cause. The great secret has been
mentioned entirely.
Visnu said:
• •
Visnu shall be Hemanta (winter). He has the form of the

universe consisting of the mobile and immobile beings. He is
for the protection of the entire universe. This is the excellent
greatness of Visnu.
Rudra said:
63-72. I have been declared the Summer season, the cause
of the destruction of all living beings. О saintly lady, in the
form of Rudra, I pull and drag the entire universe (within me).
Thus, О lady of great Vratas, the three Devas, Brahma, Visnu
and Rudra, are the three Sandhyas (junctions, twilights?), three
divisions of time (seasons) and three fires (Garhapatya, Ahavaniya
and Dak§ina).
Similarly Brahma, Visnu and Rudra amalgamated into one
Self. О fair lady, they shall grant you the boon, whatever is
cherished in your mind.
Anasuya said:
I am blessed, I am meritorious. I am praiseworthy and worthy
of reverence always. If the three Devas are pleased, let them
V.iii.103.73-79 341
take pity on me, be present in this Tlrtha and be the bestowers

of boons always.
Rudra said:
Let your words be true, О auspicious lady; what you have
requested for will take place. What is named Erandi is the
visible Maya of Visnu. Merely by perceiving it all the accumulation
6f sins can be destroyed. In the month of Caitra, one should
observe fast for a day and a night after taking holy bath at the
confluence of Erandi. He dispels the sin of Brahmana-slaughter.
He should keep awake during the night and feed Brahmanas
in the morning in accordance with the injunctions. He should
offer balls of rice duly. After circumambulation he should make
gifts of gold, cloth, silver, cows and plots of land. Everything
is proclaimed as having crore times the benefit. So said
Svayambhuva.
73-79. The men who die at the splendid confluence of
Erandi, О goddess, reside in the Rudraloka for a thousand
Yugas.
After observing fast for a day and a night the devotee should
recite the Vedic passages of Rudra numbering eleven and one
and named too accordingly. He attains the greatest goal.
A seeker of learning acquires learning; a seeker of wealth
obtains wealth; a seeker of sons gets sons and all desires cherished
by him.
Even great sinners attain the great goal by taking the holy
bath in the pure waters of Reva at the confluence of Erandi.
Anasuya said:
Urged by my devotion, if all the three Devas are pleased,
let Hari, Rudra and Pitamaha become my sons.
Visnu
•9
said:
This has never been heard by me that the venerable ones
attain the status of sons. О splendid lady, I shall grant you sons
possessing the valour of Devas, who will be handsome, equipped
with good qualities, well-versed in the Vedas and capable of
performing Yajr&s.
342 Skanda Purana
Anasuya said:
О Hari, what has been desired and requested for by me
should be granted. My Putraisana (desire for a son) should not
be altered into something else.
Visnu
■• said:
80-87. Formerly in the course of a dialogue with Bhrgu
(I incurred the curse of) staying in the womb (and taking birth
as a mortal). О splendid lady, I do not see a means of redemp
tion from it. But remembering the earlier episode I think about
it again and again.
After considering this the other (two) Devas, Pitamaha and

Mahesvara, said: “O lady of excellent countenance, we shall
become your sons but not womb-born ones. О lady of great
intellect, Devas do not take up residence in womb. We shall
be the bestowers of boons on the worlds by our presence at
the confluence, О fair lady, you will be visible Vaisnavi Maya
of Erandl.”
■ •
Saying thus the three Devas stationed themselves, О son of
KuntI, on the northern bank of Reva. After receiving the boons
that honoured lady went to Mahendra Mountain.
In her performance of the penance the lady of splendid
eyes wore the sacred thread. Gradually she became tired in her
limbs. She became terrible in appearad with the hairs turned
rough and dishevelled and the body emaciateel and pallid.
Her husband who was brilliant and glorious and occupied
a slab of stone saw her and became delighted. She said, “Get
up, get up”.
Atri said:
Excellent! Excellent! О Anasuya of great intellect and noble
vows, you have obtained a boon that cannot be even thought
of by Galava and others.
Anasuya said:
> 88-100. With your favour, О celestial sage, I have obtained
a rare boon. Hence the Devas, Siddhas and pure sages praise (us).
V.iii. 103.101-108 343
Isvara continued:
After saying this the honoured lady became highly delighted
and looked at her beloved husband. That lady of splendid
appearance too was looked at by him.
By this mutual seeing an auspicious halo took shape on the
forehead. The sphere of halo was nine thousand Yojanas in
extent and was full of rays. The circumference was three-fold
and had the shape of Kadambagolaka (buds of Kadamba tree
bursting forth simultaneously). О goddess of Devas, there was
a person of divine form in its centre. He had the colour of gold
and was full of nectarine juice and the lustre of a crore of suns.
He was Pitamaha himself who became the first son of Anasuya,
well-known as Candramas (Moon) in the form of Soma, О
Prince (P)1
In the course of Istapurta, О Mahesvari, all his sixteen Kalas
gather together successively Pratipat, Dvitiya, Trtlya, Gaturthi,
Pancaim and the imperishable sixteenth Kala (obscure). In his
subtle form he is the protector of the world of four types. О
lady of excellent countenance, he causes delight to the entire
universe, the three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile
beings.
Everything offered as Н ота and Dana becomes stationed in
the moon and everyone makes use of it to sustain itself. When
Soma is in the state of Vanaspati i.e. New Moon (Amavasya),
О lady of excellent countenance, if a wealthy man takes food
in another man's house, he is deluded and forfeits the merit
of a year.
If men cut or chop off trees and plants on the new-moon
day, О goddess of Devas, they go to Yama’s abode due to that
sin. If anyone indulges in sexual intercourse on a new-moon
day, he incurs a sin on a par with that of murder of a Brahmana
undoubtedly. If anyone churns curds with a churning rod on
a new-moon day, his cows collected before perish. If, on a new-
moon day, a person undertakes a journey, his Pitrs will have
only dust particles for food for a period of one month.
101-108. О MahadevI, if a person performs a Sraddha on a
1. This is a slip on the part of the author, as the dialogue here is supposed
to be between Siva and Parvati, not between Markandeya and YudhiHhira.
344 Skanda Puranam
new-moon day, certainly his Pitrs become propitiated for a

year, О lady of wide eyes. If he gifts gold, silver or cloth to
Brahmanas, О goddess, everything shall undoubtedly increase
a hundred thousand times.
Thus the Patriarch in the form of the Moon, became the
first son of Anasuya.
The second one, О great goddess, was named Durvasas. He
is (an incarnation of) Mahesvara himself, the cause of creation
and annihilation. О fair lady, in the middle of the sages he
performs a severe penance. When the annihilation of all living
beings takes place, he attains Rudratva. It was by this Durvasas
that even Indra was cursed, О lady of excellent countenance.
Thus the birth of the second son has been recounted by me.
In the form of Dattatreya (manifested there) Lord Madhusiidana
himself, Lord Janardana, the omnipresent Lord of the universe.
Thus, О Mahesvarl, the Devas took incarnations on the earth,
by way of granting boons to Anasuya. They became her three
sons.
Markandeya said:
109-120. О son of KuntI, a Tirtha was created by Anasuya
on the northern bank of Reva. It causes the acquisition (birth)
of a son and destruction of all sins.

This is an ancient Tirtha of wonderful efficacy on Narmada
in this world. О king, a Brahman a’s sin of foeticide was dispelled
there.
Yudhisthira
•• said:
May that story be told, the story that dispels all the sins in
this world, of any person distressed with misery. О sinless excellent
Brahmaria, do narrate that Itihasa to me.
m

A farmer named Govinda, born in the family of Gautama,
lived in the village of Suvarnasilaka along with his wife and
sonl He was always engaged in protecting his house and field.
One day, he came home in a cart filled with wood. The
V .iii.103.121-140 345
wood was unloaded by him single-handedly and he became

hungry. On hearing the sound of father’s arrival the son came
there crawling and was soon covered with the pieces of wood.
He was not seen by the father. The cart and the bullock tied
with rope were left at the doorway. The thirsty father, О king,
entered the house in haste. The obedient wife who was aware
of the feelings of her husband became engaged in serving him.
On seeing the son fallen down with the head crushed by the
pieces of wood, she put him in a hammock compassionately
but uttering nothing.
When the husband finished his bath and meal and went to
sleep, the lady tried to make the son get up. The son had died
and did not get up. The sad lady cried and swooned.
121-130. On hearing the sound of lamentation, Govinda became
frightened. He fell down on the ground crying “What is this?”
Both of them fell on the ground, О king, with tresses of
hairs left loose. They heaved deep sighs and lamented, О great
king:
“Whom else shall we see as the son eagerly playing about?
How shall we sustain the heart broken due to you? The line
of the family will be perpetuated. I had this faith when you
were born. Now whom shall we look up to for the purpose of
attaining the highest goal after becoming free from indebted
ness? О my son, I have become old and wretched and you
ought to have been my support. All the cherished desires of
the mind have become futile. Your mother is wretched, bereft
of her son and kinsmen. She has fallen down lamenting on the
ground; save her.
A son saves the father from the Naraka called Put So he is
called Putra by the Self-born Lord himself. The house of a man
without a son is a void. The quarters are void when there are
no kinsmen. The heart of a fool is a void. If there is poverty
there is a void in everything.
The world says that sandalpaste is cool. It is wrong. The
close embrace of the limbs of a son is cooler than sandalpaste.
Men without merit do not see a son sitting on their laps with
dust particles making the face dirty and playing with the whiskers.
131-140. Men without merit do not see a son resembling the
Holder of Gaoga (Siva) with the quarters for clothes (naked),
bereft of shame, dusty and matted locks of hair (wafted about).
346 Skanda Purana
m
The note of a musical instrument, of a lute, is heard as very

charming (to the ears). But the cry of a child is more delight
ful than that.
Learned men say that even among crows, animals and birds,
the young one, the calf is very endearing (to them). Fishes,
horses, tortoises, crocodiles etc. are pleased when young ones
arc born and become distressed when some danger befalls
them.
Devas and Gandharvas take delight when sons are born.
They bewail at the time of their death. О son, I am very un
lucky.
King Raghava (i.e. Dasaratha) convened an assembly of sages
for the sake of (obtaining) a son since the seat of India oc
cupied by him was purified by sprinkling water. Residence in
Svarga is not (possible) without a son, О son of Pandu. Hence
Dasaratha performed an excellent Yajna for the sake of sons.
Rama, Laksmana, Satrughna and Bharata were born to him.
Even while he was only eight years old Ramacandra defeated
Parasurama of unmeasured brilliance, by whom Kartavlrya had
been conquered earlier. Vali, the monkey who was invincible
to enemies, was killed by him single-handed. Ramacandra killed
Ravana, the son of Brahma, along with his sons and kinsmen
of whom the three worlds were afraid.
141-150. Thus, without a son there is no happiness in the
mortal world. He who indulges in sexual intercourse for
perpetuating the line, who makes use of learning to attain
Svarga, who prepares excellent sweet food for the sake of Brahmanas
attains residence in heaven. There is no greater sin than
Brahmahatya and no greater meritorious thing than a horse-
sacrifice. There is no greater happiness than birth of a son and
no greater calamity than danger to his life. Why should I speak
in this vein more, О dear one? Without a son there is no
happiness.”
After lamenting thus again and again in various ways, the
Brahmana was consoled by the people. He took the body of
the boy and went out.
Afterwards they cremated the child in accordance with the
injunctions. Extremely distressed, they came back to the abode
together.
Thus» when the Brahmana came home. О Yudhi$thira, night
V.iii.103.151-161 347
had already set in. Govinda afflicted with the grief for his son,
lay asleep on the ground. When the wife looked at her hus
band afflicted with misery, she saw him infested with clusters
of worms. On seeing him overwhelmed with sins, she became
all the more distressed. Even as she was thus immersed in
grief, the night came to an end.
The servant who looked after the cattle went to the forest
for leaving the buffaloes (to graze) and having kept them there
he returned home.
Govinda, the excellent Brahmana, was informed by the cow
herd, “O master, even as I take food, kindly look after the
buffaloes.”
151-161. Then the Brahmana hastened towards the buffa
loes. He did not see the buffaloes there. Then he rushed towards
the field. On his way he came to the confluence of Erandi and
Reva and entered the waters.
Excessively thirsty he drank some water. After washing the
eyes well and drinking the water without any desire (for sacred
results) he came home towards the close of the day. With great
misery Govinda went to bed at night after taking food.
He became overwhelmed with sleep after being afflicted
with grief and fatigue. At midnight, О Yudhisthira, his wife saw
his limbs partly infested with worms and party not infested.
The wife of excellent qualities was struck with wonder thereby.
She said with her mind afflicted with fear that this was his sin.
The wife said:

Five days ago, you were throwing down the fuel. Hence the
boy who came to the backyard was killed inadvertently by you.
That secret of your terrible sin was not divulged by me. I am
being scorched by that concealed sin day and night. I do not
see any happiness either in your limbs or in mine. Sleep has
been suppressed in my case along with my loving pleasure
towards you. It is heard that a verse is recited by the great sages
in the Manava Dharmasastra. Distress does not get subdued
by recollecting it frequently in the mind. By speaking about it,
Dharma perishes and gets increased by concealing it in this
world as well as in the other one. The case with sin also is the
same.
348 Skanda Parana »
162-169. Thinking about this like this I spent the night in

great terror. What can I say and to whom about you infested
with a crowd of worms? Again you were seen today infested
with the worms of foeticide (infanticide). In some places they
bite into the body and in some places they have disappeared
altogether.
I recollect this now and then and ponder over it again and
again. But I fail to notice the cause thereof. May I ask you?
Will you kindly let me know? This is what I feel. This is the
effect of either the adoration of a deity or taking the holy bath
in a lake or river or a holy Tlrtha you may have visited and
not due to anything else.
ф
Sri Markandeya continued:

On being told thus, О descendant of Bharata, the Brahmana
told his wife what had happened in the course of the day, О
excellent king, because he himself had certain suspicions.
"Today I had gone with the buffaloes. I visited Erandl confluence
and stood in the water coming upto my navel. I drank much
water as well. I do not know of any other Tirtha, lake or river.
This is the truth. This is the truth. О beautiful lady, the truth
has been averred.”
The lady understood everything and began to observe fast.
О lady of excellent complexion (?), the Brahmana went to the
confluence along with his wife.
170-180. After taking the holy bath in the charming water
and bowing to Lord Bhaskara, he bathed Sankara, the Lord of
Devas, along with Uma with Pancagavya1, ghee, milk, curds,
honey, ghee ($ic) and water. Then he worshipped the Linga
identical with the Vedas and the auspicious goddess Katyayani
with fragrant flower garlands, incense and splendid Naivedyas.
After keeping awake in the whole of the night along with her
husband, the chaste lady honoured the Brahmanas assiduously
when the day dawned clearly. Govinda honoured the excellent
Brahmanas in accordance with his capacity by means of the
gifts of cows, gold, cloth and food, О descendant of Bharata.
Accompanied by his wife, he came home rid of all sins.
1. Five cow Products, viz. milk, curds, butter and liquid and solid excreta.
V.iii.103.181-190 349
If anyone devoutly listens to or reads with great devotion,

this excellent story of Govinda, the sin of foeticide perishes.
He sports about in the world of Sankara until the annihilation
of all living beings.
The person should control his sense-organs and observe fast
on the seventh lunar day in the bright half of the month of
Asvayuj or Caitra, О excellent king. He must adopt all Sattvika
feelings and emotions.
In the shrine of Siva, he must meditate upon the Odd-eyed,
Trident-bearing Lord. Then he should meditate upon Lord
Visnu who slew Kamsa and who holds the conch-shell, discus
and club and rides on the Lord of birds and bestows boons on
the three worlds.
Then he should meditate on the four-faced Pitamaha who
rides on the swan. He is the creator of everything; he is re
splendent on the lotus-seat. The devotee should stay in that
excellent spot of Triyama (of threefold mental control).
181-190. After the day has dawned clearly on the eighth day,
О king, the devotee should honour Brahmanas devoid of all
faults or disqualifications. They should have all the limbs and
organs complete. They should be adepts in all scriptures. They
should be regularly practising study of the Vedas and they
should be devoted to their own wives. The Brahmanas should
be deserving ones for Sraddha, Dana and Vrata, О son of
Pandu.
• ■
He should begin the adoration of the departed ones after

that of the Devas. With the offering of balls of rice and liba
tions in Erandi one is rid of ghosthood.
Dana (gifts) with cooked foods as the chief item should
always be made (along with) gold, plot of land, a virgin, a pair
of bullocks of splendid features with a ploughshare, foodgrains
weighing so many Dronakas. An adorned young cow yielding
plenty of milk should be gifted along with her calf. She may
be white, red, black, pink or tawny in colour. A milk-pot made
of brass should invariably be given. The hoofs of the cow should
be adorned with (plates of) gold and the horns covered with
gold top. The same should be made over to a Brahmana uttering
the Mantra: uMay the Lords of the universe, Нага, Kr$na and
Pitamaha, b£ pleased with me. May the divine Surabhl, the
saviour of the world, redeem me.”
350 Skanda Purana
If women desire progeny and take the holy bath at the

confluence of Erandl, the Rudrasuktas of all the four Vedas
should be recited by four Brahmanas or at least two in a praiseworthy
manner. The couple should be sprinkled with a single well-
filled pot.
191-202a. The person showering with the water-pot shall
be one well-versed in astrology or one who can sing Sama
verses. The water-pot must contain five jewels. The water should
be rendered fragrant with sweet scent. All types of herbs and
medicines should be put therein. Leaves or sprouts of mango
and Asvattha or Madhuka should also be put there.
It should be covered with a white cloth and white sandalpaste
applied over. White flowers should be strewn and white mus
tards should be scattered in the middle.
Everything should be put by a seeker of progeny in a vessel
of brass to be placed (before) the excellent preceptor.
A cloth that has been worn once should be taken off and
placed there along with bangles or other ornaments in the
Mandala (mystic diagram) for the sake of one's own fulfilment.
He bows down to Bhaskara at the outset and then to the Acarya
who is Rudra personified.
In the excellent shrine of the goddess the dovotee tastes
something sweet and makes gifts of fruits, betel leaves, um
brella, shoes or vehicles to a Brahmana. He shall become free
from misery. He sports about in the world of Bhaskara until
all the living beings are annihilated.
All Danas whether auspicious or inauspicious shall have a
crore times benefit. Just as rivers ultimately fall into the ocean
and get merged, so also the sins of men perish at the confluence
of Erandl. Sankara has said that a sin on a par with foeticide
perishes at the confluence of Erandl and within a radius of an
arrow’s throw all round.
Immolation of one’s life should be carried out in fire with
devotion. Death due to voluntary starvation or voluntary drowning
come thereafter (? in efficacy).
If the death is in fire, the devotee enjoys five thousand
years’ stay (in the divine world); if it is in water, three thou
sand years; and if by starvation, sixty thousand years.
202b-210. Even crows, cranes, doves, owls and animals attain
the highest goal after coming into contact with the waters of
V.iii. 104.1-8 851
the confluence. Trees go to that region which Yogins will attain

after realization.
О goddess(P), Erandika is the divine Maya. If Manmathesvara
is visited, even angry Yama is incapable of doing anything. The
gentle one sees all weal.
If the devotees apply the clay taken out of the confluence
all over the body everyday, all the sins such as that of foeticide
perish. There is no doubt about this.
A man who rolls about at the confluence of Erandl shall
■ •
become rid of all sins and attain the region free from ailment.
If staying in hermitages, men glorify the confluence of Erandl,
they become free from sins. Such is the truthful statement of
Sankara. One dispels sins by perceiving the tips of Erandl plants.
Those men who read this meritorious narrative of the Tlrtha
and those others who listen to it devoutly, become rid of sins.
Thus the entire details of Erandlsangama have been recounted
to you, О king. I shall further describe another Tlrtha that
destroys all sins.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FOUR
The Greatness of Suvarnasila Tlrtha

0
Sn Markandeya said:
1-8. Thereafter, one should go to the excellent Sauvarnasila
Tlrtha, О king. It is on the northern bank (of Reva) and is
reputed as destructive of all sins.
This Tlrtha was formerly created by groups of sages near the
confluence within a radius of a hundred steps all round. It is
a very rare holy spot on Reva.
Even a spot measuring a cubit in length is considered a holy
spot, О king. After taking holy bath in Suvarnasila (Suvarna-
silaka) and adoring the great Lord Mahesvara, Sun-god should
be bowed down to. Then the devotee should perform Н о та
in holy fire with a Bilva fruit mixed with ghee or with the leaves
of Bilva.
The Mantra to be uttered is “May the Lord of the universe
be pleased. May my ailment perish positively.”
352 Skanda Purdna
Listen to the benefit when gold is gifted to a Brahman a

(there). He who gifts gold obtains all the excellent benefit that
has been mentioned as accruing from a Yajna with much gold
as Daksiria.
By that Dana a devotee becomes a purified soul and on
death he shall attain Svarga. He will become an attendant of
Rudra for a period equal to fourteen Indras’ reign.
After coming down from Svarga, he is born in a celebrated
family richly endowed with wealth and foodgrain. He then
remembers that holy Tirtha once again.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIVE
Thp Greatness of Karanja Tirtha

1-3. Thereafter one goes to the Tirtha called Karanja. There
he takes the holy bath, О great king, and observes fast with
the sense-organs completely controlled. He is liberated from
all sins.
He should adore Mahadeva and make gifts devoutly of gold,
silver, jewels, pearls, coral, sandals, shoes, umbrella, quilt and
bed-sheets. Everything becomes crores of times beneficial. There
is no doubt about this.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIX
The Greatness of Kamada Tirtha

1-7. Thereafter, О king, one should go to the excessively
excellent heavenly Tirtha that is conducive to conjugal bliss
and fascinating to both men and women.
О excellent king, if an unfortunate man or a woman in
wretched state takes the holy bath and adores Uma and Rudra,
conjugal bliss accrues to him or her.
V.iii. 106.8-19 353
The person should control his sense-organs and observe fast

for a day and a night on the third lunar day. He should devoutly
invite a Brahmana of handsome features along with his wife.
He should be adorned with fragrant garlands and rendered
sweet-smelling with incense etc., and clad in good garments.
He should be devoutly fed with milk pudding and Krsara
(milk, gingelly seeds and rice mixed and cooked well) and
then duly circumambulated.
He should recite in his mind this Mantra: “May the bull-
emblemed Mahadeva along with his wife, be pleased with me.
О Lord of the chiefs of Devas, be kind to me and see that there
is no separation at any time (between us), just as there is none
in your case.”
If this is done, the merit that is said to accrue to him I shall
recount entirely to you, as has been slated by the Lord.
8-19. О Yudhisthira, none of the following (evil things)
shall occur to him in the course of seven births: misfortune,
wretchedness, penury, grief-incurring bondage and infertility.
He who devoutly goes there (specially) on the third lunar
day in the bright half of the month of Jyestha and practises
the penance of the five fires, undoubtedly becomes free from
all sins.
The devotee should have full concentration of the mind and
burn Guggula (fragrant gum-resin). If in the vicinity of Gaurl,
the devotee splits his body and if this ends in the departure
of the soul, even as he is engaged in that activity, he shall go
to Svarga on death here. So said Sankara.
Regarding the Brahmana couple (woman and man) as Gaurl
and Siva in physical form, he should honour them with splendid
garments of white, red and yellow colours. He should adore
them duly with different kinds of flowers and splendid, fragrant
incense. A golden necklace should be offered. They should be
smeared with saffron. After giving them a fine appearance
thus, gifts are offered, such as bangles, earrings, necklaces and
rings. Seven kinds of cereals are gifted and they are fed, О
excellent king.
The devotee may make other gifts as well at that Tlrtha.
There is no doubt about this that he will attain that merit
which is incurred by making the gift of everything (all posses
sions). Everything becomes a thousand-fold in merit.
354 Skanda Purina
*
He enjoys pleasures of great excellence in the company of

SaAkara. He then derives immense conjugal bliss. There is no
doubt there (about this).
He who is sonless gets a son; one without wealth gets wealth.
О great king, the Tirtha that fulfils cherished desires is estab
lished on Narmada.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVEN
The Greatness of Bhanddri Tirtha

1-3. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to the excel
lent Bhandan Tirtha. It is the means of averting poverty for
a period of nineteen Yugas.
Dhanada (Kubera) performed a penance whereby the Lo
tus-born Lord was pleased. By making a small gift, he attained
the lordship of wealth.
He who goes there and takes holy bath devoutly and then
makes the gift of wealth, will regain enormous wealth which
will never be lost or become limited in quantity.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHT
The Greatness of Rohini Tirtha

J •

1-7. Thereafter, О king, one should go to the excellent
Rohi$I Tirtha well-known in all the three worlds and extremely
destructive of all sins.
Yudhiffhira said:
I wish to hear the greatness of Rohi^l Tirtha that is destruc
tive of all sins. I wish to hear it succinctly. It behoves you to
recount it to me.
V.iii. 108.8-22 355
Sn Mdrkandeya said:
At the time of the close of the Kalpa, when all mobile and
immobile beings became dissolved in a terrible, single, vast
expanse of water, the Discus-bearing Lord of Devas lay down
in the ocean. A lotus grew from his navel. It resembled the disc
of the sun. It had pericarp and filaments. It was adorned with
petals.
Brahma with four lotus-like faces came into being there. He
said, “O Lord of Devas, let me be commanded what I should do.”
On being requested thus, the Conch-discus-club-bearing Lord
of Devas spoke these sweet words to Lord Pitamaha:
“O mighty-armed one, at my behest, beget in Sarasvati the
world consisting of all the groups of living beings, the world
capable of coming up, abiding and getting dissolved.”
8-13. These words of the Lotus-navelled One were listened
to by Lord (Brahma), О descendant of Bharata. He remem
bered (seven sages and) mentally created the seven sages with
a desire for the welfare (of the worlds). These wise ones were
remembered in this order: Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracetas,
Vasistha, Bhrgu and Narada.
Daksa, the patriarch of great refulgence, was born of Pracetas.
О sinless one, fifty daughters were born to Daksa. He gave ten
to Dharma, thirteen to Kasyapa and twenty-seven to Indu (Moon-
god).
Among them, О king, the daughter named Rohini was not
liked by any of the other women and by the husband also in
particular. Thereupon, she developed extreme aversion to Samsara,
О excellent king. She came to the banks of Narmada and
performed an elaborate penance.
14-22. She made her body emaciated through fasts for a
single night, three nights together, six nights, twelve nights,
a fortnight and even for months.
She propitiated the holy goddess, the destroyer of Demon
Mahisa, the destroyer of all distresses.
She regularly took the holy baths in the waters of Narmada.
(Thus the lady of pure smiles performed the penance.) Thereat
the highly illustrious Goddess Narayani became pleased, О
king.
She said: “O fortunate lady, I am pleased with your Vrata
and holy observances. ’’ On hearing this, Rohini said: “O bestower
356 Skanda Parana
of honour, let it be so that I ere long become the beloved of

Sasin (Moon).” After saying, “ Let it be so”, Bhavanl, the beloved
of her devotees, vanished there itself, even while being eulogized
by groups of sages.
Ever since then that Tlrtha became well-known. RohinI became
*
the permanent beloved of Sasin (Moon-god), О excellent king.

A woman who devoutly takes her holy bath in that Tlrtha
becomes beloved of her husband like RohinI. A man who
*
regularly bathes in that Tlrtha becomes the lover of the woman

(wife).
If a man casts off his life in the Tlrtha, he will never have
a broken marriage at any time in the course of seven births.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINE
The Greatness of Cakra Tirtha

*

Cakra Tlrtha well-known as Senapura. It is conducive to the
destruction of all sins.
The Discus-bearing Lord of Devas duly propitiated leading
Brahmanas with the gift of lands and brought Mahasena
(Karttikeya) for ceremonially crowning him as the commander-
in-chief (of the army of Devas) for slaying Danavas in order
to bring about victory of the Heaven-dwellers.
Mahasena was brought there along with the Devas accom
panied by Indra as their leader, to the accompaniment of the
sounds of conch-shells, Bherl and Pataha drums, the notes of
flutes, lutes, Mrdahgas and auspicious Jhallaris (cymbals).
Thereupon the Danava named Rum who was proud on account
of his strength gave out a terrible roaring shout and came
there to create obstacles at the coronation ceremony.
His army consisting of elephants, horses, chariots and foot-
soldiers filled all the ten quarters and a great battle ensued.
7-17. The various weapons used by him were Sakti, Rsti,
Pisa, Musala, Khadga (sword), Tomara (iron rod), Tankana
V.iii. 109.7-17 357
(a x e ), B halla (sp e a r), K arnika, N araca etc. Everyw here h ead less
b o d ie s w ere sc a tte re d on th e b a ttlefie ld .
W ith in a m o m e n t L o rd V isnu, th e d e stro y er o f ho sts o f e n
em ies, a n n ih ila te d th e arm y o f e n e m ie s with arrow s d isc h a rg e d
fro m th e bow. T h e e le p h a n ts, horses a n d c h a rio ts w ere d e
stro y ed a n d th e n o b lc-so u led L ord took u p his discus.
D ischarged from the h a n d o f th e Slayer o f M adhu, th e terrib le,
blazin g , sh a rp , discus S u d arsan a, easily d isc e rn ib le by th e S uras
a n d A suras in th e b a ttlefie ld , cut o ff th e h e a d o f th e D aitya.
O n p e rce iv in g this su d d e n obstacle to his c o ro n a tio n , th e
Six-faced L o rd a b a n d o n e d th e place an d p e rfo rm e d an e la b o
ra te p e n a n c e .
T h e discus d isc h a rg e d by H ari, th e su sta in c r o f th e w orlds,
fo r d e s tru c tio n o f th e D anava, split him in to two a n d fell dow n
in th e p u re w aters.
Ever sin ce th e n th a t T lrth a is well-known as C a k ra tlrth a
c re a te d by th e o m n ifo rm e d L ord fo r th e p u rp o se o f d e stro y in g
all th e sins.
A m an w ho takes his holy b ath in C a k ra tlrth a a n d a d o re s
A cyuta, th e L o rd , o b tain s th e m e rit o f a P u n d a rfk a Yajna.
H e w ho takes his holy b ath in th e T i'rtha th e re a n d h o n o u rs
sp le n d id B rah m an as having co n tro l over th e m in d , .sense-organs
an d angry tem peram ent, attains the benefit of a crore o f m eritorious
d e ed s.
H e w ho devoutly casts o ff his body in to th e T lrth a th e re ,
g o es to V isnuloka a fte r d e a th , to th e a c c o m p a n im e n t o f au s
p icio u s sh o u ts o f victory etc.
A fter s p o rtin g a b o u t as he pleases a n d duly h o n o u re d by
Devas a n d G andharvas, he re tu rn s h e re o n ce again an d is re b o rn
in a la rg e fam ily.
T h u s a m e rito rio u s a n e c d o te th a t is co n d u civ e to w ealth a n d
d e stru c tiv e o f sins an d m iseries has b een re c o u n te d to you, О
b lessed o n e . L isten fu rth e r from m e.
358 Skanda Parana
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TEN
The Greatness of Dhautapapa Tirtha

*

1-5. Thereafter, one should go to Dhautapapa Tirtha that
destroys great sins. It was created by Visnu formerly and is very
near to Cakra Tirtha
Janardana, the Lord of Devas, incurred (enormous) sin as
a result of the slaughter of the terrible Danavas. It was to
dispel that sin that he made this Tirtha and performed a severe
penance at that Tirtha after subduing anger.
He observed the vow of silence, too difficult for Devas and
Danavas. He took the holy bath and made different kinds of
gifts to Brahmanas. Instantly he was liberated from the sin and
he went to his Vaisnava region.
Similarly one who commits grave sin but takes the holy bath
there and performs Japa in accordance with the injunctions,
becomes free from the sin.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN
The Greatness of Skanda Tirtha

ф

1-6. There is an extremely splendid Tirtha on the southern
bank of Narmada. It was formerly created by Skanda after
performing a very severe penance.
Yudhisthira said:
О excellent Brahmana, do recount truthfully the entire story
of Skanda1beginning with his birth as well as the details of the
procedure of the pilgrimage to the Tirtha.
'I, W 3-21 describe the story of the birth of Skanda. If differs from a similar
story in Mbh and other Puraâs on the following points:
i. Siva invites Smara (god of Love) to inspire him sexually.
V.iii.ll 1.7-15 359

Formerly penance was performed by the Lord of Devas, О
Yudhisthira, but on being requested by all the Suras, Goddess
Uma was married by him.
They said, “ O excellent one among Suras. Devas have no
commander-in-chief. All the Devas including Vasava are being
carried away by the terrible Danavas.
Just as night without the Moon and day without the Sun, so
also army without a leader does not shine even for a short
while.
After realizing this, О Mahadeva having great compassion,
may a commander of the army bound to be well known in all
the three worlds be granted to us.”
7-15. On hearing these splendid words of the Devas,
Paramesvara who was enamoured of Goddess Uma mentally
recollected Smara (god of Love).
With all his limbs intensely excited by him (Smara), the
preceptor of the universe assumed a loving form and made
love to Rudrani for a period of a hundred divine years.
After coming to know that Нага was engaged in a long-
drawn coition, Devaraja Indra had consultation with other Devas
and despatched Jatavedas (Fire-god).
He went and saw Mahadeva engrossed in the greatest bliss.
On being noticed thus suddenly, the Lord got up exclaiming
“ Ha-Ha” .
Infuriated on that account, the great goddess uttered im
precatory words even as she trembled much, О great king.
Listen, I shall tell you what she uttered.
“ I was requested earnestly by all the Suras for producing a
son, but by sending Jatavedas my experience of sexual bliss has
been spoiled and rendered ineffective. Hence all the Suras will
undoubtedly be sonless."
Thereupon Vahni (Fire) was told by Нага, “Take up our
ii. Siva when disturbed in his sexual intercourse advises Agni that if
he (Agni) finds his(Siva's) semen unbearable, he should deposil it
in Gartga. It is after giving this advice that he gives Agni an oral
dose of his semen.
iii. Skauda't- penance on the bank of Narmada to please his parents
and creating a Tirtha after his name on the bank of Narmada.
360 Skanda Purana
seed. It behoves you to do what usually happens in the worlds.

О excellent one among Suras, it should be possible for you to
take up and bear our fiery refulgence for the purpose of doing
the task of the Devas. In all the three worlds, there is no one
else competent enough to do so."
Agni said:
О Lord Supreme, what power do I have for carrying your
fiery refulgence? It will reduce to ash all the three worlds
consisting of mobile and immobile beings.
Isvara said:
16-26. If there is any pain caused by our seed deposited
in your belly, cast off that fiery refulgence in the waters of
Ganga, О Hutasana (Fire).
After saying this Mahadeva deposited into the mouth of

Havyavaha (Fire-god) his excellent, never-failing seed. Then
he vanished.
When the Lord had vanished, Hutasana experienced burn
ing sensation. He deposited the seed into the waters of Ganga
and went to his own abode.
Unable to bear that fiery refulgence, Ganga, the most
excellent one among rivers, deposited it among the Sara reeds
and went on her way.
On seeing the child born there, all the Devas including
Vasava sent the Krttikas to feed him with breast milk.
On seeing all of them arrived, the highly intelligent god
born of the womb of Ganga, became six-faced and drank the
milk of the breasts through his six mouths, as he was so eager
to drink.
The Lotus-born Lord performed all the consecratory rites
beginning with the post-natal rite as enjoined in the Vedas, in
accordance with the injunctions.
He was named Sanmukha1because he had six faces, Karttikeya
because he was nursed by the Krttikas, Kumara because he was
still a child. He was also called Gangagarbha and Agnija.1
1. Etymologies of the different names of Skanda.

V.iii.l 11.27-35 361
Thus without formal study he became well-versed in the

Vedas and many scriptures. He performed a severe penance.
Then he travelled through divine forests, rivers and all the
Tirthas of the earth as well as oceans, О descendant of Bharata.
Ultimately in due course, he reached the banks of Narmada.
On the southern bank of Narmada, he performed a severe
penance.
27-35. Day and night he muttered ritualistically passages
from Rk, Yujus and Saman. He meditated upon Mahadeva with
great purity. He became so emaciated that all his veins became
visible.
When the period of a thousand years was completed Lord
Mahesvara came there along with Uma and spoke these words:
Isvara said:
I am the bestower of boons on you. О dear child, Gaurl is
your mother and I am your father. Choose your boon whatever
is desired by you, even if it be the rarest thing in all the three
worlds.
Sanmukha said:
я »
О Mahadeva, О Sankara, if you with Uma are pleased with

me, О my parents, I choose this boon. In my opinion I don't
have any other goal (except you).
On hearing these splendid words that came out of the mouth

of his son, the Lord said, “Let it be so” and embraced him with
great affection.
Sniffing at his head along with Uma, Sankara said:
Isvara said:
You will be immutable and everlasting commander-in-chief.
A peacock of divine form is being given to you as vehicle. It
will hold the Sakti in the battle. Be victorious over Suras and
Asuras.
After saying this, the noble soul went to the excellent Kailasa
mountain.
362 Skanda Parana*
When the Lord vanished, the Peacock-vehicled One installed

Mahadeva (Lihga) and went to the presence of the Suras.
36-44. Ever since then that Tlrtha became well-known as
Skandatirtha. It is the rarest meritorious Tirtha unto the men
of the earth. It is destructive of all sins.
О king, one who devoutly takes his holy bath in the Tlrtha
there and adbres Siva with sweet-smelling garlands and Abhiseka
(ritualistic bathing) shall obtain the benefit of a Yajna.
Listen to the meritorious benefit obtained by one who takes
his holy bath in Skanda Tlrtha and worships Pitrs and Devatas
with water mixed with gingelly seeds.
By means of a single ball of rice offered in accordance with
the injunctions, О descendant of Bharata, the Pitrs become
pleased with him for twelve years. There is no doubt about
this.
О great king, whether it is splendid or otherwise, everything
offered at the Tlrtha there becomes everlasting in this as well
as the other world.
Whoever casts his life there in the Tlrtha in accordance with
*
the scriptural injunctions goes to the world of Siva. After staying

there for a Kalpa duly honoured by Devas and Gandharvas, he
is reborn in Bharatavarsa in a pure family. He will be conversant
with the principles of the Vedas and Vedahgas. He will be
devoid of all ailments. Accompanied by sons and grandsons he
will live for a hundred years.
Thus, О king, the origin of Skanda Tlrtha has been recounted
to you. It is conducive to wealth, fame and longevity. It is
excellent. It eradicates all miseries and sins. It is meritorious
as told by the Lord himself.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWELVE
The Greatness of Ahgirasa Tirtha

*

1-11. Thereafter, О great king, a person should go to the
Tirtha of Ahgirasa. It is situated on the northern bank of Narmada
and is destructive of all sins.
V .iii.l 13.1-8 363
Formerly there was a Brahmana named Angiras who had

mastered the Vedas. At the beginning of the Yuga, he per
formed a severe penance for obtaining a son.
Everyday he took three holy baths. He performed the Japa
of the eternal Lord. He worshipped Mahadeva and observed
the vows like Krcchra Candrayana etc.
When the period of twelve years was completed Paramesvara
became pleased. He asked the Brahmana Angiras to request
for any boon he wanted.
He requested Mahadeva for an excellent son who should be
well-versed in the Vedic lore, expert in observing Vratas and
a master of all scriptures; who would become advisor to Devas,
О king, and honoured in all the worlds; who would be a permanent
abode of Brahmanical splendour and immortal too.
Нага told him, “A son so desired and expert in all lores
shall be born. There is no doubt (in this matter).’*After saying
so, Нага went away.
Due to the boon, Brhaspati was born to Angiras as the son
so desired and an expert in the Vedas and Vedangas. After the
birth of the son, Angiras installed Sankara there. With a de
lighted and contented mind, he went to the northern moun
tain.
He who takes his holy bath in the Angirasa Tirtha and wor
ships Siva, shall be rid of all sins and go to Rudraloka. A man
without a son shall obtain a son; a man without wealth shall
attain wealth. Whatever the man may desire, he will attain it.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN
The Greatness oj Koti Tirtha
Sn Markandeya said:
lent Tirtha named Kotitlrtha. A crore of sages attained great
Siddhi (spiritual perfection) there.
A person should take his holy bath there in that Tirtha,
remain pure and feed Brahmaijas. Even if one Brahmana is
fed, it is as good as feeding a crore of Brahmanas.
364 Skanda Parana
A devotee should take his holy bath there in that Tirtha and
adore Pitrs and Devatas (or Pitrs as Devatas). When Mahadeva
is adored the devotee shall attain the benefit of a Vajapeya
(sacrifice).
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN
The Greatness of Ayonisambhava Tirtha

extremely splendid Ayonija Tirtha of great merit, that is de
structive of all sins.
The man should take bath in the Ayonija (Tirtha) and worship
Paramesvara. After performing the adoration of Pitrs and Devas,
he is liberated from all sins.
He who casts off his life there in the Tirtha as per pre
scribed procedure, О great king, will never thereafter see the
opening of vagina (i.e. will not be reborn).
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN
The Greatness of Angaraka Tirtha

great Angaraka Tirtha that accords handsome features to all
people. It is situated on the banks of Narmada and is well-
known.
It is said, О great king, that penance was performed by
Angaraka (Mars) for millions, billions and trillions of years.
Thereupon, Mahadeva was pleased and was filled with great
compassion. Appearing before him in person directly, the Lord
spoke to the son of Earth (i.e. Mars):
“ O blessed one, I am the bestower of boon even if it be very
V .iii.l 16.1-3 365
difficult for even Devas. О dear one, tell me. What has been
desired by you. I shall grant you that boon.”
Angdraka (Mars) said:

О Lord of Devas, О great Lord oi all the worlds, with your
favour, I shall always move about in the firmament amidst the
Planets. Let this boon be of everlasting benefit to me as long
as Mountain Meru exists in the world, as long as the Moon and
the Sun shine and as long as the rivers and oceans flourish.
After granting the excellent boon saying ‘‘Let it be so” , the

Lord of Devas went away through the sky even as Suras and
Asuras made obeisance to him.
The Son of Earth (Mars) installed Sankara there and went
М М М ^
to heaven. He was allotted the status of a Planet in the (stellar)

world.
He who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha, worships
Paramesvara, and performs Нота, with anger well under con
trol, shall obtain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.
He who takes his holy bath there on the Angaraka CaturthI
day (Tuesday coinciding with the fourth lunar day) and wor
ships Planet Mars duly, shall be in the Ahgaraka region extend
ing over ten Yojanas and be endowed with a comely form. The
creature that dies there itself willingly or unwillingly, shall
become an attendant of Rudra and rejoice along with him.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN
The Greatness oj Pdndu Tirtha

0
Sn Markandeya said:
1-3. Thereafter, one should go to the Pandu Tirtha that
is destructive of all sins. By taking his holy bath therein, the
man is rid of all sins.
He who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha, becomes
pure and then gives away gold by way of charity, gets the sin
such as that of foeticide destroyed undoubtedly.
366 Skanda Parana
■
By offering balls of rice and libations, one gets the benefit

of a Vajapeya. The Pitrs and Pitamahas become highly de
lighted and, therefore, begin to dance.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN
The Greatness of Trilocana Tirtha

1-3. Thereafter, О eminent king, a person should go to
the meritorious Trilocana Tirtha. It is there that the Lord of
Devas bowed to by all the worlds, is stationed.
He who bathes there in that Tirtha and devoutly worships
Sankara shall undoubtedly go to the abode of Rudra after
death.
When the Kalpa ends, he comes back here after sporting
there (in Rudra Loka). He shall remain unseparated (from
kinsmen) and will be respected (by all) for a hundred years.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN
The Greatness of Indra Tirtha

1-9. Thereafter, О great king, a person should go to a
highly resplendent Tirtha on the southern bank of Narmada.
It is well-known as Indra Tirtha.
Yudhisfhira said:
Why is the Indra Tirtha on the southern bank of Narmada?
I wish to hear, О eminent Brahmana, with full details from the
beginning, through the middle to the end.
<qfOn hearing these words of the intelligent Dharmaputra, he

#&rrated the old legend and the details of the episodes happening
there.
V .iii.ll8.10-21a
Sn Markandeya said:
Though Vrtra was an enemy to Dharma (righteousness) that
highly powerful one was defeated (killed) treacherously by the
Consort of Sacl. As he left the place and was going along the
path, the irrepressible Sin of Brahmana-slaughter followed him
tirelessly without resting. He went all over the three worlds.
Wherever the sinner of Brahmana-murder went in his grand
vehicle along with the Suras, whichever quarter he passed through,
the Sin of slaughter did not leave him alone.
Words of reproach were heard by him such as: “ Ways of
redemption from grave sins of Brahmana-slaughter, imbibing
of liquor, theft and violation of the chastity of the preceptor's
wife etc. are available but not for those guilty of perfidy.” “A
man or woman engaged in sinful activities gets purified by
means of holy bath and Dana but not one guilty of betrayal of
trust.” The king of Devas heard these and other similar words
uttered by different sorts of people and became excessively sad.
10-2la. He abandoned the kingdom along with the Suras
and took to the practice of excellent penance. Sons, wives,
house, kingdom, different kinds of riches etc., are the fruits
of practice of Dharma and they add to the splendour of a king.
Even as people watch him, a man must taste the bitter fruits
of sin himself, whereas friends, relatives and kinsmen enjoy
the good fruits of Dharma.
Indra eschewed all happiness and got his body emaciated
through austerities. The king of Devas visited various Tirthas
and shrines. He took holy baths separately in various Tirthas,
in Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvatl, in all the oceans, rivers, natural
lakes and ponds. But the Sin did not leave him despite his
association with Devas.
He went on bathing in the Tirthas on either side of Narmada
and worshipped Mahadeva. Ultimately he reached Skanda Tlrtha.
Halting there he observed fasts and performed the vows of
Krcchra, Candrayana etc. He made his body lean and emaci
ated but did not find pleasure anywhere.
During summers he performed penance in the midst of five
fires. During rainy season he lay down on bare ground. During
winter he performed severe penance wearing wet clothes. Thus
Indra spent ten thousand years, О descendant of Bharata, per
forming penance and trying to know the Atman.
368 Skanda Purdna a
When the eleventh thousand-year-period arrived, О excel

lent king, Lord Paramesvara became pleased.Then all the Suras
with Brahma and Visnu as their leaders and also the Brahmana-
■ •
ф
•
sages, Siddhas etc came to the place where Satakratu (Indra)

was present.
2lb-28. On seeing that all the Devas and the sages had
arrived the highly intelligent preceptor of all the Devas bowed
down to them and said: “It is already known to all of you, О
Brahma, Visriu and Mahesvara, that Vrtra was slain formerly at
your behest and concurrence. Still considering him as a Brahmana-
slayer, perpetrator of a crime, though he may have visited all
the Tfrthas, the Brahmahatya Sin does not leave him alone.
All the three worlds including mobile and immobile creatures,
are not happy, like the sky bereft of the Moon and the Sun
or a kingdom without a leader (i.e. king).
Hence, О ye* all excellent Suras, I have something to submit
*
to you now. May all the great sages declare Sakra free from
faults.*’
On hearing those words of auspicious nature that issued
forth from the mouth of Brhaspati, Lord Brahma, the grand
father of the worlds, said, “This Sin arising from the slaughter
of a Brahmana is extremely terrible. I am now dividing it into
four parts and casting it off to the Devas and the Bhutas
(elements).H1
After saying this, that highly intelligent one hurled (the first
part of) the Sin over the water.
29-41. Therefore, waters have to be drunk by sensible per
sons after plunging into them and not otherwise.
The Lotus-born Lord hurled the second part over the earth.
Therefore, for all times the earth became unfit to be eaten.
The next day, О Yudhis^hira, the Lord deposited the next part
within women (on the second day of their menstruation pe
riod) and said, “ Women in their monthly course are not to be
associated with by sensible persons during the four days on
account of the enormity of the sin.** Then the Lord deposited
the fourth part in a Brahmana who serves Sudras through
cultivation, cattle breeding and business practice.1
1. Compare Mbh, Udyoga, 13.19

V.iii.119.1-13 369
Thereafter, all the Devas and the great sages honoured Devendra
who was stationed in the waters of Narmada. They honoured
him through pleasing words (of consolation). Then Mahesvara
who was pleased gave him the opportunity of choosing a boon
as he pleased: “O Lord of Devas, I shall grant you a boon.
Choose whatever you desire.”
Indra said:
О Lord of Devas, if you are pleased, if a boon has to be
granted to me, then be pleased to be present here always. I
shall install you here.
Saying “ Let it be so” to him Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara

went away entering through the sky and they were eulogized
by the great sages.
After all the Lords of Devas had gone, Satakratu, the Lord
of Devas, installed Mahadeva and went to heaven.
He who takes his holy bath in the Indratlrtha and propiti
ates Pitrs and Devatas will be liberated from all sins even if
m
they are major ones. He who takes his holy ablution in the
Indratlrtha and adores Paramcsvara, enjoys the full benefit of
Asvamedha Yajna.
Thus the entire excellent greatness of the Tlrtha has been
recounted to you. On merely hearing it, men are rid of all sins.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN
The Greatness of Kalhodi Tirtha

М 3. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to the excel
lent Kalhodi Tlrtha which is destructive of all sins. It is situated
ж
on the northern bank of Reva.

Formerly it was lifted up by sages through the power of their
penance and established in the great waters of Narmada for
the sake of the welfare of all living beings.
Listen to the benefit that one attains by making a gift of a
S70 Skanda P u rin a
m
Kapila (tawny-coloured) cow, after taking the holy ablution in

the Kapila TIrtha and listening to the divine narrative from a
Brahmana.
Of all the Danas, Kapilddana is the most excellent one. Even
Brahma had recourse to it formerly in the assembly of sages
and Devas.
Listen to the meritorious benefit of one who eschews anger,
observes fast and makes the gift of a splendid Kapila cow im
mediately after it has calved.
There is no doubt about this that it is as good as, О mighty-
armed one, the gift of the entire earth along with the caves
and oceans, mountains, forests and parks.
О king, sins verbal, mental and physical, committed for
merly in the course of seven births, perish by the gift of a
Kapila.
Gifts of plots of land, cash, foodgrains, elephants, horses,
gold etc. do not deserve even a sixteenth fraction of Kapiladana.
A man who takes his holy bath there and makes the gift of
a Kapila cow, goes to Visnu’s city on death after being sung
about by groups of celestial damsels.
He sports about for a long time in Svarga, for as many
thousand years as there are hairs on the body of that cow as
well as that of the calf.
After descending down in due course, he is born as a human
being in a large family full of wealth and foodgrain.
He will be well-versed in the Vedic lore, an expert in all the
scriptures, free from ailments and grief etc. He lives for a
hundred years.
Thus the excellent Kalhodi TIrtha has been fully described,
by performing (the pilgrimage to) which one is liberated from
all sins.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTY
The Greatness of Kambukesvara Tirtha
Sri Mdrkantjleya said:

1-9. Henceforth I shall recount the excellent Kambukesvara
Tirtha.
V.iii.120.10-18 371
Daitya Hiranyakasipu who was arrogant due to his might,

was well-known in all the three worlds as one who could not
be killed by anyone. He had a son of great refulgence named
Prahlada. With the favour of Visnu and due to his own devout
nature, he was established in the kingdom of Hiranyakasipu.
Virocana was his son and Bali was Virocana’s son. Bana was *
Bali’s son and Bana’s son was Sambara. In the family of Sambara
was born a great Asura Karhbu by name. He was aware of the
terror originating from Visnu. He thought that there was none
else who could cause the destruction of Danavas.
Karhbu of great intellect, left his wife, sons, friends, relatives
and kinsmen and performed penance, observing the vow of
silence. He took up a rosary of beads in his hand. He had all
the paraphernalia of a sage such as a staff, girdle and tonsured
head. He wore barks of trees or antelope-skin and his diet was
restricted to greens and barley gruel. Everyday he had his regular
bath in the waters of Narmada. With great fortitude, he worshipped
Mahadeva for one hundred million years.
Then Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, became pleased with
him and said to the Danava in a majestic voice resembling
thunder:
10-18. “ O Karhbu, О blessed one, I am pleased with you.
Silence is the greatest of all vows. It is the means of achieving
everything. It is difficult for both Devas and Danavas to observe
but you observed it. Welfare unto you. Choose a boon, whatever
may appeal to your mind.”
Karhbu said:
If you are pleased, О Lord of Devas, if a boon has to be
granted to me, let me be indestructible and everlasting. May
I be free to move about as I please. I shall never have to flee
from battles of Danavas and Devas. There shall be no other
source of fear than Lord Gadadhara.
ф
О Sankara, grant this boon unto me, whereby I will not be

overwhelmed by him in battle.
Isvara said:
If you are injny vicinity, О Danava, there is no fear from
Vi$nu. Stay here-free from fever (anxiety). Neither I nor all
372 Skanda Puranam
the Suras and Asuras can be a match in battle unto that over-
lord of Devas, the wielder of conch and discus, who holds the
Vedas in his womb.
In my opinion there is no doubt that none who cherishes
enmity against Hari, the Lord of Lokaloka, can remain happy
even for a period of a single wink of the eye. Hence you should
be extremely devout and engaged in the welfare of all living
beings. Then you will live for a long time.
After saying this the Lord vanished.

19-25. When the Deva vanished, the highly intelligent Danava
installed Siva, the Lord of Devas, the quiescent one free from
ailment, at that TIrtha.
After installing Mahadeva at that Tirtha he went to the heavenly
world. Ever since then, О son of KuntI, that became well-
known as Kambu Tirtha. It is reputed in all the worlds as the
destroyer of great sins. A man should take his holy bath in
Kambu Tirtha, duly worship Bhaskara and eulogize him with
Rk, Yajus and Sama Mantras, О excellent king. His merit has
been described by Brahmanas who have mastered the Vedas.
Listen to it fully, О king, even as I recount it.
One who knows only the Gayatrl Mantra attains the benefit
obtained when Rk, Yajus and Sama Mantras are recited along
with their ancillaries and sub-divisions.
He who takes his holy bath there and propitiates Pitrs and
Devatas and adores Lord Isana, attains the benefit of Agnistoma.
One who forsakes the body there in the Tirtha with or without
any desire goes to Rudraloka immediately.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYONE
The Greatness of Soma Tirtha

1-5. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the Candrahasa
Tirtha where Somaraja (Moon-god), the excellent one among
Suras, attained the greatest Siddhi.
V.iii.121.6-16 S7S
Yudhisthira said:
ш a
How did Somanatha, the Lord of the universe, attain the

greatest Siddhi? О sinless one, I wish to hear about it entirely.
Do tell me.
*

О descendant of Bharata, formerly he (Moon-god) was cursed
by Daksa, the leading sage: “You will become a patient of
consumptive disease because you did not attend to your (other)
wives.”
О king, listen to what happens to those men who do not
attend to the wives duly wedded.
A son is born by attending to a woman during the monthly
period (i.e. after the menstruation on the fifth day). It is men
tioned in the Sruti that heavenly pleasures and salvation are
attained through the son.
6-16. One not performing what is befitting to those occa
sions will fall into the Raurava hell. The sinner drinks the
blood of that woman for the duration of that period of (un
fulfilled) desires.
After coming down (to earth) on completion of the period
of stay in the hell, the wicked sinner is born unlucky in every
birth he may take.
Ordinarily sexual appetite is very strong in women. Espe
cially during menses, they are afflicted all the more by the
arrows of Kama. Shunned or neglected by their husbands, women
naturally think about paramours. A son born of such a woman,
makes the excellent family roam about.
The moment such a son is born, Pitrs, Pitamahas and other
ancestors residing in heaven fall down. Hence the son is called
Kulata.
As a result of his own Karma, Moon-god became a patient
of consumptive disease. He had to abandon the world of leading
Suras and come down to the world of mortals. He wandered
over many Tirthas and holy shrines and ultimately reached
Narmada that is destructive of all sins.
He observed fasts and holy Vratas and restraints. He per
formed Danarite§. Thus his pious activities continued for twelve
years. Thereby he became rid of sins.
374 Skanda Purana
в
After bathing Mahadeva, the destroyer of all sins, he re

gained his full refulgence and went back to the excellent world.
He who installs the Lord and worships him for many years,
is himself honoured in Rudraloka for as many thousand years
as the number of years he has worshipped.
Hence men install gods as per proper procedure on the
earth. Thereby men enjoy for a period which is inexhaustible
and unending.
17-26. A man who bathes in Somatlrtha and adores Lord
Isvara, shines in this world and becomes pleasing in looks like
Soma.
He who goes to Candrahasa Tirtha during solar and lunar
eclipses and devoutly takes his holy bath is rid of all sins.
О excellent king, holy ablution taken, Dana performed, verily
all auspicious or inauspicious acts done in Candrahasa Tirtha,
become everlasting in their effect.
Men who take their holy bath in Candrahasa Tirtha and see
the eclipse are really blessed. They are noble-souled. Their
birth and life are excellent.
Verbal, mental and physical sins committed earlier perish,
О great king, merely because a holy bath is performed in that
Tirtha.
Many are entirely deluded ones who do not know it, like the
Lord in the form of greatest bliss (Atman) abiding in the body
itself.
Undoubtedly one attains in Candrahasa that entire benefit
which people get after going to Somatlrtha in the western sea
(in Saurdstra). By taking the holy bath in Candrahasa during
Sankranti, Vyatlpata, Ayana and Visuva period, one is rid of all
sins.
Those who do not know Candrahasa situated on Reva, are
deluded and wicked in action. Their life is purposeless.
A Brahmana who takes up the life of a recluse at Candrahasa
Tirtha undoubtedly attains Somaloka from which he never
returns.
V.iii. 122.1-13 375
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYTWO
The Greatness of Kohana Tirtha

0

1-2. Thereafter, О king, one should go to the meritorious
Tirtha well-known as Kohanasva. It is destructive of all sins and
even of death.
Formerly a certain Brahmana who had mastered the Vedas
and Vedangas lived there along with his wife, sons, friends, and
kinsmen. He was always engaged in performing his duties.
Yudhisthira said:
• ■
3-13. Tell me entirely the duties of a Brahmana, the origin

of Ksatriya, Vaisya and Sudra.
I wish to know the excellent procedure regarding Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksa entirely. It is my opinion that no one
else knows it.

Brahma, the Lord of Devas, is glorified as the primary source
of origin of all living beings. He is the preceptor of the uni
verse consisting of mobile and immobile beings.
Brahmanas were born from the face (mouth). Ksatriyas were
born from the arms, Vaisyas from the region of thighs and
Siidras from the feet.1
The Varnas other than they are separate and they perform
their respective duties separately. They are born in the usual
order or in the opposite order (vilomatah).
I shall expound their special duties as enjoined by the Sruti
and Smrti. If they are perfectly performed, all of them attain
the greatest goal.
This goal is attained by devout Brahmanas, О king, even
without meditation, because they teach one or more Vedas
duly.
After the life as a student, a Brahmana should marry a girl
of noble family, marked by all the usual auspicious character-
1. An echo of Purufa Siikia, RV X. 90

376 Skanda Purana
Ш
istics and endowed with beauty, after being duly permitted by

the preceptor.
Then he should gradually worship the fire at the time of
marriage whether it is Srauta or Smarta. He should be devoid
of hypocrisy and covetousness and earn wealth through Pratigraha
(gifts).
He should duly perform the five Yajnas. After fulfilling the
duties of the second Asramn (i.e. householdership) he should
go to the forest.
He should entrust his wife to his sons and severe all connec
tions and associations. He thereby attains all desired worlds.
He is not reborn here again.
14-23. A Ksatriya well-established in the kingdom should
protect the kingdom always fixing his mind on Dhaima. He
shall obtain the greatest goal.
There is no doubt about this that the Dharma of a Vaisya is
the ardent pursuit of cultivation and breeding of cattle. He
too, well-endowed with truthfulness, purity and mental quies
cence goes to the excellent Svarga.
A separate duty has not been assigned by Paramesthin to the
Sudra. He need not have any Mantra, consecration or pursuit
of lores. He need not have any conventional study of the sci
ence of words (i.e. Grammar) and special worship of deities.
He has to be, day and night, in the same state as at birth.
Such is the Dharma of all the Varnas as created by the Self-
born Lord formerly. They are richly endowed with the conse-
cratory rites with Mantras. The three Varnas are called Dvijdti
(twice-borns).
If anyone lives a wanton life disregarding their opinions and
comments, he is reborn as a dog on death. He has no upward
progress.
Their missions and errands (should not be ignored by him).
Remembering and following their opinions and views, he be
comes well-reputed, one abiding by his specific duty, and one
deserving Svarga.
Now, the Brahmana referred to above, possessing all the
good qualities lived there, О descendant of Bharata. He heard
words like “Hanasva (kill), Hanasva.”
Thereat he looked up and down and all round. Trembling
with fright, he faltered at every step.
V.iii Л 22.24-38 377
He was face to face with a man riding on a buffalo and

equipped with fetters, weapons and terrible nooses in hands.
24-31. He had the lustre of a heap of black collyrium. He
was clad in black garments. Endowed with all characteristic
marks, he had red eyes and long arms.
On noticing him coming along, the Brahmana turned his
attention inwards and repeated words fit to be muttered such
as the great Satarudriya hymn.
Thereupon Lord Yama, the great controller of all, said: “O
Brahmana, I am Yama, the controller of all creatures. Withold,
0 blessed one, the Rudrajdpya (Japa of Rudra) which is impreg
nable, so that I can painlessly bind you with Kalapasa.”
On hearing those ruthless words that issued forth from the
mouth of Yama, the Brahmana became extremely terrified and
fled.
All the servants pursued his path along with Yama and said,
“Stop, stop” to the Brahmana. But he continued to run.
By this hurried flight, he became exhausted and cried: “Alas!
1 have been assailed by evil-minded ones. Save me, save me, О
Mahadeva who consider those who seek your refuge as your
favourites.”
After saying this, he fell down on the ground and closely
embraced the Linga, О descendant of Bharala. Losing his con
sciousness, the eminent Brahmana resorted to the Lord of Suras.
32-38. On seeing him fallen on the ground, Mahesvara,
the Lord of Devas, made a Humkara (‘HunrTsound) and said,
“Who dares to kill you? Do not be afraid.”
At that Humkara, О descendant of Bharata, all the servants
fled away along with Yama like clouds blown away by wind.
Ever since then, that Tlrtha became well-known as Kohanasva.
It is meritorious and destructive of all sins. It is the most ex
cellent one of all the Tirthas.
He who takes his holy plunge there in that Tlrtha and wor
ships Paramesvara, attains the excellent benefit of Agnis$oma
Yajna.
He who sheds his life there in that Tlrtha, О great king, does
not see Lord Yama. So said Sankara.
О excellent king, the devotee may immolate himself by en
tering fire or downing in water. Thereby he gains a residence
in Agniloka for a period of three hundred Kalpas or he may
378 Skanda P u rin a
reside in Varunaloka for as much time as he pleases and return

to this world after which he is destined to become Lord of
enormous wealth.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYTHREE
The Greatness of Karmadesvara Tirtha

0

lent KarmadT (jic) Tirtha where Vighnesa, the mighty Lord of
Ganas, stands.
If a man takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha on the fourth
lunar day and observes fast, he will never have any obstacle in
the course of seven births, О descendant of Bharata.
Undoubtedly whatever is offered as gift at that Tirtha shall
have everlasting benefit.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYFOUR
The Greatness of Narmadesvara Tirtha

0

1-2. Thereafter, one should go to the excellent Narmadesvara,
О king. By taking the holy bath there in that Tirtha, a man is
rid of all sins.
If one meets death by entering fire, or drowning in water
or due to ritualistic starvation, his departure (from this world)
shall be one from which one has never to return (to Samsara),
as Sankara told me.
V .iii.l 25.1-18 379
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYFIVE
The Greatness of Rain Tirtha

1-8. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the excel
lent Ravitlrtha where the Thousand-rayed Lord performed a
penance and went to heaven.
Yudhisthira said:
How (is it that) Lord Bhaskara, Ravi (Sun-god), the sustainer
of the universe, who is bowed to by all the Devas, performed
penance? Is the Lord of Devas a sage? He is worthy of being
propitiated by all living beings. He is adored by all the Devas.
He is seen directly in the world. He is the cause of creation
and annihilation (of the world). How did he attain the name
Aditya? How is he called Bhaskara? О sinless one, describe all
this succinctly.
0

О great king, what you have asked is a great and relevant
question. After making obeisance to the Self-born Lord, I shall
describe everything.
Everything in the universe was once enveloped in darkness.
It was all unknown and featureless. It was incomprehensible,
beyond knowledge; everything was as it were in deep sleep all
round.
Thereafter a divine refulgence (appeared) like a highly heated,
excellent ball (of iron). Like a meteor from the sky, it came
down with face directed downwards for the creation (of the
world).
Within that refulgence, a Purusa (Person) was born well-
adorned with everything. He was without legs and hands. He
is Lord Siva by whom all these visible objects are created and
permeated.
9-18. After the appearance of that Being in the form of
refulgence Prsyapati who became Kala (time) appeared in due
course. He then became fire for (the sake of) all living beings,
380 Skanda Parana
mortals, Asuras and Raksasas. He is the overlord of all the

Devas. Hence he is called Aditya.
Obeisance to him should be paid at the outset and to the
others only after him. So it is done by all the deities and all
the great sages.
In the solar disc three Sandhyas (junctions of time) and
three Devas are present. So when the Sun is bowed to, all the
Devas are also (automatically) bowed to.
О king, had there been no Sun-god, neither day, nor night,
neither the southern transit lasting for six months nor the
northern transit would appear.
Without Surya (Sun-god) there is neither Snana (holy bath)
nor Dana, neither Japa nor Н ота, neither self-study of the
Vedas nor adoration of the deities. Hence Ravi is the most
worthy of adoration.
Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara are to be known through words
of the Sruti (Vedas) chiefly. But Lord Sun is directly visible. He
is the sanctifier of all the worlds.
He is the source of origin; the cause of annihilation and
dissolution, the storehouse and the immutable seed. The Lord
of the universe, the sole cause is none other than Bhaskara.
After thus making the universe consisting of mobile and immobile
beings issue out of himself, he established the path of piety for
the sake of the welfare of the worlds.
He resorted to the banks of Narmada and installed his own
physical form, the thousand-rayed storehouse of refulgence.
He then went up to the immutable sky.
19-27. If a devotee takes his holy bath there in that TIrtha
and adores the Thousand-rayed Lord, the great Lord, in accordance
with the injunctions regarding the Mantras in the forms of the
names (of deities) it is as good as though penance has been
performed by him, Н ота has been carried out, nay everything
has been duly performed. By doing all these things perfectly,
the greatest position is attained by him.
Those who take their holy bath in the waters of Narmada
and visit Lord Bhaskara are blessed. They are noble-souled
ones. Their life is well lived.
The devotees should constantly repeat the Mantra thrice, О
great king and circumambulate the Lord with single-pointed
devotion. Thereby they become purified. Their sins are dispelled
V.iii Л25.28-36 381
by that Mantra. Listen with concentration of mind to the merit

that shall accrue to them.
There is no doubt about it that the entire earth consisting
of mountains, parks and forests along with oceans and caves,
has been circumambulated by him.
This entire group of the three worlds consisting of mobile
and immobile beings has Mantras at its root. Hence, bereft of
Mantras, no undertaking in the world succeeds.
Just as a wooden image of an elephant or a leathern deer
cannot be effective in action, so also a pious rite without
Mantras (is futile).
Just as an oblation offered on ashes or offering of a gift
without use of water is futile, so also (is) Dana bereft of Man
tras.
28-36. In regard to idols made of wood, stone or a lump
of clay, particularly in the case of earthen ones, people per
form the adoration along with relevant Mantra. They do not
make it without uttering Mantra.
By performing Namaskara (obeisance) once with due utter
ance of Mantras, one derives the benefit that is usually ob
tained by ordinary Namaskaras (prostrations) done continu
ously for twelve years with devotion.
If a devotee takes his holy bath in the waters of Narmada
and worships Ravi during Sankranti, Vyatlpata, Ayana and Visuva,
his sins committed knowingly or unknowingly, in course of
twelve years, get dissolved immediately like husk burned by
fire.
A devotee of controlled sense-organs, observing fast, should
take his holy bath during solar and lunar eclipses. By seeing
the face of the deity, Aditya, he is liberated from all sins.
On the seventh lunar day in the month of Magha, О excel
lent king, one should control anger and stay in the shrine of
Siirya observing fast. In the morning he should take his holy
bath in accordance with the injunctions and offer Arghya to the
Sun duly reciting the Mantras. He shall obtain excellent merit.
After offering the libations to the Pitrs, Devas and human
beings, in the temple of the Lord of Devas, the devotee should
perform the worship by means of sweet scents, flowers, incense,
lights and auspicious Naivedyas. After worshipping, he should
recite the Mantra.
382 Skanda Parana
37-44. He shall repeat the twelve names (of the Sun-god)

viz. Visnu, Sakra, Yama, Dhatr, Mitra, Varuna, Vivasvan, Savitr,
Pusan, Candamsu and Bharga (Ravi, the 12th name also) and
circumambulate.
Listen attentively to know the benefit that he attains, О son
of Kunti. He will never be poor, sick, dumb, deaf and sluggish
for seven births. So said Sankara.
He who wishes for excellent merit should devoutly propitiate
Ravi after completely studying and then uttering the Mantra in
accordance with the injunctions. The wise devotee then attains
the merit.
He who professes to be a devotee without uttering the Man
tra, О descendant of Bharata, deceives himself like brutes, worms
and insects.
Whoever abandons the excellent physical body there in the
Tirtha, shall go to heaven being adored by the Devas and great
sages.
There he lives as he pleases for a long time. Then he shall
become a king here in this world richly endowed with sons and
grandsons, elephants, horses and chariots etc. He is born in a
large family with hundreds of men and maid servants.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYSIX

«
The Greatness of Ayoniprabhava Tirtha
Sri Markan4eya said:

1-7. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to the great
Tirtha called Ayonija. A man, merely by a holy plunge therein,
ceases to face the danger of being in a womb.
A man should take his holy bath there in the Tirtha and
worship Lord Isvara, uttering this Mantra: mO great Lord
ParameSvara, just as you are one not born of a womb, so also
release me from the inevitable (possible) calamity of being in
a womb.*1 He who worships with scented flowers, incense etc.
shall be rid of all sins.
He who devoutly covers the Linga with rice mixed with curds
V.iii. 126.8-16 383
shall reside in the world of the Lord of Devas, in proportion

to the number of grains of (that) boiled rice (covering the
Linga).
The devotee should bathe Mahadeva with scented water in
the Ayonija Tirtha. He may bathe with honey, milk or curds
also. He shall attain great glory.
On the eighth day in the bright half or fourteenth day in
the dark half he should worship Mahadeva and delight him
with vocal and instrumental music. He shall reside in the world
of Siva.
Those who celebrate festivals reside in the world of Siva until
the annihilation of all living beings.
8-16. Uttering this Mantra always and submitting his plaint,
the devotee should circumambulate the Lord with great devo
tion: “O great Lord Paramesvara, just as you are one not born
from a womb, so also release me, О Sarva, from all possible
calamities (befalling one lying) in a womb.”
Traditionally men have stated the following good results re
ceived from the Lord of Devas. Listen with mental concentra
tion.1
Of what avail are the many Mantras that merely make his
throat more and more parched? If the Mantra от namah sivdya
is uttered in the vicinity of the Lord, it is as good as he has
studied everything, heard everything and performed everything.
The repetition of the Mantra от namah sivdya should be well
practised and stabilised. The benefit that is attained by uttering
the six-syllabled Mantra cannot be attained by a Brahmana
from any other god or gods.
If the devotee takes his bath there in the Tirtha and wor
ships a Sivayogin, he will reap the bruit of feeding more than
ten thousand Brahmanas.
Or if the devotee consecrates the alms and gives it to one
who has controlled his sense-organs, the benefit thereof is more.
Water should be given in the hand (palms) of the ascetic,
then the alms and then water again. The alms is on a par with
Meru; the water on a par with the ocean.
1. For the sake of continuity in narration verse 10 is taken after 8 and verse
9 follows verse 10.
384 Skanda Parana
m
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTVSEVEN
The Greatness of Agni Tirtha

0

1-4. Thereafter, О eminent king, a person should go to
the excellent Agni Tirtha. By taking the holy bath there at the
beginning of a fortnight, one is rid of all sins.
Listen, О best one among men, to the benefit proclaimed
as accruing unto a man who gifts away a virgin well-adorned
at that Tirtha.
By gifting her adorned in accordance with his capacity, the
man obtains the benefit of Agnistoma and Atiratra multiplied
by* hundred times a hundred. +
He attains the greatest goal in the world of Siva for as many

years as there are hairs on the bodies of her sons, grandsons
and great-grandsons.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYFIGHT
The Greatness of Bhrkutesvara Tirtha

0

1-8. Thereafter, О eminent king, one should go to the
excellent Bhrkutesvara Tirtha where the highly honoured Bhrgu
though highly irascible, became a Siddha (enlightened spiritu-
ally).
О sinless one, formerly an elaborate penance was performed
by him for more than a hundred years for getting a son. The
most excellent one among those blessed with sons chose (re
quested for) a son as the boon.
О highly honoured one, the boon was granted by the Lord
who subdued Andhaka. He who takes his holy bath there in
that Tirtha and worships Paramesvara shall obtain eight times
the benefit of Agni$toma Yajna.
WMfever seeks a son and devoutly bathes Bhrku(esa with
gltee mixed with honey, does get the desired son.
V.iii.129.1-15 385
Listen to the meritorious benefit of the devotee who takes

his holy bath there in the Tirtha and gifts to a Brahmana, a
piece of gold, a cow. or a plot of land.
О excellent king, there is no doubt about this that it is as
good as the entire earth along with the oceans and caves, mountains,
parks and forests has been gifted by him.
As a result of that gift, he sports about happily in heaven and
then comes down to the mortal world as a great king or a
highly worshipped Brahmana.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTYNINE
The Greatness of Brahma Tirtha

lent Brahma Tirtha which is greater than the greatest of all the
other Tirthas.
There at that Tirtha, Brahma, the most excellent one among
Suras, the grandfather of all the worlds, resorted to the banks
of Narmada. Merely by seeing him the Lord of Devas washes
off the sins of the four Varnas, committed earlier, including all
mental and verbal ones and those arising from activities of the
body.
The eminent Brahmanas who take their holy bath and per-
ф
form the expiatory rites enjoined by Srutis and Smrtis have

their residence in heaven.
Those who are oppressed by lust and greed and abandon the
scriptural texts and then prescribe expiatory rites (as they please)
fall into hell.
A sinner should take his holy bath at the outset and bow
down to Brahma. Then he shall confess his sin. His sin perishes
quickly like darkness at sunrise.
7-15. He who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and
adores Pitrs and deities, derives the excellent benefit of Agnistoma
Yajna.
Whatever is gifted away as Dana there at that Tirtha with
386 Skanda Parana
Brahma in view, becomes everlasting in its benefits. So said

Sankara.
Ifjapa is carried out merely of the Gayatri Mantra there, it
shall become as meritorious as one of the Rk, Yajus and Sama
Vedas. There is no doubt about it.
If anyone were to cast off his body, usually very difficult to
be cast off, in the Tlrtha there, his return from the world of
Brahma is undoubtedly impossible.
He is honoured in Devaloka for as many thousand years as
there are bones of embodied beings in the Brahma Tlrtha.
Thereafter, he comes down into the world (here) and is
reborn as one knowing Brahman in a noble family. He shall be
the most excellent one among all the Varnas like the great
deity among Devas.
He will be well-versed in all the lores and a master of the
Vedas and their Angas. He will be undoubtedly honoured in
the world by kings.
He will be accompanied by sons and grandsons and will be
free from all ailments. By the power of Brahma Tlrtha, he will
live more than a hundred years.
The noble souls who visit this meritorious Tlrtha, the most
excellent one for those endowed with knowledge, a Tlrtha that
destroys all sins, attain immortality.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTY
The Greatness of Devatlrtha

*

1-2. On the southern bank of Narmada, there is the ex
cellent Devatlrtha. Paramesvara was propitiated by Devas who
came there.
He who is free from lust and anger and takes his holy bath
there in the Tlrtha, shall undoubtedly attain the benefit of
(the gift of) a thousand cows.
V .iii.lSl.1-15 387
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYONE
The Greatness oj Ndgesvara llrtha

cellent Nagatlrtha where the great serpents achieved fulfilment,
О king, when a cause of terror occurred.
Yudhisthira said:
• ■
О excellent Brahmana, usually Nagas (serpents) cause great

terror unto the world (people). How then did a cause of great
terror unto them occur whereby they engaged themselves in a
severe penance.
0 dear one, everything pertaining to the past, present and
future in the case of Suras, Asuras andjiuman beings is entirely
known to you. Hence my curiosity is great.
The distress that I undergo is due to Duryodhana. When it
is flooded with the words issuing forth from your lotus-like
mouth, it ceases to oppress.
The more I hear the sin-destroying story narrated through
your mouth, О sage of excellent holy vows, the more I recollect
this, and the desire for further hearing arises all the more.
Of course, a Brahmana should not be given further strain
but no one else knows the great benefit of the great Vidyadana
(gift of learning) narrated and listened to.
After understanding this duly, may the story with reference
to the question put by me be narrated, О Brahmana, by adopt
ing the compassionate gesture towards me.
m

8-15. О king, the more you are talking (putting questions),
the more fluency comes to my speech. Despite the slackness
resulting from my senility, affection for you never perishes, О
dear one.
1 shall recount the old legend1 the way it occurred as re
counted earlier by elders traditionally, О descendant of Bharata.
1. This is a rehash of the legend of the wager between Kadru and Vinata
about the colour of the divine horse Uccaissravas. The horse was white
Kasyapa had two wives, the most excellent ones in all the
worlds. They were Vinata, mother of Garuda, and Kadrii, mother
of serpents. A dispute between them arose at the sight of rhe
horse (Uccaihsravas) in the morning, О great king. Vinata perceived
the form of the horse brilliant like the refulgence of the sun.
He was completely white. She said to Kadru: “See here, О
lady of excellent countenance, the wholly white form of the
horse Uccaissravas that incessantly runs with the speed of wind.”
On seeing him proceeding fast, she (Kadrii) was deluded by
a fit of internal envy. Considering him black, she prattled thus
to her, О excellent king:
“O Vinata, О cruel one spoiling the whole family! You are
a Her. I say, this is black. If you say, this is white, you will fall
into the great abysm of Naraka.”
Vinata said:
16-26. A true statement and a false one shall be our stakes,
yours and mine. I shall be a maidservant in your house for a
period of one thousand years in case my statement proves false.
Thus they pledged each other’s plight and went home at

night. They had by that time abandoned the paroxysm of anger.
They went to their kinsmen and mentioned the stake, the
incident that took place between Kadrii and Vinata in the plea
sure spot.
On hearing it, all the kinsmen as well as the sons of Kadrii
thought that a despicable thing was committed by their mother.
It was not conducive to their welfare.
They said: “Mother, the excellent horse is not black. How
can he become black? On account of this stipulation, О lady
of holy rites, you will have to become a slave."
Kadru said:
Do something immediately lest I should become a slave. This
is my suggestion that you should penetrate the hair pores of
but Kadrft stated that he was black. To maintain her stand on the colour
of the horse, she ordered her sons to assume hair-like forms and cover
the body of the horse. Those who refused to do so were cursed with death
in fire (Mbh., Adi. 20.8)
V .iii.l 31.27-36 389
that horse. If this is done for a very short while, she will become
my slave. Thereby, О serpents, you will become happy.
The serpents said:

О fair lady, although you have been considered (and honoured)
as the mother of serpents on the earth, still she (Vinata) can
not be deceived outright.
Kadrii said:
If there are serpents on the earth not caring to carry out my
behest, all of them will straightway fall into the jaws of Havyavaha
(fire).
On hearing these terrible words that issued from the mouth

of their mother, some of them entered the hairs (of the horse).
Others stayed on mountains. Some of them entered Ganga and
others began to perform penance.
27-36. Then at the end of a thousand years, Paramesvara
was pleased. Mahadeva, the creator of the universe, spoke in
majestic words:
“O serpents, desist from the austerities. I shall grant you the
great benefit thereof which you wish for. You need not worry
over it.”
The serpents said:

О Mahesvara, О Lord of Devas, we are afraid of the curse
of Kadru. We shall stay near you until the annihilation of all
living beings.
Devadeva (Siva) said:

This mighty Vasuki, the excellent one among serpents, alone
shall stay always near me. He will be the protector of all from fear.
At my bidding the other serpents need not fear at all. Leap
ing into the waters of Narmada those serpents can be well
protected. They need not be afraid of death. Stay where you
desire to. There is no fear of the curse of Kadrii. This is my
supreme seat (vistarah parah?).
** #
390 Skanda Parana
Thus, after granting them the boon, Mahesvara, the Lord of

Devas, went to Kailasa mountain passing through the sky.
When the Lord vanished, О king, the serpents, the chief of
whom was Vasuki, installed Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, and
went away.
If anyone adores Siva in that TIrtha on the fifth lunar day,
all the eight families of Nagas will never injure him.
One who dies in that TIrtha, О king, shall become Siva’s
attendant for a long time and stay there as long as he wishes.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYTWO
The Greatness of Adivdraha TIrtha

ф

1-7. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to the TIrtha
named Varaha which dispels all sins. It is situated on the north
ern bank of Narmada.
It is there that Lord Visnu, the sustainer of the universe and
the Lord enabling people to cross the ocean of worldly exist
ence, assumed the form of a Boar and stationed himself for the
sake of the welfare of the worlds.
A devotee should take his holy bath there in that TIrtha and
worship Dharanldhara (i.e. Lord Visnu) by means of specially
prepared scented garlands. He should indulge in loudly shout
ing Victories unto the Lord" and similar auspicious activities.
О excellent king, he should observe fast on the twelfth lunar
day. He should shun the very touch of Vrsalas of sinful activi
ties as well as Andhapisacins (blind ghostly beings), since sin will
be transmitted by them if they talk, touch their body and take
food along with them. Even when they breathe out, sin is trans
mitted.
On the other hand, Brahmaîas should be duly and devoutly
adored in accordance with one's capacity. During the night,
the devotee should keep awake listening to pious stories.
Those who have conquered bad temper and take holy bath
in the pure TIrtha, should visit the Lord, the preceptor of the
universe. Thereby they will be rid of all sins.
V.iii. 1S2.8— 133.7 391
8-13. On seeing the face of the Lord in the form of a

Boar, all sins perish quickly just as on seeing Suparna (Garuda)
serpents perish discharging their poison and terrifying fiery
nature.
Just as on seeing the Sun, the most excellent one among
Devas, the darkness in the sky perishes, so also the sins very
difficult to counteract perish on seeing the face of Dharadhara
(Lord Visnu), О son of Kunti.
Of what avail are numerous Mantras to a person who has
devotion to Lord Janardana! The very Mantra namo ndrdyandya
is the means of achieving every object.1
Even a single obeisance offered to Kr§na is on a par with the
valedictory bath after ten Asvamedhas. A person who performs
ten horse-sacrifices takes birth again, but one who makes obei
sance to Krsna is not reborn.
■ • •
Those persons who have conquered the sense-organs and

the noble souls who meditate upon the Narayana form of Hari
and cast off their body there in the Tirtha attain that place
devoid of impurities, not available even to Suras. That is the
greatest region of Visnu free from Ksara. (perishable) and Aksara
(imperishable).
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYTHREE
The Glory of Kaubera and other Tirthas

1-7. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the great
group of four Tirthas, a mere visit to which brings about the
destruction of all sins. They are Kaubera, Varuna, Yamya and
Vayavya. It was here that the highly intelligent and powerful
Guardians of Quarters became Siddhas.
Yudhisthira said:
* 9
What for, О sinless one, was penance performed by the Guardians
1. This shows the influence of or leaning to PSAcarfttrism.

Skanda Purina
*
of Quarters formerly on the bank of Narmada? It behoves you

to narrate this to me.
Markandeya said:
Inasmuch as the world (worldly existence) is weak, feeble
and unstable like a drop of water hanging from a blade of
grass, all people crave for a stable base. All the four types of
living beings whether mobile or immobile are fickle, free of
essence like the core of a plantain tree and unreal like mirage.
That being the case, Dharma is mother, Dharma is father, Dharma
is kinsman as well as friend. Dharma alone is the support of
all living beings in all the three worlds consisting of mobile and
immobile beings.
After realizing this all the Guardians of Quarters waited for
an opportunity and performed an unparalleled penance taking
in wind alone as their food.
8-17. When half of Krtayuga passed off, Mahadeva was
pleased. О great king, Paramesvara granted them an open choice
of a boon saying, “Whoever wishes for anything, whatever he
may desire, I shall grant it."
Thus in accordance with the Yuga, the mighty Guardians of
Quarters were asked to choose. On hearing these words of Siva,
the Guardians of worlds intending to do what is good for the
world requested the Lord for an excellent boon.
Kubera said:
О Mahadeva, if you are pleased, if a boon has to be granted
to me, let me be the Lord of Yaksas and Dhanada, the bestower
of wealth.
Then Yama engaged in controlling (all) said to the Lord of

Devas: “O Lord, let me be the chief of all living beings."
After bowing down to Mahe£vara, Varuna said thereafter:
“Let me sport about in the Varuna world accompanied by the
groups of aquatic beings."
After bowing down to Mahesvara, Vayu asked immediately,
О descendant of Bharata. It was the ability to spread all over
the three worlds that he requested for.
V .iii.l S3.18-38 393
After granting the cherished desire to all the Guardians of

the worlds, Saftkara vanished along with Uma. When Lord
Mahesvara had vanished, they remained in their respective places.
Installation of the Lord was carried out by them severally after
their own names. Kubera installed Kuberesa, Yama Yamesvara,
Varuna Varunesa and Vata Vatesvara, О king.
18-27. With different kinds of auspicious Mantras duly
chanted, they offered libations after worshipping the Lord of
all in accordance with the injunctions.
All of them like the Lords of all, invited Brahmanas who had
fully subdued the sense-organs and mind, who had subdued
anger, who granted freedom from fear unto all living beings,
who were clever in the Vedic lore and were masters of all
scriptural texts, and who were embellished with Rk, Yajus, Saman
and Atharva Vedas.
They said, “We shall give four types of Danas unto ye all.
Accept.** After saying this they did the excellent Bhumidana
(gift of plots of land) unto all those Brahmanas.
(The Brahmanas said,) M Your Dana will last as long as the
Moon and the Sun shine and as long as the Earth exists. There
shall be no enemy.”
Whether it is a king or someone on a par with a king, if one
loses what is given by the Guardians of the worlds, he is de
luded. What is in store for him may be listened.
О descendant of Bharata, Dhanada will dry up the assets of
that sinner; Varuna will make his body dried up. Wind-god will
make his lineage dried up (extinct). His life becomes defunct.
Yama, the great controller of all, takes away his life quickly.
Hutabhuk (Fire-god) reduces him to ashes and goes away, О
descendant of Bharata.
Hence, О Yudhis(hira, all kings should have devotion to
Brahmanas if they wish their own welfare.
King is a tree. Brahmanas are like the root thereof. Atten
dants are the leaves and ministers its branches. Hence the root
should be protected with effort. If the root is well preserved
the tree does not die.
28-38. A person making gifts of land dwells in heaven for
sixty thousand years. One who seizes it or slights or denigrates
others shall stay in Naraka for as many years.
394 Skanda Parana
Land given by one's own people or others should be well-

protected. Whoever has the land has the fruit (benefit) thereof.
Those kings who remember the command of the deities and
preserve the earth shall always reside in heaven. О Yudhi$(hira,
land given by one*s own people or others should be well-pro
tected by a king. Protection of land is better than the gifting
thereof.
If kings are scrupulously engaged in the protection of the
subjects, their longevity, fame, strength, wealth and progeny
shall be everlasting certainly.
After saying thus to the excellent Brahmanas (P) all the Guardians
of the worlds adored them duly and sent them off after bowing
down duly.
After the leading Brahmanas had gone the Guardians of the
worlds took their holy bath and performed Н ота. Being hun
gry they wandered here and there for alms. Their bodies were
reduced to mere bones and skin, with their hands holding the
alms bowl. They did not get even a moiety of half of a morsel.
They set out from the city and after angrily cursing the Brahmana(P),
О Yudhi$thira: like uYou shall be poor always and also fools",
they went home.
Ever since then all the Brahmanas were deprived of their
wealth. As a result of the curse those in the northern region
became miserable.
SaAkara said thus: T h e wealth of father is not always en
joyed by sons, nor that of sons and gurdians by father for all
the period.” Kala alone enjoys (eats up) all.
39-48. A man who takes his holy bath in the Kuberesa
Tlrtha and worships Siva with scents, incense and prostrations
shall derive the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.
One who takes his holy bath in Yama Tlrtha and visits Yamesvara
shall be liberated from all sins incurred in the course of seven
births.
Listen to the meritorious benefit of a person who takes his
holy bath on a full-moon and a new-moon day and performs
Pitftarpana (offering libations to Pitrs). Pitrs and Pitamahas
become well-pleased. Prapitamahas (great-grandfathers) remain
sfM|rting about in heaven for twelve years.
A man who takes his holy bath in Varunesa Tlrtha and wor
ships Mahesvara obtains the excellent benefit of a Vajapeya
V.iii Л34.1-2 395
Yajna. On death after a long time he goes to the world where

Jalesvara (Varuna) is present by means of a (special) vehicle.
He will be sung about by groups of celestial damsels.
A man who takes his holy bath in Vatesvara Tilth a and wor
ships Mahesvara becomes blessed and contented by seeing the
Guardians of the worlds.
Of what avail to him are many Yajnas with plenty of Daksina
or Dana, if he takes his holy bath in all the four TIrthas and
obtains the benefit of the birth.
They are blessed, they are noble souls, their birth and life
is well-lived who stay in Kaurili (PKauberl) always after inviting
the Guardians of the worlds.
This narrative is destructive of sins. It is meritorious, condu
cive to wealth and capable of augmenting the span of life. The
sins of those who read and listen to it shall be dispelled en
tirely.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYFOUR
The Greatness of Ramesvara Tirtha

0

cellent Ramesvara Tirtha that is meritorious, destructive of sins
and capable of dispelling all miseries.
Those who take their holy bath there in the Tirtha and
worship the great Lord Mahadeva, the great soul, are liberated
from all sins.
396 Skanda Purina
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYFIVE
The Greatness of Siddhesvara Tirtha

1-5. Beyond that itself is another excellent Tirtha named
Siddhesvara. It is endowed with all good qualities and is honoured
in all the worlds.
One who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and wor
ships Uma and Rudra, shall attain the excellent benefit of a
Vajapeya Yajna.
On death he shall attain heaven due to that great merit.
There he will be surrounded by groups of celestial damsels of
auspicious features proclaiming his victory.
He shall sport about there as he pleases for a thousand
years. Then he shall be reborn in a great family rich with
wealth and foodgrains.
О best among men, he will be master of the Vedas and
Vedangas and honoured by all. He will be free from ailments
and grief and live a hundred years.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYSIX
The Greatness of Ahalya Tirtha}

Ahalyesvara Tirtha where the blessed ascetic lady Ahalya re
ceived redemption and fulfilment formerly.
There was a Brahmana named Gautama who was like an-
’other Brahma. He was endowed with truthfulness and piety.
He was engrossed in the Vanaprastha stage of life.1
1. Here the AhalyS episode is the same as in Valmtki Ramdyana (VR), Sargas
48-49. But AhalyS's penance and installation of a Liriga on Narmadi is
a new feature.
V.iii. 136.8-24 397
His blessed wife named Ahalya was very famous in all the
three worlds as a woman endowed with beauty and prime of
youth.
Satakratu, the king of Devas, was infatuated by the excep
tional beauty of Ahalya. The Slayer of Bala, therefore, tempted
her.
mO beautiful lady of uncensured features, resort to me, the
king of Devas. Sport about with me. You shall be one honoured
in all the three worlds. What will you do with this Brahmana
who has become lean and emaciated due to his over-zealous-
ness for purity and conventional rites and austerities and Vedic
studiesl О lady of beautiful eyes, you must be rather undergo
ing sufferings now.”
On being told thus, the beautiful lady, very fickle by nature
as all women are, became confused and defiled by the god of
Love. Mentally she became overwhelmed by $akra.
8-16. Sensing her emotional upheaval the Lord who slew
Рака was so overcome by wicked intentions that he deceived
Gautama.
Getting an opportunity, he assumed the excellent guise of
the sage and carnally delighted Ahalya who believed (that he
was Gautama) in the inner apartment.
Within a moment thereafter, О descendant of Bharata, the
excellent sage hurriedly entered the apartment.
On seeing Gautama come Purandara became terrified and ф
he went out. Seeing him he thought (knew) that it was Sakra.

So Gautama became highly enraged and he cursed Devendra:
“Since you could not control your senses, be one with a thou
sand vaginal apertures.” On being cursed thus, Devendra was
instantly covered with a thousand vaginal apertures. He be
came bereft of all glory. He left the kingdom and the Suras'too.
He performed elaborate penance on the earth.
Ahalya too was cursed by Gautama: uSince you have been
caught red-handed in your wicked actions, since you have carnally
delighted Sakra within my view, you shall be turned into a rock.
At the end of a thousand years you will see Rama, the re
nowned one, who would be coming here during his pilgrimage.
Thereby you shall be rid of your sins.”
17-24. As the stipulated period of time elapsed she was
seen by the intelligent Rama in the company of Visvamitra. She
V
absolved herself of her rocky form and adored Rama duly.

Thereby she became free of sins and malignant features. She
came to the Tirtha on the banks of Narmada and duly took
her holy bath.1
For a month she performed the Candrayana rites and there
after the Krcchra rites for another month. Mahadeva became
pleased and granted her excellent boons. Umapati vanished
and sported about for a long time.
When the Lord went away, Ahalya installed the preceptor
of the universe by the name Ahalyesvara and went back to her
abode.
He who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and adores
Paramesvara, shall obtain heaven after death. He will sport
about in the place where Lord Mahesvara is present in that Loka.
The performer of great penance, at the end of a thousand
years, will be reborn in human form endowed with wealth and
foodgrain in plenty and be accompanied by sons and grand
sons. He will be born in a pure family and be the receptacle
of Vedic lore. Intelligent and handsome; he will be very for
tunate. He will live for more than a hundred years afflicted
with no ailments as a result of his resorting to Ahalya Tirtha.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYSEVEN
The Greatness of Karkatesvara Tirtha

1-8. О Dharmaputra, thereafter one should go to the ex
cellent Karkatesvara Tirtha on the northern bank of Narmada.
It is destructive of all sins.
He who takes his holy bath there in accordance with the
injunctions and adores Siva, shall never return from Rudraloka.
Undoubtedly his departure will be one without a return.
It is very difficult to describe in detail the greatness of the
Tirtha as heard by me in the Puraiia. Hence I shall recount
it briefly.
1. This portion is not in VR. It is added for the glorification of Narmadi

by the Purft&a writer.
V.iii. 138.1-10 399
Whatever is done by one at that Tirtha, whether auspicious

or inauspicious, О great king, out of delight or arrogance, shall
entirely become everlasting.
After performing penance there at that Tirtha Valakhilyas
and Marlcis rejoice in the different worlds even today as they
please, О scion of the family of Kurus.
Men staying there do not know it as they are excluded from
its knowledge in the same manner as one is not aware of the
immutable Atman, the imperishable refulgence stationed in
the body.
There at the Tirtha, Goddess NarayanI began her penance
formerly and even today she continues the severe austerities
which she has been doing for the last one hundred million
years.
A devotee should take his holy bath in the Tirtha and pro
pitiate the Pitrs and deities. His Pitamahas become satisfied for
twelve years thereby.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYEIGHT

*
The Greatness of Sakra Tirtha

0
Sn Markandeya said:
1-5. Thereafter, О son of Pandu, a person should go to the
excellent Sakratlrtha where Satakratu (Indra), the illustrious
king of Devas, became a Siddha,
On knowing that the Lord of Suras was cursed by Gautama,
the deities beginning with Brahma and all the sages who regard
penance as their wealth pleaded to Gautama through splendid
words: uO Lord of sages, Sakra is bereft of his kingdom and
glory. О Brahman a, none will have any interest in the domain
without Indra, whether he be a Deva or a human being. О
venerable one, this is already known to you. Hence, О excel
lent Brahmana, take pity on him on whom innumerable vaginal
apertures have been foisted. Defiled by his own sin, Sakra is
absconding now.”
6-10. On healing the words of the Devas, Gautama, the
greatest of those-conversant with the Vedas, consented and
400 Skanda Parana
9
Ф +
began to grant a boon unto Sakra: “O Satakratu, the thousand

vaginal apertures that were earlier produced (on your body)
shall now become a thousand eyes with my favour.”
On being told thus the Thousand-eyed One bowed down to
the excellent sage and the virtuous Brahmanas. Thereafter, he
came to Narmada.
He. took his holy bath in the pure waters and installed god
Tripurantaka. After that he went back to heaven, being adored
by groups of celestial damsels.
A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and
adores Paramesvara, becomes absolved of the sin of violating
the chastity of other men’s wives..
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTYNINE
The Greatness of Somatirtha

0
Sri Магкапфеуа said:

lent Somatirtha where Soma performed penance and attained
a permanent place in the stellar path.
Listen, to the meritorious benefit of a person who takes his
holy bath there in that Tirtha after duly and ceremoniously
sipping the holy water, and having performed Japa meditates
on Ravi.
Merely by reciting the Gayatrl Mantra here, one gets that
benefit which is cited as the benefit of one who recites the
Mantras of Rk, Yajus and Sama Vedas, О descendant of Bharata.
If a devotee remains pure and feeds a few Brahmanas there
at that Tirtha, it becomes as meritorious as a crore Brahmanas
fed properly in accordance with the injunctions.
If a person makes gifts of sandals and shoes, garments, um
brella, blankets and horses to an eminent Brahmaâ, it is on
a par with such things gifted to a crore such Brahmanas.
6*13. The feeding of thousands and thousands of Brahmanas
utterly ignorant of the Rk verses does not merit even a six
V.iii. 140.1-6 401
teenth part of the feeding of one Brahmana fully conversant

with the Mantras.
A person need feed only one master of the Vedas knowing
many Rks (by heart), or if he belongs to another Sakha (branch
of Vedic study), he should be an Adhvaryu (i.e. Yajurvedin) or
Chandoga (i.e. Sshnavedin) or Samaptiga (i.e. one who has
concluded Vedic Studies).
In Somatirtha if one person well-versed in the Vedas (is fed),
one gets the merit said to result from performing a thousand
Agnihotras by learned men.
If a man feeds a hundred, he gets the merit of feeding a
thousand. (There) learned men know that the merit of (feed
ing) one well-versed in Yoga (is on a par with it).
Wherever a sage resides after restraining the sense-organs,
the holy place should be deemed as Kuruksetra, Naimi$a or
Puskara.
Hence one should assiduously feed a Yogin at the time of
solar and lunar eclipses, during Sankranti or Vyatlpata in par
ticular.
One who enters into Saiimyasa stage at that Tirtha, О Yudhi?{hira,
becomes glorious and goes to heaven by means of an aerial
chariot. He becomes an attendant of Soma. He rejoices along
with him.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTY
The Greatness of Nanddhrada Tirtha

1-6. Thereafter, О great king, a devotee should go to the
excellent Nandahrada where the glorious Goddess Nandadevi,
bestower of boons7*became a Siddha.
Formerly there was a notorious Danava Mahi$asura with a
huge body in Krta Yuga. He caused terror unto the Devas. He
was killed by the Trident-wielding Goddess. His body was pierced
with the spear.
It was this powerful Asura who, in Kfta Yuga, defeated eleven
Rudras, (twelve) Adityas, along with the group of (fortynine)
402 Skanda Purana
9
Maruts, (eight) Vasus along with Moon-god and Sun-god. He

defeated Brahma, Vi$nu and Mahesvara.
When the terror of the Devas was thus killed in a fierce
battle, Goddess Nanda of wide eyes, after the terrible slaugh
ter, took her bath in the Hrada (pool). Hence it is remem
bered as Nandahrada.
He who takes his holy bath there in that TIrtha and offers
gifts to Brahmanas with Goddess Nanda in view, shall attain the
merit of performing an Asvamedha.
7-11. Bhairava, Kedara, Mahalaya Rudra and the fourth one
Nandahrada (are the excellent shrines). A fifth one is very rare
to find.
Many who are overwhelmed by Kama and Raga do not know
that Hrada in Narmada which is meritorious and destructive of
all sins.
If a person takes his holy bath there, in that TIrtha, and
worships Goddess Nanda, of what avail is the departure unto
Himalaya* to him?
Those who are ignorant of reality, wander here and there
as they are enveloped in Tamas. One experiences only tire
someness in associating with them.
О son of Kunti, by taking the holy bath in Nandahrada, О
king, one attains that merit which is mentioned as the merit
of taking holy bath and offering Dana everywhere on the earth
encircled by the oceans.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYONE
The Greatness of Tapesvara Tirtha

Tapesvara Tirtha where a doe frightened by a hunter became
a Siddha.
After casting off her limbs (body) into the water, she rose
up unto the outer space. The hunter was dismayed at the sight
of the doe. He set aside his bow and arrows and started per
V.iii. 141.6-11 403
forming excellent austerities. Penance was performed by the

hunter for a period of a thousand divine years.
When the time elapsed thus, Mahesvara became pleased. He
said, “O great hunter, speak up what appeals to your mind.
What boon shall be granted?4
Vyadha said:
О Lord of Devas, if you are pleased, if a boon is to be
granted to me, let my stay beside you be granted to me, О
Mahadeva.
Isvara said:
6-11. Let it be so, О hunter. You are granted the boon
desired by you.
After saying this, Mahadeva, the Lord of Devas, vanished.

When the Lord disappeared the Vyadha installed Mahesvara,
worshipped him in accordance with the injunctions and went
to heaven.
Ever since then that Tirtha became well-known in all the
three worlds. It is heard that Tapesvara Tirtha originated from
the repentance of the Vyadha.
He who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and worships
Sankara attains Sivaioka. So said Mahesvara to me.
Men who bathe in the Tapesvara Tirtha in the waters of
Narmada, are liberated from the three types of distress. No
hesitation need be felt in this respect.
For the sake of the suppression of sins, a devotee should
take the holy plunge on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days
and particularly on the third lunar day.
404 Skanda Parana
m
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYTWO
The Greatness of Rukmini Tirtha

#

excellent Rukmini Tirtha. By taking the holy bath only therein,
one shall become handsome and fortunate.
If a devotee takes his holy bath on the eighth, fourteenth
or the third lunar day in particular, he will never be born here
again.
He who takes his holy bath and makes the gift of gold, will
never incur sorrow due to the power of that Tirtha.
Yudhisthira said:
• •
О great sage, how did this Tirtha come to possess such a

great efficacy? Kindly tell me how this Tirtha became capable
of according beauty and good fortune.
ф

О descendant of Bharata, I shall recount the old legend in
the manner it occurred and also as traditionally narrated by
elders from early days. That I shall recount to you. Listen with
concentration of mind.
Bhismaka was a ruler of the city named Kundina.1 He was
richly endowed with horses, elephants and chariots. He was
wealthy and very powerful. Shining in the midst of a thousand
women, he administered the splendid kingdom.
8-15. Mahadevi ('great queen’) was his wife dear to him
more than his own very vital breaths. He begot of her a son
named Rukmaka.
The second child born was a daughter named Rukmini. At
that time an unembodied etherial voice told him, mO Bhismaka,
this girl should be given to a Four-armed One (born) on this
earth."
On hearing these words, he and his beloved became de
tained. Along with learned Brahmanas, he entered the lying-
1. KundiAapura near Amaravaii in Vidarbha (Maharashtra).

V.iii.142.16-27 405
in-chamber and made them recite the Svastika prayers and the
girl was duly named Rukminl.
О descendant of Bharata, she was proclaimed Rukminl by
the Brahmanas then because she had a freckle golden in colour
congenitally.
As time passed on she became a girl of eight years. The king
recollected the words of the unembodied being and became
worried. ‘To whom shall I give this daughter? Who will be the
four-armed one?*
In the meantime Damaghosa, the chieftain of Cedi came
there from the excellent mountain Raivata1.
16-27. He entered the royal palace where King Bhlsmaka
was present. On seeing him arrived in the abode, the king duly
adored him.
He was taken to the Royal Court and given a proper seat.
'This day has dawned meritoriously. I was eager to see you. О
great king, my daughter has come to the age of eight years.
The ethereal voice of an unembodied being has told that she
should be given to a Four-armed One”.
On hearing the words of Bhlsmaka, Damaghosa said thus:
“My son is well known in all the three worlds as Four-armed
One (Caturbhuja). О Bhlsmaka, let this girl be given to Sisupala.”
On hearing the words of Damaghosa, О king, Rukminl was
*
betrothed to Sisupala by Bhlsmaka.

The auspicious ceremonial beginning was made by Bhlsmaka,
О Yudhisthira. All the kinsmen and members of the family who
were staying in far-off countries in every direction, were invited
and they duly arrived.
Then Bala and Kesava, the distinguished members of the
Yadava clan, were also invited. They came to the city of Kundina
of Bhl$maka. The most excellent scions of the family of Yadu
were duly received and honoured by Bhlsmaka.
At the time of dusk, Rukminl, the bride of seductive charms,
went out of the city accompanied by her female companions
for the worship of Ambika.
There she saw Hari, the Lord of Devas, in the guise of a
cowherd. On seeing him, she was excited by the god of Love
and became completely fascinated.
1. Cedi is Bundelkhanda and Raivata or Girnar is in Gujarat The author has

faint ideas about Indian Geography.
406 Skanda Purana
On seeing her, Kesava said to Sahkarsana, “O dear brother,

in my view the excellent jewel of a girl should be taken away.”
28-40. On hearing the words of Kesava, Sahkarsana said:
uGo ahead, О Kr$na, О mighty one. Let the jewel of a girl be
seized quickly. I shall follow you closely behind causing much
havoc unto all these demons.”
On getting the consent of Sahkarsana, Kesava, the slayer of
Kesin, seized the girl, immediately put her on the chariot and
went off.
Setting off in quick speed like wind, О king, he went ahead.
There arose a great hue and cry in the city of Bhismaka.
The enraged demons came out like billows (of flowtide) in
the great ocean. All of them were perfectly armed and they
roared as they ran after the chariot along the highway.
They overtook Baladeva who was following the chariot along
the highway. A battle that threatened annihilation of all the
worlds ensued between them and Bala, as in the case of an
earlier well-known battle for Tara (Brhaspati’s wife).
Wielding the club in his hand, Bala, the mighty one, had no
match in all the three worlds. He forcefully dragged them by
means of his ploughshare and struck them down with blows of
the club.
The powerful Balabhadra could not be struck by the Danavas.
He smashed all the demons and stood there unshakeable like
a mountain.
On seeing Bala much infuriated and unassailable even by
gods, the highly refulgent son of Bhismaka, the well-renowned
warrior named Rukmin, took an Aksauhini (large divisions of
chariots, horses etc.) of men of great heroism, attacked and
tried to repulse Balabhadra.
Accompanied by Rukmini Lord Kesava hurried along the
path in the chariot dodging the arena of the battle.
Crossing Vindhya, the immutable preceptor of the three worlds
came to the banks of Narmada where he had earlier achieved
perfection and invincibility by the power of this Tirtha.
41-48. It is for this reason, О dear one, that it is called
Yodhanlpura. Rukma (Rukmin) the leading Danava too came
to that excellent spot.
He furiously spoke (challengingly): “Stop! Stopl Do not go
away. I shall despatch you unto the abode of Yama by means
of sharp arrows.”
V.iii Л42.49-57 407
Both of those heroes roared like this against each other.

Their fight became terrible like that between Taraka and Skanda
(who was born of Agni). The demon discharged volleys of arrows
against Kesava. Ignoring them, Kesava, the slayer of Kesin, too
discharged arrows against him.
The infuriated Rukma took up an excellent bow and pierced
his chest with a sharp arrow. Thereupon Visnu himself became
furious, seized his discus Sudarsana and was about to hurl it
at Rukma when he was restrained by Rukmini.
“The fellow does not know you as the four-armed Janardana,
the Lord of Devas. Reveal your own real form taking pity on me."
On being requested thus by Rukmini, the Lord revealed his
form, О descendant of Bharata. On seeing that form the Devas
stationed in the sky began to eulogize. At that time, О descen
dant of Bharata, the Lord granted to Rukma the divine vision.
Rukma said:
49-57. О Lord Kesava, unlucky and sinful that I am, I had
hit your chest with arrows. It behoves you to forgive me.
Formerly Janaki was given over to you by Janaka himself.
Now, О Lord of Devas, Rukmini is offered unto you by me.
Marry her duly in accordance with the injunctions.
On hearing the words of Rukma, the Preceptor of the uni

verse became pleased. The Lord of the chiefs of Devas spoke
thus to Rukmin, the son of Bhismaka: “Go back to your own
city. Do not be afraid. Rule the kingdom free from thorns
(hindrances from enemies)."
On hearing the words of Kesava* Rukma, the leading Danava1,
bowed down to the Lord of the universe and went back to the
abode of his father.
When Rukma went back Krsna invited excellent Brahmanas.
• • • «
They were the seven mental sons of Brahma, namely Marici,

Atri, AAgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasi$tha, the highly
honoured one. These seven have been mentioned decisively in
the Purana.
О highly intelligent one, these sons of Brahma are truthful,
1. Rukma (Rukmi itt~Harivamsa) was not a Danava but a bonafide Kjatriya.

But to this Pura$S all opponents of Кода are Danavas or Rftkfasas.
408 Skanda Parana
»
men of fortitude, great ones endowed with progeny. They were

embellished by the great ones. They have come down to the
banks of Narmada to stay. They have conquered the sense-
organs. They are engaged in penance and self-study of the
Vedas. They are devoted to Japa and Н ота.
58-67. They were invited, О great king, by the noble-souled
Kesava. After duly performing the Sraddha in accordance with
the injunctions of Brahma, Hari honoured those seven great
Brahmana-sages.
Janardana granted them twelve villages there. “The gift offered
by me shall be yours as long as the moon and the sun shine
and the earth remains. There shall never be any enemy. I shall
bestow welfare on those kings of no sins, who will keep up what
has been offered by me. I will grant them the greatest goal.
Those who preserve what has been given by me rejoice in
heaven as long as the five great elements move about in the
worlds.
A fool who deprives you of what has been given on the earth,
will have to live invariably in Naraka until the annihilation of
all living beings.
The earth has to be protected whether bequeathed by one’s
own men or others. The benefit belongs to the person to whom
the earth belongs for the nonce.
He who takes away the earth bequeathed by one’s own men
or others, becomes a worm in faeces and sinks along with his
Pitrs (ancestors).
If the land is illegally confiscated or illegally caused to be
confiscated, the primary confiscator and the other who caused
it to be confiscated, are born as worms in faeces.
He who gifts a plot of land stays in heaven for sixty thousand
years. The confiscator (usurper) and he who abets it, shall stay
in Naraka for as many years.
68-79. Which gentle (good) man will take back the gifts
made over earlier by leading men, causing religious merit, wealth
and renown? They are on a par with the remnants of the offerings
made unto a deity.*1
.Jffc this manner the Slayer of Madhu honoured them duly
0Ш perfectly and then grasped the hand of Rukminf in mar
riage.
After finishing his task splendidly i.e. after conquering the
leading Danavas, Musalin (i.e. Balarama) came back to his abode.
V.iii Л42.80-89 409
Both of them, Krsna and Sankarsana, set off to Dvaraka.

On seeing Kesava, the destroyer of sufferings, going away,
the truthful Brahmanas of esteemed holy vows also started.
On seeing those Brahmanas closely following the chariot
along its path, Kesava stopped for a short while and spoke
these words:
“O excellent Brahmanas, speak out everything, what makes
you come along? Your duty towards me yet remains. Do carry
out your own tasks.”
On hearing the words of the Lord, the sages spoke thus:
“You have been venerated by us with truthful mental fervour
for thousands and crores of Kalpas. You are very difficult to be
attained by men but attained (now) by us; why do you abandon
us (summarily)?”
On hearing the words of the Brahmanas, the Lord spoke
thus: uThis is the truth, the sole truth. Again and again I repeat
this that I shall come on three occasions (everyday) to Mathura,
Dvaraka and Yodhanlpura.”
On hearing this, the Brahmanas returned to Yodhanlpura.
After manifesting himself in Mathura, the Lord incarnate,
manifested himself in three ways.
Thus everything past, present and future connected with the
origin of the Tirtha has been recounted to you. On hearing
this, one is sure to be rid of all sins undoubtedly.
80-89. He who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha1
and worships Bala and Kesava has actually venerated the sustainer
of the universe, the soul of three Gunas.
A man who observes fast and then circumambulates it shall
be liberated from all sins. No worry or hesitation be enter
tained in this respect.
Those men who see even the trees growing there in that
Tirtha are rid of sins though they may be as heinous as the sin
of foeticide.
Those who see Bala and Kesava after getting up in the morn
ing shall become equal to the Lord of Devas, the wielder of the
discus. They are worthy of being adored, worthy of being bowed
to. Their life is an excellent life.
]. Though Skanda follows Harivamsa in the story of the abduction of Rukmigi

by Krroa, the creation of Rukmigl Tirtha on NarmadS is a Skanda con
tribution.
410 Skanda ParanaЛ
О king, the Dana, the holy bath and the adoration of the
Lord there in that Tirtha shall entirely be everlasting. So said
Sankara.
О excellent king, listen to the merit cited as accruing to
those who die there entering fire. It shall be recounted com
pletely.
They shall go to the palace of Agni-god by means of an aerial
chariot shining with tinkling bells and solar splendour. He shall
rejoice there for as much time as he pleases.
Those who die getting drowned in water within the precincts
of Yodhanlpura shall stay in Varuna-Loka until the annihilation
of all living beings.
If people die in that Tirtha by ritualistic fast and starvation,
О king, their departure shall be one without return. There is
no hesitation or worry in this respect.
90-102. Listen to the benefit of this also, namely the excel
lent gift of a Kapila (tawny-coloured) cow there at that Tirtha
in accordance with the injunctions.
They shall be honoured with the fulfilment of all their de
sires. They will rejoice in heaven for as many years as there are
hairs on that cow and her calf.
He is honoured (in heaven) for as many years as there are
hairs on the cow. After slipping down from heaven on the
Triloki (one of the three worlds) he shall be born in the family
of those with plenty of cows.
He who gifts silver or gold there in that Tirtha is transported
to Vi$nuloka in a golden aerial chariot and he is honoured
there.
He who gifts a pair of sandals or garments there at that
Tirtha obtains the desired Svarga by the power of the gift.
There at that Tirtha, one obtains by means of Gayatri, that
benefit which is usually obtained by the study of the passages
of £k, Yajus and Samaveda.
Undoubtedly one obtains by merely bathing in that Tirtha
all the benefits of the following: the merit accruing from Prayaga,
Gaya, Tripu$kara, Kuruksetra when the sun is swallowed by
Rahu, О great king, and the merit accruing from Somesvara at
the time of a lunar eclipse.
V.iii.143.1-8 411
If a man takes his holy bath on the twelfth lunar day and
bows down to Janardana, the Pitrs are redeemed by him. The
fruit of his birth has been obtained by him.
If someone feeds a single Brahmana there at the time of
Sankranti (Transit of the Sun), Vyatlpata and particularly on
the twelfth lunar day, it shall then become one on a par with
the feeding of a crore of Brahmanas.
All the Tlrthas and the holy oceans on the earth are present
there on DvadasI day, О son of Pandu.
Ordinary Dana, Yajna, Bali (oblation) and other rites may
get lost but, О great king, what is performed there in that
TIrtha never gets lost.
Everything connected with the greatness of the TIrtha, past
and future, has been recounted to you in detail, О descendant
of Bharata.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYTHREE
The Greatness of Yojanesvara TIrtha

lent Yojanesvara TIrtha where, in a former Kalpa, the sages
Nara and Narayana became Siddhas.
It was after performing a penance there at that TIrtha that
both of them, Nara and Narayana, of noble souls, gained vic
tory in the battle between Devas and Danavas.
Again, when Treta Yuga arrived, Lords Rama and Laksmana
took their bath in that TIrtha. Thereby the invincible demon
Ravana could be killed.
■»
Again after the advent of Kali1age (sic) Lords Balarama and

Kesava were born in the family of Vasudeva. They performed
formidable deeds. Balarama and Kesava killed Naraka, Kalanemi,
Kamsa, Canura, Muspka, Sisupala and Jarasandha*(sic).12
1. Kali Age begaJTafter Krsna’s death. Hence he belongs to Dv&para Age.

2. Bhfma killed Jarasandha (Mbh, Sabha 24.7).
412 Skanda Purina
*
That Lord will kill in the battle Karna, Duryodhana and

others with Bhisma and Drona as their leaders.
• •
They will engage themselves in fighting in Kuruksetra, the

sacred battlefield, making Bhlma and Arjuna, the disciples of
each, as instruments.
They will go to that Tirtha again and perform a severe pen
ance. After devoutly honouring Brahmanas, they will return
to Dvarak& once again.
9-17. If a person takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and
worships Balarama and Kesava, it is as though the Supreme
Lord, the sustainer of the universe, endowed with the three
Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) is honoured by him.
A man who observes fast, keeps awake at night and sings his
splendid story, becomes absolved of all sins.
As many trees men see there in that Tirtha so many sins such
as those of Brahmana-slaughter etc. become dissolved (at once).
Those who get up in the morning and see Balarama and
Kesava, become by that very act of seeing, similar to the Discus
bearing Lord of Devas.
Those who bow down to Hari, Lord Narayana, worthy of
being adored by the whole universe become themselves worthy
of adoration and obeisance. Their life is well-lived.
Whatever is performed in that Tirtha by way of Dana, Snana
and adoration of the deity, the fruit thereof becomes everlast
ing.
It is (traditionally stated) that gold is the first progeny of
Agni. The earth (plot of land) belongs to Visnu and cows are
the children of Sun-god. If a person makes a gift of a cow, a
piece of gold or plot of land, it is as though all the three worlds
have been gifted by him.
Thus the entire excellence and greatness of the Tirtha, its
great efficacy past, present and future has been recounted to
you.
By listening to this and by narrating this to righteous per
sons, one is rid of all sins. No hesitation or worry in this regard
(is needed).
V.iii.144.1—145.3 413
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYFOUR
The Greatness of Dvadasi Tirtha

Ф

lent Dvadasi Tirtha. All the Dana as well as Japa, Ноша, Bali
and other rites performed (elsewhere) perish. But what is per
formed in Cakratirtha (?) never perishes.
Whatever is there in regard to the excellent greatness of the
Tirtha, past, present as well as future has been entirely re
counted by me separately, О descendant of Bharata.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYFIVE

# ___
The Greatness of Siva Tirtha

ф

1-3. Thereafter, О Lord of the Earth, a person should go
to the excellent Siva Tirtha; by seeing the Lord there one is
liberated from all sins.
One who has subdued (his) anger and the sense-organs and
takes his holy bath in Siva Tirtha and worships Mahadeva shall
attain the merit of performing Agnisfoma.
One who devoutly observes fast there in that Tirtha and
worships Siva, reaches Rudraloka from which he never comes
back. There is no doubt about it.
414 Skanda Purana
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYSIX
The Greatness of Asmdhaka Tirtha

1-7. Thereafter, a devotee should go to the excellent Pitrtlrtha
named Asmahaka where by (offering) a single ball of rice an
cestors are liberated from the state of ghost.
Yudhisthira said:
О sinless one, recount to me the greatness of Asmahaka as
well as the merit that accrues to one through performing Snana,
Dana, offering libation and balls of rice.

In a former Kalpa, О excellent king, in the assembly of sages
and Devas, this same question was put by me which you ask me
now, О dear one.
(If there be) on one side the seven seas (Sagaras) along with
Prayaga and Pu$kara, they do not attain equality with this. No
doubt need be felt in this respect.
A man obtains that merit which one gets (by Snana) at the
time of a lunar eclipse in the well-known Somanatha Tirtha
that was established by Soma.
At the end of a month (i.e. on Amavasya day) Pitrs look up
to their human progeny to ascertain whether someone will
offer them Pincjta here in this Tirtha. So also do Prapitamaha
(great-grandfather) and Adityas. This is (mentioned in) the
eternal Sruti. So say Devas and sages and ascetics.
8-14. Listen, О king, to the merit that accrues to one by
offering libation and Pindas but once. О eminent king, they
enjoy the splendid Yoga for twelve years.
In every Yuga, О great king, Pitamahas wait eagerly for the
arrival of a scion of their family in the Asmahaka Tirtha wish
ing, "Will our Amivasya occur in Amahaka (Asmahaka)?**
v Those who perform the rites of Snana, Dana and Tilatarpana
lib atio n with gingelly seeds and water) unto the Pitrs become
free from all sins. They attain all their desired objects.
V.iii. 146.15-32 415
In the midst of water, О king, there is Agnitlrtha as well. By

visiting that Tlrtha a heap of sins gets dissolved. Through a
holy bath alone, О leading king, one dispels the sin of the
slaughter of a Brahmana.
A person should always wear white clothes with self-restraint
and subduing of the sense-organs. He should stay in the vicinity
of the Tlrtha for a month taking food only once a day. Thereby
he obtains in full, the merit arising from the gift of a hundred
virgins adorned with gold. He is honoured in Pitrloka.
15-20. He shall be a lordly enjoyer of all pleasures on the
earth encircled by oceans. He shall be endowed with wealth
and foodgrains and become righteous and munificent.
One who remains pure and observes fast shall obtain the
world of Brahma. One who casts off his life after coming to
Asmahaka is honoured in Rudraloka for crores of thousand
years. Thereafter, slipping down from heaven when the meri
torious Karmas dwindle, he shall be born in a family rich in
gold, jewels and pearls and will be endowed with handsome
features.
After performing the ceremonious bathing in accordance
with the injunctions, he shall attain the merit of performing
a horse-sacrifice. He shall be wealthy, handsome, alert, clever,
munificent and righteous.
By taking the holy bath there in that Tlrtha, a devotee at
tains that merit which is acquired by the study of the four
Vedas and by speaking only the truth. This Tlrtha that is greater
than all the other Tfrthas, was created by Sambhu formerly.
21-32. Visnu himself, the Lord of the heart, performs the
Japa of Mahesvara. So also do Gandharvas, celestial damsels,
Maruts, Marutas, Visvedevas, Pitrs, Moon, Sun, Marici, Atri,
Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Pracetas, Vasistha, Bhrgu, Narada,
Cyavana, Galava, the great sage Vamadeva, Valakhilyas, Gandharas,
Trnabindu, Jajali, Uddalaka, Rsyasrnga, Vasistha, Sanandana,
Sukra, Bharadvaja, Vatsya, VStsyayana, Agasti, Mitra, Varuna,
Visvamitra, Munlsvara, Gautama, Pulastya, Paulastya, Pulaha,
Kratu1, Sanatana, Kapila, Vahni, Pancasikha and many other
sages of esteemed holy rites. All the Devas, sages, ascetics, human
]. W 22-26 containrcpetition of names, probably inadvertently done by the

redactor of SkP.
416 Skanda Parana
beings, Yogindras, Pitrs, along with Pitamahas etc. stay in Asmahaka.

There is no doubt about it.
Everything offered to them whether good or bad is perma
nent. Whatever is done in Yodhanipura is everlasting.
One forsakes his mother, father, all kinsmen, friendly folks,
wealth, foodgrains, dear sons and even very body, О excellent
king, and goes in the form of air accompanied solely by Subha
(merit) and Aiubha (demerit). He is invisible to all living beings
like the greater supreme Atman. By means of his own Karmas,
О king, he attains good and evil states.
Yudhisfhira said:
33-45. What is the reason for this? Neither Subha nor Asubha
befalls kinsmen. A creature at birth is alone. It is alone when
it gets dissolved (dies). He solely enjoys the meritorious ben
efits and alone he experiences the evil effects (of his actions).
Sn Markandeya said:
This great question put by you is remembered by me. What
is uttered by the very mouth of Pitamaha, I shall recount to
you. It was known from Pitamaha formerly in the Assembly of
Sages.
(Really) no one is mother, father, kinsman or friend unto
anyone at any time. As the embodied being becomes aerial in
form, his form is not known to anyone.
If such were not the case in the world, О dear king, every
thing would have gone beyond proper limits. The mobile and
immobile beings would have perished.
This was realized even very early by the creators of the worlds,
О king; Norms have been established lest Dharma (piety, righ
teousness) should perish in the world.
If Dharma perishes the unrighteousness of men will prevail.
As a result thereof people will go astray from their path and
it inevitably leads to downfall into hell.
Д11 people are uncontrolled by nature. All are intent on (i.e.
love) transgressing the norms of decency. Hence the bounds
of decorum were established by the great sages in the light of
the scriptural texts.
The various righteous acts are: Snana, Dana, Japa, Homo, self-
study of the Vedas, worship of the deities, offerings of libation
V.iiiЛ46.46-56 417
and balls of rice (to Pitrs) and hospitality unto guests. The
Pitrs, Pitamahas (grandfathers) and Prapitamahas (great-grand
fathers) are to be remembered as well as the three deities
Brahma, Vi$nu and Mahesvara.
All of them were adored by men of esteemed worth. So also
the three (generations beginning with) maternal grandfather.
Hence by means of all endeavour a devotee should follow the
acts of righteousness urged by the Sruti and Smrti texts. By
practising piety for ever, one is not defiled by the particles of
sin. One should not even think of transgressing the pious rites
laid down in the Sruti and Smrti (Texts).
46-56. If one desires for one’s own welfare in this world
as well as in the other, one should scrupulously practise pious
rites. Father and son are always identical, the original and its
replica, whether (living) together or separately. This is the
implication of the Sruti and Smrti passages.
One should lift oneself up by one’s own effort. One should
not allow oneself to sink in dejection and suffering, О son of
KuntI, by not offering libations and balls of rice. There is no
doubt about it. After realizing this one should be a person
regularly offering libations and balls of rice. Thereby longevity,
piety, fame, refulgence and progeny flourish.
I shall mention unto you all the Pitrksetras (holy spots spe
cific for the Manes) all over the earth encircled by the oceans,
where things offered yield great benefits. They are Gaya, Pu$kara,
Jye§£ha (?) Prayaga, Naimisa, Sannihati, Kuruksetra and Prabhasa,
О scion of the family of Ruru.
Undoubtedly, by means of the offering of libations and balls
of rice in Asmahaka on Narmada one obtains the benefit pro
claimed by learned men in the case of all those holy spots of
the Manes.
There all these are present: Brahma, the Slayer of Mura (i.e.
Vi$nu), Rudra along with Uma, Devas beginning with Indra, all
the Pitfs, sages, oceans, rivers, mountains, clouds and the Manes
too. Hence it is the Supreme Tirtha of all the Tirthas.
Brahma£ila (stone-slab of Brahma) is also there, О king, and
it resembles the forehead of an elephant. It is not visible in
Kali age. It is the most important part, the Gaya£iras. On the
new-moon day Mat the month of Vais&kha, the holy rock resem
bling the forehfc&d of an elephant, pervades the Tirtha to an
extent of a Gavyuti (six Kilometers). That is cited as the Tirtha.
418 Skanda Purana
9
57-66. If a person goes there on that day and performs

Srdddha, the Pitrs will become perfectly satisfied for a hundred
years.
One may take his holy bath there on any other new-moon
day as well. With sense-organs under control, one should per
form Sraddha duly reciting the prescribed Mantras.
Listen to the meritorious benefit he derives, О king. He
obtains that benefit which is ordinarily obtained by performing
Agni$toma, Asvamedha and Vajapeya. So Sankara has told me.
The fathers, grandfathers on the paternal and maternal sides
detained in all hells beginning with Raurava, if offered a ball
of rice or libations of water at least once, sport about in the
Pitrloka until all the living beings are annihilated. There is no
doubt about this.
Those who regularly performed their pious rites or those
who performed the opposite thereof and those who have be
come ghosts and spirits due to sins—all these are liberated
undoubtedly through a single Pinda (ball of rice).
A divine rock resembling an elephant stands in the Asmahaka
Tlrtha. It was created by Brahma formerly and it is destructive
of all sins. Upon this rock, О descendant of Bharata, a wise
person should offer balls of rice placed on Darbha grass with
the tips pointing to the south. They shall offer these with the
Pitrs in view.
■
The cooking of the food intended for the Sraddha shall be

done on the ground below duly (not on the rock). With the
Pitrs in view, О descendant of Bharata, various kinds of monetary
and other gifts should be made to Brahmanas invited for the
Sraddha, such as a pair of clothes, umbrellas, shoes, waterpot etc.
67-78. Listen to the meritorious benefit of the person who
offers these to an excellent Brahmapa. The Pitrs undoubtedly
become contented for a period of twelve years.
О great king, Pitrs and Pitamahas assuming aerial forms (at
Asmihaka) eagerly wait for a member of their family to arrive
there. T h e son shall arrive here at the Tlrtha, take his holy
bath and offer the libation. He may perform Sraddha or offer
balls of rice. Thereby we shall attain sudgati (good position)
(i.e. Mok$a)\"
The drops that fall from the garments after taking the holy
plunge shall delight the Pitrs staying in Nатака. There is no
doubt about it.
V.iii. 146.79-89 419
If any member of the family was not properly cremated in

funeral fire after death, the drops of water falling from the
hairs (of the performer of Sraddha) and other things wet therewith
will propitiate them.
A person should perform the Sraddha in accordance with
the injunctions in the Tirtha there and perform the Japa of
Pitr-Samhlta. They immediately redeem the ancestors.
When Amavasya coincides with a Monday, the man need
offer only a single ball of rice. The Pitrs attain everlasting
worlds. There is no doubt about this that everything becomes
everlasting if performed or offered there.
Persons performing the Japa of Pitrsamhitd redeem immedi
ately the Pitrs from Naraka.
Vrsotsarga
Even Vacaspati is not competent to recount the meritorious
benefit of a person who ritualistically discharges a Nila Bull1
perfect in every limb, after duly bathing it in the Tirtha on an
Amavasya day with the Pitrs in view, О descendant of Bharata.
Because you have been listening attentively, О descendant of
Bharata, I shall recount the merit that accrues by ceremoni
ously discharging a bull in Asmahaka. He shall redeem twenty-
one generations of the members of his family who have been
baked in Narakas beginning with Raurava.
A bull that has a pink-coloured face, grey tail and tawny-
coloured hoofs and horns, is called Nila Bull.
79-89. A bull that is tawny-coloured in all the limbs and
white in tail and hoofs is called Pinga Bull. It increases the
delight of Pitjrs.
A bull resembling a pigeon in colour, that has a Tilaka (freckle
mark) on the forehead is called Babhru. It should be perfect
and splendid. A bull that has the same colour all over the body
but has a tawny-coloured tail and hoofs is called Khura-pinga.
It gives a good position to Pitrs.
Some say that a bull that is blue in colour throughout the
body is a Nila BulL His eyes are bright red in colour.
Nila Bull is of five types: A Nila Bull bred in the house of
a Vaisya is the best of the lot.
1. The lerm is explained in verse 78 below.

420 Skatida Purina
9
A calf bred in the house should never be yoked to a plough.

The rite of Vr?otsarga should be performed only through it in
order to become free from indebtedness to Pitrs.
If a twice-born yokes to a plough, a calf bred in his house,
the Pitrs slip down even if they have attained the world of Brahma.
After drinking (water) the bull should shake its head. By
drinking the bull delights Pitrs. By shaking its head it redeems
the Pitrs from Naraka. When it shakes the tail and the drops
of water reach the shoulder the Pitrs of the family of the person
fallen into Naraka are redeemed.
In rainy season, it may bellow and scratch the ground with
the horns. It pleases the sages through the mud kicked up by
the hoofs.
By drinking, the bull delights Pitrs. Through eating (grass
etc.) and scratching (the ground) it delights Suras and by roar
ing and bellowing, sages and human beings. О son of Dharma,
the bull is Dharma personified.
90-97. One possessed by spirits or vampires or affected by
quartan fever should go to Asmahaka Tirtha, the destroyer of
the anguish of all.
After taking the holy bath in the pure waters, a piece of
Darbha grass should be tied on the head, armpit, navel or
round the neck.
He should then approach the deity Kesava and circumambulate
him. After uttering the Gayatri or any Vaisnava Mantra, he
should eulogize Narayana, the Lord of persons worthy of being
sought in refuge, the Lord saluted and venerated by all the Devas.
(Prayer) “Obeisance to you, О Lord born of a part of Yajna.
Obeisance to you, О omnipresent one. Obeisance, Obeisance
to you, Q Lord of Devas, О eternal Lord with the lotus as the
womb. О Damodara, be victorious. О infinite one, protect me
who have sought refuge in you.
You are the maker. You are the annihilator in this world
consisting of mobile and immobile beings. You protect living
beings. You support the universe. Be pleased, О Lord of the
chiefs of Devas. Waken the sleeping (paralysed) limb. I am
always engaged in meditative absorption in you. I consider devotion
jtyôu as the greatest. О Lord Acyuta, you have been eulogized
thus. Be pleased with me. Protect, protect me who have sought
refuge in you. Save me from sins."
V.iii.146.98-117 421
98-107. After eulogizing Hari, the Lord of Devas, and the

destroyer of Danavas, the devotee should take the holy bath
once again uttering the Mantra mentioned before.
He should then feed Brahmanas. After taking the holy plunge
in accordance with the injunctions laid down in the Vedas and
after duly offering the balls of rice, the person should recite
Svastika prayer.
This rite is repeated thrice. After making them repeat the
blessings, the Brahmanas should be sent off.
What is uttered there should be mentioned to the Brahmanas. ■
After taking the holy bath in the Tirtha the devout man or
woman should give monetary gifts after Sraddha is performed
duly.
When the devout person duly bathes the deity with milk,
honey, curds, or cold water, the Pitrs drink water in Puskarapdtras
(ethereal vessels).
A devotee who worships the Lord of Devas with flowers and
offers Naivedya at the time of Ayana (transit of the Sun), Visuva
(equinox), Yugadi (beginning of the Yugas) and Suryasankrama
(passage of the Sun to various Zodiacs) derives the full benefit
of an Asvamedha sacrifice.
A man who performs rites connected with solar eclipse there
in the Tirtha, О king, goes to Vi$nuloka by means of vehicles
resembling solar splendour and is honoured there.
A dutiful son who performs the Sraddha unto the Pitrs there
at the Tirtha has attained the benefit of his very birth (as a
son).
108-117. On hearing this, all the Devas with Sakra as
their leader, Brahma, Vi$nu and Mahesvara installed the Lord
who subdues all ailments and destroys all sins.
If a person remains pure and offers balls of rice on Amavasya
days throughout the year in the Asmahaka Tirtha, О king, he
obtains here itself that benefit (merit) which performers of
Sraddha attain in Tripu$kara, Gaya, Prabhasa and Naimisa.
A person, facing the south, should offer water mixed with
gingelly seeds and Darbha grass on holy days such as Manvadi,
Yugadi, Vyatlpata and Dinaksaya (evening). He who offers thus
to the fathers and mothers shall obtain the benefit of an Asvamedha.
A man who takes his holy plunge in Asmahaka and adores
Hari, Brahma and Sankara with devotion and keeps awake at
422 Skanda Purdna
и
night, shall be liberated from all sins and get the hospitality
of Sakra in heaven.
If a man takes his holy plunge there in the Tirtha and visits
Janardana and adores with special procedures and bows down
again and again, he is considered a good son. The salvation of
the Pitrs has been effected by him.
There is only one Miirti (image) for the three deities Brahma,
Visnu and Mahesvara. They are associated with good results
and causes. They are subtle and yield great benefits.
Thus, О king, the greatness of Asmahaka has been recounted
to you. It is destructive of great sins. What else do you ask?
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYSEVEN

ф

lent Siddhesvara Tirtha. It is an extremely fine spot situated on
the southern bank of Narmada.
One who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and adores
the Bull-emblemed Lord, shall be rid of all sins and attain the
status of those who perform a horse-sacrifice.
If a person takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and
assiduously performs Sraddha in order to propitiate the Pitrs,
it is as if he has done everything for that purpose.
No inclination for further stay in womb will be evinced, О
i
excellent king, by creatures that die there in that Tirtha.

A stay in the womb brings one to misery and never to hap
piness. There is no possibility of rebirth in the case of one who
bathes in the waters of that Tirtha.
V.ui.148.1-19 42S
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYEIGHT
The Greatness of Mangalesvara Tirtha

*

1-8. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the auspi
cious Angaraka (Mangalesvara) Tirtha on the northern bank
of Narmada. It is destructive of all sins.
On the fourth lunar day coinciding with a Tuesday the devo
tee should perform the Sankalpa-rite (ritualistic announcement
of the decision) resolutely and take his bath after sunset. He
then proceeds to perform the Sandhya rites of dusk.
He should adore Lohita (Mars) devoutly with sweet scents,
garlands and ornaments. The idol should be installed on the
ground and smeared with red sandalpaste.
Uttering “Obeisance to Ahgaraka” he should adore on the
pericarp of the lotus figure (drawn). Then on the petals be
ginning with the one in the east, he should perform the wor
ship uttering respectively. “Obeisance to Kuja”, “Obeisance to
Bhumi-Putra”, “Obeisance to Raktanga”, “Obeisance to Suvasas”,
“Obeisance to Harakopodbhava” ('born of the anger of Нага*),
“Obeisance to Svedaja” (‘bom of sweat’), “Obeisance to Atibahu”,
('of extremely powerful arms’) and “Obeisance to Sarvakamaprada”
(‘bestower of all desires’).
After duly worshipping thus, he (the devotee) should offer
the Arghya in accordance with the injunction. Then he utters
the Mantra: “Obeisance to you, О son of Earth, О highly pow
erful one, О deity born of the sweat of the Pinaka-bearing
Lord, О Lohitanga (red-bodied one). О Ahgaraka, I make,
obeisance to you.”
He then makes the gift of a water-pot filled with paddy rice
to a Brahmana along with gold and clothes and placed on
sweetmeat. At that time he repeats the Mantra, “May Kuja be
pleased with me.”
9-19. He should then offer Arghya with water mixed with
red sandalpaste- On an auspicious circular M a sa la (mystic
design drawn on the ground) a copper vessel is placed, filled
with gingelly seeds mixed with rice and strewn with red flowers.
He then places thtrvessel on his head and kneels on the ground.
The clever devotee then offers the Arghya sanctified through
424 Skanda Parana
*
Mantras. Thereafter the devotee who wishes for his welfare

takes in silently his food, soft, smooth* and sweet. He should
avoid saline, bitter and sour foodstuff.
The devotee celebrates this festival on three CaturthX-Angaraka
combinations and when the fourth occasion arrives he should
make an idol of Angaraka in gold within his capacity. It should
be beautiful. It is to be placed on an altar made of jaggery.
The devotee should worship the deity placed on jaggery with
sweet-smelling flowers. The idol is to be placed in the north
east along with jaggery and water. A vessel made of white copper
(?Kasdrena) shall be placed in the south-east and a pot filled
with red rice in the south-west. The wise man should place a
fourth Karaka (pot) filled with sweetmeat in the north-west.
This Karaka should be tied with a thread round its neck and
it shall be adorned with scented garlands.
A conch should also be blown and musical instruments played.
There shall be auspicious shouts of victory etc. A Brahmana
well-versed in the Vedic texts should be made to sit on a high
seat or in the middle of the platform. He should wear red
clothes, red garlands and unguents. He should be quiescent,
handsome and lucky-featured. He should be one engaged in
what is conducive to the welfare of all living beings. He should
be a master of all scriptural texts. After duly adoring him, О
son of Pandu, he should be asked to recite Vedic passages.
20-26. A red cow along with a red bull should be gifted
to him while uttering the Mantra, M May the deity, the son of
Earth, who is venerated by all Devas, be pleased.”
The devotee then circumambulates the Brahmaga along with
his wife and sons, father, mother and friends too. Afte* asking
for his forgiveness he should be sent off.
I shall tell you fully the meritorious benefit that accrues to
one when this rite is performed, especially at that Tirtha.
Due to the power of this Tirtha, О great king, he shall be
a handsome man with lucky features for seven births. No hesi
tation or doubt need be entertained in this respect.
If the man dies in the Tirtha willingly or otherwise, he shall
go to the City of Angaraka and will be adored by Devas and
Gandharvas.
After duly and befittingly enjoying the divine pleasures of
excellent nature, he is reborn here in the human world as a
pious king.
V.iii.149.1-15 425
He will be handsome and lucky. He will be free from all

ailments. He will live for more than a hundred years and all
the world will pay respects to him.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTYNINE
The Greatness of Linga Varaha Tirtha

Ф

1-6. Next to it is the holy spot well-known as Lingesvara where
by visiting the Lord of Devas, sins perish.
О Yudhisfhira, after working terrible havoc among Danavas,
the Lord assumed the form of a boar and stationed himself on
Narmada.
One who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and ven
erates the Lord, О excellent king, is rid of great sins committed
earlier.
On the twelfth day of the dark half as well as the bright one,
one should observe fast and then worship the Lord of the
universe with fragrant garlands, О son of Pandu.
О blessed one, he should honour Brahmanas through Dana,
special devotion and gift of foodstuff. Listen to the meritorious
benefit thereof.
By feeding Brahmanas there, the devotee gets the same ben
efit as a person attains through the performance of a Sattra
extending to twelve years.
7-15. After due offering of libations to the Pitrs and Devas
and taking a holy dip, the person should concentrate his mind
therein and repeat the twelve names of the Lord while sitting
before him. This should be done every month on the twelfth
ь
day, О scion of the family of Kuru.

A wise devotee should always worship Kesava in the Margaslr$a
month. He worships Lord Narayana in the month of Pau$a and
Madhava in the month of Magha. He should adore Govinda in
the month of Phalguna and Vi$nu in Caitra. In the month of
Vaisakha he worships Madhuhantr (Madhusudana, the slayer
of Madhu) and Lord Trivikrama in the month of Jyetfha. In
426 Skanda Purana
m
the month of A$adha, he should worship Vamana and remem

ber Sridhara in the month of Sravana. He should worship Hr$Ikesa
in the month of Bhadrapada and Padmanabha in that of Asvina.
One who glorifies Damodara in the month of Karttika never
gets feeble and tired. (The above are the first twelve names of
Vi$nu.)
By glorifying the names in different months a sin committed
earlier perishes, whether it be verbal, mental or due to physical
activities. There is no doubt about it.
He should be alert always, whether winking or opening the
eyes. He shall take food looking over it quickly. Then he should
utter the name without (any other) Mantra.
This is the natural reaction of a creature caught in a great
disaster, that he utters the name of Lord Visnu, the ruling deity
of different months, which is appropriate to that particular
month.
Those nights, those days, those months and those years of
men are fruitful wherein Lord Hari is remembered.
16-22. If from the lotus-like heart of the devotee, though
he is in the midst of great disaster, Lord Janardana does not
move away, he is undoubtedly a Yogin.
Those who are devoid of devotion to Lord Ananta are un
wise. They are on a par with brutes. Those unfortunate people
are really worthy of being pitied. They have come to the earth
only to add to the burden of the earth.
Those who are equipped with devotion to Lord Ananta, are
persons who have fulfilled tasks on the earth; they sanctify the
universe when their limbs come into contact with it. They are
clever, they are the veritable ornaments unto the universe.
If Lord Janardana is present in one’s mind, words and body,
he alone is meritorious. He has secured the fruit of the tree
of his life.
This excellent Tirtha is meritorious, for it has Janardana as
the Liftga. After deceiving the enemies in the battle in the
guise of Boar, the eternal Lord (is installed here).
A pure man should offer here water mixed with gingelly
seeds to the Pitrs on the following occasions: during the eclipses
of the Sun and the Moon, on the Astaka days and during the
two Ayanas.
May Lord Hari in the form of Boar make you quiescent (by
V.iii.150.1-17 427
blessing you). With his curved fangs he made a series of holes

in Meru. He is like a raft unto those who sink down in the
ocean of misery. His hoofs were partially immersed in the vast
expanse of mud that came out from the bowels of Rasatala
(nether worlds). When he produced a hissing snort, it nudged
the wind in the atmosphere which split the trumpeting sound
of the Elephants of Quarters. The reputation of his stiffened
physical form has been dealt with in the Srutis. May that Lord
Hari give you peace and quiescence.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTY
The Greatness of Kusumesvara Tirtha

0

lent Kusumesvara. It is destructive of Upapatakas (minor sins).
The deity named Kusumesvara was installed by Kama. The
eternal Lord of Devas is well known all over the world.
Kama is mind-born one. He is a universal being having flow
ers for his weapons and bow. On being worshipped the Fish-
emblemed Lord bestows all desires.
After his body was burnt, Ananga (Body-less) regained Angitva
(the state of being an embodied one) on the banks of Narmada.
Yudhisthira said:
» *
Do tell me the (story of) destruction of Ananga when he was

one possessing all the limbs. It has neither been heard nor
» _
seen by me as having ever taken place. О excellent Brahmaga,

do recount everything in the manner it happened. О eminent
Brahmana, I along with Bhima, Arjuna and the twins (Nakula
and Sahadeva) wish to hear it.
0

7-17. At the outset, in Krtayuga, О dear one, Mahesvara,
the Lord of Devas, performed an elaborate penance when he
was staying at Ganga Sagara.
428 Skanda Parana
The worlds along with Suras and Asuras became scorched by

that penance. All of them sought refuge in the Lord of Devas,
the Coftsort of Saci.
mO Gopati (Lord of heaven), Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas,
who pervades all living beings scorches the three worlds. Do
stop him."
On hearing the words of those Devas, the Slayer of Bala and
Vrtra thought mentally and commanded (his subordinates) to
bring about an obstacle in his penance. They were: the Apsaras,
Menaka, Rambha, Ghrtaci and Tilottama and also Vasanta (Spring
Season), Cuckoo, Kama and the excellent Southern Wind.
On being told thus by the king of Devas, О descendant of
Bharata, the Devas accompanied by the Apsaras went near Нага.
The time was Vasanta (Spring) with abundance of flowers.
Peacocks, Cataka birds and cuckoos became excessively excited.
The Devas danced and the Apsaras sang making all love-stricken
and agitated. The (Southern) Wind blew on making even Yama
and Nairrta confounded. Thereat everyone went into a swoon.
Excellent birds engaged in mutual contacts, along with Kinnaras
and the great serpents were agitated by the fragrance of the
Spring Season.
Even as he glanced round, the whole forest was in a great
upheaval. The people were seen experiencing the state of (in
toxication following) a poisonous sting (of an insect or rep
tile).
Even the Lord of Devas passed through the three states of
Devas viz. Sattvika, Rajasa and Tamasa. О king, listen to it.
18-27. (Out of the three eyes of Sankara) one eye became
closed like a bud due to Yogic mental absorption. As for the
second eye, it had a lethargic repose (due to the intensity of
the sentiment of love) on the loins, hips and breasts of Parvati
and another eye of Sambhu became kindled with the fire of
anger at Madana who far away from him, had (held) his bow
to shoot off (an arrow). May the triad of Sambhu's eyes depict
ing different sentiments at the time of his meditation, protect
you all.
Thus was Kama seen by the Lord. He was reduced to ash
along with his bow and arrows. It amounted to the destruction
of all embodied beings.
V.iii.150.28-39 429
On seeing Kama annihilated there, the Devas and the groups

of celestial damsels became frightened. All of them fled away
in the ten different directions.
All the worlds including Suras, Asuras and human beings,
bereft of Kama, sought refuge in Brahma. The Devas with Indra
as their leader sought refuge in Brahma.
On seeing the universe dejected and despondent, they spoke
to Paramesthin: “O Lord, you know that the world remains
(alive and active) when copulation becomes possible. But, О
Lord, now without Kama, all the subjects have become dried up.”
On hearing the words of those Devas, Prapitamaha accom
panied them and went to the place where Lord Mahesvara was
present.
He propitiated the Lord of all living beings, the Lord of the
universe, by means of the eulogy of his Tandava dance and
passages of prayer taken from the Vedas and Vedangas.
Then the delighted great Lord Paramesvara became pleased
with the Devas. He spoke these sweet words to the Devas with
Brahma at their head:
“What is to be done? What is the distress? What is the cause
of this arrival of the Devas and sages? May this be told me
without delay.”
The Devas said:

28-39. О Sambhu, the destruction of the universe will oc
cur as a result of the destruction of Kama in mobile and im
mobile beings. It behoves you to create all the three worlds
once again.
On hearing these words, Paramesvara pondered over them

and thought of the physical form of Kama, rare on the earth.
Thereupon Ananga came there quickly as an embodied one
even as all the living beings were watching. О excellent king,
he bestowed the vital breath on them.
Thereupon the Suras, Asuras and the great Serpents honoured
and greeted the Lord with the sounds of conchs blown and
Bherwdrums played on: “Obeisance to you, О Lord of the chiefs
of Devas; wc are blessed and contented.” О destroyer of en
emies, on being sent off, the excellent Suras went back the way
they had come there.
430 Skanda Purana
When all the Devas dispersed, О descendant of Bharata,

Kamadeva resorted to the banks of Narmada and performed an
elaborate penance lasting for a hundred divine years. He be
came lean and emaciated through penance and Japa. Then he
was pestered by great horrible beings causing obstacles from all
around.
In order to annihilate all the obstacles he remembered
Kundalesvara. Showering arrows everywhere he accorded him
protection.
Mahadeva became pleased with his steadfast devotion. The
Destroyer of Kama was inclined to bestow boons. He accorded
Kima the freedom of choice of a boon he wanted.
On coming to know that Mahadeva was pleased the Fish-
emblemed One bowed down to the Three-eyed Lord of Devas
and spoke with palms joined in reverence: mO Lord of Devas,
if you are pleased, if a boon has to be granted to me, О Lord
of the universe, be present here in this Tlrtha always."
Saying “So be it", Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, went away
piercing through the sky. He was then eulogized by the groups
of celestial damsels.
40-51. When the Lord had vanished, Kamadeva, О great
king, installed the preceptor of the universe named Kusumesvara.
On the fourteenth day of the month of Caitra or on the day
of Madana, a person should take his holy bath there in the
Tlrtha and observe fast.
Early in the morning itself, he should bathe and adore Divakara.
Then he should offer libations to the Pitrs and Devas with
water mixed with gingelly seeds.
After taking the holy bath in accordance with the injunc
tions and after adoring him, one should offer balls of rice.
Listen to the benefit thereof.
Undoubtedly, by offering the balls of rice the devotee de
rives that benefit which one gets by performing a Sattra for a
period of twelve years.
If, wit}i the Pitfs in view, the devotee offers a ball of rice at
the root of Ahkula(?) his grandfathers become contented for
twelve years.
О Yudhi$thira, even worms, insects and locusts that die there
in that Tlrtha attain heaven. All the more so in the case of men
j ^ *
ilfto die there!

V .n i.l5 1 .1 -7 431
He who conquers his anger and the sense-organs and de

voutly takes to Sannyasa (renunciation) shall go to Siva’s Palace.
There he sports about with the divine Apsaras and musicians
of Devas and Gandharvas serving him for a hundred crores of
Kalpas, О king.
When that period is complete, he will be born as a man
here. He becomes a great king adored by great emperors.
He will be handsome, lucky in features, eloquent, valorous,
intelligent and pure (sinless). He will live for more than a
hundred years. He will be free from all ailments.
This Tirtha well-known as Kusumesvara is meritorious and
destructive of sins. It is superior to hundreds of other Tlrthas.
It is venerated by all the Devas.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYONE

__ 0 _____
The Greatness of Svetavdrdha Tirtha

9

1-7. On the northern bank of Narmada there is an exces- *
sively splendid Tirtha. The greatness ofjayavaraha (or Svetavaraha)

is destructive of all sins.
The Earth bowed to by all the Devas was lifted up by that
Lord with the intention to bless all the worlds. He stationed
himself on the banks of Narmada with the same idea.
One who takes his holy bath in that Tirtha and visits
Madhusiidana, is liberated from all sins by repeating the names
of the ten births (i.e. ten incarnations of the Lord). Those ten
are: the Fish, the Tortoise, the Boar, the Man-lion, the Dwarf,
Parasurama, Ramacandra, Krsna, Buddha and Kalki.
Yudhisthira said:
■ •
О dear one, what was done by Matsya (the Divine Fish)? О

excellent sage, what was done by Kurina, the Divine Tortoise?
What was the act of Varaha, the Divine Boar? What was done
by Narasimha (the"Man-lion)? By Vamana (the Dwarf), by
Parasurama, by Raghava? What was done by the Lord in the
form of Buddha? What was done by Kalki? Tell me:
432 Skanda Purana
On being asked thus by the intelligent son of Dharma, the

leading Brahmana spoke these sweet words to him:

8-17. In order to please Brahma in a former Kalpa, the
Lord became a Fish, recovered the Vedas that were immersed
in the great sea and handed them over to Brahma.
At the time of the production of Amrta, О king, the Precep
tor of the universe became a Tortoise and supported Mandara
as well as the Earth.
Janardana, the Lord of Devas, assumed the form of a Boar
and lifted up Goddess Earth who was submerged in Patala.
He assumed a body partially human and partially leonine
and tore up the chest of Hiranyakasipu with the goad-like claws.
In the form of Vamana with matted hair the Lord was eu
logized by excellent Brahmanas. Taking up that divine form,
he covered the earth (etc.) by means of his steps and later
made Bali a resident of Patala. After establishing all the Suras,
Vistyu went back to his own city.
He became son of Jamadagni, Parasurama, the most excel
lent one among warriors wielding weapons, and killed K$atriya
kings beginning with Haihaya. After giving the earth along with
mountains, forests and mines, to Kasyapa, the Lord of Devas
is performing penance even today on Mahendra Mountain, О
descendant of Bharata.
Then the Lord became Rama, son of Dasaratha, and killed
Ravana, the thorn unto Devas, in battle along with his hosts.
He gave the kingdom to Vibhl$ana. He ruled the kingdom with
justice. By means of Yajnas, he propitiated Devas. Then the
lotus-eyed Rama went back to heaven.
18-28.' The Lord of the earth, Vasudeva, took his birth in
the abode of Vasudeva, with Sarikar§ana as his help-mate (brother)
for the purpose of slaying the wicked kings like Kamsa, Kesin,
Jarasandha and Садйга, О Yudhi$fhira. With your (moral) sup
port he killed them. With him as your excellent ally, О king,
ybu will kill the enemies and enjoy the earth consolidated by
your brothers.
Similarly, Acyuta will take up the next birth as Buddha. The
Slayer of Madhu, the Lord of the chiefs of Devas, who is fond
V.iii. 153,1-3 433
of the spring season, will be very quiescent. With Lord Parame§{hin

in the form of Buddha the entire universe consisting of mobile
and immobile beings will become enchanted. Ever since then,
О descendant of Bharata, sons do not pay heed to the words
of fathers, relatives do not pay heed to the words of elders, nor
students to the words of preceptors. Everything will become
topsy turvy. Dharma is defeated by Adharma, truthfulness by
falsehood, kings by thieves, and men by women.
With the advent of Kali, О Yudhisthira, Agnihotras get de-
funcf, adoration of preceptor comes into disuse and all the
pious precepts of Manu get lost. Girls of ten and twelve become
pregnant, only girls are born and Brahmana becomes Haripingala
(tawny like monkeys). Thereupon, the Lord will take up his
tenth incarnation as Kalki.
Thus, О king, I have told you the reason for the ten incar
nations of Lord Parame$thin. It is destructive of all sins.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYTWO

■
The Greatness of Bhargalesvara Tirtha

*

1-3. Thereafter, О protector of the earth, one should go
to the excellent Bhargalesvara Sankara, who is the very life-
breath of the world. It (this Tirtha) destroys sins by merely
remembering it. One who takes his holy bath there in that
•Tirtha and adores Paramesvara attains the merit of performing
a horse-sacrifice. Undoubtedly his departure to Rudraloka is
one without a return therefrom.
If someone gives up his life in the Tirtha, he gets the goal
of Rudraloka from which there is no return.
434 Skanda Purana
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYTHREE
The Greatness of Adityesvara Tirtha

1-11. Next to it, there is another excellent Ravi Tirtha. Merely
by seeing it, men are liberated from all sins.
The fruit of a man who takes his holy bath in Ravi Tirtha
and visits Bhaskara has been laid down by the Lord himself.
Listen to it.
In the course of sixteen lives hereafter, of that devotee,
there shall never be anyone blind, dumb, deaf, ugly or having
deformed nails in his family. White patches, herpes, scabs, cu
taneous eruptions etc., perish within six months in the case of
a devotee of the Lord.
The story of that Lord heard by me in the Purana cannot
be briefly recounted, О excellent king.
If with Ravi in view, a gift is made to a deserving Brahmana
in accordance with the injunctions, there is no end to its merit
at all.
Excellent indeed is the fruit of Dana made at Ravitlrtha at
the time of Ayana (transit of the Sun), Visuva (equinox) and
of solar and lunar eclipses. v
Like that of the waters of the ocean, there is no end unto
the merit of Dana, Havya and Kavya offered at the time of
Sankranti (when the Sun passes from one Zodiac to another),
О descendant of Bharata.
Savitr (the Sun-god) recompenses at the proper time, the
persons who make gift or perform Нота (there):
The Sun-god grants boons for the next seven births again
and again. The gift made during the waning of the Moon has
a hundred times return and that when there is Dinaksaya, a
thousand times return. If it is during Sankranti, the return is
a hundred thousand times and if at Vyatlpata, it is infinite.
Yudhisthira said:
m •
12*24. How did Ravi Tirtha come to be remembered as

m q ^ meritorious than other meritorious ones? Kindly recount
in detail. My ears are covetously eager.
V.iii.153.25-34 435

Listen attentively to the excellent Adityesvara on the north
ern bank of Narmada. It is destructive of all ailments.
Formerly in the beginning of Krtayuga, there was a Brahmana
named Jabali born of the family of Vasistha. He was a master
of the topics dealt with in the Vedas and scriptural texts.
His chaste and well-behaved wife was a woman of excellent
mind. During the days after the menstrual cycle, she approached
her husband and said thus: uThis is the period of my menstrual
cycle. I have approached you, my husband. I am actuated by
love and I wish for a son. Hence enjoy me with love.**
On being told thus, the Brahmana said: mO my beloved,
today I am observing a holy vow. Do go away now, О beautiful
lady. I shall grant you the boon in the next menstrual cycle.**
The next month, when the menstrual cycle recurred, she
approached him again. On the plea that he was observing a
holy vow, she was dissuaded by him.
Thus many times, she was again and^ again kept away. She
became disappointed with her husband and the beautiful lady
was overwhelmed by an excess of grief. She undertook fast unto
death and gave up her life.
Owing to this sin of foeticide, the Brahmana was suddenly
assailed by leprosy when his nose and feet became infested with
sores. All his penance was lost. Realizing that he had con
tracted the fell disease of leprosy, the excellent Brahmana became
grief-stricken. He came to the banks of Narmada and asked the
other Brahmanas about Bhaskara Tlrtha, thinking in his mind,
‘One should seek health and freedom from ailments from the
Sun.’ He asked the other Brahmanas: uO Brahmanas, where is
that Bhaskara Tlrtha? May it be pointed out to me. I shall go
to that Tlrtha with mental purity and perform penance.*1
к
The Brahmanas said:

■
25-34. On the northern bank of Reva, there is a Bhaskara

Tlrtha known by the name Adityesvara Tlrtha. It is destructive
of all ailments. Do go there unhesitatingly, if you can.
On being told thus by the Br&hmanas, the Brahmapa (J&bali)

prepared himself to go. But afflicted with the foul and fatal
disease» he was unable to move.
4S6 Skanda Ритапа
ш
Thereupon he thought: indeed the power of Brahmanas is

famous all over the three worlds. The Linga (penis) of the
Trident-bearing Lord of Devas was made to fall down by Brahmanas.
The ocean was dried up by Brahmanas. Vindhya was restrained.
I too, stationed here itself, shall bring Bhaskara here by means
of the power of penance. I shall bring the deity named Adityesvara.’
After determining thus, he engaged himself in a severe pen
ance without taking food and with the sole intake of air for
food. In summer he stationed himself within five fires. During
winter he stood in water. During rainy season he remained
without any covering for the body.
When more than a hundred years passed, Ravi became pleased
and said thus:
Surya said:
Welfare unto you. Choose your boon, whatever be in your
mind as you desire. Even if it is one not to be granted, I shall
give it to you. Do not delay. О Brahmana, since you are en
gaged in a penance (for such a long time), what is it that
cannot be achieved, for you now?
Jabdli said:
35-43. If you are pleased, О Lord of Devas, if a boon has
to be granted to me, (1 would like to tell you that) I had taken
a vow of visiting Adityesvara, О Lord of Devas. But being af
flicted with disease, I have not been able to fulfil it. Hence you
station yourself here at Sukla Tlrtha assuming the form of
Adityesvara.
On being told thus, the multiformed Divakara appeared in

stantly on the northern bank of Narmada.
EVer since then, they consider and speak of that Tlrtha as
one destructive of all sins and all miseries.
If a devotee takes his holy bath everyday, particularly on
every Sunday, makes seven circumambulations, continuing this
fpr a full year, and visits Bhaskara, listen to the benefit that is
be obtained by him.
* Prasupta (latent leprbsy), patches, herpes, white leprosy and
scabs perish immediately, О king, like a heap of cotton in
V.iii. 154.1-9 437
blazing fire. Within three years, his house will be filled with
wife, sons and wealth.
If a devotee performs Sraddha there with the Pitrs in view
on the day of the transit of the Sun, his Pitrs become con
tented. Indeed Bhaskara is the Lord of Pitrs.
Thus the excellent Adityesvara Tirtha has been entirely re
counted to you. It is divine and destructive of all sins and
ailments.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYFOUR
The Greatness of Kalakalesvara \Tirtha
Sn Markandeya said:
1-9. On the southern bank of Narmada is the famous
Kalakalesvara Tirtha well-known in all the worlds. It was cre
ated by the Lord himself.
After killing Andhaka in the battle,. Mahesvara, the Lord of
Devas, created it in the company of the Devas, Gandharvas,
Kinnaras and great Serpents. They sang and played on the
musical instruments like trumpet, drums like Mrdanga, Panava
etc., lutes and flutes. They sang a number of eulogies. They
sang Saman verses, Yajus and other Vedic passages. Others recited
Rks. Other dignified persons eulogized Mahesvara with many
prayers.
There was heard the Kalakala (indistinct but sweet to the
ears) sound of Pramathas and bards. Since the Linga was in
stalled in the midst of Kalakala sound, it came to be known
after it.
A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and visits
the deity, Kalakalesvara, obtains a greater merit than that of
Vajapeya here on the earth itself.
By that merit, he will become a sanctified soul and on death
he will go to heaven seated on an excellent vehicle. He will be
sung about by groups of celestial damsels. After enjoying great
pleasures, he will be reborn as a noble soul in a pure family
after lapse of much time. He will be a Brahmana of excellent
438 Skanda Purina
m
luck and handsome in features. He will be a master of the

Vedas and Vedangas. Devoid of ailments and grief, he will live
for a hundred years.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYFIVE
Attainment of Siddhi by Cdnakya

v
0

1-7. Henceforth I shall extol Sukla Tirtha, the most excellent
one of all Tlrthas. It is on the northern bank of Narmada, О
Yudhisthira.
• •
From the point of view of meritoriousness and auspicious

ness in appearance, all the other Tlrthas on the earth do not
merit even a sixteenth part of that Tirtha.
Yudhisthira said:
I along with my brothers and all the excellent Brahmanas
wish to hear the real greatness of that Tirtha.
0

О king, listen to the origin of Suklatirtha. Merely by visiting
it, a sin of Brahmana-slaughter gets dissolved.
Narmada is the most excellent one among all the rivers and
is destructive of all sins. A sin committed in childhood perishes
merely at its sight.
Except Suklatirtha, О king, no Tlrthas are bestowers of sal
vation anywhere.
The greatness of Suklatirtha was listened to by me formerely
in the company of Devas and sages. О descendant of Bharata,
it was narrated by $itikantha (the blue-throated god Siva), the
Lord of Devas, on Kailasa, the most excellent one among mountains.
That I shall now recount to you.
w 8-21. Formerly, in the beginning of Krtayuga, Visnu per
formed an elaborate penance for a thousand years in order to
propitiate the Consort of the Daughter of the Mountain. He
V.iii. 155.8-21 439
remained without taking any food except the intake of air. He

had stationed himself in Suklatlrtha.
Thereafter, Mahesvara, the god of Devas, became directly
visible. He manifested himself all of a sudden in that Tirtha,
О king.
The area extending to two Krosas (i.e. 2 x 3=6 Kms) was
made capable of yielding worldly pleasures as well as salvation.
A man who takes his holy bath in the Tirtha is rid of all sins.
Ganga is meritorious in Kanakhala; Sarasvati in Kuruksetra.
Whether it be a village or a forest, Narmada is meritorious
everywhere.
Intake of food is the most important of all medicines; of all
beverages, water is the most important. Sleep is the most im
portant of all happy and pleasing things, a young woman among
the„yielders of pleasures, and head is the most important of all
the limbs. ш
Just as the forehead of one who has taken the holy bath is
the most meritorious, О excellent king, О Yudhis(hira, so also
is Suklatlrtha the most meritorious on Narmada.
Just as Ganga is the most meritorious among all rivers, just
as Janardana is the greatest of all deities, so also Suklatlrtha
is declared as the most meritorious on Narmada.
Just as Surabhi (celestial cow) is the most important one
among all quadrupeds, just as Brahmana is the most important
of all Varnas, so also, О king, Sukla Tirtha is the most impor
tant of all Tlrthas.
Just as the Sun is the most important one among the Planets,
just as the Moon is the most important one among the stars,
just as head is the most important of all the limbs, just as
truthfulness is the most important of all righteous acts, so also,
О son of Kuntl, is Suklatlrtha the most excellent one of all
Tlrthas.
Just as the eternal Supreme Soul is difficult to be compre
hended and cannot be pointed out because it is very subtle, so
also, О king, is the Suklatlrtha.
One who is full of great delusion and suffers from slow-
wittedness, does not understand clearly Suklatlrtha established
on the banks of Narmada.
О son of Dharma, of what avail is too much of talk repeated
frequently in this context? Suklatlrtha is highly meritorious
and can be approached only through the destruction of sins.
440 Skanda Purina 9
If a devotee offers here a handful of the waters of Reva, it

is as though the Pitrs have been propitiated for thousands and
crores of Kalpas.
22-29. The only one that destroys the distress of Pitrs on
the earth is a son.
There was a king named Canakya1. Only he knew Sukla Tirtha.
Yudhisfhira said:
О excellent Brahmaâ, who was this person named Canakya?
Who was the only person who knew Suklatlrtha which no one
else knew? By what means was it (the Tirtha) known by him
on the surface of the earth? I wish to hear about it. I am very
eager.
Sri Markandeya said: *

He was a king born of the family of Iksvaku. He was the
great- grandson of £uddhodana. The saintly king named Canakya
enjoyed the entire earth. He was not deceived by any man but
all of a sudden the excellent king was deceived by two roguish
crows.
Yudhisfhira said:
How was that king deceived by the two crows? Formerly the
intelligent noble soul had vowed, T shall not continue to live
if any being be deceived by another. I will certainly cast off
my life. There need not be any doubt about it.” О leading
Brahmaiâ, explain this to me. My eagerness is intense.
ф

Realizing that he had been deceived, the king caught hold
of the crows and sent them to the abode of Yama inflicting
severe punishment.
The crows said:

30-39. We are the sons of Sunda and Upasunda. We have
attained the state of crows for some reason. О blessed one, do
1. As w 25ff show, this Сйцакуа is a king. He is different from СДдакуа of
Mudrarokfasa.
V.iii Л55.40-49 441
not kill us. We have come to a decision in this respect. О

bestower of honour, whether we are hurled away through anger
or not, we shall attain the greatest goal. Hence command us,
О leading king. After carrying out something that pleases you
much we shall be freed from the curse in accordance with the
utterance of Brahma.
On hearing the words of the crows Canakya, the excellent

king, said: “After knowing that I have been deceived by anyone
anywhere, I will not continue to live. Hence (try) to find out
the Tlrtha, О birds, at the abode of Yama. I shall send you
there duly. After hearing about it, you will tell me.”
Then he adorned the crows with garlands and sandalpaste.
He sent them asking them to go to Yama’s abode quickly and
told them:
The king said:

After going to the city of Dharma, you may move about here
and there. If the pious-souled Varna, the great controller, were
to ask you, “From where are you coming? Tell me by whom you
have been adorned”, my words should be repeated to him with
out any fear or hesitation: “There was a righteous king named
Canakya born of the family of Iksvaku. On the twelfth day after
his death we were propitiated with food and the like.”
On hearing those words of the king, they went to the abode

of Yama. With the full embellishment of garlands and sandalpaste,
they began to sport about in the courtyard of Yama. The bold
crows were seen by Dharmaraja. He asked them:
Yama said:
40-49. From which place have you come? By whom were
you two adorned? О crows, what has happened may be men
tioned unhesitatingly.
The crows replied:

There was a jrighteous king named Canakya bom of the
family of Iksvaku. On his death, on the twelfth day, we were
propitiated through food etc.
* * *
442 Skanda Purina
л
On hearing their words, Yama, the son of Vivasvan, looked

at Citragupta, Kali and Kala and said to them thus: “It has been
enjoined by Brahma that living beings, such as the oviparous,
sweat-born etc., among mobile and immobile beings should
come to my presence. Where has that man of evil action named
Canakya gone? Let this be searched and found out from the
Puranas and Itihasas as to what the fate (of such ones) is.*’
Thereupon those Dharmapalas (officers of god Dharma) urged
by Dharmaraja looked into the opinion of the Puranas regard
ing the coming and going effected by Karmas.
Thereafter Dharma, the most excellent one among those
who uphold righteousness, said in a voice as majestic as the
thunder of a rumbling cloud, even as the Dharmapalas were
listening: wThe oviparous, sweat-born and other living beings
that die in the pure waters of Narmada in Suklatlrtha do not
come to my presence. That TIrtha is highly righteous in the
world. It was created by Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara with
great devotion and a desire for the welfare of the worlds. Men
defiled by major and minor sins who die in the waters of Narmada
in Suklatlrtha become pure. They are not at all under my
jurisdiction."
50-59. On hearing these words uttered by Yama, the two
crows quickly surveyed the great city of Yama, О son of KuntI,
and returned.
They bowed down to the king who asked them about what
happened and what was heard by them. The two crows who
were Danavas turned into crows, said: “From this place we two
went to the excellent city of Yama on .the southern side of the
earth, after crossing many Yojanas.
That city had divine features with golden ramparts and or
namental gateways. It could bestow everything desired. There
were many groups of houses. The city was embellished with
jewels and gold, crossing roads, quadrangles and royal high
ways. The whole region was covered with gardens and parks
with clusters of lotuses adorning the ponds. Swans and ducks
cackled loudly while the cooings of cuckoos added to the confused
noise. The forests were infested with lions, tigers, elephants
and monkeys and bears resorted to them.
It was teeming with men and women. It was beautified by
continuous festivals. It was resonant with the sound of blowing
V.iii.l55.60-79a 443
of conchs, of lutes and flutes. Yama-marga also is made like the

region called Svarga. Having reached the place we were found
out by the messengers of Yama. At the behest of Yama, we were
sent to the place where the Lord of the universe was present.
The Lord was seated on a throne and we were afraid for our
very life when we saw him. He had huge thighs, calves, shoul
ders, belly, chest, arms, face, eyes, nay the whole body was very
huge.
60-62a. Another Kala was also present there seated on a
great buffalo and adorned with a great crown. Kali and the
highly intelligent Citragupta were seen arriving with fires blaz
ing in between.
They were experts in the interpretation of the Vedic pas
sages. They were discussing the merits and sins of the crea
tures. They stayed there day and night forever.
62b-70a. At the end of the customary obeisance, Yama
with a well controlled form, asked us the reason for our visit.
Do listen to what we told him, ‘In UjjayinI there was a valorous
king named Canakya. On the twelfth day after his death we had
our food and then came to this abode of Yama.'
On hearing our words Yama shook his head and smilingly
spoke these truthful words in the midst of the assembled court
iers, ‘There is a reason why this sinful person Canakya has not
come to my world that terrifies all sinners. All the creatures
that die in Suklatirtha on Narmada attain the greatest position.
There is no need to doubt anything in this matter. Whether
a creature is forced or does it voluntarily, if it dies in the area
around the holy spot, it shall undoubtedly become an atten
dant of Rudra.'
On hearing these words of Dharma, we set out and came out
of the city. We saw the terrible tortures of various kinds of
people in Naraka. О excellent king, there are thirty crores of
these horrible hells. Seeing these on the great highway we
became terrified and extremely distressed.
70b-79a. The Narakas there are: Raurava and Maharaurava.
Then there are the other hells: Pe§ana, So$ana, Kalasiitra,
Asthibhanjana, Tamisra, Andhatamisra, Krmiputivaha. Another
hell Mahajvala was seen. There itself is Vi$abhojana. There are
the pairs of hells, Dariisa and Masaka and the Yamalaparvatas
(twin mountains).
444 Skanda Purina
■
River Vaitarani, the destroyer of all sins was seen. Meritori

ous persons drink the cool nectar-like water thereof. The same
water gets transformed into blood in the case of sinners.
Asipatravana is another hell. Another great rock was seen
having the form of a mass of fire. Another large Salmall was
seen. There are hundreds and thousands of similar hells.
All types of acutely horrible hells were seen where men suf
fered much. They had committed sins verbally, mentally and
physically.
Different types of sins due to arrogance and deceptive words
(were seen). Fathers, mothers, elders, brothers—all were in
helpless states with imperfect sense-organs. Those who had not
redeemed them wandered there in Raurava. These base people
spend twelve years in Raurava. Coming back to the mortal world,
they become wretched and blind.
79b-89a. Men of sinful deeds who misappropriate the
property of temples or of Brahmanas fall into Maharaurava in
the abode of Yama and stay there certainly.
Like insects in chrysalis stage in cocoon, they are subjected
to piercing with thorns.
Killers of animals, birds etc., and meat-eaters go to the hell
named Pesana. Those who keep living beings in bondage fall
into Sosana hell. After enduring the tortures as laid down in
the scriptural texts, they come back to the human world as
lame, blind and deaf men.
Those who utter falsehood jeopardising cows and Brahmanas
fall into the Kalasutraka hell. The torture therein as per the
authors of the scriptural texts is indeed terrible. After experi
encing those sufferings those who come back to the human
world are born as men of low caste.
Those who forsake the progeny of their own family and keep
living .beings in bondage fall into the Asthibhanjana hell un
doubtedly. After spending a hundred years there they are born
as human beings. Those sinners undergo misery as dwarfs and
hunchbacked ones.
Those deluded fools who profess to be learned but forsake
their own wives go to the terrible Tamisra hell. There is no
doubt ip this respect. At the end of a hundred years there they
come back to the human world. Those men are congenitally
unlucky with skins morbidly affected.
V.iii.l55.89b-110a 445
89b-99a. The base men who speak deceptive words and

who use fraudulent measures and weights are cooked in the
Andhatamisra hell. After staying there a hundred thousand
years they come back to the mortal world and wander in the
abodes of enemies as blind and ill-formed wretches.
Those who nourish themselves alone by eating without giv
ing food to Pitrs, Devas and Brahmanas fall into the Krmibhaksya
hell. Even at the time of birth they will have wounds eaten by
worms.
One who lives upon the fortune of others emits a foul odour.
Those who swerve from their duties, the sinners bereft of the
discipline of Varna and Asrama endure sufferings in the Puya-
sampurna hell (filled with putrid things) for ten thousand years.
When the period is complete they take human birth but afflicted
with ailments they become repulsive to all other living beings.
A man of greed and delusion, a wicked man who administers
poison and an arsonist alike sink into the Visasampiirna hell.
After a period of a hundred years he comes up from it. He is
reborn as a miserly, unlucky human being.
Those who fail to make gifts of sandals, shoes, umbrella,
■
quilt and covering sheets are eaten by Damsas (flies) and Masakas
(mosquitoes) for seventy births.
Those who take away the wealth of their fathers, those who
are engaged in abusing and beating them are afflicted in the
place where the Yugmaparvatas (twin mountains) are present.
99b-110a, Those who approach a woman in her menses
will drink blood in the terrible Vaitarani river with blood in the
stream. The perpetrators of sins are subjected to torture in the
terrible Asipatravana.
Those who always inflict pain on others, men who cohabit
with low-class women are also tortured there.
Great sinners engaged in intimacy with the wives of precep
tors are compelled to embrace (heated) Silas (rocks) for a
period of seventy births.
Those who sport about with the wives of others are made to
embrace terrible (heated) images of iron full of many spikes
in the hell £almali.
One who abducts other men’s womenfolk or misappropri
ates the assets of a Brahmaiâ shall become a cruel Rak$asa in
a waterless forest region.
446 Skanda Purana
A sinful soul who takes away the properties of deities in

temple or Brahmanas out of avariciousness has to sustain him
self with the leavings of the food of vultures.
These are the sins for which punishments are meted out at
the bidding of Yama. Merely the sight of these and the listen
ing to their descriptions generate fear.
There are others who enjoy in the abode of Yama the ben
efits of the gifts they had made. They were seen even as the
messengers of Yama who were narrating to them at the bidding
of Yama.
They were surrounded by (and carried by) chariots, elephants
and horses. О blessed one, those who had performed series of
penances and derived their benefits were seen there.
That world accords the desires of the men who gift cows,
gold, plots of land, jewels, quilts, food, houses etc. Men who
offer food here along with beverages sport about in the abode
of Yama fully satisfied and contented.
11 Ob-115a. О excellent king, whatever is given as gift here
in Suklatlrtha, even if it be as little as the tip of a hair, has
everlasting benefit. Thus everything seen and heard has been
recounted to you. Carry out whatever you desire if you are
capable and if possible release (us).”
On hearing their words Canakya was delighted in his mind.
He congratulated the two birds again and again and sent them
off.
When both of the crows departed, О descendant of Bharata,
he gave everything he possessed to Brahmanas, discarded lust
and anger and went to Amara mountain (Amarakantaka) .
There he fastened firmly a raft with black strings. Meditating
on Lord Janardana he floated on quickly. One shall wish for
health from the Sun and wealth from the sacred fire. One
attains knowledge from Isana and salvation from Kesava. The
string that was dark blue in colour became red and shone like
pure crystal. On seeing the rope shining so the highly intelli
gent (king) immersed himself in the pure water and attained
the Vai$Qava region.
115b-116a. One should desire (pray for) health (absence
of ailments) from the Sun, wealth from Fire-god. From Isana
one obtains (spiritual knowledge). One attains Mok$a (final
beatitude) from Kesava.
V .iii.l 55.116b—V.iii.156.8 447
116b-l 19. The black-coloured ropes (of the raft) became

blue, red (and finally) resembling pure crystal (which was the
effect of the waters of Suklatirtha) and the highly intelligent
king immersed his body in the auspicious Suklatirtha. The noble-
souled prince attained the region of Narayana, the eternal one
called Acyuta (Unswerving or Eternal), which the knowers of
the Vedas sing about.
Thus the Siddhi (attainment of perfection) of king Сацакуа
has been described to you. 1 shall describe another thing also.
Listen with concentration.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYSIX
The Greatness of Suklatirtha
Sn Mdrkandeya said:
1-8. There is no other TIrtha, О king, in all the worlds,
which is on a par with Suklatirtha which is on the earth. No
other TIrtha is sung about in comparison with it.
The great Suklatirtha is stationed on Narmada in the north
eastern region. It is resorted to by groups of sages.
On the fourteenth lunar day in the dark half of the month
of Vaisakha, Sankara himself comes here from Kailasa along
with Uma.
He takes his holy bath in Suklatirtha with great mental con
centration at midday and sees himself through his self. He is
accompanied by Brahma, Visnu and Indra.
Especially on the full-moon day in Karttika and Vaisakha, О
best of men, (Indra) after taking bath sees Brahma, Vi$nu and
Mahadeva.
After taking bath, Indra, the king of Devas, along with Suras
stays (and waits) on the way of the wind (i.e. the Armament)
and sees Sahkara on the fourteenth day of the dark half.
On that day, Gandharvas, Apsaras. Yak$as, Siddhas, VidySdharas
and Uragas (Serpents) see the Lord of Devas and shed off their
sins.
448 Skanda Parana
Extending to half of a Yojana and half thereof wide, Suklatlrtha

is highly meritorious and destructive of great sins.
9-21 a. Excellent men stand in a place from where they
can see the tops of the trees thereof. Such people stationed
there are rid of great sins accumulated earlier.
A man defiled by major and minor sins, is liberated by the
holy bath therein. Even the sin of infanticide which is very
difficult to be removed, perishes when acquired.
Especially on the full-moon day in Vaisakha Sankara comes
here from Kailasa. Since the Lord of Devas stays there along
with Uma, the Tirtha is highly meritorious and destructive of
all sins. It was earlier said to me by Brahma and it has been
mentioned to you, О king.
Just as a cloth washed by a washerman becomes free from
impurities, so also the body of a man becomes pure through
the holy bath therein.
A man who has committed sins earlier in his life can dispel
them by staying at Suklatlrtha for a day and night.
О great king, if on a full-moon day a handful of the waters
of Reva is offered to Pitrs, they will enjoy welfare for thousands
of crores of Kalpas.
Neither one’s mother nor father nor kinsmen will redeem
one’s fall into the ocean of hell, О king, but the merit acquired
from Suklatlrtha will do that.
One does not attain through penance or continuous celi
bacy that good state which a creature that dies by casting off
its body in Suklatlrtha attains.
One should observe fast, remain pure and bathe the deity
with ghee on the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month
of Karttika. At dawn he should take his holy bath in Reva.
Keeping Lord Sahkara in view one should offer Ghrtakaihbala
along with gold according as his resources permit.
Concluding the offering to the Lord with Ghrta (ghee) is
called Ghrtakaihbala. That man becomes highly refulgent on
death and shall go to the world of Siva accompanied by twenty-
one generations of his family and remain there till the destruc
tion of all living beings (i.e. Pralaya).
2lb-33a. A man who takes his holy bath in Suklatlrtha
and worships Umi and Rudra with sweet scents, incense, flow
ers etc., shall obtain the merit of a horse-sacrifice.
V.iii.l56.33b44 449
О king, he who observes fast for a month there at that Tirtha

is liberated from great sins incurred in the course of seven
births. The following sins undoubtedly perish by observing
Candrayana at Suklatlrtha: Taking in milk of a camel; taking
milk of sheep and taking food in Navasraddha; co-habitation
with a Vrsall; eating prohibited foodstuff, buying a sheep or
buffalo under false pretext, performing Yajna on behalf of
undeserving fellows; usury; administering poison to a number
of persons; and reviling deities and Brahmanas: these and oth
ers of this sort.
If a person takes his holy bath in Suklatirtha and offers
libation to Pitrs and deities they become highly propitiated and
contented for twelve years.
Persons who offer sandals and shoes, umbrella, quilt, seat,
gold, money, foodgrain, Sraddha, fully yoked plough, meal,
drinking water etc., in that Tirtha, will undoubtedly go to Sivaloka
on death delighted and well nourished.
Men who devoutly keep Siva in view, О descendant of Bharata,
and offer an alms-bowl and cooked food, go to heaven.
Even something as little as the tip of a hair, gifted to the
residents of the Tirtha, those who perform Yajnas and observe
vows, becomes everlasting in its merit.
He who has rid himself of too much attachment and hatred,
meditates in his heart on Janardana and enters fire with con
centration shall go to the City of Varuna with all his desires
fulfilled. There is no ailment and old age where the Lord of
waters is present.
33b-44. He who observes ritualistic fasting (unto death), О
Yudhi$fhira, there in that Tirtha shall certainly depart to Rudraloka
never to return therefrom.
Whether of his own accord or under duress, if a creature,
dies in the region of that holy spot, he shall undoubtedly be
come an attendant of Rudra.
He who gives a virgin well adorned according as his resources
permit at Suklatlrtha (derives great merit thereby). What has
been declared by Rudra by way of indicating the merit of ritu
alistic dedication of a bull in accordance with the injunctions,
О excellent king, I shall recount it: О king; listen to it with an
attentive mind. He is honoured in Rudraloka for as many thou
sand years as the number of pores in the separate limbs of the
450 Skanda Purdna
bull. What is gifted in Suklatlrtha at the time of solar and lunar

eclipses gets increased fifteen times.
If a person remains pure and circumambulates Suklatlrtha.
he attains merit of circumambulating the entire earth.
If a devotee honours an excellent couple with Rudra in view,
he will never meet with separation (from his beloved) for seven
births.
Thus, О king, the great merit has been succinctly recounted
to you, i.e. the merit of (visiting) Suklatlrtha in the manner
heard by me from the Lord.
He who devoutly listens to this, shall undoubtedly obtain the
merit laid down in the Purana.
This is true. This is true. Again and again it is asserted (to
be true). He who seeks salvation shall obtain salvation as the
great fruit of the holy bath and the gift made.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYSEVEN
The Greatness of Humkarasvdmi

*
1-9. Next to it, О king, and in the vicinity of Suklatlrtha is

the Tirtha of Vasudeva honoured in all the worlds.
Indeed that is an ancient, well-known, meritorious Tirtha on
Narmada where Reva flows to a distance of a Krosa (3 Kms.)
merely making the hissing sound of Hum.
О leading king, ever since the river began to flow with a
hissing sound, the deity is named Humkdra by learned men.
A man who takes his holy bath in Humkara Tirtha and visits
the immutable Acyuta, is rid of all sins incurred in the course
of seven births.
Excepting Narayana, the Lord of the universe, there is no
other deity capable of redeeming a man immersed in the ocean
of worldly existence, perpetrating more and more sinful activities.
That tongue is. the real tongue which eulogizes Hari; that
mind is genuine which is dedicated unto Him. Only those hands
are worthy of praise that worship Him.
V.iii. 157.10-15 451
Nothing inauspicious happens at any time in any of the ac

tivities of those persons in whose hearts is present Lord Hari,
the abode of all auspiciousness.
Merely by prostrating before Hari, a man obtains the same
merit as (is derived) from the adoration of other deities.
He is honoured in Visnuloka for as many thousands of years
as there are dust particles sticking to his dusty limbs.
10-15. By sweeping, sprinkling with water and plastering
the temple premises, all sins of men and women perish. By
visiting with devotion, the sins of excellent persons get dis
solved.
If Lord Vasudeva is adored by anyone, the sin incurred by
him in the course of life perishes. With the sins shaken off, he
goes to the world of the Garuda-emblemed Lord and becomes
worthy of being worshipped by groups of Suras.
Even if one makes obeisance to the Discus-bearing Lord
hypocritically, the sins incurred by him in the course of seven
births vanish immediately.
There is no doubt about it. Rudra is pleased by adoration;
Divakara (Sun) by means of Japa and Н ота. The Lord with the
conch, discus and club in his hands, becomes pleased with
prostration.
A raft in the form of Visnu can be the sole refuge unto men
without a raft, getting immersed in the chaotic waters of sen
sual objects, entangled in the ocean of worldly existence, as
sailed by the typhoons of Dvandvas (mutually opposed pairs
e.g. pleasure-pain) and afflicted with the burden of protecting
sons, daughters and wives.
О leading king, О tiger among men, whatever is performed
in Humkara TTrtha, whether auspicious or otherwise, does not
get lost.
452 Skanda Purana
m
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYEIGHT
The Greatness of Sangamesvara Tirtha

1-9. Thereafter, a devotee should go to another excel
lent Tirtha named SaAgamesvara Tirtha on the southern bank
of Narmada. It eradicates the fear of all sins.
Proceeding towards the Kailasa mountain after his arrival
from Pitrloka, О excellent king, Dhanada had rested there for
a short while.
As for the proof, О excellent king, on the earth indeed black
stones appear as bright as crystals.
An excellent river Punyatoya (a river of meritorious waters)
originating from a spring in the Vindhya mountain enters the
waters of Narmada, destructive of all sins.
One who takes his holy bath at the confluence there and
worships Sangamesvara, undoubtedly attains the merit of an
Asvamedha sacrifice.
One who offers bells, banners and awning unto the deity,
Sangamesvara, attains Rudra’s region riding in an aerial chariot
fitted with swans and surrounded by hundreds of celestial la
dies. He shall become an attendant of Rudra.
One who fills (covers) the Linga of the Lord with rice mixed
*
with curds shall stay in Sivaloka for a desired period of as many

years as there are grains of cooked rice.
One who covers the Linga of Lord Siva with Sriphalas in
spite of being very poor, goes to Svarga (heaven), О king, and
attains the same benefit (as the previous one). For seven births
the line of his progeny will not be broken.
10-16. Listen to the meritorious benefit of that person
who l>athes the Lord of Devas with curds, honey or ghee. When
Maheivara is extremely pleased, those men go to that place
where rivers of ghee and milk flow and where trees exude
honey.
If a devotee offers even water, a leaf, a flower or fruit unto
Maheivara, he enjoys everlasting benefit for seven births.
Maheivara is the greatest of all deities worthy of being
?^ brs}iipped. Hence Mahesvara should be worshipped with all
"effort.
V.iii. 158.17—V.iii. 159.6 45S
One who steadfastly; observes (the vow of) celibacy forever

and worships Lord Siva, lives here in this world as a great Lord
and on death attains the region free from ailments.
О son of Kunti, by worshipping one eminent Yogin one at
tains the same benefit as is obtained by learned men when Siva
is worshipped.
Their life is an excellent life and blessed are those noble-*
souled ones in whose houses men engrossed in devotion to Siva

take food.
17-21. The holy spots of Kuruksetra, Naimisa and Puskara
are there wherever an ascetic with all the sense-organs per
fectly restrained stays. By feeding a single Sivayogin, О son of
Kunti, one attains that benefit which is obtained when Vedic
scholars hundreds in number are fed.
The Bull-emblemed Lord of Devas takes food along with his
consort there where a person with all his limbs smeared in ash
takes food irrespective of his being ignorant or learned.
By offering alms alone to Sivayogins one attains that merit
which is obtained by feeding a crore of Brahmanas learned in
the Vedas.
If anyone casts off his life after reaching Sangamesvara Tirtha,
he never returns from Sivaloka.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTYNINE
The Greatness of Anarakesvara Tirtha

*

1-6. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to an ex*
tremely sacred Tirtha on Narmada named Anarakesvara. It is
of Siddha (spiritually perfect) nature and very rarely obtained.
A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha, О descen
dant of Bharata, does not see the extremely terrible gate of
what is termed as Naraka, even though he may be a sinner.
Yudhiffhira said:
О dear one, men here in this world experience pleasures
(and sorrows) as the results (of deeds) auspicious and inaus-
454 Skanda Purana
9
picious. О excellent one, what are the characteristic features

based on which they are born so?
The individual soul coming out after leaving the body is not
seen. In the same way, it is not seen while reentering a body
constituted of the five elements.
What is the Samjna (?namc, consciousness) that comes to
men in the conglomeration of faeces, urine and semen, along
with skin, bone, flesh, suet, blood and hundreds of hair and
nerves and tissues?
On being asked thus, Markandeya, conversant with Yoga medi

tated upon the eternal Mahesvara, Sarva, the Lord of Devas,
and began to say:

7-19. О son of KuntI, listen to the great problem. I shall
recount it in the manner heard earlier by me from Brahma in
the assembly of sages and Devas.
Preceptor is the chastiser of self-controlled ones; king is the
chastiser of the wicked ones. The chastiser of those with sins
concealed here (in the world) is Yama, the son of Vivasvan.
Those who did not perform expiatory rites are tortured in
various ways in the world of Yama. They are then born as various
kinds of living beings. After passing through those stages, they
take up human birth when they will have distinct marks of their
sins. I shall mention them, О king. Listen attentively.
After going to the abode of Yama they endured all sorts of
tortures. After undergoing such large-scale tortures, those who
rtetrn to the mortal world are marked duly.
A habitual liar becomes a stammerer. One who had uttered
a lie jeopardizing cows becomes a dumb man. A person with
the sin of slaying a Brahmana becomes a leper. A drunkard has
blackened teeth.
By stealing gold, one gets deformed nails. A man who defiles
the bed of the preceptor gets skin diseases. One who is in
contact with sinners becomes deficient in generative organs.
One who has never made any gifts becomes impoverished.
^ A person who performs Yajna on behalf of the undeserving
becomes a Grama $ukara (village pig), О king. One who per-
V.iii.l59.20-34a 455
forms Yajna on behalf of many becomes an ass. One who takes

food uninvited becomes a dog.
One who takes food indiscriminately without examination
shall be born as a monkey in a desolate forest. One who threat
ens others becomes a cat. By burning down a forest of dry
wood, one becomes a glowworm.
By imparting false knowledge, one becomes a bullock. One
who gives stale, cooked rice to a Brahmana, may become im
potent.
On account of rivalry one is born as congenitally blind. One
who steals a book is born blind. The child of one who steals
fruits dies. There is no doubt about this. On death he becomes
a monkey. Getting released therefrom, he becomes Galadavan
(? with a pendulous fleshy purse hanging from the throat?). A
man who eats those fruits without giving (to others) becomes
one without children.
One who steals cloth shall become an alligator. A person
who administers poison becomes a serpent. By cohabiting with
an ascetic woman one becomes a vampire in desert.
20-34a. A person taking away water becomes gouty. A per
son stealing grain becomes a mouse. The Sruti says that one
who ravishes an immature girl becomes a serpent.
One coveting the wife of the preceptor shall become a cha
meleon and remain so for a long time. A man who breaks
water-current shall become a fish. A man who sells an article
the sale of which is prohibited, shall become one with de
formed eyes. An Ayoniga (one who introduces the penis else
where than into a vagina) shall become a wolf. One who prac
tises deception in buying shall become an owl.
One who takes food on the eleventh day of the death of a
person, becomes a dog. After promising some payment of money
to a Brahmana, if one does not give it, he shall become a
Madhuka tree.
One who ravishes a queen becomes a wicked man. A thief
becomes a filthy pig. One who spreads scandal about the people
of high caste, takes up the form of a tortoise.
A Devalaka (one who supports himself by the offerings to an
idol) takes the birth of a Candala. A seller of fruits becomes
unlucky. A consort of a $udra woman becomes a scorpion.
One who treads on fire becomes a cat. One who eats meat
456 Skanda Purana
■
belonging to others, becomes diseased (chronically). One co

habiting with his own sister becomes an impotent fellow. One
who steals sweet scents becomes a stinking person.
A Gramabhatta (a priest of the rustic multitude) becomes a
barber. A Daivajna (street astrologer) shall become a donkey.
A person professing to be a learned man, shall become a cat.
A person expounding scriptural texts (professionally) shall be
come a dog. О king, one who reveals secrets of others is seen
to be so (a dog). One who does enimical act, whether small
or big, takes the birth of a brutish creature. There is no doubt
about this.
These and other signs are brought about by one's own ac
tions, wherefrom men are clearly seen what they really are.
Birth follows death and death follows birth. This is the case in
all creatures, О descendant of Bharata.
When auspicious and inauspicious acts become equal in
magnitude and when semen and blood become mixed due to
the intercourse of a man and a woman, a creature is born
undoubtedly. Equipped with the five elements the creature,
the Atman, the Lord himself becomes the sixth of the series.
The Atman is beginningless and when it wishes to take a birth,
all these things come to it: sense-organs, mind, vital airs, knowl
edge, longevity (life expectation), happiness, fortitude, sustain
ing (retention), inducement, misery, wish, Ahamkara (ego, I-
ness), effort, shape, colour, voice, hatred, birth and non-birth.
Purdnic Embryology
34b-39. In the first month it is a phlegmatic mass with the
full complement of the bodily ingredients. In the second month
it is a lump of flesh; in the third it gets equipped with sense-
organs. From the element of ether it derives lightness, subtlety,
sound, power of hearing, strength etc. From air the Atman
obtains sense of touch, movement, digestive power and rough
ness. From fiery element the sense of vision, warmth, digestive
capacity, colour and illumination are obtained. It takes from
watery element chillness, fluidity, dampness and softness. From
earth element it takes odour, sense of smell, weight and physi
cal form. These the unborn Atman takes up in the third month
and begins to throb. If the longing of a pregnant woman is not
V.iii.159.40-53 457
fulfilled, the foetus becomes defective. It may get ugliness or

even death. Hence the woman should be kept pleased. In the
fourth month the limbs get firmness. Blood begins to flow in
the fifth month. Physical strength is obtained in the sixth month.
Complexion is fixed and the nails and hairs grow at that time.
40-53. In the seventh month, the foetus becomes endowed
with consciousness and mind and the body has all the nails and
hundreds of hairs. In the eighth month, the outer skin is fixed
and the foetus becomes endowed with the power of memory.
It is at this time that his sin pursues the foetus and the mother
as well. Hence if the birth is premature and the child is born
in the eighth month it dies invariably. Either in the ninth or
the tenth month the child comes out naturally forced by the
powerful winds at the time of delivery. With feverish haste it
comes out like an arrow from the hole in a mechanical device.
Now it has its full complement of the limbs of the body. There
are one hundred vulnerable joints with three hundred Asthas
(bones?). There are seven skull-pieces in the head created by
the Self-born Lord himself. О descendant of Bharata, there are
three and half crores of hairs on the limbs. There are seventy-
two thousand Nadis (nerve vessels) fanning out. They are named
*
Hita and Sasiprabha is one of them. Thus the cycle goes on

functioning in all the four types of living beings and the birth
and death of all embodied beings are brought about.
The upward progress is due to righteousness and downfall
is due to unrighteousness. Everything in regard to all classes
of people, О king, is due to the acts of righteousness of the
respective Varnas.
The acts of giving and enjoying give Deva-hood or human
birth. О great king, all that is the fruit of action (Karma).
A creature may sink into the inauspicious and terrible hell
brought about by its own action and urged by lust and anger.
There is no redemption therefrom.
The only means for the redemption of creatures is this single
excellent Narakesvara1TIrtha situated on the banks of Narmada.
It dispels Naraka torture. It is highly meritorious. It is destruc
tive of great sins. It is the rarest on the earth.
1. The name of the-Tirtha is Anarakesvara but due lo metrical exigency A

is dropped from the verse.
458 Skanda Parana
m
One who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and adores
Mahesvara, will never see Naraka though he might have in
curred great sins.
One who makes a gift of an auspicious cow which is the
redeemer, becomes easily liberated from the Vaitarani river
undoubtedly.
Yudhisfhira said:
54-66. What is the form and what is the extent of river
Vaitarani which*flows near the gateway of Yama’s terrible world?
О Brahmana, how does it flow?
How do people escape from it? Who are the people who
have to remain in it always? To whom is it favourable? Do
expatiate upon all these points.
ф

О mighty-armed Dharmaputra, listen to everything uttered
by me. The great river at the threshold of Yama’s world, named
Vaitarani, is very deep. It is vast and shoreless, Even at the very
sight it strikes terror. Putrid blood constitutes its water and
flesh is its mud. That water whirls swiftly like ghee in a melting
pot. It is full of worms and putrid matter (like pus).
Alligators and sharks of adamantine snouts and iron-like bills
resembling big scissors fill it. There are other aquatic beings
of violent features capable of tearing vulnerable joints.
Twelve suns burn there fiercely as though at the time of the
ultimate annihilation. Men fall therein and shriek awfully. “ O
my brother! О my son! О my mother!” Thus they cry out
frequendy. Who can save one falling into the terrible Asipatravana?
Some creatures keep floating, some sink and some get fa
tigued. That great river must necessarily be seen by all the four
types of living beings.
Through the means of good gifts they remain floating, oth
erwise they go down. The stay there is perpetual in the case
of those who do not honour their mothers and slight their
preceptors or other elders.
Those sinners who forsake a chaste, wedded wife of decent
habits, steadfast in pious habits, remain there (in Vaitarani)
permahently.
V.iii.159.67-80 459
Those horrible sinners who particularly seek weak points in

women, children, old people and wretched ones are cooked
(subjected to torture) within it. They continue to shriek and howl.
67-80. An evil-minded one who puts in obstacles in the
case of a Brahman a tired and hungry, is eaten by worms for
a period of three hundred Kalpas.
One who promises a gift unto a Brahmana, invites him and
says “No” has to stay there permanently.
The following sinners have to stay there permanently: an
arsonist, a person administering poison, a person assailing king,
a slanderer, one who causes interruption in the narration of
a (holy) story, a perjuror, a drunkard, one who destroys diamonds,
one who takes away what is offered by himself, one who breaks
the embankments of excellent fields, a ravisher of other men's
wives, a Brahmana who sells spirituous beverages, a paramour
of a Sudra woman, one who disturbs herds of thirsty cows (while
drinking), a violator of the chastity of a virgin, one who torments
the recipient after making a gift, a Sudra who drinks the milk
of a tawny-coloured cow, a Brahmana who habitually eats meat etc.
О king, you need not entertain, doubts in regard to this.
Do listen to О king, as to how this Vaitarani can be turned
into a favourable one. An excellent Dana that is given in the
holy periods of the transit of the Sun, the equinox, Vyatipata,
the close of the day (a day touching three Tithis) etc. and a
black or pink-coloured cow make Vaitarani auspicious.
The horns (of the cow) shall be fitted with (caps of) gold
and the hoofs with silver. The milking pot shall be made of
brass. A pair of black cloths should cover it. Seven varieties of
grain should accompany the gift. It must be made to sit above
a copper vessel filled with a Drona (of grain).
The image of Yama should be made of gold. He must have
an iron staff. A raft of sugarcane stumps should be tied with
silk cords.
On the raft the cow should be placed conceiving it as origi
nating from the body of the Sun. A wise person should make
gift of umbrella, pair of shoes, ring and clothes to a Brahmana.
He shall catch hold of its tail and utter this Mantra: “ О т , I
am desirous of crossing River Vaitarani at the excessively ter
rible threshol<{jof Yama’s abode. О Vaitarani, obeisance to you!
I make this over to you.*’ This is the consecratory Mantra.
460 Skanda Purana
81-90. “ May cows be in front of me. May cows be behind

me. May cows be in my heart. I live in the midst of cows.
О т, О excellent Brahmana in the form of Visnu! О Sir,
w Ш m » 9
sanctifying the line of Brahmanas! This has been given to you

along with monetary gift, О Vaitarani, obeisance to you.'1
This is the Dana Mantra. The devotee circumambulates the
Brahmana, (the image of) Dharmaraja, the cow, the auspicious
Vaitarani and then makes over the gift of these to Brahmanas.
He then makes the Brahmana go ahead, holds the tail of
the cow and utters, “ O dear cow, do wait for me at the ex
tremely fearful threshold of Yama’s abode. О cow, 1 am desir
ous of crossing Vaitarani. Obeisance to Vaitarani!”
This is the Mantra for following the cow.
The entire household should follow him as he goes after the
cow. He leads the entire household. If this is done, О king, the
river shall be flowing favourably.
That river flowing with the water redeems the donor of the
Dana through that cow. He attains all the cherished desires,
both divine and human.
The sick shall be rid of all ailments. All great calamities
become quelled. In regard to the healthy, the benefit is thou
sand times more and in regard to the sick a hundred times.
Only in the case of a dead man, the gift is made indirectly. The
benefit then is remembered as on a par. Hence the gift should
be made by one’s own hand. After death who will give to whom?
О great king, after thinking along this line, what is offered by
one’s own hand shall be of great benefit.
Thus, О son of Dharma, the procedure regarding Dana on
Vaitarani has been recounted to you. One who listens and
recites with devotion goes to the immeasurable region of Vi$nu.
*
in Markandeya said:
91-102. At the advent of the month of Asvayuja on the
fourteenth lunar day in the dark half, one should take one’s
holy bath, perform the Sraddha rite and worship Mahesvara.
The gift on behalf of the Pitrs is to be given by people with
devotion and faith.
Thereafter the person should keep awake listening to the
stories about saintly persons and the like. Early at dawn he
should take his holy bath in the waters of Narmada and duly
V.iiiЛ 60.1-9 ’ 461
perform the rites of libation unto the Pitrs and Devas. A lamp
of gold should be gifted to a Brahmana with ghee in the basin
of the lamp. Thereafter he should feed Brahmanas and take
food himself without feelings of jealousy.
If this is done, О leader of men, a creature never goes to
Naraka. It is compulsory that men should survey the situation
in Naraka. But if this procedure is followed, a man never sees
Naraka.
If people die in the Tlrtha after these procedures are duly
followed, О king, they will stay in the rare Sivaloka for a period
of one Manvantara.
By means of an aerial chariot dazzling with the colour of the
Sun and resplendent with hundreds of tinkling bells, he goes
there, О blessed one, being attended upon by groups of celes
tial damsels. He enjoys different kinds of pleasures undoubt
edly for the period of time as mentioned before.
When the period is complete he comes over here in human
form when he will be bereft of all ailments. He shall live for
a hundred years.
At the advent of the month of Asvayuja, on the fourteenth
day in the dark half, a devotee should observe fast for a night
and a day and worship Mahesvara. Even if he has incurred
great sins he shall undoubtedly get rid of them.
О Yudhisthira, there are twenty-eight crore Narakas. Devo
tees shall be unaffected by the miseries of Naraka. They go to
Sivaloka. After enjoying great pleasures with divine Aisvarya
(richness) they will come again as human beings which (man
hood) is difficult to obtain.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTY
The Greatness of Moksa Tirtha
£ri Markandeya said:

1-9. Thereafter, О son of Рапфд, one should go to the
excellent Mok$a Tirtha which is resorted to by Devas, Gandharvas,
sages and ascetics.
*»>■*
462 Skanda Parana*
Many who have been deluded by Visnu’s Maya do not know

that Tirtha. Here blessed sages and ascetics have become Siddhas.
Pulastya, the learned Pulaha, the highly intelligent Kratu, Pracetasa,
Vasistha, Daksa, Narada and many other fortunate ones, more
than seven thousand in number, have attained salvation along
with their sons. Hence that Tirtha is the bestower of salvation.
River Tamaha flows into the stream of that Tirtha. The confluence
there is a Tirtha that quells all sins.
By a perfect Japa of Gayatri in accordance with the injunc
tions at that Tirtha, one will obtain that benefit which is ob
tained when the Vedic passages of Rk, Yajus and Saman are
repeatedly recited.
What is given as a religious gift, whatever is consigned to the
holy fire in Н ота, the Mantras and holy names uttered as Japa-
the benefit obtained from all these shall be everlasting and
shall be the excellent means of attaining salvation.
If Brahmanas who have renounced the world as Sannyasins
die there in the Tirtha, their departure shall be one without
any return, due to the power of Moksatirtha. Thus the proce
dure has been succinctly recounted to you by me, О sinless
one. The benefit from this Tirtha is very great and it has been
mentioned in the Purana.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED S1XTYONE
The Greatness of Sarpa Tirtha

ф

excellent Sarpa Tirtha where, О Yudhisthira, great serpents
performed penance and became Siddhas.
They are the serpents Vasuki, Tak$aka the terrible serpent,
Airavata, the highly fortunate Kaliya, Karkofaka, Dhananjaya,
the highly refulgent Sankhacucfc, Dhrtara$tra, Vrkodara, Kulika,
V&mana and the sons and grandsons of all these who per
formed a very difficult penance there at that highly meritorious
Tirtha. (Thereby) now they enjoy different kinds of pleasures.
Th#y now sport about as they please.
i
V.iii.161.8—V.iii. 162.5 468
Sankara has formerly declared that one who takes his holy
bath there in that Tirtha and offers libations to Pitrs and Devas,
obtains the benefit of a Vajapeya sacrifice. О descendant of
Bharaia, men who have taken their holy baths in the Sarpatlrtha
have seldom fear from serpents, scorpions and the like any
where on the earth.
One who dies there goes to the city of Bhogavatl and is
honoured by great serpents surrounded by Naga maidens. He
shall be the Lord of great enjoyments.
8-11. On the eighth lunar day in the dark half of the month
of Margaslrsa, a person should be pure and observe fast. He
should cover the Linga with gingelly seeds. In accordance with
his capacity, he should adore with sweet-smelling flowers. After
doing thus duly, he should prostrate and crave for forgiveness.
О leader of men, listen to the benefit that has been enjoyed
in his case. О king, he rejoices for as much time in Svarga
(Amaravatl) as he desires, nay as many years as there are gingelly
seeds, leaves, flowers and fruits (in the adoration).
Having slipped down from Svarga, he is reborn in a pure
family. He will be handsome, fortunate and highly rich. He will
become a Lord of crores.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYTWO
The Greatness of Gopesvara Tirtha

*

1-5. Thereafter, next to Sarpaksetra, one should go to
Gopesvara where men are liberated from sins merely by a single
bath.
One who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and casts
off his life, shall go to the palace of Siva even though he is
defiled by sins.
One who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and adores
Lord Isvara is liberated from all sins. He goes to Rudraloka.
After sporting about in Rudraloka as he pleases, the devotee
of great austerities attains human birth and becomes a righ
teous king.
464 Skanda Parana
■
He will be richly equipped with elephants, horses and chari

ots and will be accompanied (served) by male and female slaves.
He will be honoured by other kings and shall live happily for
a hundred years.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYTHREE
The Greatness of Naga Tiriha

excellent N&ga TIrtha.
On the fifth lunar day in the bright half of the month of
A£vina one should remain pure and observe regulations. Then
he has to keep awake for the whole of the night while offering
sweet scents, incense and food.
Early next morning, he should take his holy bath and duly
perform &raddha. He will be liberated from all sins. No hesi
tation need be felt in this respect.
О king, one who casts his life off there in the TIrtha, shall
have a departure from which there is no return. So said Siva
himself.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYFOUR
The Greatness of Samvauresvara TIrtha
&n Marhandeya said:

1-7. Thereafter, a person should go to the excellent Samvaura
TIrtha where Bhanu (Sun-god) is present and is adored by
Suras and Asuras.
Those who have become lame, those whose noses and nails
are defective, those whose limbs are split due to itches, scabies
etc., those whose wounds are infested with flies and worms,
those bereaved of mothers and fathers, abandoned by brothers
V.iii. 164.8—V.iii. 165.1 465
and wives, those helpless creatures defective in limbs who suffer

a great deal of misery, do find this deity, the Lord of Samvaura,
the source of origin of the universe, very helpful. This deity
stationed on the banks of Narmada is destroyer of miseries of
the worlds and quells pains.
Listen to the meritorious benefit of a person who regularly
bathes in the Tlrtha there for a month and continuously wor
ships Lord Bhaskara.
О son of KuntI, the benefit that one derives by taking the
holy dip in the four seas, viz. northern, eastern, western and
southern seas, is derived by taking holy bath there in this Tirtha.
Merely by taking the bath in Samvaura all the sins acquired
during childhood, youth and old age get destroyed.
8-13. Undoubtedly one obtains that benefit which is usually
obtained by fasting on the seventh lunar day and keeping awake
at night. О excellent king, by bathing in that Tlrtha one ob
tains the benefit of offering Arghya with red sandalpaste.
The waters of Narmada are beautiful and destructive of all
sins, especially of the section looked at by the noblc-souled
Samvaura deity.
Those who take bath and visit the excellent Lord of Devas,
Samvaura, are blessed ones. They are great souls. Their life is
an ideal one. By resorting to Samvaura for seven births, one
can permanently avoid ailments, poverty and separation from
beloved ones. A devotee shall stay in Suryaloka until the de
struction of all living beings.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYFIVE

л p

m
Sri Маткапфеуа said:

1-7. It is heard, О Lord, that the great Tirtha well known
as Siddhesvara on the southern bank of Narmada was created
by Siddhas.
The Tirtha there is highly meritorious, the most sacred of
all the Tlrthas. О great king, it is situated on the southern bank
of NarmadS.
466 Skanda Parana
m
Men should take holy bath there in the Tlrtha and offer
libation to Pitrs and Devatas. If a Person should offer Sraddha
there with the Pitrs in view, О descendant of Bharata, un
doubtedly his Pitrs are propitiated for twelve years.
A devotee should take his holy bath there in the Tirtha and
devoutly worship Siva.
Keeping awake at night, he should read the Purana. Early
in the morning he should perform ablutions duly. Thereafter
he should visit the Consort of the Daughter of the Mountain.
He shall attain the greatest goal. Formerly great sages be
ginning with Kapila, Siddhas of great fortune, performed the
Japa of the great Brahman. There of great Vratas achieving
perfection in Yoga attained the greatest Siddhi by the power
of Narmada.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYSIX
The Greatness of Siddhesvan Tirtha

1-8. Then there is the Vaisnavi goddess named Siddhesvan.
She is destroyer of sins. By seeing the excellent spot people
have attained great bliss.
One should take his bath there in that Tirtha and adore the
Pitrs and Devatas. He who devoutly visits the goddess is rid of
all sins.
A woman whose dear child has died, a barren woman and
one who invariably gives birth to girls, (after worshipping the
deity) begets a son endowed with good qualities and good
conduct. ___
A devotee should take his bath there in the Tirtha and visit
the goddess with great devotion on the eighth or fourteenth
day, or, О king, it may be on any day.
A woman or man should take the holy bath at the confluence.
The goddess (if pleased) gives them sons and wealth.
When visited and perfectly adored, the goddess accords good
protection to the family. There is no doubt about this that on
being adored she protects the progeny always.
V.iii.167.1-14 467
A person should take his holy bath on the ninth lunar day,
О great king. He should observe fast. With his mind purified
with faith, he should worship the goddess with deep devotion.
He goes to the greatest world inaccessible even to Suras.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYSEVEN
The Greatness of Mdrkandesvara Tirtha
Yudhisthira said:
• •
1-8. О great sage, there is a Tirtha on the southern bank

of Narmada distinguished with characteristic features. Do re
count (glory of) this Tirtha to me along with its origin.
0

Formerly at the beginning of Krtayuga, I lived for a long
time in Dandaka (forest) on the excellent mountain Vindhya
endowed with all qualities. I was regular in my diet and other
habits and the groups of sages extended to me the greatest
hospitality.
1 lived there very happily for ten thousand years. Then I
took leave of those sages, О blessed one. I came to the banks
of Narmada followed by my disciples.
Accompaied by multitudes of Brahmanas, I made a beauti
ful, meritorious spot as my abode. It was destructive of all sins.
It abounded in people of various sorts, such as celibate reli
gious students, those well established in the life of a house
holder, ascetics, recluses who had controlled their diet as well
as their minds fully, saints of esteemed honour and devoid of
lust and anger.
t performed very severe penace for ten thousand years and
propitiated Lord V&sudeva, the creator and master of all. Re
sorting to the banks of Narmada, I carried on my Japa, Tapas
and observance of vows.
9-14. Thereupon, О Yudhisthira, the two gods (Siva and
Visnu), granters of boons, resplendent like (two) Suns incar
468 Skanda Puranam
nate, embellished as it were (accompanied) by Uma and Sri

arrived there.
I bowed down to the Lords devoutly and spoke these words:
I requested the Lords, the auspicious bestowers of boons: “I
pray for adherence to righteousness, О highly esteemed Lords,
and excellent devotion unto you both. Let me stay here in this
spot like a young man of twenty-five years, without getting old
and devoid of ailments, undoubtedly along with the Devas.”
On being prayed to thus by me, О son of KuntI, those two
Lords, Kr$na and SaAkara, became pleased, О Yudhisthira, to
stay here and told me:
The Lords said:

Know that we are stationed here in this spot along with
Devas including Vasava.
After saying thus, the Lords vanished there itself.

I installed there both Sankara and immutable Krsna (Visnu).
I adored them with mental concentration. I felt contented
(with my achievement).
15-25. A man who takes his bath there in the Tlrtha of
Markandesvara, whether it be Lord Paramesvara or Vi§nu the
Lord of the three worlds, shall go to the greatest region of
Vi§nu or Siva.
A devotee should offer curd, milk, ghee, honey as well as
Narmada water, sweet scents, incense, splendid offerings of
flowers and Naivedyas (food offerings) with full self-control.
With great devotion he should thus keep awake at night
propitiating Vi$riu. Remaining pure mentally and physically, О
king, he should perform the holy ablution etc. The devotee
should observe fast on the twelfth or fourteenth lunar day in
the bright half of the month of Jye$(ha. The man devoted tfl.
Vi$nu should carry out the adoration of the Lord. By doing
thus he attains Vi^guloka and becomes one on a par, with
Vi?nu. _ T
A devotee of Maheivara rejoices jike a Gaga in, the city qf

Mahesvara. ,
. a devotee performs with steady mind £raddha theij|rwith
die Pitfs in view, they undoubtedly attain everlasting satisfac
tion.
V.iii.167.26-31 469
A Brahmana devotee should take his holy bath in Narmada

silently, with the mind fully controlled. He should perform
Sandhya prayers staying there itself. After performing the aus
picious Japa, he should offer libations to the Pitrs and Devas
and human beings too duly.
Staying in front of Krsna or of Markandesvara, he should
assiduously recite the Mantras of Rk, Yajus and Saman.
If only a single Rk of Rgveda is recited he will derive the
benefit of reciting the entire Rgveda; by reciting a single Yajus
verse he will derive the benefit of the recitation of the entire
Yajurveda; and by reciting a single Saman the benefit of the
entire Samaveda.
26-31. If only a single Brahmana is fed, it will be as though
a crore of Brahmanas have been fed.
Ш
A woman whose child is dead, a barren woman and one who

successively begets only girls, should make the following ar
rangement. A Brahmana fully conversant with the principles
of the Vedas, should repeat the Rudra Mantras duly. An aus
picious Kalasa (sacred waterpot) should be placed on the southern
side of the Linga. Repeating eleven, limes the Rudra Mantra
(Rudradhyaya) the devotee then pours water from the pot and
bathes the deity. A woman who sponsors this, О leading king,
obtains a sinless son destined to live long.
One who sees the groves of trees growing at the Markandesvara
Tirtha, even from very far, is rid of such sins as arise from
Brahmana-slaughter etc. So said Sankara.
He who listens to this or reads it with devotion, О excellent
king, becomes undoubtedly one purified of all sins.
In the case of those who read or listen, this brings about
destruction of all sins. It is conducive to fame, long life and
plenty of wealth. It is destructive of evil dreams.
470 Skanda Parana
9
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYEIGHT
The Greatness of Ahkureivara Tirtha

1-5. The excellent Ankuresvara Tirtha is on the southern
bank of Narmada. It is endowed with all good qualities and is
well-known in all the three worlds.
There a great Rak§asa propitiated Mahesvara and became a
Siddha. He propitiated Sankara, the very life of the universe,
the deity that transports a devotee merely when remembered.
Yudhisthira said:
• •
Who was that Raksas (i.e. Raksasa)? О excellent Brahmana,

what was his name? In whose family was he born? О sinless
one, mention this to me in detail.
Those men who commit sins and who are turned blind due
to ignorance, do see the world consisting of mobile and im
mobile beings, thanks to the people like you who guide them
like lamps.
On hearing the words of Dharmaputra, Markandeya, the

eminent sage, smiled and began to narrate that tale destruc
tive of sins.

6-15. There was a mental son of Brahma named Pulastya,
О king. He was an expounder of the Vedas and scriptures. He
was as if another Vedhas (Brahma) in person.
The daughter of Trnabindu became the wife of that learned
Parame$thin. Thanks to his holy communion, a noble-minded
son was born.
Since the Vedas and Itihasas along with the six Angas, Pada
and Krama (Pathas of Vedas) rested in him, the name Visravas
was given to him.
On a certain occasion the great sage Bharadvaja gave his
daughter with pleasure to Visravas, О king.
AHe sported along with her like Indra with Paulomi (Sac!).
V.iii. 168.16-25 471
The Brahmaiia, the foremost among those conversant with the

Vedas, sported with her with great joy (like Indra with Indr&nl).
After some time a son endowed with all the qualities of a
son was born to Visravas. He became well known as Vaisravana.
With the guilelessness of a child, О Yudhisthira, he observed
the vow of silence while granting freedom from fear to all
living beings.
Mahadeva was pleased with him and granted him his own
friendship and the status of Dhanada (giver tof wealth). Along
with Brahmana-sages, Brahma came tor him and told him: “You
will become the fourth of the group of Yama, Indra and Varuna,
and attain Lokapalatva (guardianship of the worlds). After granting
this desired Lokapalatva, Brahma went away quickly.
On another occasion a demoness named Kaikasi left Patala,
came to the earth and desired Visravas as her husband.
16-25. О excellent descendant of Bharata, Havana was born
* •
as her son. So also were Kumbhakarna, a great Raksasa, and

the noble-souled VibhTsana.
• •
Kumbhakarna had two sons named Kumbha and Vikumbha.

They were very great, О most excellent one among men. They
possessed great strength and virility.
Ankura, the most excellent Raksasa, was a great son of Kumbha.
Emulating Vibhisana in good qualities, he became the most
excellent one among Raksasas.
On attaining mature youth, he came to know that his grand
father was a Raksasa. He became very much disgusted and
performed a very great penance.
He performed pilgrimage to the four oceans, southern, western,
northern and eastern, and came incidentally to Narmada.
Ankura, the Lord of Raksasas, performed a very great penance
for a hundred divine years. Thereat Mahadeva, the conqueror
of the cities of the enemies, became pleased. The Bull-emblemed
Lord granted him freedom of choosing any boon. “O fair one,
choose your boon. О devotee of good Vratas, I shall grant it."
On seeing Mahesvara, the god of Devas, standing before
him as the granter of boons, he bowed to him again and again
and spoke (the following words):
mO Mahadeva, if you are pleased, О Lord of Suras, if you
are ready to grant a boon, grant unto me immortality which
is very rare in the case of all living beings. О Slayer of Tripuras,
m
stay here after my name by this boon. It behoves you to be

always present here."
Isvara said
26-33. As long as you adhere to piety, as long as you follow
the advice of Vibhl$ana with steadiness of the mind, this will
be true.
After saying this, the Lord honoured by all deities went away
to the Kailasa mountain by means of an aerial chariot of lus
trous hue of the Sun.
When the Lord vanished, the demon took his bath and
sipped water ritualistically in accordance with the injunctions,
О great king, and installed the excellent Ankuresvara.
He then adored the Lord of Suras with scents, flowers, in
cense, garments and ornaments, banners, chowries, umbrellas
and (saying the) auspicious words like *Jaya9 (‘Be victorious’)
etc. He eulogized the Lord with plenty of prayers pleasing to
the heart. The Raksasa then went to the abode where King
Vibhlsana was present.
He was suitably honoured with gifts and other honours.
Treated like own brother, he stayed there with great joy.
He who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and worships
Paramesvara named Ankuresvara shall obtain the merit of a
horse-sacrifice.
«
The sacred region of Mahesvara begins from the pond known

as Mandavya and extends to the auspicious confluence of Reva
and Amalakl.
34-43. The AAkuresvara Tirtha is to the west of Mandavya-
khata. A devout man should take his bath there in the Tirtha
and remain physically and mentally pure.
He should assiduously say Sandhya prayers and perform the
Japa, О descendant of Bharata. О excellent one among the
descendants of Bharata, he should offer libations to the Pitrs
and Devas and human beings. Continuing to wear the wet
clothes and observing silence, he should adore the Lord.
Listenilp the meritorious benefits of the worshipper who
duljgflllfraves fast on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days and
performs worship (of AAkureivara).
V.iii Л 69.1-4 473
There are Tlrthas and shrines over an area of a hundred

Yojanas. It will be as though all these shrines have been visited
by him. Thereafter he is liberated from sins.
After duly bathing there in the Tlrtha, Dana should be of
fered to a deserving person with the Lord in view. It shall be
everlasting in benefit.
It is said to be ten times more than that of Н ота. The
benefit in Japa is more than that. By observing fast, the benefit
is three times more and by holy ablution it is four times.
One who renounces the world or casts off his life (therein)
attains the region of Rudraloka from which there is no return
for him.
Even worms, insects and birds that die there in the Tlrtha
named Ankuresvara attain liberation.
Thus, О king, the origin of Ankuresvara has been recounted
to you. The Tlrtha is endowed with all good qualities. It is
destructive of sins.
Those who devoutly listen to this being glorified as yielding
great benefit, attain the abode of Siva. There is no doubt about
it.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTYNINE
The Abduction of Kdmamohini

1-4. Thereafter, one should go to a great meritorious Tlrtha
destructive of sins. It was there that Sage Mandavya became a
Siddha. So also did Sage Narayana.
Formerly service was rendered to Mandavya who was im
paled on a spike by Narayana. By taking the holy bath there,
О great king, one is rid of the coat of sin.
Yudhisthira said:
О sage, what has been mentioned by you is a mysterious
story in all the worlds. That penance was performed by one
impaled on stake has neither been seen nor heard.
474 Skanda P u ran a
Mention all this to me in the company of the sages. Describe

the greatness of this Mandavya Tirtha with eagerness.

5-15. Listen, О king, to what happened on the earth in
Tretayuga. There was a highly intelligent king comparable to
the Guardians of the world. King Devapanna was a person who
had performed Yajnas and was always engaged in making gifts.
He was conversant with all holy rites and fully conscious of
what was performed (by all). Like a father protecting his bosom-
born children, he assiduously protected his subjects.
DatyayanI was the beloved wife of that king. She was always
amiable to him. With the sounds of her necklaces and anklets,
she made the atmosphere resonant with jingling sound (Jhankara).
0 king, their mutual love increased day by day. The king ruled
the earth full of wealth and equipped with vehicles and filled
with elephants, horses and chariots. He possessed all good
qualities but had no issues. The king was thus in a state where
the perpetuation of the family had stopped.
He was overcome with a great misery. He became distressed
in the absence of His own progeny. He performed holy ablu
tion and Н о та everyday, О descendant of Bharata, and con
tinued this for twelve years.
He strictly adhered to the restrictions of holy vows and fasts
along with his wives and propitiated Goddess Camunda, the
destroyer of Muncia, by means of many holy prayers and de
vout rites of adoration and meditation:
“O Goddess Varahi, О Camunda, О three-eyed goddess, be
victorious, be victorious! О Brahmi, О Raudrl, О Kaumari, О
Katyayanf, I make obeisance to you! О fierce Bhairavi, О Raudrl
of great Yogic powers, proceeding through the sky! In the
entire range of the three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile
beings there is nothing without you.91
Being pleased by the eulogy offered by the king the goddess
spoke those words: “Choose a boon as you please, whatever
may be in your mind* I have been devoutly propitiated by you.
1 am p ieced and shall grant you the boon."
V .iii.l 69.16-31 475
Devapanna said:
16-22. О goddess of Devas, if you are pleased, if I deserve
a boon, do kindly redeem me who has become distressed for
want of a male child. Cause the protection, continuation of my
family. Save my dynasty.
Indeed houses of men without children resemble a crema
tion ground. His Pitrs do not partake of food along with the
deities and sages. Though I perform Sraddha everyday, my
ancestors appear to me in my dream as afflicted with hunger.
On hearing these words of the king, the goddess began to

meditate. The three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile
beings were perceived by her with her divine eyes. With the
face beaming with pleasure the goddess thus spoke to the king:
“In the entire range of the three worlds, consisting of mobile
and immobile beings, О king, there is no child of thine. Per
form a Yajna with the Yajnapurusa (Lord Visnu) in view. Oth
erwise there is no hope of a child unto you. The entire range
of the three worlds has been perceived by me with my divine
eyes.”
After saying thus, the goddess went away and the king re
turned to his abode.
23-31. He performed the Yajna dedicated to the Yajnapurusa
and thereupon a daughter was born. She was radiant, beautiful
and charming unto all the people.
Such a lovely maiden could be found neither in Devaloka
nor in Gandharvaloka. O ut of delight she was named
KamapramodinI by her father.
In due course of time she grew up and stunned the world
with her beauty, sportive gait like that of a swan, excellent
eyebrows and the downward stoop due to the weight of breasts.
She was dazzling in her earrings and other ornaments. She
used to wear red garlands and garments with divine unguent.
She used to be guarded duly by her female companions.
The necklace nestled in the middle of her breasts like a
garland (series) of lightning streaks. She had curly hairs re
sembling black bees. She smiled sweetly and her lips sparkled
like a Bimba fruit.
476 Skanda Parana
With her eyes extending upto her ears, she appeared to

drink in the lovers. She seemed to attract Manmatha through
the fragrance of the betel leaves mixed with camphor.
Her neck was like a conchshell. Her slender waist was rav
ishing. The nails of her toes were copper-coloured. The navel
was deep and the front part of her buttocks was excellent. Her
thighs resembled plantain stems.
She was wholly splendid with excellent rows of teeth.
She increased the delight of her parents, friends and others
by her sports. On a certain day she went (to a temple) for the
adoration of the goddess, taking with her flowers and incense
and other things such as sandalpaste, agallochum, betel leaves,
incense, bunches of flowers etc. She was accompanied by groups
of her friends.
32-S7. All of them took off their garments and ornaments.
Placing them on the bank of the lake they went deep into it
in the middle of the lake and began their lively water sports.
On seeing her sporting about along with her friends in the
clear water, a demon named Sambara came there in the form
of a hawk. KamapramodinI who was in the middle of the waters
was caught hold of by him. The wicked-minded one leaped up
into the sky seizing the ornaments too.
О descendant of Bharata, while he was on the aerial path
along with the lovely maiden, the earrings and other orna
ments fell into the waters of Narmada where the great sage
Mandavya was absorbed in meditation, О great Lord, in the
great region of Narayana with full control of sense-organs.
His younger brother who attended upon him had become
very lean due to his penance and Japa. He meditated upon
Lord Janardana.
V.iii.l70.1-15 477
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY
M&ndavya Impaled

1-5. On seeing her being carried away by him, all those
friends of KamapramodinI came out from the water and la
mented loudly.
All of them went into the palace and spoke in great sorrow:
ttO kingl KamapramodinI has been carried away by a huge
bird-а hawk, even as she was sporting about in the lake in the
vicinity of the Lord. A search for her should be carried out by
you by tracing the path of that bird.”
On hearing the words of those girls, Devapanna was ex
tremely distressed. M Alas! Alas!” He cried aloud getting up from
his excellent royal seat.
Along with the ministers he went to the lake. Not finding
out any clue as to the path taken by the bird he swooned due
to great sorrow.
6-15. All the citizens too became miserable due to the king's
sorrow. Presently the king was consoled by the ministers and
the priests.
MWhat shall we do? What should be done at this juncture?”
He said and had causultations with all of them.
Then he said: “I shall send to all directions the four divi
sions of the army with the full complement of elephants, horses
and chariots.”
Drums and other instruments were" played and everything
was in a chaotic condition.
The king equipped himself and the armies with arrows, iron
rods, shafts, swords, axes etc. He was as if swallowing the skies.
Neither Devas nor Gandharvas, neither Daityas nor R&k§asas
could guess what the king would do to vent his anger.
On seeing it the citizens too became dismayed in the mind.
There were fourteen thousand elephants with their drivers
equipped with goads and hooks. There were eighty thousand
cavalry men with weapons in their hands. О leading scion of
the family of Eharata, there were sixty thousand chariots. The
dust particles ki£jted up by the hoofs rose up high into the sky
along with the sounds of war drums.
478 Skanda Purdna
О dear one, in the meantime the guard of the city met the
king with her ornaments in his hand. All the ornaments of the
various limbs were there such as earrings, armlets, bracelets,
necklaces, anklets, etc.
He reported to the king: M On searching these were seen by
me in the hermitage of the sages where Mandavya surrounded
by other sages is present.”
16-26. On hearing this report of the chief police officer
and seeing the ornaments of the body of the princess clearly
produced, the king became angry with reddened eyes. Looking
at the ministers and the elite public he said: "Such a Brahmana
is living in my city, who indulges in the activity of a thief!
Under the garb of a man of holy vows, he is stealing other
people’s wealth. He must be a sinner in the guise of a sage
by whom my daughter has been abducted.
"Assuming the form of a bird even as he was in the water,
he went up into the sky. No sin is incurred if one kills heretics,
a perpetrator of prejudicial (prohibited) activities, those who
observe Bidalavratas (hypocrites), rogues, flatterers, thieves and
men of evil conduct. This sinner, thief and abductor of a virgin
need not be seen (examined) by me in person. Let him be
impaled on the stake immediately. There need not be any
formal trial in his case. That wicked one is to be killed by me.
He is a demon in the guise of an ascetic.”
Saying thus in anger he commanded the police officer and
went away. Without taking into consideration what should be
done and what should not be done, he got the Brahmana
impaled on the stake.
All the citizens and the rural folk were filled with tears in
their eyes. "Alas ! AJasI” They said and cried. They told one
another thus:
"A despicable act has been committed by the king acting
like a Candala. A Brahmana should not be killed, especially
when he is an ascetic. If any of his activities deserved anger
he should be banished out of the city. Never should a Brahmana
be killed even if he has indulged in all types of sins. He should
be banished from the kingdom along with his entire property
intact." О king (Yudhi?thira), none of the citizens took his
t **
food atf home; there was no fire even in their houses. All of
diem were gloomy in mind and unmindful of their domestic
duties.
V.iU.171.1-22 479
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYONE
Dialogue between Sandilt and the Sages

Ф

1-7. In order to see the said Brahmana who had been
impaled on the stake, all the great sages went to Narayana
along with ascetics such as Narada, Devala, Raibhya, Yama,
Satatapa, Angiras, Vasistha, Jamadagni, Yajnavalkya, Brhaspati,
Kasyapa, Atri, Bharadvaja, Visvamitra, Aruni, Muni and other
groups of sages beginning with Valakhilyas and the members
of their family.
The eminent sages saw Mandavya placed on the stake. They
said to Brahmana Narayana, “What shall we do to please you?”
All of them became agitated in the presence of the noble-
souled Mandavya. They came near him in great agitation and
said, “Is he dead? Is he alive?”
On seeing his plight, they became excessively distressed.
Unable to bear that sorrow mentally, they said: M Let him be
asked. If he consents, reduce the king to ashes:”
On hearing this Narayana spoke these words:
8-13. “Even when I am alive my brother has fallen into this
plight. Fie upon my life! But yet there is the efficacy of the
penance. On seeing my brother impaled on the stake, my mind
is torn asunder. Yet I am going to do something wherby the
entire kingdom including the king shall be reduced to ashes
by me. Let me be pardoned by you all.”
After saying this, he took water into his hand and charged
it with incantations.
Even as he surveyed in anger there was heard a Humkara
sound. The sages were dismayed thereby. They were taken
aback by the Huihkara sound.
Those excellent Brahmanas went near Mandavya and asked
him, “O Br&hmapa, do you wish to withold the curse that is
sure to kill the king by whom a sinless person has been brought
to the verge of death?”
On hearing the words of the sages Мапфшуака said with
great pain:
14-22. “O sages, welcome unto you always. I salute you all
480 Skanda Parana»
with my (bowed) head. Be seated here ye all who deserve

Arghya, honour and adoration.**
With fully concentrated mind, Mandavyaka spoke to all:
“The terrible misery which I am undergoing is the fruit of
what was incurred in the previous life. Do not feel aggrieved
over that. Indeed the sin committed has to be borne (by reap
ing the fruit thereof).”
The sages said:

What is the act which results in one’s taking up another
birth? As a fruit of what Dana or Dharma (charity and pious
act) does one go to Svarga?
Man4avya said:
Those who sustain themselves at the expense of other people’s
fortune and those who do not make liberal donations are reborn.
О excellent Brahmanas, these people fall into terrible hell
and are reborn as Candalas: those who do not take holy bath
regularly; those who do not practise Japat Н ота, worship of
Suras, hospitality to other people, performance of Pitr Sraddha
during Parvas and also regular Dana. Again they become very
poor and again they commit sins. They stay on in Naraka as
a result of the power of the sins. For the same reason they
undergo the experience of being born in the tranemigratory
mortal world that is the primary cause of life. They are reborn
as worms and insects.
Those who regularly take the holy bath, those who are devoted
to Brahmaiias and Devas, those who have conquered the sense-
organs, those who invariably take pity on living beings, live in
the worlds of Devas. Those who are always pious and who have
conquered arrogance and anger live with great delight. Those
who are well educated and polite, those who do not harass
others, those who utterly exclude other men’s wives and remain
contented with their own wives need not, be afraid of anything
in the world. They are innately pure and devoid of sins.
The pages said:

23-53. О great BrihmaQa, what was that sin committed by
V.iii.171.34-44 481
you in the previous birth? Wherefore was this suffering under

gone, the despicable fact of being impaled on the stake?
All of us have assembled here on seeing that you are im
paled on the stake. May we see you alive safely taken off from
it? Despite the sufferings due to the pain and distress, you
seem to be not feeling it at all?
Maridavya said:
What is committed by oneself is to be borne (reaped) by
oneself. No one else experiences (the fruits of) either merit
or demerit of the previous actions.
Just as a calf finds out its mother from among thousands of
cows, so also the previous action comes back to the perpetrator
himself.
No one can shake off the actions except by experiencing the
good or bad effect thereof. Neither his mother nor his father,
neither his brother nor his wife, neither sons nor friends, can
be expected to experience them.
I have been asked by you. May my statement be listened to.
О Brahman as, during my earlier years of life, I used to wait
long during my baths at the time of removing dirt. Due to my
ignorance and puerile nature, the lice were pricked with thorns.
When oil was applied over my head and all over the body the
lice were not retained by me. I used to comb my hair and prick
the lice with thorns. Since sin was committed in regard to
them, this result has befallen me.
After spending some more time I will attain unailing libera
tion. О great sages, you all need not be distressed at all. While
experiencing this plight, I shall not curse anyone, nor sin against
any one. I shall cause the sin to be wiped off by remaining on
the stake for a few days.
О Brahmanas, I shall bear the brunt of the previous action
committed by me and experience the result thereof. The king’s
misdemeanour should be excused. Let the anger be dispelled.
34-44. On hearing the words of Mancjavya, the great sages

derived great pleasure and esteemed him much and shouted,
“Bravo!"
482 Skanda Parana»
N drayana said:
Where shall I drop this Mantra-charged water intended for
the king’s being reduced to ash along with his priests and the
kingdom?
Mandavya said:
Preserve this water which is comparable to Kalakuta poison.
I shall get it cast off into the ocean. The time for the task of
Devas has arrived.
Thereupon all those sages beginning with Kasyapa bowed

down to Mandavya. Taking leave of him, they went back to
their abodes with great delight.
Even as they were preparing to leave, they were told, “O
ascetics, promise to come back to my presence on the fifth
day."
“So, shall it be,” promised Narada and others. When those
leading Brahmanas went out of sight, the female ascetic Sandill
came there on the second day. She was carrying her husband
on her head and wandering about at night.
She did not see the sage (Mandavya). О Yudhi$thira, she was
staggering due to the excess of burden. The Brahmana on the
stake was not noticed by her. The chaste lady faltered and
slipped down against the knees of the Brahmana on the stake.
Due to the fall of the faltering lady much pain was caused
to the sage. Along with the previous predicament caused by
fate, the present situation became will-nigh intolerable. He
said: MA further infliction of the fruit of sin ! Alas! My pain is
great! О sinful lady, I have been further pained by you in a
fruitless task. Why? I see you as a wanton woman wandering
as you please. Are you a female thief or an ogress?” After
saying this and lamenting again and again he fell into a swoon.
45-54. The sages and all the ascetics were agitated in their
minds on being aware of the sufferings of the sage (Mandavya).
They then asked her, О Yudhi${hira:
“Why do you wander about at night. What is it that you are
carrying? Something weighty has been put into this sack. What
is the purpose of your arrival here? You have caused pain to
this &age, О lady, reeling in misery and going through sorrow
after sorrow!
V.iii. 171.55-60 483
Ф
Sandili said:
в •
Know ye all that I am neither an AsurT nor a GandharvI,

neither a Pisaci nor a Raksasl. Understand that 1 am a chaste
woman loyal to my husband and steadfast in my penance.
I am not overwhelmed with lust or anger, I have no enmity
with anyone, nor am I afflicted by jealousy. I did falter and slip
down due to ignorance and due to the fact that my eyes could
not see properly. It behoves you to pardon me.
For the comfort of my husband, I carry him, as at day time
he is troubled by his ailment. Please know that he who is always
in the sack is my husband. I bear him, feed him, dress him"&s
he is a patient. Know that this sage is the leader of Saunaka
clan and that I am his wife Sandili. Please do not get angry
with a chaste woman serving my husband righteously. Treat
(us) as guest. It behoves you all to pardon me who have come
near saintly persons like you.
The sages said:

Moving about at will, you appear to be unaware of other
people's distress and pain. In the morning as soon as the sun
rises your husbad will die. О low-born woman, only your own
misery you know and not that of any other person.
Sandili became chagrined at those terrible words. Afflicted

with grief, she was lost in meditation for a short while. Then
her eyes became red with anger. Staring at the sages she spoke
these words:
55-60. “When a good person visits the house, he should
be accorded the adoration due to a guest with gentle and
welcoming words. It seems, I have come to the house of you
good people in the guise of one committing an offence. This
is the type of hospitality accorded to me by you all! The righteous
conduct conducive to heavenly pleasures and salvation was not
at all noticed by you. I am a Prajapatya (the progeny of a
patrichal family) but you see me like a barbarous woman. May
you and the deities in heaven see women's power in me today.
My husband will not die. The sun will not rise. The entire
universe will be covered with darkness. The night will not come
to an end,”
484 Skanda Purana
*
When these words were uttered by her, the sun remained

paralysed. Everything fell into gloom. All Vasatkaras and holy
rites remained suspended. There was no Svahakara, or Sva-
dhakara or the rite of five Yajnas. There was no Snana, Dana
or Japa. All Sandhya rites stood suspended. For six months the
rites of libation and the offer of balls of rice stood unper
formed.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYTWO
The Greatness of Mandavya Tirtha

*

1-7. Then all the sages and Devas with Indra at their head
came to the meritorious hermitage of Mandavya on the banks
of Narmada.
The courtesans began to dance to the tunes of the songs of
the celestial damsels. Lights shone and conchs and Dundubhi
drums were sounded.
Some people began to eulogize narrating the tales of the
sage impaled on the stake.
Eighty-eight thousand hermit - householders assembled there
with a desire to see everything. Brahma, Visnu and Mahesana
came there with great pleasure along with the Devas.
The Mothers beginning with Mallika, Ksetrapalas, Vinayakas,
Dikpalas (Guardians of quarters), the guardians of the worlds,
the excellent rivers beginning with Ganga etc., came there.
In that pleasant gathering of sages and Devas, the king too
came along with the citizens and the rural folk.
Some came there with great curiosity; some with agitated
minds. Their minds were shaken with fear and they stood around.
8-21. In that divine assembly Brahma, Visnu and Isa spoke:
uO Mandavya of great vitality, along with the Devas we are
ready to grant you boons. After a great deal of suffering and
austerities, you will now attain spiritual perfection. Request as
you please, whatever may appeal to your mind.
Know that the whole world has become devoid of the sun.
V.iii .172.22-27 485
It is in a confused state without Vasa(karas. All the pious rites

have become defunct. Make it attain normalcy.
Further, О excellent Brahmana, we request for your bless
ings to Sandill. See here, the king who has given you much
trouble is present before you. О Brahmana-sage, grace (gratify)
the entire group of people including the Devas and Asuras.”
Mandavya said:
If the deities are pleased with me and have come here along
with Suras, they should stay here in this Tirtha on all the three
Sandhyas along with the sages. May my physical pain and dis
comfort subside forever with your favour.
The Lords of Devas said: “So be it." О son of Pandu, even

■ ■ *
as they said so, the demon came there taking the girl
KamapramodinI with him.
He said to them: “O holy Sirs, formerly UrvasI had cursed
me and said,*When you abduct a girl, your curse will cease.*
My despicable activity is actuated by the curse. This misdemeanour
by one who is not highly learned should be excused."
After saying this he disappeared.
After he had gone the lotus-eyed girl was seen carefully by
all the Suras. They had mutual consultation and then offered
her to the wise Mandavya.
They poured the sacred waters of Narmada over the Vajrasulika
(the adamantine stake) and took Sage Mandavya off the stake
to the accompaniment of auspicious shouts of “Be victorious"
etc. Mandavya the great sage, married the girl and offered
obeisance to all of them (Suras).
The king who was nearby and who had been earlier scolded
w
by all the people saying “Fie upon you!" now made all of them
delighted. The Brahmanas were propitiated by means of orna
ments, garments and food and also with gifts of a crore of gold
pieces. They were requested to forgive him.
After the marriage was over Mandavya called Sancjili and
said to her:
22-27. “Honour these Brahmanas. Get the Sun release (from
your curse). It is his mercy that dispels the darkness immediately."
On hearing th£words of the sage, Sandill said in her distress:
“O Br&hmanas, if the Sun were to rise, my husband will die.
486 Skanda Parana
m
How can I get him released? That will be detrimental to my

interest.
О great sages, what do I gain by urging (the Sun) to resume
his movement? Is it your idea that I should be without my
husband, without anyone to look after me? Ye all stand in
darkness. I do not wish that the Sun should rise.”
At those words, all the Devas, Asuras and great sages shook
their heads and said: "That is all right, but, О highly esteemed
chaste lady, О ascetic lady, listen to our words. If you honour
all of us, carry out the words spoken (to you).”
Sandili said:
9 9
28-36. All of you think well and do what will increase

happiness. Do that whereby my husband will not die but the
words of the sage will be true as well.
On hearing her words, they made the sage fall into a stu
porous coma. Even as Sandili was watching, he was made to
vanish for a short while. All the sages then revived him and
made his body free from wounds. That sage was washed with
the waters of Narmada and handed over to Sandili.
On seeing her husband refulgent, she became delighted in
her mind. She then bowed down to the sages and Devas. The
bright Sun then shone all over the world.
All the worldly acdvides were resumed. The Devas, Gandharvas
and human beings were all delighted and they went to their
respective abodes and great penance groves.
The chaste lady stayed in that Asrama along with her hus
band for a month. On being permitted by Mandavya, she bowed
to him and went to her hermitage.
When all those persons had gone, Mandavya installed Lord
Acyuta by the name Mandavyesvara. He was remembered as
Narayana too.
О descendant of Bharata, he worshipped the deity for a
thousand divine years and then he went to Amaraparvata along
with the groups of sages. Even today, О descendant of Bharata,
the brothers are continuously performing penance and medi
tating upon the highest station (Being) with their selves under
cohtrol.
V.iii.172.37-59 487
37-48, One should take holy bath there in the TIrtha and
offer libations to Pitrs and Devatas. By the offer of balls of rice
Pitrs become propitiated for ten years.
At the beginning of a fortnight a person should do the
wiping and applying of plaster in the temple. By this smearing
and application of plaster one gets twice the benefit derived
when a hundred thousand cows are gifted.
By adoration, the benefit shall be fourfold. The merit of
lighting lamps is cited as eightfold.
Those who bathe the Lord with curd, honey, ghee, milk or
the waters of Narmada become persons endowed with divine
vision in the three worlds including mobile and immobile beings.
Those who adore Virupaksa or Lord Narayana Hari by means
of flower garlands and unguents, sport about in divine aerial
chariots for a period of a Kalpa.
One who lights eight lamps on the eighth, eleventh and
fourteenth days of the dark half of a month, does not see Yama.
Those who fill the Linga with various kinds of fruits move
about by means of an aerial chariot and are served by Siddhas
and Caranas. There shall be bells and banners in the aerial
chariot. So also flower garlands as well as befitting musical
ф
instruments. It will pass to the vicinity of Siva.

He who builds, makes a temple of Visnu, Mandavyesvara, is
a pious-sou led devotee and he lives in Svarga until all living
beings are annihilated.
The devotee should feed Brahmanas in the shrine named
■
Mandavyanarayana. If a single Brahmana is fed, it is as good

as a crore of them are fed.
In the month of Asvina, on the fourteenth day of the bright
half, a devotee should observe fast and other restraints and
keep awake at,night. Rows of lights shall be lit in all the four
quarters and the worship shall be performed in accordance
with one's capacity.
49-59. Whether the devotee is a man or a woman he or
she shall carry on the programme of music, dance and dis
courses. When the day dawns, О king, he or she should con
clude all the rites such as the holy ablution etc. and see the
deity thus in silence. The devotee shall be rid of all sins and
is honoured in Bjudra Loka.
Or in the month of Margasir$a, Caitra, Vaisakha or 6r&vana
488 Skanda Parana
or in fact at any time, it shall be as meritorious as Sivaratri.

Thus has Siva told. The benefit shall be like that of a Vajapeya
or Asvamedha. Not otherwise.
A woman may be unlucky, miserable, barren or poor, or her
child may have died. If she performs the holy ablution with
Rudraghatas (? eleven waterpots), she shall attain all cherished
desires.
Worms, insects and locusts that die in that TIrtha go to
Svarga and assume divine forms, О king.
If those who are afflicted with sickness die by fasting, drown
ing or by being burnt in fire, they will have that goal from
which there is no return. Undoubtedly they go to Rudraloka.
О king, one who bows down to both Siva and Narayana
everyday attains the benefit of the gift of a cow by the power
of that TIrtha.
О great king, if one makes a circumambulation of the temple,
it is as good as if the entire earth including oceans and moun
tains has been circumambulated.
Outside the Mallikabhavana there are one hundred fifty
TTrthas. О excellent kings, that is the extent of the Tirthas.
If a devotee ties round the holy spot, or the temple of Siva
or the Linga of Siva a thread, he attains merit. Listen to it.
60-67. The entire earth has seven continents viz. Jambudvipa,
Salmali, Kusa, Kraunca, Saka, Puskara and Gomeda. The merit
attained by the devotee tying the thread is on a par with that
of one who embellishes the entire earth including mountains,
parks and forests.
On the southern side of Reva near the Sivaksetra there is
the highly meritorious Devakhata (a well dug up by Devas)
prepared by the Tridasas (Devas). He who takes his holy bath
there, is rid of all sins.
The devotee should perform Sraddha on a full-moon day,
new-moon day, Vyatipata, transit of the Sun and Samgraha
(immediately after the eclipse is over). He shall attain the
greatest goal.
All the three deilties, Brahma, Vi$nu and Mahesvara, stay in
Devakh&ta along with sages, Pitrs, and groups of the Devas.
There in that TIrtha, in the month of Asvina, especially on the
fourteenth day, SaAkara stands on the aerial path along with
the Devas.
V.iii Л72.68-90 489
For two days, all the Tirthas, rivers and oceans all over the
earth enter Devakhata.
In Mandavesvara, the devotee attains that merit which is
normally obtained in Gayasira, Prayaga, Amarakan taka and in
Somatlrtha.
68-78. On the full-moon day in the month of Asvina coin
ciding with Asvini constellation, if the devotee offers adoration
at Mandavesvara shrine, he will attain the same merit as by
pilgrimage to Lakulesvara and offering of Paftabandha (silk
cloth offering).
In the Tlrtha named Mandavya the same merit is eternally
obtained as at Mahakala shrine in Ujjayini, Tripuskara in Varanasi
and at Sannihati.
After understanding these facts, О great king, and realizing
that this Tlrtha is the most excellent of all Tirthas, the devotee
should adore the Pitrs and Devas by means of holy ablutions,
gifts, adorations etc. He should observe fast on the fourteenth
day and remain pure. He shall adore the deity, Siva, with great
devotion and keep awake during the night. The deity is bathed
with different kinds of ablutions, and adored with garlands
and unguents of agallochum. In the morning of the full-moon
day, the rites of holy bath etc., and the libations should be duly
performed. The Sraddha through Havya and Kavya should be
duly concluded. Agnisfoma and other Yajnas are performed
duly with requisite monetary gifts. The devotee shall wash himself
of all sins by these means. The purified soul shall attain the
excellent benefit that shall be on a par with the gift of a
thousand cows, О descendant of Bharata.
There on that day in the presence of Siva, after the holy
bath etc., the devotee makes the gifts of gold, a bullock, a cow,
a plot of land, a pair of bullocks, a horse, a pair of clothes etc.
to a good-featured recipient with Siva in view.
Sandals, shoes, umbrella, pot, red cloths etc. also can be
gifted. The Н ота, Japa and Dana rites performed shall bear
everlasting benefits.
Sitting in front of the deity the devotee should recite one
Rk verse, one Mantra from Yajurveda and one Siman from
Samaveda. There is no doubt about this that he shall derive
the benefit of the (recitation of) entire Veda.
79-90. Merely by repeating the Gayatri Mantra, he shall
490 Skanda P u ran a
obtain the benefit of the recitation of all the three Vedas.

ф
Through the adoration of Siva one obtains benefit on behalf

of a hundred crores of the members of his family and even
more. ф
By means of the holy bath, Dana, Sraddha, keeping awake,

singing of songs, playing on the instruments, etc. he will attain
the goal of Sivaloka from which there shall be no return at any
time. After a great deal of time, he may return to the mortal
world. Then he shall become an intelligent king devoid of
every kind of sickness. He will live for more than a hundred
years with sons, grandsons and adequate wealth. He will re
member the same TIrtha and will get merged into Mahesvara.
One who performs Sandhya worship in that Tirtha during
Parva days gets the excellent benefit of reciting all the four
Vedas along with the Ahgas and Upangas.
О king, the Sin of Brahmana-slaughter shall be afraid to
move about within a radius of the distance of an arrow-fall all
ф
round the Siva shrine.

A devotee shall stand wherever he pleases and see the trees
with eagerness to visit the Tirtha. Even then he shall be lib
erated undoubtedly from the different kinds of sins.
There is a Svabhri (abysm) seen there, О great king, in the
middle of the water. The story is mentioned in the Purana that
a female monkey (attained salvation) by resorting to the Tirtha
there.
О great king, there is also a well created by the Devas on
the western side of Siva. ф
This is an excellent Sivaksetra. If a devotee performs the

rite of Vr$otsarga (ritualistic dedication of a bull) at that Tirtha,
his Pitrs sport about in the heavenly world as they please. If
Vfsotsarga is performed all these sins perish as that of carnally
approaching a prohibited woman, performing Yajna on behalf
of an undeserving person, stealing, Brahmana-slaughter, cow-
slaughter and slaughter of the preceptor.
One who attentively listens to the greatness of Mandavya
Tirtha shall be rid of all sins. No doubt need be entertained
in this respect.
V.iii.l73.1-15 491
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYTHREE
The Greatness of Suddhesvara Tirtha 1

highly splendid Tirtha that destroys all the sins, on the south
ern bank of Narmada.
It is well known as Siddhesvara (Suddhesvara) and is de
structive of great sins.
It was here that Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, attained
great sanctity. Earlier, О son of Kunti, the Trident-bearing
Lord of Devas had incurred the sin of Brahmana-slaughter.
Formerly Brahma, the grandfather of the worlds, had five
heads. For some reason, a lie had been uttered by him.
On hearing it, Paramesvara became furious with him imme
diately. The Lord then cut off his head with his fingers (nails).
The severed head stuck to his hand and never dropped down.
Thereupon the Lord of the chiefs of Devas roamed all over the
earth.
6-15. Then he went to Varanasi and the head dropped down
there. Although the skull fell down, the Sin of Brahmana-
slaughter did not leave him.
Thereupon, Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, went to the oceans
in the east, south, west and north. He wandered over all the
Tlrthas. Still the Sin of Brahmana-slaughter did not leave him.
The Lord reached the excellent Tirtha on the southern
bank of Narmada. After reaching Kulako(i, the self-possessed
Lord uttered the prayers. After performing the expiatory rites,
he became free from sins.
Then Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, became rid of all evils.
Granting that holy spot to Devas, the Lord vanished there
itself.
Ever since then, the Tirtha was glorified as Suddharudra. it
became well-reputed as the greatest eradicator of the Sin of
Brahmana-slaughter in all the three worlds.
1. The story of Brahma's head sticking to Siva's hand is repeated elsewhere

in SkP. The Jyedit of freeing Siva's hand from the skull is given to
different Tlrthas in different Puninas. Here the author of Rtva KhanHa
gives the credit to Suddhesvara Tirtha on Narmadi.
492 Skanda Parana
9
One should duly take his holy bath every month on the new-
moon day and in the bright half, О Yudhi$thira, and offer
libations to the Pitrs and Devatas. He should offer a ball of rice
to the Pitrs with the self duly purified, О king. The Pitrs will
become pleased with him for twelve years.
By adoring Paramesvara named Suddhesvara by means of
sweet scents, incense, lights and other things one is honoured
in Sivaloka.
Thus, О king, the excellent Suddharudra has been recounted
to you in the manner it was heard by me from the Trident
bearing Lord. One is rid of all sins and one goes to Rudra
Loka.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYFOUR
The Greatness of Gopesvara Tirtha
Markandeya said:
1-11. Thereafter, a person should go to the Gopesvara Tirtha
on the northern bank of Narmada, where, by means of a single
bath, men are liberated from their sins.
One who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and gives
up his life shall go to the Palace of Siva by means of a vehicle
drawn by peacocks.
After sporting about there in Sivaloka for a long time, О
king, he attains human birth here and becomes a powerful
king.
The man shall be endowed richly with elephants, horses and
chariots and fully equipped with male and female servants. He
shall live for a hundred years, adored even by leading kings.
On the ninth lunar day in the bright half of the month of
Karttika, the devotee should observe fast and remain pure. He
should then light lamps there.
After adoring with scents and sweet-smelling flowers he shall
keep awake in the night. О king, listen to the benefit indicated
for him.
He is honoured in Sivaloka for as many thousands of Yugas
V.iii.l75.1-ll 493
as there are lamps. This is the fruit of his merit. Listen to the
procedure of Lingapurana.
Listen to the fruit of the merit derived by him who, at that
Tlrtha, fills up (that is wraps around) the Linga with gingelly
seeds, lotus flowers, and boiled rice mixed with curds.
О king, he rejoices for as much time as he desires, for as
many years as there are gingelly seeds, rice cakes and lotus
flowers.
Whatever is given as religious gift at that Tirtha, О king,
shall have crore-times benefit. It cannot be calculated adequately.
Thus the most excellent Tirtha has been recounted to you
fully.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYFIVE
The Greatness of Kapilesvara Tirtha

1-6. On the northern bank of Narmada, in the middle of
the region called Bhrguksetra, Kapilesvara Tirtha is well-known
as particularly destructive of sins.
The eternal Lord who is cited in the Puraiia as Vasudeva,
the Lord of the universe, incarnated as Kapila.
There is a Patala (nether world) named Sutala. Beneath it
is Nitala. Gabhastiga is lower down. Then Andhatamisra is beneath
it. There is the great seventh nether world where the ancient
Lord Paramesvara resides.
He is Brahma. He is Mahadeva. He is the Garuda-emblemed
Lord (Visnu). He stays there adored by Suras and Siddhas and
expounders of Brahman.
О great king, even as Kapila, the preceptor of the universe,
stayed there, the sons of Sagara perished in a moment in front
of him.
7-11. On seeing them reduced to ashes, Kapila, the ex
cellent sage, was extremely distressed. He thought that he had
incurred sin.
‘When the mind has been freed from all sensuous objects
494 Skanda Purana
m
and when every contact has been eschewed, it is improper on

my part to have destroyed sixty thousand men.
A thing done cannot be undone. I shall, therefore, go to the
Kapila Tirtha that is destructive of all sins and get rid of my
sins.’
Thereafter, Kapila, the excellent sage, left Patala, settled on
the banks of Narmada and performed a great penance.
Having become extremely disgusted (with worldly affairs),
he adored the immutable Rudra by means of different kinds
of vows and restraints, holy ablutions, Dana, Japa etc.
12-19. He who takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and
worships Paramesvara, shall undoubtedly obtain the merit of
gifting a thousand cows.
On the fourteenth day in the bright half of the month of
Jye$tha, a person should take his holy bath as per religious
formalities there and make gifts devoutly to a deserving Brahman a,
be it very little or much. The benefit has been mentioned as
everlasting by Siva Paramesthin (the Supreme Absolute).
Whether a man or a woman, one should take one’s holy
bath on a fourth or ninth lunar day coinciding with a Tuesday.
With devotion, he should observe fast. For seven births he (or
she) always obtains exquisite beauty, unparalleled prosperity,
conjugal felicity and good progeny again and again. On new-
moon day and full-moon day, one should offer balls of rice
after taking holy ablution. The Pitrs become pleased with him
for twelve years and go to heaven.
If with great devotion anyone offers splendid light, О great
king, the splendour of his body becomes very great.
In regard to the creatures that die there in the Tirtha, their
departure to $ivamandira (palace of $iva) shall be without a
return from, there.
V.iii. 176.1-11 495
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYSIX
The Greatness o f Pihgalesvara Tirtha

lent Pingalavarta Tirtha which is endowed with all good quali
ties. It is worthy of being liked and is a very rare (spot) on the
earth.
A sin committed earlier, whether verbal, mental or physical,
will perish by resorting to Pihgalesvara Tirtha.
Sankara has thus said that a holy bath and Dana performed
there at the Devakhata (holy well dug by Devas) shall be ev
erlasting in benefit.
After digging the well, auspicious water was taken up from
all the TIrthas on the earth and poured into it. Thus it has
become the famous Devakhata.
Yudhisthira said:
• •
О excellent Brahmana, how was that Devakhata formed?

■ 9
How did all the Suras pour the holy waters from (other) TIrthas
therein? О Brahmana, tell me everything. My mind is eager to
hear.

ф
6-11. In order to purify (cleanse) his Sula (trident) Rudra

wandered along with groups of Devas all over the pure earth
with a water pot in hand. Then the Suras took their holy bath
in Prabhasa and other TIrthas. Waters taken out from all the
TIrthas were put into a vessel by them.
Reaching (the Tirtha called) Siilabheda, the trident of the
Lord became clean and pure. Taking the water from there,
they came to Bhrgukacchaka.
There they saw the tawny-eyed sickly Agni engaged in a
severe penance meditating on Mahesvara<
Due to the parts of the Havis offered by Brahmanas and
kings, hebecame^dyspeptic and distresssed with many ailments.
On seeing Agni,—the mouth of Devas, thus the Devas collec
tively said to Lord SaAkara, the benefactor of the worlds:
The Deuas said:

ф
12. О Sambhu, may it please you to bless the tawny-eyed,

dyspeptic Agni. О Mahesvara, do something whereby his body
becomes rid of sickness and capable of receiving Havis offer
ings again.
livara said:
13. О Suras, I am delighted with his penance. Further,
particularly due to your pleading (for him) I shall grant the
desired boon.
Pihgala said:
14. О Lord of Devas, if you are pleased, if the desired
thing is to be granted, do stay here with a sixteenth portion
after making the Moon and the Sun your eyes.
Further, О Sankara, do that whereby my body will be re
juvenated. О Virupaksa, obeisance to you again and again.
Markandeya said:
15. Thereupon Sambhu, Sankara adopted the form of Aditya
and removed his ailment.
16-18. Then, when he (Pihgala) was rejuvenated he addressed
Sankara: mO Sambhu, do stay here itself. So also let Bhaskara
himself stay here for helping living beings and quelling ail
ments, for destroying sins and for augmentation of welfare.”
On being told thus by the noble-souled Pihgala (Agni), the
Lord incarnated and spoke to the Devas thus:
Isvara said:
19-29. To the north of my shrine dig a splendid well
(Devakhata) and pour into it the water that has been brought
from the Tirthas. Let the water that is capable of destroying
all ailments be deposited there. Let this divine water that quells
all sins be put there by all the Suras and others.
■
Oh being told thus, the thirty-three crores of Devas dug a

decâbysmal pit on the north and poured the water from the
^Vrthas therein.
V.iiiЛ76.30-33 497
All of them with Lord Viriipaksa (Siva) as the leader said

collectively : “Whoever may he be, a person should take his
holy bath after holding a bit of the earth from Devakhata. On
a Sunday, the holy bath is to be performed in the waters of
Narmada. Then he should perform Sraddha unto the Pitrs and
make monetary gifts in accordance with his capacity. Thus the
devotee should adore Pingesa. He will stay in heaven.
What was uttered by the Suras the entire world heard.
“All the ailments of men such as tuberculosis, itching sca
bies, all types of ailments arising from hiccup, bronchitis and
fever, different types of fevers occurring everyday, on alternate
days, once in three or four days, fevers arising from attacks by
ghosts, cutaneous eruptions, jaundice and other defects perish
in seven days due to the holy baths on Sundays. Different kinds
of leprosy can be quelled by taking the holy bath on one
hundred eight Sundays. After adoring Sankara, the devotee
makes the gift of a pot of gingelly seeds to a Brahmana. Lep
rosy becomes quelled like serpents by Garuda.” After saying
thus all the Devas went to heaven.
$n Mdvkandeya said:
30-33. One should always take one’s bath in Devakhatas,
lakes, rivers etc. The man becomes rid of sins.
The benefit of the bath in Devakhata is superior to that of
the bath in sixty-six thousand Tlrthas.
О king, one who takes his bath in Devakhatas, offers liba
tions to Pitrs and worships the excellent Pingalesvara, the Lord
of the chiefs of Devas, О descendant of Bharata, obtains the
benefit of both horse-sacrifice and Vajapeya. There is no doubt
about it.
498 Skanda Parana m
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYSEVEN

The Greatness of Bhiitisvara Tirtha1
0

1-8. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the Bhiitisvara
Tirtha, the most excellent one among all the Tlrthas. Merely
by visiting it, all the sins get dissolved.
At that holy spot formerly the Trident-bearing Lord of Devas
sprinkled the holy ash on his body. Hence it is called Bhiitisvara.
On a day of Pusya or on one's own birthday star, and par
ticularly on a new-moon day, a man should take his holy bath
in Bhiitisvara. Therebv he shall be able to redeem a crore of
ф
the members of his family.

О king, listen to the benefit cited as accruing to one who
devoutly smears his body with holy ash there in that holy spot.
He is honoured in Sivaloka for as many thousand years as
there are particles of ash sticking to his body in the temple of
&iva.
Bhasmasnana (bathing in i.e. application all over the body
of the holy ash) is remembered as the greatest of all modes
of baths. It has been so said by ancient sages. It is mentioned
in all the &astras as the most excellent thing.
This Agneya (fiery i.e. with holy ash) bath should be taken
once, twice or thrice a day forever. The devotee’s sin perishes.
0 leading scion of the family of Bharata, Vayavya (pertaining
to wind i.e. exposing the body to the dust particles raised by
wind) bath is better than Divyasnana (standing in the sun,
divine bath). Brahmya Snana (bath within the Brahman-Vedic
Mantra) is better than Vayavya and Varuna (dipping in the
ocean) is better than Brahmya.
9-18. Agneya is better than the Varuna, since it has been
said so by the Self-born Lord. Hence with all effort one should
perform the Agneya bath.
Yudhiyfhira said:
1 am interested to hear the nature of this Agneya, Varuna,
Brahmya, Vayavya and Divya type of bath.
1. This chapter deals with different kinds of baths such as Agneya, Vayavtya,
Varuna, Brahmya and Divya and decides that Agneya bath (smearing holy
ash all over the body) is the best bath.
V.iii. 177.9-18 499
Mdrkandeya said:
Agneya is the bath in the holy ash i.e. smearing oneself with
the ash. Varuna is the bath by plunging into the water of a
river, lake or ocean. Brahmya is the Vedic bath by sprinkling
oneself with water while reciting the Mantra “dpohistha” (RV
X.9.1). Vayavya is exposing oneself to the dust particles kicked
up by cows.
The bath when the sun is seen (i.e. sun bath) is on a par
with that in the Ganga water. That Snana is mentioned as the
fifth one, the Divya (divine bath), О excellent scion of the
family of Pandu.
Hence one who assiduously bathes in the Bhiitisvara Tirtha
and adores Lord Isana becomes pure internally and externally.
Those who meditate on the greatest Pada ( word, region,
position) always at that holy spot, the subtlest one beyond the
ken of the sense-organs, are undoubtedly blessed. That Tirtha
is the Tirtha of salvation, the most excellent one of all the
Tirthas. Merely by visiting it, all sins utterly perish.
There, one should eulogize and adore Mahesvara. One gets
a kingdom thereby. By Japa, the sins are eradicated. By medi
tation one attains infiniteness.
___ *
The Mantra for meditation: “Ош, Siva is the Lord of all

Yogas, the Lord of all worlds, free from delusion and grief, can
be known through the great knowledge; he is in the form of
Jyotis (Luminary) with neither a beginning nor a middle; he
is never produced. There is no word that can express him. He
is immanent in all living beings.”
О Lord of men, one who goes there to that Tirtha and takes
the holy bath obtains the benefit of an Asvamedha Yajna. Men
who expect salvation do not, Alas, know the Lord who is thusl
500 Skanda' Parana
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYEIGHT
The Greatness of Gahgavahaka Tirtha1

1-5. Then, О great king, one should go to the excellent
and highly meritorious Gahgavahaka Tirtha on Narmada in
the vicinity of Bhrgutlrtha.
There the highly meritorious Gahga performed severe aus
terities for more than a hundred years observing a great Vrata.
She meditated on the sinless Lord Narayana, the source of
origin of the universe. О Lord of the world, that river medi
tated on the greatest splendour, the Supreme Atman. There
upon Lord Janardana came there and said this:
Visnu said:
• *
О river born of the lotus-like feet of mine, I am pleased with

your penance. О fair one, what do you wish from me? Tell me,
what shall I do for you?
Gahga said:
6-20. О Lord, I have slipped down from your lotus-like feet
and naturally begun to flow. О Lord of the three worlds, in
cidentally I am being saluted by the heaven-dwellers.
King Bhaglratha, therefore, performed a very difficult pen
ance and propitiated Sankara, the Lord of the universe, the
benefactor of the worlds. О holder of the earth, he thus caused
me to descend down to the earth.
At the instance of both of you, I got down to the earth.
Considering that I pertain to Vi$nu all the people bathed in
me. Those who were Brahmana-slayers in the world, defilers of
preceptor's bed, those who abandoned their mothers and fa
thers, men who take away gold, men who slay cows, those who
injure living beings, those who carnally visit prohibited women,
those who eat prohibited food, an utterer of falsehood, those1
1. GaAgft, the most sacred river, gets purified by joining (taking bath in)
Narmad& at SaAkhoddh&ra Tirtha or GaAg&v&ha-Tirtha-syncretism between
Saivism and Vaifâvism attempted here.
V .iii.l78.21-29a 501
who commit breach of trust, those who steal the assets of a

deity and Brahmanas, those men who censure Devas, Brahmanas,
preceptors and women, those who are burnt by the curse of
a Brahmana, those who commit suicide, destroy themselves,
those who swerve from the righteous path but indulge in fasts,
renunciation, restraints and Vratas, those who drink prohib
ited beverages, those who prohibit Dana and those who are
averse to the offer of Dana to deserving persons, those who
destroy the Rtu-cycle of their own wives, those who are not
affectionate towards their parents, those who do not have pity
on wretched ones and kinsmen, he who breaks bunds and
embankments in fields, one who destroys the earlier pathways,
an atheist, one who has given up scriptural studies, a Brahmana
bereft of Sandhya prayers, one who eats what is not offered in
Нота, one who is never satisfied, one who indiscriminately eats
everything, one who sells everything, misers, atheists, cruel
ones, Brahmanas who are ungrateful, those who indulge in
calumny, those who sell juices (liquors), those who are de
prived of proper occasions, the base Brahmanas who enjoy
women of their own Gotras and of other Gotras—all these
sinners come to me and are rid of the series of sins accumu
lated by them. I am distressed as though corroded by the acidity
of their sins.
Hence, О Lord of the universe, do something so that I will
get happiness which I am denied now."
On being told thus, the Lord of Devas was delighted and he

said to Jahnavi:
Visnu said:
• •
21-29a. I shall always stay here with Gangadhara (Siva) as

my associate. Enter Reva here itself in your own form.
О Triple-streamed One, come to my Sole (of the foot) and
flow when you will be carrying the waters of Narmada at the
time of the flood.
In rainy season you will be completely filled with water. You
will then overflow both the banks and reach me residing on
the northern bank.
Then you will lie flooding the conch held in my hand. That
502 Skanda Purina
Ш
shall be the Vaisnava Parva, excelling a hundred other Parvus

(auspicious occasions).
The holy periods of Vyatipata, Sari kr am a etc., cannot be on
a par with it. It is more meritorious than the most meritorious.
Even the two Ayanas (Transits of the Sun) are not like it.
О goddess of Devas, a man who touches the conch on that
Parva and takes his holy bath in the mixed waters of Gariga
and Narmada shall certainly effect the destruction of clusters
of his sins. It is the most meritorious of all meritorious things;
It is the most auspicious of all auspicious things, because it has
been held by Vi?nu. Hence peace emanates. The man should
take his holy bath in Sarikhoddhara and offer libations to Pitrs
and Devatas.
29b-32a. The Pitrs will be pleased for twelve years. They will
attain the fulfilment of all cherished desires.
If a devotee offers Sraddha in Sarikhoddhara in Garigavaha
the Pitrs dance in full appreciation of that offer of the ball of
rice.
О Jahnavl, a man should take his holy bath in Sarikhoddhara
and worship Bala and Kesava. By keeping awake at night he
becomes pure.
What you consider as unbearable sins committed by the
people of the world they can be eradicated fully by taking holy
bath on that Parva.
After saying this, О most excellent one among men, Visnu

vanished.
S2b-35. Ever since then that Tlrtha is known as the excel
lent Garigavahaka. It is honoured by Brahma and others as well
as by the sages following the tradition thereof О descendant
of Bharata, he who devoutly bathes in that Tlrtha is on a par
with one who has taken the holy bath in the Gariga Tlrtha.
In regard to the men of purified souls who die there in that
Tlrtha, there is no return from Visnuloka at any time. Their
departure is ultimate.
V .iu.179.1-16 503
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTYNINE
The Greatness of Gautamesvara Tirtha

0

lent Gautamesvara Tirtha that destroys all sins and is well-
known in all the three worlds.
О Yudhisthira, penance was performed there at that Tirtha
by Gautama for a period of one thousand divine years. There
after Mahesvara was pleased.
Gautama bowed down his head and installed Paramesvara.
Since Isa was installed by Gautama, the deity is called Gautamesvara.
By propitiating Paramesvara there, excellent Siddhi has been
achieved by Devas, Gandharvas, sages, Pitrs and Devatas.
One who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha and wor
ships the Pitrs and Devatas and adores the great Isana is lib
erated from all sins.
Deluded by the Maya of Visnu many do not know that the
trident-bearing Lord Mahesvara is present there.
О Lord of men, one who remains celibate, takes his holy
bath there in the Tirtha and adores Mahadeva shall obtain the
benefit of an Asvamedha (horse-sacrifice).
One who remains celibate and offers libation to the Pitrs
and Devatas and adores the great Isana is absolved of all sins.
9-16. The Dana offered with devotion to Brahmanas in
that Tirtha shall be of everlasting benefit. No doubt need be
entertained in this respect.
О king, in the month of Asvayuja on the fourteenth day in
the dark half, a person should take his holy bath duly and offei
a hundred lights, after worshipping Mahadeva with sweet scents,
flowers etc. The man is liberated form all sins. After death he
goes to Siva's City.
On the eighth and fourteenth lunar days, particularly on
the full-moon day in the month of Karttika a devotee should
observe fast, remain pure and bathe Siva with ghee, Paftcagavya,
honej, curd or cold water. That man obtains the benefit of all
Yajfias.
Afterwards he*should worship (Siva) with devotion. He shall
get the excellent benefit.
*
A man who worships Gautamesvara, with Kusa, Apamarga,

Kadamba and Drona, Mallika and Karavlra of red, yellow, white
and black flowers obtains all desires.
One who worships with other flowers, according to their
availability, regularly for six months shall obtain all desires. On
death he shall go to Siva’s City.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY
The Greatness of Dasdsvamedha Tirtha
&n Markandeya said:

1-8. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the great
Tirtha Dasasvamedhika endowed with all good features. It is
destructive of all great sins.
After going there, taking the holy bath and worshipping
Isvara, a man derives the benefit of ten horse-sacrifices.
Yudhisfhira said:
Aivamedha is a great Yajna requiring many requisite things
and much wealth for distributing monetary gifts. It cannot be
performed by ordinary men. How can they get the benefit
thereof? What has been mentioned by you is very astonishing.
Do tell me in such a way as to create credence in me and
impart to me longevity of life.

This is indeed astonishing. The Three-eyed Lord was asked
the same by Gaurl. Even as you have cleverly put the question,
I shall recount it to you.
Formerly, seated on his bull, Sankara, the Lord of Devas,
accompained by Uma, was roaming about on the earth. He
reached the banks of Narmada.
On seeing the Dasasvamedhika Tirtha the three-eyed Mahesvara
reverently joined the palms facing the Tirtha and made obei
sance.
V.iii. 180.9-28 505
On seeing the Lord with palms joined in reverence, the

goddess said thus:
The Devi said:

9-18a. What is this, О Lord of the chiefs of Devas bowed
down to by mobile and immobile beings? You appear to be
endowed with great devotion with palms joined in reverence
and head bowing down. This is a great surprise without a par
allel. О Lord, tell me everything.
Isvara said:
See the benefit from the TIrtha directly. Do not be sur
prised. Even as I remain on the ground watch me steadily
remaining in the air itself.
After saying this, the Lord of Devas became a fair-complex-

ioned Brahmana. He was completely dried up with the veins
visible on the body everywhere. He had matted hair and he
appeared emaciated due to hunger with the throat parched.
He sat on bare ground and repeated Vcdic Mantras in a
sweet tone. Mahadeva, fond of Krama Patha (a mode of Vedic
recitation) delighted everyone with the sweetness of his voice.
On hearing that sweet voice of the Deva Brahmanas who
had all come there for their baths became agitated and con
fused.
Everyone forgot his own daily routine due to the confusion
created by what they heard. On seeing him going on with his
recitation though afflicted by hunger and thirst, a certain
Brahmana, invited him for food with great devotion: “O Brahmana,
may you be pleased to take your food in my house. Today my
life has become fruitful. Today all my sacred rites have become
fruitful. All my delighted grandfathers will grant me my cher
ished desires if you take food, О excellent Brahmana. Be pleased
with me certainly.”
18b-28. On being told thus, Mahadeva who was in the guise
of a Brahmana laughed and replied in sweet words to the
Brahmana:
“Penance was performed by me for a thousand years without
food. Now. О excellent Brahmana, I will take food in the house
506 Skanda Parana
m
of that person by whom ten horse-sacrifices have been per

formed and Parana (ritualistic breaking of the fast) as well.”
On being told thus by the Lord of Devas, the Brahmana
became surprised. He shook his head and went away to his
house.
Thus when the invitation was not accepted many Brahmanas
turned away. Many Ndstikas (non-believers) who did not know
the implication of the Purana, went away.
Ultimately a certain Brahmana who was highly learned and
conversant with the sense of the Purana and the reality thereof,
invited Siva in the form of a Brahmana.
He was also told the same thing by the Lord. He mentally
reflected on the meanings of the Purana. The excellent Brahmana
decided thus: ‘What has been mentioned in the Smrtis, Vedas
• *
and Puranas should be really so’ and said to the Brahmana

laughingly: “O Brahmana, wait till I return.” Saying this, the
Brahmana went to the great Dasasvamedhika Tlrtha. Holy bath,
Mahdlambhana (the great seizing, touching, killing etc.) rite
etc. were performed by that Brahmana. Japa, Sraddha, Dana
etc. were performed in accordance with the pious rites. He
then performed the Samkalpa of a Kapila (tawny cow intended
for Dana) and hastened to the place where the other Brahmana
was waiting.
29-38. After coming there he said to the Brahmana: “The
horse-sacrifice has been performed by me. Get up. Let us go
to our beautifull house for taking food.”
On being told thus by that Brahmana, Sankara became sur
prised. The Lord said to the Brahmana: “You went from this
place just now, О excellent Brahmana: How were the stipu
lated ten Yajnas involving great amount of money performed?”
The Brahmana said:

You need not worry. Undoubtedly the Yajnas have been per
formed.
If the Vedas are vsîd and also Brahmanas are Devas on the
earth, if the Dasasvamedhika Tirtha is real, О excellent Brahmana.
if what has been stated in the Vedas and Puraiias shall happen
undoubtedly, then everything has been attained by me. No
dptfbt need be entertained in this respect.
$
* * *
'
V.iii Л80.39-49 507
On being told thus, the Lord of Devas pondered over his

faith and belief in his mind but did not say anything by way
of reply.
He went to his beautiful house reciting the eternal Vedic
passages. On reaching the house, the local Brahmana adored
the other Brahmaga (Siva) devoutly with Padya and Arghya.
Afterwards a good meal with dishes of all the six tastes was also
given by him duly.
Then when Mahadeva, identical with all the Devas (Siva
wholly consisting of all the Devas) Finished his meal, a shower
of flowers fell on his head from the firmament. On observing
his faith and belief, Sankara became pleased and said:
Isvara said:
О excellent Brahmana, tell me, I am the bestower of boons.
What shall be done for you? Certainly even that which cannot
be given ordinarily, I shall give you who are single-minded.
The Brahmana said:

39-49. О Lord, if you are pleased with me, if a boon has
to be granted to me, О Mahadeva, you will have to stay in this
Tlrtha always for helping (the world). О Lord of Devas, this
shall be an ideal boon unto me.
After saying so, the excellent Brahmana climbed on to an

aerial chariot that could grant all desires (that could be loved
by all) and that was fully crowded with Gandharvas and Apsaras.
Being eulogized he went to that place where all the people
were free from ailments.
Markandeya said:
On seeing this unprecedented miracle, the goddess was
extremely surprised. With the eyes beaming with wonder, she
asked Sankara:
Pdrvatt said:
How can this be true? Why, this is unreasonable? О Mahesvara,
508 Skanda Parana9
many do bathe here. Do they go to Svarga like this Brahmana

who has gone to heaven now? How did this happen? Tell me,
great is my surprise.
On hearing this, the Lord of Devas laughingly said to her:

uNone should express incredulous surprise in regard to a Vedic
passage, the meaning of the Purana, the idea conveyed by a
Smrti and the utterance of a Brahmana. It is a valid means of
testimony. If some people take up only one of the sides (regarding
it doubtful) and consider what is sung about in the Purana as
impossible, О Parvati, they will not get Siddhi. There is nothing
surprising.
If the people are non-believers, if they break the bounds of
decorum and convention, they will never have Siddhi. If there
is belief, if there is faith, it will certainly happen.”
After hearing this narration, the goddess bowed down to the
excellent TIrtha that is established on Narmada, that is meri
torious and destructive of great sins.

50-59. О great king, Dasasvamedha is the most excellent
one of all excellent TIrthas. It possesses all good qualities. It
is destructive of great sins.
Sarasvatl is a meritorious river. It is the foremost one of all
meritorious rivers. It is the most excellent one among all rivers.
Merely by means of its name one is rid of all sins. Those who
take their holy bath in it, go to heaven. Those who die therein,
are not reborn.
That river Sarasvatl too comes to Dasasvamedha with a desire
to have the holy bath. О king, she observes the vow of Brahmacarya.
By propitiating the Lord of Devas, she attains the greatest
relief in salvation.
In order to wash off the sins accumulated in the course of
a year, the river born of Brahma comes here on the tenth day
in the month of Asvina.
After observing fast for the night and worshipping the Slayer
of Tripura, she becomes free from ,sins and on the morrow
attains the eternal region.
Yudhisthira said:
S&rasvatl, the most excellent one of all the rivers, the highly
V.iii.180.60-70 509
meritorious river, comes once a year to Dasasvamedha in order

to bathe. Will the Tlrtha have some special effect on Dasami
(tenth) day?
ф

О king, in the month of Asvayuja on the tenth day, it be
comes augmented (in sanctifying power). In all the Tlrthas of
the earth, it is the most perfect one.
In Dasasvamedhika, О king, Dasami (tenth lunar day) is
always auspicious. Especially in the Asvina month, the tenth
day of the bright half is destructive of great sins.
On that day, a devotee should be engaged in the observance
of fast after taking the holy bath and worship Devas. After
performing the Sraddha rite in accordance with the injunc
tions, he should worship Siva.
60-70. He should also adore the divine river Sarasvati present
there and desirous of taking the holy bath (and address): "Obei
sance, obeisance to you, О goddess of Devas, born of the body
of Brahma! О divine river, destroy the sins. Redeem me from
the worldly existence.”
He should adore with sweet scents and incense again and
again. After circumambulating ten times, he should encircle it
with a thread. (A Kapila cow should be encircled?) Without
any ill feeling, the devotee offers the Kapila to a Brahmana.
After gifting the Kapila possessing all good features and
offered along with the appurtenances to Brahmanas, the devo
tee need not repent for his omissions and commissions.
Thereafter, he should light the lamps with ghee and keep
awake for the night reading the Puranas, dancing and singing.
He should worship the Moon-crested Lord by means of Jdpyas
mentioned in the Vedas.
When the Sun has dawned clearly, he should take his holy
bath in the Narmada water and devoutly feed Brahmanas and
Yogins who are devotees of Siva.
By doing thus, О king, he shall obtain the benefit of the
Tlrtha perfectly.
A man who takes his holy bath there in the Tlrtha and
worships Sankara, obtains the excellent merit of the Avabhftha
(valedictory 6hth) of ten horse-sacrifices.
510 Skanda Puraria
With the soul purified by that merit, he goes to Rudraloka

riding on a great (aerial) vehicle that is very splendid and that
can go wherever it desires to.
There, the divine Apsaras fan him with chowries and raise
auspicious sounds of 'Be victorious* etc. He thus sports for a
long time.
In due course of time, he comes down to the earth here and
certainly becomes a king who will scorch his enemies, enjoy
great pleasures and be richly endowed with elephants, horses
and chariots. 0
71-81. The Dana made over to Sivayogins at the Dasasvamedha

Tlrtha shall undoubtedly be on a par with ten Asvamedha
sacrifices.
Of all Yajnas, Asvamedha is the most excellent one. It is
inaccessible to men of meagre wealth and more so in the case
of men of sinful activity.
Sahkara has said, О great king, that though it is inaccessible
to Suras and Asuras, it shall be attained through the holy bath
and offering of Dana in that Tlrtha.
Whether he is desirous of it or not, О Lord of men, one who
dies there shall attain the status of a Deva. No doubt need be
entertained in this respect.
О excellent one among men, one who enters fire there at
the Tlrtha shall stay in Agniloka until the annihilation of all
living beings.
О Lord of men, one who meditates on Mahadeva and gets
drowned there in the Tlrtha, shall attain Varunaloka.
0
This is the statement of the Sruti that if anyone were to cast

off his body in Dasasvamedha in a heroic activity, his goal shall
be everlasting.
__
Neither those who fall off precipices nor the staff-bearing
_ 0 _
Dandin Sannyasins nor Sankhyas and Yogins obtain that goal

obtained by persons dying in a great battle reverberating with
the sounds of Dundubhi drums and conchs and having the
banners chaotically fluttering therein. A heroic man who is
encircled by enemies and killed by them but never utters a
pathetic cry, will attain everlasting worlds as reward.
If one adopts life of a recluse (Sannyasa) at the Dasasvamedha
Tlrtha, he will never ruturn from Rudraloka. О Yudhi$thira,
the merit accruing from Dasasvamedha has been succinctly
recounted with devotion (by me). It is destructive of all sins.
V.iii.181.1-20 511
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYONE
The Creation of Bhrgukaccha (Broach)

1-9. Henceforth, I shall recount the details of the Bhrgutirtha,
on hearing which a Brahmana-slayer and a man guilty of cow-
slaughter are liberated from all sins.
In the TIrtha there is a well well-known as Vrsakhata. О
great king, formerly a penance was performed by Bhrgu there.
Yudhisthira said:
• »
Tell me the reason why that eminent Brahmana lived in

Bhrgukaccha and attained great Siddhi after performing an
elaborate penance.
What is it that is called Vrsa? Who dug the Khata (abyss)
there? О sinless one, narrate all this in detail to me.
*

О king, listen with concentration of mind. I shall recount
everything in reply to this question, О great king, asked by you.
The sixth mental son of Brahma, the excellent Bhrgu, per
formed an elaborate penance in the excellent holy spot Srivrta
for a thousand divine years.
The excellent sage abstained from food and pleasure and
stood emaciated like a dry piece of wood and a steady rock.
Once the glorious Lord of Devas came by that path there,
riding in an excellent aerial chariot and accompanied by Uma.
On seeing the highly esteemed Bhrgu standing there like an
anthill, the goddess asked the Lord of Devas thus: “O Lord,
what is this that appears here?”
Iivara said:-
10-20. О great goddess, the sage named Bhrgu meditates
upon me and has been performing a very severe penance for
a thousand divine years.
Once in a moQth he drinks a drop of water by means of the
512 Skanda Purana
tip of a Kusa blade. О lady of excellent countenance, he is in

this standing posture for more than a hundred years.
On hearing this the eyes of Gauri rolled in anger. The

goddess spoke to the trident-bearing Mahesvara, the Lord of
Devas: “O Bull-emblemed One, truthfully you have been made
well-known all over the world as Ugra (the fierce one). You are
bereft of mercy, very difficult to propitiate and extremely terrifying
to all living beings.
Tell me why you do not grant any boon to this Brahmana
who has been meditating on Sankara for a thousand divine
years.”
On being told thus, О tiger among men, the Lord of Devas
laughed and said to the Daughter of the Mountain in a tone
as majestic as the rumbling sound of a cloud:
"A woman is doomed through pride; a penance perishes
due to anger; bulls and cows die by traversing long distances;
and an excellent Brahmana perishes by partaking of cooked
food from a Sudra.
О Gauri, this Brahmana is highly irascible. Hence he gets
no Siddhi (achievement of perfection), nor will he get it in the
course of ten thousand or hundred thousand years. О dear,
there is no other reason. Anger has wrought a great havoc in
him, though he is of such a (laudable) nature.”
After saying thus, Sambhu thought of his bull for a moment.
Indeed this Vrsa (Bull, Nandin) is Lord Brahma and Mahesvara
in the form of a bull.
When remembered (by Siva) within a moment he reached
there and began to beUow frequently and said: mO Paramesvara,
0 most excellent one among Suras, what can I do? Why have
1 been thought of? Whose premature death shall I bring about?”
*
Isvara said:
2L33. Go and infuriate the excellent Brahmana Bhfgu,
so that, Gauri, the most beautiful woman in this world, may
be convinced.
On hearing this, the bull went to the beautiful bank of

Narmadi near the hermitage of Bhrgu for attacking the excel
lent BrShmaija.
V .iii.l 81.34-43 513
By means of his horns Bhrgu was held by the Vr$a and

hurled into the waters of Narmada. Bhrgu became very angry.
The great sage seized a big stick with his hand (and said), “I
will hit your heaJ with the stick in the manner you deserve as
a beast.”
О lady of excellent countenance, the tuft, the sacred thread
and the cloth he wore were set right by him. Then Bhrgu ran
behind him and said:
Bhrgu said:
О bull of wicked activities and sinful deeds, how can you go
away after insulting me by making a deep pit with your hoofs?
The Vr$a bellowed loudly and made the Brahmana fall down.
On realizing that he had been felled on the ground by the
all-powerful Vrsa, Bhrgu blazed with anger like fire after an
Ahuti (ghee offering) has been put into it.
О Yudhis(hira, he took up the huge stick in his hand as
though it was another Brahmadanda. The sage then rushed at
the bull with the intention of killing him.
Seeing him rushing at himself that excellent Vr$a went to
various places (to escape). In the eastern ocean he went from
continent to continent, such as Jarhbiidvlpa, Kusa, Kraunca,
Silmali, Saka, Gomeda and Pu$kara. From the east he turned
to south. He travelled from island to island in the northern
and western oceans. Then he went to the nether worlds, viz.
Patala, Sutala, Vitala, Tala tala, Tamisra and Andhatamisra. Then
he went to the seventh nether world. Seeking the safety of his
life, the Vrsa went to Bhur Loka, then Bhuvah, Svah, Mahah,
Satya and Jana Loka followed by the Brahmana. He did not get
relief anywhere.
34-43. After committing a sin, being induced and tormented
by the force of lust and anger, no man can have relief or
peace.
Thereafter, he sought refuge in Brahma and Vijnu. He sought
refuge in Indra, Candra and others. When he was rejected by
all, the Guardians of world, the leaders of Suras such as Adityas,
Yama, Varuna and Maruta, then he bowed down to the Lord
and said: "O Mahadeva, save me. I am being killed by Bhrgu,
the powerful one. О Lord, I am abandoned by all the people.”
514 Skanda Purinam
On seeing him fallen before his feet like a helpless orphan,

the Lord spoke these words smilingly:
Isvara said:
О highly esteemed fair lady, О beautiful one, see the state
of the mental control of the Brahmana:
Parvati said:
If you wish to do something pleasing to me, do grant him
a boon immediately so long as the Brahmana is not furious
with us, О Paramesvara.
Then the Lord adopted his original form as the Trident

bearing One with the Moon for his crest jewel, Uma constitut
ing a half of his body.
He said: mO excellent Brahmana, your anger has not yet
subsided. Hence, О dear one, this shall be a spot of anger.”
On seeing the excellent Three-eyed Lord, Bhrgu knelt down
on his knees and recited this prayer:
Prayer by Bhrgu:
44-55. О Lord of the universe, I am afraid of Samsara. I
wish to submit something after making my obeisance to you,
the Lord of spirits and goblins (or all living beings), the source
of origin of the world, the bestower of prosperity and one
transcending all fears.
What power has this mortal being to recount your good
qualities? Even Vasuki who has a thousand mouths cannot recount
them.
Still, О £ahkara with the Moon as your crest-jewel that has
rendered everything white with its clusters of rays, О Mahesvara,
be pleased with me who am eloquent in my eulogy and am
devoutly engrossed io meditating on your feet.
О Lord, you are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas capable of creat
ing, sustaining, and destroying (the world). I am eagerly de
voted to the refuge in you, О Lord of the universe. О master
of the worlds, I am afraid of the worldly existence.
Yama, Niyama, Yajfta, Dana, recitation of the Vedas, reten
V.iii. 181.56-65 515
tion of breath, Yogic practice—all these do not merit even a

thousandth fraction of your devotion (devotion unto you).
The sign of those who have prostrated to you are seen clearly
here in this birth, viz. the excellent Siddhis of Rasa (Mercury),
Rasayana (chemical product), Khadga (sword), Anjana (collyrium,
showing hidden treasures), cavity and sandals (capable of trav
elling anywhere).
Even to that person who bows to you roguishly, you bestow
prosperity, О Lord, as much as he wishes. The devotion unto
you, О Lord, is destructive of worldly existence. Devotion (unto
you) has been evolved for the sake of salvation.
О Paramesvara, save me, (although) 1 am involved with other
men's wives, and assets, engaged in looking upto other people’s
faces and distressed due to the grief and misery occurring due
to the harassment of others.
*
0 Sankara, save me who am elated due to excess of arro

gance, who flaunt the momentary and transient affluence, and
who have turned towards the wrong path ruthlessly. Hence I
have sought refuge in you.
1 am a wretched Brahmana. In seeking the boon my hope
has not been fulfilled by kinsmen. О Mahesvara, destroy my
thirst (for worldly things). Why do you deceive me who am
already deluded?
Take away my thirst for worldly things. Grant me LaksmT
(fortune) quickly who resides in your own heart. Sever the
noose of pride and delusion. О Lord of Devas, redeem me
from the worldly bondage.
This prayer is divine in origin and is termed Karundbhyudaya

(Rising up of Compassion). It can yield all Siddhis. One who
reads this and remembers Bhrgu goes to Sivaloka when the
body dies."
56-65. On hearing this eulogy (hymn) uttered by Bhrgu,

Mahadeva in the company of the goddess, spoke to the most
excellent devotee, “I am the bestower of boon.”
Bhfgu said:
О Lord of the chiefs of Devas, if you are pleased, if a boon
has to be given to me, may this holy spot be a Siddhiksetra (a
516 Skanda Purdna
sacred spot granting excellent achievement and perfection)

named after me.
All of you should be present along with Uma. Let this meri
torious region be a Devak$etra whereby everything will take
shape.
In this spot I shall make a great shrine, О Lord of the
universe. О Lord of Devas, let my desire be fulfilled with your
favour.
Isvara said:
This has been already done by Sri formerly. Was it not known
to you, О Brahmana? After getting the assent of Goddess Sri
and if she so desires, you may do whatever you please. What
has been done by you cannot be otherwise.
After saying this, the Lord went away. Bhrgu then had his
holy bath and went towards Sri. After breakfast the Brahmana
stayed there with her i.e. Sri. In due course of time, he said:
Bhrgu said:
О fair lady, if this appeals to you, if it will not disturb your
seat, I shall make myself an abode in the holy spot chosen by
you.
О Brahmana-Sage, make a splendid spot as you deem fit. I

have nothing against it. It shall be in your name or in my
name.
Bhfgu said:
This Ksetra stands on Kacchapa (Lord Vi$nu in the Tortoise
form). It is on his back, О Rama. Invoke him and in consul
tation with him, make (the spot) splendid.
V.iii. 182.1-22 517
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYTWO
The Greatness of Rhrgukaccha Tirtha

1-9. Thereafter, Bhrgu went to the Kacchapa (Tortoise)
accompanied by Sri. After the customary obeisance and cour
tesies, he spoke these splendid words:
T h e entire earth as well as the mobile and immobile beings
are supported by you. Further, О highly intelligent one, you
remained there with meritorious feelings.
I shall establish an institute of the four lores with the help
and collaboration of Sri. О Lord, if you consent to this, then
give me the necessary directions.”
Karma said:
Thus, О excellent Brahmana, there will be a city named
after me. It will be well-established on me for a long time. It
will be immovable and steady. О dear one, О fair-eyed one, you
*
need not be afraid.
On hearing these splendid words coming out from the mouth

of the Kacchapa, Bhrgu, the son of the Lotus-born One, became
delighted and contented. So also was Sri. When it dawned he
dressed himself auspiciously. О descendant of King Bharata, in
the year called Nandana, on the fifth lunar day in the month
of Magha, in the splendid conjunction of Uttara, when the
lunar sphere was in Kumbha (Aquarius), on the majestic northern
bank of Reva, the excellent Sage Bhrgu made that holy spot
filled with hundreds of palaces. It faced the west and the region
extended to the north and east. It had a crore of TIrthas and
the holy spot altogether extended to a Krosa (3 Kms.). The
sage who was endowed with the power of penance thought of
Visvakarma (for assistance) and completed it without any delay
in a short while. ■
10-22. The Brahmanas were learned in the Vedas, the

K$atriyas were protectors of the kingdom; the Vaisyas were
engaged in their avocations and the Svidras attended upon the
other three castes.
518 Skanda Purana9
Thus the holy spot chosen by Sri was highly delightful and
pleasant. О dear one, this holy spot that is destructive of sins
was made by Bhrgu.
Thus is the origin of Bhrgukaccha.
0

After a long time, for some reason Lak$mi quickly went to
Devaloka. She handed over the apartments along with the key
to Bhrgu, the expounder of Brahman in the assembly of sages.
(She said:) “Keep the place safely. О sage of good vows,
keep this spot of mine."
After completing the tasks of Devas, Sri came back once
again. Goddess Rama came to Bhrgukaccha hurriedly.
Her own house with all the apartments and the things therein
and the keys thereof were demanded by her. О son of Kunti,
Bhrgu falsely denied everything.
О King, thus a great dispute arose, each claiming “This is
mine”, “This is mine.” After a long time, Bhrgu gathered a
great congregation of the Brahmanas well-versed in the four
Vedas (four lores) for the sake of authorisation.
He said, “O fawn-eyed beautiful lady, this entire city is mine.
The Brahmanas well-versed in the four Vedas know it.”
#
Sri said:
О eminent Brahmana, undoubtedly all the four castes are
my authority. Let the excellent Brahmanas say whether it is
mine or yours.
Thereafter, all the scholars discussed with one another, after

surveying the place under dispute. Among all those eighteen
thousand Brahmanas, all those eighteen thousand abstained
from making any decisive answer.
As they were afraid of the anger of Bhrgu, ultimately this
was said, “He who has the key in his hand possesses this.”
On hearing this decision made by the Vedic scholars, the
goddess was overwhelmed with great anger. She cursed those
leading Brahmanas:
V .iii.182.23-45 519
Sri Devi said:

23-33. Since with minds overcome by greed you have com
pletely rejected the truth and my legitimate seat has been
denied to me, listen to my words:
Learning will extend only to three generations. Wealth will
not go over to the third generation. О Brahmanas, a second
Veda will not be yours even if read (your knowledge will be
limited to one Veda). The houses will not have two storeys. О
Brahmanas, prosperity will not be steady; your pious rites are
based on partiality and not on feelings for welfare.
One member of the family whose mind is overwhelmed with
greed has been made the favourite. One cannot be true by
setting aside the claim of the two.
MFrom now onwards, arrogance will be predominant in the
case of all Brahmanas. Neither father is pleased with the words
of son nor son is pleased with the activities of father. Undoubt
edly all will be swayed with arrogance.”
After cursing thus, Goddess Rama immediately went to heaven.

When Lak$mi had gone, the Devas and pure (sinless) Brahmana-
Sages said: T his place is vitiated by anger and avarice.”
On seeing that the goddess, the sages and the ascetics had
gone, the highly powerful Bhrgu was much distressed.
Once again he propitiated Sankara, the slayer of Tripura,
by means of great penance. О son of KuntI, Mahesvara became
pleased thereby.
In due course of time, he spoke thus to the delight of the
excellent Sage Bhrgu: “O eminent Brahmana, why are you
distressed? What is the cause of your grief? Even when I am
pleased, О sinless one, why should you have this state? Tell
me .
Bhrgu said:
Earlier Laksmi cursed all the Brahmanas and went away.
Thereupon, the Devas pronounced this spot unholy and went
away too.
Isvara said: -
34-45. As has already been said by me, and it cannot be
»
otherwise, this is the place of anger. Listen to another point

too.
The Brahmanas hailing from that holy place with my favour,
will hereafter be devoid of great fear. They will be masters of
all scriptural texts. They will conclude the valedictory baths
after observing the vows connected with Vedic learning. Even
those hundreds and thousands who came here hurriedly (will
do so). О excellent Bhrgu, if a fool does not learn and gets
involved in various miserable states to him even Sakra is not
capable of granting anything.
This spot will be Koîitirtha (having a crore of Tirthas),
destructive of all sins from now onwards, О great Brahmana,
undoubtedly.
By my grace, it will be one frequented by groups of Devas.
With my favour, even worms and insects that die in Bhrguksetra
will take up residence in Sivaloka.
A man who takes his holy bath in Vrsakhata and adores
Mahesvara, will undoubtedly get the benefit of a sacrifice called
Sarvamedha (a Yajna without Soma1). If a man takes his holy
bath in Bhrgutirtha and offers libation to Pitrs and Devatas,
they become propitiated and enjoy peace for twelve years.
Those who bathe Virupaksa by means of curds, milk, ghee,
honey or water shall have their residence in heaven.
О excellent Brahmana, with my favour this Bhrguksetra will
be resorted to by all the Devas and will be on a par with
Kuruksetra etc.
If at the time of a solar eclipse a devotee makes a golden
barley, places it on the head and takes his holy bath in Bhrguksetra,
0 excellent Brahmana, know without worry that he is one who
has taken his holy bath in Kurujangala.
46-57. I will stay here. My beloved Ariibika, the goddess
who destroys all miseries, will stay here under the name
Saubhagyasundari (the beautiful goddess of conjugal felicity).
1 will stay with that goddess in Bhrgukaccha.
к
After saying thus» the Lord as well as Ambika stayed there

at Bhfgukaccha.
Bhrgu went to his city that reverberated with the chanting
sound of the Vedas. Along with the sounds of Rk, Yajus and
Saman, it reverberated with that of Atharva Veda.
1. Monier Waliams (1186)

V.iii Л82.58-65 521
He who takes his holy bath there in the Tlrtha and ritual-
istically (leaves off a Vrsa, bull) attains Sayujya (Identity) with
Siva. So said Sankara.
One who takes his holy bath there in the Tlrtha and per
forms all rites in the month of Caitra, worships Saubhagyasundan
and offers salt to a Brahmana or cows, plots of land and gold
to many Brahmanas uttering the Mantra, “May Lalita and Siva
be pleased”, does not become miserable or wretched. A woman
does not get separated from her husband, О great king, by
taking the bath in Bhrgutirtha.
О excellent king, listen to the benefit that one obtains, О
son ofPandu, who daily visits Lord Bhrgu along with the deities
established there upto Brahmasadana (abode of Brahma). He
gets certainly the benefit of offering to a Brahmana who has
observed all vows, an excellent, young, tawny-coloured milch
cow of good nature and gilded horns accompanied by her calf.
О Lord of men, a mortal being who casts off his body by
heroic act or dies by drowning (in the Tirtha) gets the hos
pitality of Sakra for seven thousand years. If he dies in Fire (by
self-immotalion) he gets it for twelve thousand years.
This narrative is always conducive to fame, heavenly plea
sures, wealth, progeny and long life. One who listens to this
always during festivals with devotion attains everything. He will
become like Ajamldha (a king of Puru dynasty). One who ad
opts Sannyasa (life of a recluse) in Bhrgutirtha, in accordance
with the injunctions, will, after death attain the highest place
which is extremely difficult to get.”
58-65. On hearing this uttered by the Lord of Devas, the
excellent Brahmana Bhrgu became delighted with a beaming
face and stayed there itself.
When the Lord vanished, the excellent Brahmana Bhrgu
left his Murti (idol) there itself and went to Brahmaloka.
О great king, О son of Pandu, the story of the origin of
Bhrgukaccha, the destroyer of all sins, has been succinctly re
counted to you.
This holy spot has been proclaimed by the Lord as merito
rious and destructive of sins. A day of Pitamaha is remembered
as being constituted by a thousand sets of four Yugas. О Brahmana,
when a day of Brahma begins the Yugas start. Rudra himself
522 Skanda Parana
Ш
has mentioned that he who listens to this with devotion, whether

a man or a woman, attains to the greatest world.
The holy rites a man performs after taking the holy bath in
Devakhata, such as offering balls of rice etc., О excellent king,
are everlasting.
There is no doubt about this that he who devoutly listens
to the description of Bhrgukaccha attains the benefit of a crore
of Tirthas.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYTHREE
The Greatness of Kedaresvara Tirtha

0

Tlrtha called Kedara. After going there he should perform
£raddha and drink water after worshipping the Lord of the
chiefs of Devas. He will obtain the benefit arising from (such
pious acts performed at) the Kedara shrine.
Yudhiffhira said:
О excellent one among Suras (on the earth?), how did the
Tirtha named Kedara itself come to the northern bank of Narmada?
Recount this in detail.

Formerly at the beginning of Krtayuga, Sankara was propi
tiated by Bhrgu at Bhrgukacchaka. It was cursed by Sri saying,
"This spot is devoid of sanctity. It will be bereft of all Vedas.”
After saying this, О excellent king, the Beloved of Hari went
away.
Bhrgu performed an elaborate penance for a thousand years
withot|t taking any food. He took in air alone. He was reduced
much a*td the veins were visible spreading over his body.
*Thereupon Mahesvara appeared before him in the form of
tfiiA ga. Piercing through the seven nether worlds, he sud
denly came before him. Bhrgu saw the Lord like a bud of lotus.
V.iii.183.9-17 523
He eulogized the three-eyed Lord Sthaiû. On being eulogized

thus, the Lord laughingly said again and again, “O sage, what
for do you wish to request me?"
Bhrgu said:
9-17. О Lord, this holy spot extending to five Krosas (5 x
3 Kms.) has been cursed by Padma (LaksmI). After saying
T h is holy spot will become unholy and bereft of all the Vedas",
the goddess went to heaven. О Mahesana, please do see to this
that this excellent holy spot becomes sacred once again, if you
are pleased, О Sankara.
Isvara said:
О Brahmana, this Linga named Kedara shall be the first
one; including this there will be ten primordial Lingas. The
eleventh one shall be invisible and it will be in this K$etra.
The all-pervading Lord Himself, the eleventh one, will sanc
tify the Ksetra.
Similarly, by my grace the twelve Sun-gods (Adityas) who
remove ailments and miseries shall stay at Bhrguksetra.
(In addition to them) there will stay eighteen Durga-god-
desses and sixteen Ksetrapalas (Guardians of the Ksetra),
Virabhadra and Mother-deities at Bhrguksetra. This Ksetra shall
become permanently sanctified.
One who conquers his sense-organs, takes his holy bath early
in the morning in the month of Magha and worships Kedara
for a whole month shall go to Siva’s place. О descendant of
Bharata, one who takes his holy bath in that Tirtha and per
forms £raddha with the Pitrs in view, in accordance with the
injuctions, makes his grandfathers pleased.
Thus the holy spot named Kedara has been described to you
in full details. It is meritorious and destructive of all sins. It
dispels all miseries.
524 Skanda P urina
CHARTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYFOUR
The Greatness o f D hautapdpa Tirtha
Sri M arkan4eya said:
1-5. Thereafter, a person should go to Dhautapapa Tirtha.

It is in the vicinity of Bhrgutirtha. It was there that Bhrgu was
shaken (thrown in the Tirtha) frequently by the bull (Nandin).
Hence it became well known in all the worlds by the name
Dhautapapa. For the sake of the pleasure of the excellent
Bhrgu, Mahadeva stationed himself there.
О king, even if one takes his holy bath roguishly at that
place, he is rid of all sins. No doubt need be felt in this con
nection.
One who duly takes his holy bath there in accordance with
the injunctions and worships Siva, Devas and Pitrs are rid of
all sins.
The Sin of Brahmana-slaughter and cow-slaughter, О Yudhisthira,
is always afraid (of the Tirtha) and hence it does not enter
there. Even if it enters, it is duly destroyed.
Yudhiffhira said:
6-15. О excellent Brahmana, do explain this, that ap
pears to be very wonderful in this world, that the Sin of Brahmana-
slaughter cannot have access to the Dhautapapa Tirtha. There
will not be a sin like that of the slaughter of a Brahmana. О
Brahmana, how does it perish on entering Dhautapapa? Do
tell me in detail. I eagerly ask.
0

In the course of the earlier first creation, on seeing the
distorted fifth face resembling that of a horse, of the all-pow
erful Brahma, Sariibhu clipped it off with his thumb in con
junction with one of the fingers. As soon as the head was
severed, he incurred the sin of Brahmana-slaughter.
Possessing the sin of Brahmana-slaughter, he remained on
the northern bank of Narmada. There the bull in the form of
pietj^shook off everything and installed the goddess as Dhautesvari
venerated by all the deities. Lord £ambhu visited Goddess Durga,
V.iii.184.16-24 525
Dhautesvari, the destroyer of the Sin of Brahmana-slaughter.

After the visit Sankara, the slayer of Tripura, rested there.
He considered himself rid of Brahmahatya by the power of
the Tirtha. Seeing the Brahmahatya far away from the Tirtha,
the distinguished Lord of Devas was surprised.
He thought thus: T h e Hatya is afraid of the goddess. Thanks
to the power of her piety, the Hatya will not enter Vidhautapapa
Tirtha that is very much honoured. Brahmahatya is like a dark-
complexioned woman wearing red garments and red garlands
and attracted by red garland-strings. She is desirous of catch
ing hold of my shoulders secretly but remains far off due to
the power of the excellent Tirtha.’ Thinking thus mentally,
the Enemy of Smara decided to stay there in the Tirtha.
16-24. After reflecting upon it many times, he remained
there himself. He has become famous as Vidhautapapa on the
earth. He became a permanent resident of the place in the
vicinity of Vidhautapapa.
Ever since then, О great king, that Tirtha Vidhautapapa
became established on Narmada as a Tirtha destructive of
Brahmahatya.
The ninth lunar day in the bright half of the month of
Asvayuja is of special significance there at that Tirtha. In fact
the three days beginning with the seventh day are important,
О great king.
There is no doubt about it that he who observes fast and
recites the Vedas called Rgveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda along
with their ancillaries, during day and night, shall be rid of the
sin of Brahmahatya.
One who is guilty of cohabiting with a Vr$all or wife of
preceptor, becomes rid of the sin by taking bath in the excel
lent Brahmasaras with a potful of water.
A barren woman, a woman who gives birth only to girls, a
woman having only one progeny and a woman whose child is
dead, should take bath with potfuls of water. She will have
living children and sons as well.
An illiterate Brahmana should observe fast and utter a single
Mantra from Rk, Yajus or S&man in the course of a Parva day.
He should observe fast and repeat Gayatrl, the mother of the
Vedas, withouyrepeating any other Rk Mantra. The great Brahmana
should repeat'the Mantra on the ninth day. He shall be rid
526 Skanda Parana
o f a group (series) o f sins. Thus, О d ear one, it is m entioned

in the PurSnas by great sages.
25*31. T hat D hautapapa is extremely m eritorious, has been
told to m e by Siva. O ne who casts off o n e ’s life in water or
on the g ro u n d by m eans of fire, shall have the lustre of Fire-
god and Sun. H e shall be served by groups o f Apsaras even as
he rides an aerial chariot fitted with swans and peacocks and
goes to th e g reat place o f Siva inaccessible even to Suras. H e
sports about th ere as he pleases as long as the m oon, the sun
and the stars shine.
A woman who gives u p h er life in D hautapapa, О son o f
Kunti, will attain m anhood at the same m om ent.
O f w hat avail is too m uch of talk? W hether auspicious or
inauspicious, whatever is done in D hautapapa has everlasting
benefit, О king.
O ne can invariably give up food and sensual pleasures and
(eating) fruit, roots etc., bu t one should n o t give up water.
O ne who does so, goes to Rudraloka, О son of Kunti. A fter
enjoying all pleasures there, he is reborn on the earth as a
king.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYFIVE
The Greatness of Erandi Tirtha
Sri Mdrkan4eya said:
1-3. T h ereafter, О king, a person should go to the excel

len t ЕгацсД T irtha. Merely by taking his holy bath th erein
Brahm ahatya is dispelled.
O n th e fo u rteen th lu n ar day in the bright h alf o f the m onth
o f Asvayuja (Asvina), a devotee should observe fast an d rem ain
p ure. A fter bath h e should offer libations to Pitrs and Devatas.
H e will be blessed with sons, prosperity and handsom e fea
tures. H e will live for a h u n d re d years. O n d eath he goes to
Sivaloka. No d o u b t n eed be e n te rta in e d in this re sp e c t
V .iii.186.1-15 527
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTVSIX
The Greatness of Kanakhalesvara Tirtka

Ф

Kanakhala Tlrtha.
As soon as Garuda was born, he worshipped Mahesvara and
performed a penance for a period of a hundred divine years,
О descendant of Bharata.
He was seen by God Sambhu as having become emaciated
by austerities and Japa. Thereupon, the delighted Lord Mahadeva
spoke these great words to Garuda, the delighter of Vinata,
whose speed was like that of mind:
mO blessed one, I am pleased with you. О devotee of excel
lent vows, choose your boon. Even if it happens to be the most
inaccessible thing in the three worlds, О bird flying in the
firmament, 1 shall grant it to you."
Garuda
■ said: ■
I wish to become the vehicle of Visnu, О Lord of Suras, and

also to have the status of being the chief (Indratva) of birds.
It is my opinion that when you are pleased everything will
come to me.
Sri Mahesa said:

6-15. О dear, О sinless one, the boon requested for by you
is very difficult to be acquired by living beings. The ability to
carry the Lord of Devas, and the status of being the king
(Indratva) of birds is very difficult to get.
The entire range of the three worlds is in the belly of Narayaga.
All mobile and immobile beings are there. How can that pre
ceptor of the universe, the Lord of Devas, be carried by you?
Indra was established by him alone (as the Lord) in the vast
expanse of the three worlds consisting of mobile and immobile
beings. How can Indrahood be accessible to another? Hence
the extreme difficulty of achieving it.
Yet at my instance you shall become the vehicle of the Lord
who has the conch, discus and club in his hands and who
9
carries the three worlds. Undoubtedly among birds you will be

the Indra (King).
After granting him this boon, Нага vanished.

After Mahadeva had gone, О king, the younger brother of
Aruna propitiated Camunda embellished with skulls, the god
dess who being the resident deity of cremation ground, was
accompanied by many goblins. She was a Yoginl, perfect in the
practice of Yogic exercise. She was fond of suet, flesh and
wine.
Immediately after being meditated upon by him, she ap
peared before him.
The same Siddhi goddess as is present at Jalandhara (in
Punjab), Kaullna and the great Uddisa tract (Orissa) was wholly
present in Bhrguksetra, the holy Siddhak$etra. ‘Goddess Camunda
remained stationed there in the Siddhaksetra (holy spot of
Siddhas).
She was regularly eulogized by sages and Devas for the pur
pose of Yogak$ema (acquisition and preservation of what is ac
quired). The delighter of Vinata devoutly propitiated the Yoginl,
О king, by means of Vedic and non-Vedic hymns.
Garuda said :
(.Eulogy of Camunda:)
16-32. Om. May the goddess Sri Viramata Carmamunda
resembling the pure spotless moon protect you all! Her throat
is parched with thirst and hunger, (but) mouth is splashed
with fresh blood. She is seated in the lotus-pose on dead bodies.
Armed with a trident, she plays with various groups of goblins
in her abode of cremation ground and has for her upper cloth
a garland of skulls, dripping the blood of great heroes killed
with her weapons.
May that Carmamundi protect you all. Her throat is parched
with thirst and hunger. She is deformed and terrifying. She
strikes terror into those who commit evil deeds. She chews the
flesh of the departed (corpses), gnashing her teeth emanating
a series of sparks of fire. Her tawny-coloured tresses of hair are
tied upwards. Her body resembles the Sun. She wears hide of
a tiger as the upper garment. She is bowed down to by leading
Daityas, Yak?as, Rlkjasas, Apsaras and Suras.
May that Carmamu$4& protect you all! She holds in her
V.iii. 186.16-32 529
fierce baton-like arms, Damarus and bells that produce ‘rana-

sana9 and 'tarn9 sounds. She, as the mother of goblins, bounces
and leaps and generates wild gusts of winds like those pro
duced at the time of the close of a Kalpa, which strike the loud
Pafaha drums. She is emaciated due to hunger, and her belly
is dried up. She shatters and powders the flesh of ghosts with
her sharp nails and produces boisterous laughter with the sound
of 'ghura-ghura9.
May that Carmamunda residing in cremation ground pro
tect you all! She is refulgent with the belly caving in. She
terrifies the fear of the distorted worldly existence. She is armed
with a trident. She is Camunda crushing the necks. She ap
pears beautiful causing the sounds of Jhallarl (big cymbals)
generating jingling sound, when the skulls dash against one
another. She terrifies all the three worlds with diverse awful
sounds of 'kakahakahakaha9and dances in the middle of the
Mothers.
May that Kanakesvarl protect me! She is absorbed in (smell
ing) the Kanakaprasava flowers; she is excessiviely refulgent
and supports the entire universe by means of a part of her
power.
May that Kanakesvari protect me! She is the goddess born
of Himalaya. She reveals her form out of mercy. She is the
beloved of Siva and is attached to him (Siva).
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She is in the form of Padma
along with the Discus-armed Lord. She holds jewels within
herself and is fond of Vasus. She is beginningless and is the
cause of the universe.
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She bestows happiness on those
who remember her. She is Savitri, Gayatri, Mrdani (Parvati),
Vak (Sarvasvati) and Indira (Lak$mi).
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She is the supreme power and
the greatest intellect. She creates and protects the universe
always with her gende and non-gentle forms.
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She is the mother of the uni
verse, the Maya of the universe. She is the greatest creative
power at the time of the creation of Brahma.
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She is the chief goddess that
maddens and ela^gs. She is the protective power of Vi$nu engaged
in the protection- of the universe.
May Kanakesvari protect me! She is the power of Rudra,
5S0 Skanda P aran a
9
who is the infinite one and blissful one. She is the chief god
dess in the matter of the annihilation of the universe and is
resorted to by Rudra.
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She was earlier taken away by
Bhasmaka along with the goddess of the Svarnaketakf plant
growing on the ridges of Kailasa.
May Kanakesvarl protect mel She displays the single emo
tional fervour as an Abala (one of weaker sex). She appears to
be afraid without her husband and longs for the powerful
influence of her Lord.
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She is interested in the pro
tection of the universe. She is guarded by Kanaka (God). She
is the mother of everything from Brahma to a blade of grass.
May Kanakesvarl protect me! She is the first power and she
as Sakti enabled Brahma, Visnu and Isvara to take up physical
forms.
On hearing her own four-fold activity mentioned by Garuda,

the goddess became pleased. Appearing in front of him she
spoke these words:
*
Sri Cdmundd said:

33-41. О devotee of excessive inborn strength, I am pleased
with you. Choose a boon desired by you. О excellent one among
birds, I shall grant you whatever appeals to you.
Garuda said:
9
With your favour, let me be immortal, devoid of old age,

incapable of being assailed by Suras and Asuras and by others
as well. I should be unconquerable. Further, you must stay
here always, О goddess, in the vicinity of the Tirtha.
Mdrkandeya said:
After saying, M
It will be so”, the goddess who was eulogized
by Devas went through the firmament accompanied by a mul
titude of goblins.
О excellent king, when the excellent city was established by
Lak$mi, it was dedicated to the goddess after getting her per
mission and assent.
V.iii.187.1-9 551
Laksml said}:
О goddess, my city should always be protected by you like
a mother for the purpose of the achievement of Yoga and
Ksema (acquisition and preservation of what is achieved) and
for the guarding through me.
Garutja too took his holy bath and adored Kanakesvari. After
establishing the TIrtha too there itself, he went to the excel
lent firmament.
He who takes his holy bath there in the TIrtha and worships
Pitrs and Devatas, attains the benefit of a Yajna fully equipped
with everything desirable.
One who adores Kanakesvara with sweet scents, flowers etc.
achieves Yogic power in Yoga Plfhas. Upon death, he goes to
the Yogesvara Loka with all auspicious things like the sounds
of “Be victorious” etc. There is no doubt about it. He will be
accompanied by the groups of Yoginls.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY5EVEN
The Greatness of Kalagnirudra Tirtha

*
1-9. Thereafter, a person should go to Jalesvara, the first
Linga of the Self-born Lord. It is well-known as Kalagnirudra
and it is well-established in Bhrgukaccha.
It suppresses all the sins. It destroys all calamities. It has
sprung up for the destruction of sins in holy spots.
It has sprung up out of the compassion (of the Lord). In
an earlier Kalpa, all the three worlds were overrun by groups
of Asuras. Dharma (piety) became extinct, since all the Vedic
rites became defunct. Celestial sages, ascetics and Siddhas, of
course, retained their greatest faith. At that time a column of
smoke originated from Kalagnirudra as though issuing from
the god of Death himself.1
1. The portion hereafter is obscure.

532 Skanda Pumnaa
From the column of smoke issued forth the Lihga piercing

through the seven nether worlds. Making a depression in the
south, the LiAga stood there itself.
There in the Tirtha, О excellent king, there is a Kunda (Pit)
from which sparks of fire arose. It was here that the sparks fell
even as Siva was burning the city (of the Tripuras). There the
Avafa (depression) occurred. Thereafter there arose a spiral
ling column of smoke therefrom.
He who takes his holjr bath there in the Kunda in the waters
of Narmada, performs Sraddha unto the Pitrs and worships the
Three-eyed Lord attains the greatest goal in the world of
Kal&gnirudra.
Any rite with some cherished desire, or an Abhicarika rite
(of black magic), or a rite bringing about destruction of enemies
or any rite for the acquisition of a progeny, becomes fruitful
ere loftg provided it is performed in this Tirtha here.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYEIGHT
The Greatness of Salagrama Tirtha
Sn Mdrhandeya said:
1-6. Thereafter, О great king, one should go to the Salagrama
Tirtha at a distance of forty paces therefrom. It is adored by
all the Devas.
It is there that the primordial god Vasudeva, Trivikrama, the
immanent soul of the world, stays himself with a desire for the
welfare of all.
On coming to know that Bhfguk$etra is the holy spot of
spiritual perfection, penance was performed by Narada himself
on the banks of Rev£ and а (large assembly-hall) was made
for BrihmaQas.
The Lord of Brahmanas named $alagr£ma was installed.
VSsudeva was installed for the sake of rendering help to the good.
In order to help Yogins, Janardana, worthy of being medi
tated upon by Yogins, resorted to the banks of Narmada in the
form of $£lagrama.
V.iii. 188.7—V.iii. 189.7 533
On the eleventh lunar day in the bright half of the month

of Margasirsa a devotee should take his holy bath in the meri
torious waters of Reva and observe fast for the whole of the
day.
7-13. He should keep awake at night after worshipping
Janardana. When the day dawns on the twelfth day, he should
take his holy bath in the waters of Narmada. He should then
offer libations to Pitrs, Matrs (Mothers) and Devas. Thereafter
he should perform Sraddha to Pitrs according to injunctions.
He should honour Brahmanas in accordance with his capacity
through gift of gold, cloth and food. He should then crave the
forgiveness of those Brahmanas and the bird-emblemed Lord
(Visnu).
Listen attentively, О excellent king, to the merit one attains
by doing thus: During his life here he will never meet with
grief and misery. On death he attains equality with Lord Murari.
He will dispel all great sins. Never again will he drink the
breast milk of a mother.
*
One who visits Salagrama everyday after taking the holy bath
in the waters of Narmada that dispels series of sins, is liberated
from sins such as that of the Brahmana-slaughter by the rec
ollection of Narayana.
Those who adopt the way of life of a recluse and stay there
with miseries dispelled and contacts abandoned and meditate
upon the fourth Pada of Murari (Vi$nuloka) through the Sankhya
way go there alone.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTYNINE
The Greatness of Udirna Varaha Tirtha
1-7. Thereafter, О great king, the person should go to an

extremely splendid Tirtha, where the divine Boar rose up holding
the Earth.
Holding this Earth and shaking the terribly sharp-edged,
curved fangs, he rose up. He alone is called the fifth Varaha1,
the bestower of salvation.
1. The five Varihas are mentioned in w 14 onwards.

534 Skanda Purana
Yudhiffhira said;
How was Varaha the holder of the Earth, in the form of one
rising up? Why did he adopt the form of a hoar? Why is he
termed “the fifth”?

In the primordial Kalpa formerly, О king, Lord Hari was
lying on his serpent-couch in the Milk Ocean. He was deeply
lost in his Yogic slumber. The pair of his feet were being rubbed
and massaged by the two lotus-like hands of Lak$mi. While the
Lord of Devas was asleep, the Earth was distressed due to the
excess of burden, О excellent king. She went to the presence
of Devas and said, M I am distressed due to the overload. I (fear
that I) will sink down into Rasatala.”
On seeing this, the Devas too became sad. They went to the
place where Janardana was present. Through pleasing words,
they eulogized Kesava, the Lord of the universe:
The Devas said:

8-17. Obeisance, obeisance to you, О Lord of Devas, О
omnipresent Lord, О dispeller of the distress of Suras. О Visvamurti
(having universal forms), obeisance to you! Save us all from
the great fear.
On being told thus by the Devas, the Lord said: “What has
befallen you? What is my task? Say, О Devas, do not delay.”
The Devas said:

The Earth, the support of living beings, is sinking down,
highly distressed due to the excess of burden. О Hrslkesa,
raise her up. Stabilise the worlds in her steady position.
On being told thus by all the Suras, Kesava, the great Lord,
adopted the form of a boar, consisting of all the Yajnas. He
was terrifying due to the curved fangs. The eyes were tawny-
coloured and the hair curly. Making Ananta (the serpent of
that name, £e?a) his foot-rest, he lifted up the Earth by means
of the tips of the curved fangs.
V.iii. 189.18-29 535
Lifting up the Earth with the ocean as her girdle, along with
the mountains and forests, Lord Visnu became Udirna (rose
' ■ • i 3
up). He revealed himself in five forms on the northern bank

of Narmada. The first one was in Korala and the second in
Yodharitpura. The third one was of the form of a Linga deluding
the Asuras. He is glorified as Jayaf in the holy spot named
'Jayak$etra*. (The fourth one)is called Sveta, О tiger among
kings. He stationed himself for the purpose of sanctifying the
universe. Since he has the lustre of the moon, he is termed
Sveta. After lifting up the goddess of the worlds, he rose up
from Bhrgukaccha. Hence the term Udirna Varaha for the fifth
one.
18-29. Thus, О son of Pandu, the five Varahas have been
described to you. Seeing all these simultaneously dispels the
sin of Brahmana-slaughter.
The eleventh lunar day in the bright half of the month of
Jyes^ha is specially significant here.
On the tenth day itself a devotee goes to Adivaraha. Havisya
rice should be eaten as a light meal when the sun is about to
set in the evening. He should keep awake at night in the
shrine of Adivaraha.
When the day dawns, he should take his holy bath in the
waters of Narmada. After offering libations to the Pitrs and
Devatas with gingelly seeds mixed with barley grain, he should
make the gift of a cow embellished with all ornaments to a
deserving Brahmana.
The devotee should be free from Mamatva (sense of posses
sion) and from Aharhkara (egotism) when he makes the gift to
Brahmanas.
He should then adore Lord Varaha named Adi (the first).
After adoring in this way, he should go to the Jaya shrine
quickly.
Hastening to Jaya shrine he should repeat the procedure as
in the first case. A horse should be given as a gift to an eminent
Brahmana at the shrine of Jaya.
Gingelly seeds should be gifted at the Linga (third shrine)
and gold at the Sveta shrine.
At the Udirna shrine a plot of land should be gifted.
The previousjjrocedure should be adopted.
О son of Kunti, listen with mental concentration to the
536 Skanda Parana
»
benefit acquired by one who visits all the five Varahas before
the sun sets.
All the following sins will, О most excellent one among the
descendants of Bharata, perish immediately like a heap of cot
ton in fire; the sins of Brahmana-slaughter, imbibing liquor,
theft, intercourse with the wife of preceptor, associating with
those sinners mentioned before, breach of trust of those who
had confided, taking as wife a sister, a daughter or a member
of sister's family, in fact all the sins committed from birth to
death. All these sins of a Vaisnava sanctified by all the five
TTrthas perish.
30-38. Sins may be as big as peaks of mountains, still these
perish if NarSyana is remembered, and specially so if Japa and
Dhydna are performed.
The devotee should, showing great manliness, take his plunge
into the waters of Narmada. After visiting the five Varahas and
performing the Sraddha duly, he should visit Lotanesvara be
tween sunrise and sunset. He shall be rid of (future) physical
bodies. So said Sankara.
He immediately attains salvation called Paramesvan, the one
which is ordinarily inaccessible. If Siddhi is not achieved even
after great manly endeavour, they say that the sinner may go
to heaven.
If a person proceeds elsewhere but happens to be in the
vicinity of the five Varahas on the eleventh lunar day in the
month of Jye$tha, he should certainly stay there wherever he
may be. The five Varahas, Adi, Jaya, Sveta, Lihga and Udirna
should be visited by him.
It was on the eleventh day in Jyestha that the powerful Lord
Vi$iiu assumed the Varaha form and lifted up the Earth. Hence
it is more meritorious than the most meritorious and destruc
tive of all the masses of sins.
After visiting the five Varahas, the Kroda (Boar) in the form
of Udirna should be adored in accordance with the injunction
and then he should keep awake.
39-43. At the time of the Jagarana (keeping awake) the
devotee should with devotion, light five-wicked lamps filled
with ghee. Puranas should be listened to and auspicious songs
and dances performed. The night should be spent with the
V.iii. 190.1-7 5S7
Japa of Vedic Mantras. О Ajamidha1, listen to the merit that

a man obtains thereby:
The waters of Reva are highly meritorious on the earth. So
also Lord Hari, the ruler of all worlds. О Lord of men, the
Ekadasi is destructive of sins. It is obtained (and benefited) by
men through many strenuous efforts.
Each of these is capable of destroying a series of sins like
Brahmahatya, О king. Then tell me, will they not be able to
destroy if they are united together?
О son of Dharma, this has been told to you in the same
manner as it was heard from the moon-crested Lord ЗаАкага.
After listening to this willingly and reciting it, one is rid of all
sins and goes to the region of the Enemy of Vrtra.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETY
The Greatness of Candrahdsa Tirtha

0

lent Somatlrtha which is well known as Candrahasa and adored
by all deities. It is there that the kingly Soma, the most excel
lent Sura, attained the greatest Siddhi.
Yudhisthira
■ 9
said:
How did the kingly Soma, the Lord of the universe, attain
Siddhi? I wish to listen to everything. О sinless one, do tell me.
0

О descendant of Bharata, it is said that he was cursed by
Daksa, the learned sage:
uSince you do not stay (as a husband) with all the (other)
wives impartially, you will be a victim of the wasting disease.”
1. A descendant q£Ptiru, Yudhifthira.

538 Skanda Parana
■
О excellent one among men, listen to the ultimate fate of

those who do not resort to their wedded wives (like a hus
band). By properly courting women (wives after their monthly
course) a son is born. It is the exhortation of the Sruti that
Svarga and salvation can be obtained through a son.
Those men who do not court her through activities befitting
the occasion incur the sin of Brahmana-slaughter. There is no
doubt about it.
8-17. Enveloped by that sin, he (i.e. such a man) will fall
into Raurava. (Other) sinners drink his blood for a period of
time they like.
In due course of time, he comes down and is born in dif
ferent types of wombs. In all those wombs that evil-souled one
becomes unlucky.
The lust of women is always stronger. Particularly at the
time of monthly course, a woman is pierced by the darts of the
god of Love.
Slighted by her husband, a woman thinks of other men as
her husband. A son born to her roams about and makes the
excellent family swerve (from the correct path). The moment
he (such a son) is born, his Pitrs who were in Svarga before
slip down. Hence he is called Kulata.
The Moon became a victim of the consumptive disease as
a result of his Karma. Leaving off the world of leading Suras,
he came down to the mortal world. After wandering over many
holy spots and shrines, he came to Narmada, the destroyer of
all sins. For twelve years, he observed fasts, performed holy
rites, observed restraints and made gifts. Thereupon, he was
rid of the sins.
He installed Mahadeva, the destroyer of all sins. Becoming
fully endowed with his original lustre, he went to the excellent
Somaloka.
By adorning the Lord installed, a devotee enjoys his world
for as many thousand Yugas as the number of years he wor
ships the Lord.
18-26. Hence men instal deities on the earth in accor
dance with the injunctions whereby the benefit becomes ever
lasting and unmutilated.
A man who takes his holy bath in Somatirtha and worships
Lord fsvara becomes pleasing like the Moon to look at, and
beautiful when reborn.
V.iii.190.18-26 539
One who goes to Candraprabhasa and duly takes his holy

plunge, shall never be assailed by any sickness. If one is af
flicted with the consumptive disease he should take his bath
in Candrahasya on the twelfth day.
On the fourteenth day, he should observe fast and perform
Н о та with milk Caru. He should adore the Three-eyed Isana
with five Mantras. After taking in the remnant of Havis offer
ing, he should visit Candrahasyesa.
By this procedure Lord Mahesvara becomes pleased. He is
rid of the consumptive disease through this association with
the Tirtha. A devotee who takes the holy bath on seven (con
secutive) Mondays and worships Siva is rid of afflictions in the
ears.
So also, О king, an ailment of the eyes is removed. A devo
tee who goes to Candrahasya at the time of a lunar or solar
eclipse and devoutly takes the holy dip, is rid of all sins.
О excellent king, everything performed in Candrahasya, the
holy bath, Dana, nay all types of auspicious and inauspicious
activities, yields everlasting benefit.
27-33. Men who take their bath in Candrahasya and view the
eclipse are blessed noble souls. Their life is excellent. Merely
by taking the holy bath there in that Tirtha, О great king, the
verbal, mental and physical sins incurred earlier become dis
solved.
Many persons afflicted with great delusions do not know it
like the supreme Atman immanent in the body of everyone.
Undoubtedly one obtains in Candrahasya the entire benefit
of those who go to the Somatlrtha in the western ocean.
A man who bathes in Candrahasya during Samkranti (transit
of the Sun), Vyatlpata, Visuva and Ayana becomes rid of all
sins.
Those who do not know Candrahisya situated on Narmada
are deluded and wicked in conduct. Their life is aimless.
If anyone adopts the life of a recluse in Candrahasya, his
departure to Somaloka is never followed by a return.
540 Skanda Purana
m
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYONE
The Greatness o f D vadasaditya Tirtha
f a M arkandeya said:
1-6. Thereafter, one should go to the Siddhesvara Tirtha

very near it. That is the first Linga of the Self- born Lord. It
exudes nectar. Immediately on being seen, the man becomes
free from indebtedness.
Formerly the twelve Adityas propitiated Paramesvara for more
than a hundred years and acquired the greatest Siddhi. Hence
the deity is called Siddhesvara. He is the bestower of Siddhis
on those who yearn for them.
Yudhitfhira said:
О excellent Brahmana, I have become excessively surprised
on hearing that the Adityas have attained Siddhi. How did they
attain it in the Siddhesvara Tirtha? What was the purpose for
which the Adityas were engaged in the severe penance? О
excellent Brahmana, they attained their desired Siddhi. I have
put the question briefly, О Brahmana. Do recount it in detail.
f a Markandeya said:
7-17. The twelve Adityas beginning with Sakra were born of
Aditi. They were Indra, Dhatr, Bhaga, Tva$tr, Mitra, Varuna.,
Aryaman, Vivasvan, Savitf, Pu$an, Amsuman and Vi§nu. All these
twelve Adityas desired the position of Bhaskara (the illumina
tor). So they came to the banks of Narmada and established
themselves in severe penance. О great king, the noble-souled
sons of Kasyapa collectively known as Dvadasaditya attained
great Siddhi at Siddhesvara K$etra. Divakara, the supporter of
the universe, was installed with their respective parts in that
Tirtha by them.
Ever since then, О king, that Tirtha became renowned in
the world. At the end of the (four) Yugas when dissolution
becomes imminent, twelve suns issue from Dvadasaditya.
Indra blazes in the eastern part, Dhatr in the south-east,
Gabhastipati (i.e. Bhaga) in the south, Tva$tr in the face (di
V .iii.l91.18—V.iii.192.7 541
rection) of the south-west, Varuna in the western part, Mitra

in the north-west, (Visnu) in the north and Vivasvan in the
north-east.
Savitr blazes above and Pusan below, drying (everything).
Amsuman and Vi$nu burn the universe issued forth from the
mouth. They all wandered here and there so that they burn
the entire universe, О great king.
So also the twelve Adityas facilitate the fulfilment of the
desires of devotees. Listen to the benefit of that person who
gets up early in the morning, takes his holy bath and visits the
Lord of the chiefs of Devas, named Dvadasaditya.
18-24. All the sins committed earlier, whether verbal, mental
or physical, perish instantly, as soon as Dvadasaditya is seen.
О descendant of Bharata, if a devotee circumambulates that
Lord, then undoubtedly the whole earth is circumambulated
by him.
The benefit one derives through a fast on the seventh lunar
day in that TIrtha may or may not be obtained through the
same for seven Saptami days elsewhere.
If a devotee, after visiting Dvadasaditya on a Sunday coin
ciding with the sixth lunar day, circumambulates the deity, his
sin perishes. He will be free from ailments for seven births.
One who circumambulates devoutly a hundred times every
day, all scabs, white patches, tumours, nay all skin diseases,
perish like serpents at the sight of Garuda. He will beget a son
by resorting to the Tirtha for sixty days.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYTWO
The Birth of Sripati

1-7. Thereafter, О dear one, one should go to the excellent
Devatirtha. After seeing Sripati, the man on the earth is rid
of all sins. Lord Jan&rdana was the son-in-law of the great sage
Bhrgu.
542 Skanda Parana
Yudhisfhira said:
Who is this Lord, the Consort of Sri, the overlord of Devas?

How did he come into being? О sage, is he one of the three
deities Brahm£, Vi$nu and Siva? How did Kesava become a
relative of Bhfgu? О Brahmana, О descendant of Bhrgu, it
behoves you to recount this in detail.
&n Mdrkandeya said:

I shall succinctly narrate the great story of Sadhya. All the
great sages are incapable of recounting it in detail.
The Four-faced Lord was born of the lotus arising from the
navel of N&rayana. О king, Daksa was his son, having been
born from his right thumb.
Dharma was born from the tip of his breast. Hence he became
his son. Even Aja (Brahma), О bull among the descendants of
Bharata, had the assistance of Narayana.
8-17. The following ten daughters of Daksa became the wives
of Dharma. They were highly lustrous. They were: Marutvati,
Vasu, JAan&, Lamba, Bhanumatl, Satl, Samkalpa, Muhurta, Sadhya,
Visvavat! and Kakup.
Among them the blessed Sadhya gave birth to sons, О king,
namely Nara, Narayana, Hari and Kr$na. These four sons of
Dharma were the parts of the parts of Visnu.
Narayana and Nara identified their Atman with the Supreme
Atman and performed a great penance on the Gandhamadana
mountain.
They meditated on that which has nothing comparable to
it, which was their cause and which has no other cause. They
meditated on Vasudeva who cannot be pointed out, who is
beyond comprehension and is undifferentiated.
The two noble souls were fully engaged in Yogic exercise.
They maintained themselves as great ascetics. On account of
the power of their penance, the Sun stopped blazing.
The wind blew hesitatingly. Undoubtedly it was pleasing to
the touch. Even burning fire became very cool. Lions, tigers
and other wild animals moved about mildly on the mountain
along with deer. О Lord of the Earth, the Earth distressed by
their weight appeared like a cow. Mountains shook and the
great ocean became agitated. The Devas lost their lustre in
V.iii.192.18-29 543
their own lustreless abode in the sky. О king, they became

much agitated.
Sakra, the king of Devas, became scorched and furious by
their penance. With a desire to cause obstacles to them, he
engaged the celestial damsels there.
Indra said:
18-29. О Rambha, О Tilottama, О Kubja, Ghrtaci, Lalita,
О splendid Pramloca, О Sumloca of excellent eyebrows, О
haughty Saurabheyl, О Alambusa, О Misrakesl, О Puncjianka,
О Varuthinl, assume very charming personality that awakens
Manmatha (erotic urge) and go to Gandhamadana. There act
according to my instructions.
The two Brahmanas, Nara and Narayana, are performing
penance with the requisite initiation. The sons of Dharma are
performing penance which is extremely difficult for others to
practise. О beautiful women, if they continue to perform the
great penance, they are likely to give us great misery and agony
through their all-surpassing activities. They may destroy our
future prospects.
Hence go. Do not be afraid. All of you should carry out this
instruction. О excellent ladies, Smara and Vasanta shall be
your associates.
At the sight of beauty and youth that excessively excite love,
which submissive man does not come under the influence of
Kandarpa (god of Love)?

On being told thus by the king of Devas, О king, all those
celestial damsels and Vasanta went off along with Madana.
They reached Gandhamadana which Madhava (Spring) turned
into a beautiful park with blossoming trees and parks agitated
by the cooing male cuckoos.
The wind from Malaya mountain blew from the southern
direction. The whole forest became excessively charming on
account of the bumming sounds of the swarms of bees.
The fragrant scent arising from the groves of trees delighted
the noses of Kinaaras, Uragas and Yak$as.
All those ladies of exquisite bodily features set about in
544 Skanda Parana
■
their task of tempting the sages, Nara and Narayana, through

their words, graceful movements of their limbs and smiles.
One of them sang sweetly; another celestial damsel danced;
О king, another played on the musical instruments in a fas
cinating manner.
S0-S9. For the purpose of agitating them mentally the slen-
der-limbed ladies made various efforts through their coquetish
manners, emotional displays and sweet words.
Still, О Lord of the earth, they were the least affected men
tally as they had reached the climax of their spiritual practice
and mental discipline.
О king, they stood without any excitement or movement
like a lamp in a windless spot. Their minds maintained steady
equilibrium as it was dedicated to Vasudeva.
Just as the great ocean on being filled with waters does not
get excited, nor does it overflow into another world, so also
their minds remained steady.
Meditating on the great Brahman in the form of Vasudeva,
conducive to the welfare of all living beings, they did not be
come the victims of either Raga (attachment) or Dvesa (ha
tred).
Smara too did not find it possible to enter their heart illu
minated by perfect knowledge like darkness that does not gain
entry into an apartment illuminated with lamps.
О bull among men, those great sages saw as an aspect of
Brahman, everything such as the excellent trees shining well
in their full bloom, the spring season, the southern breeze, all
those celestial damsels, Kandarpa (god of Love), the penance
begun by themselves, their own selves and Gandhamadana.
Fire does not burn fire nor does water wet water. It is so
because the self-same object does not cause any aberration in
itself.
After realizing again and again Brahman in its essential form,
no effect or adverse influence of the spring season, Kandarpa
and hjis women occurred to them.
40-48. Thereafter, О king, Vasanta, Madana and those
slender-timbed ladies made further and stronger efforts to excite
them both.
Then Narayana of exalted mind took up courage and cre
ated a woman of excellent limbs from his thighs.
V. Hi.192.49-58 545
О Lord of the earth, the jewels of beautiful ladies of all the

three worlds will become insignificant in their qualities verily
at her very sight.
On seeing her, О Lord of the earth, the Wind became men
tally shaken, Vasanta became dismayed and Smara could not
remember anything.
The celestial young women beginning with Rarhbha and
Tilottama became embarrassed as their hearts and eyes becom
ing the target of her sight ceased to shine.
Thereupon, О king, Rama, Vasanta and the celestial dam
sels bowed down to the excellent holy sages and eulogized
them.
Vasanta, Kama and the celestial damsels said:

May the creator and supporter of the universe be pleased. We
have been deluded by the Maya of that Lord and so do not
know the difference between the two.
May that Lord be pleased with us, the Lord whose form is
twofold. He is the abode of all the worlds; he is beginningless;
and he is without an end.
May the two Lords Nara and Narayana wielding weapons
like the conch and the discus be favourable with a benign face,
to us all, though we are guilty.
49-58. He is the storehouse of all lores. He is like fire
unto the forests of all sins. Hence may Lord Narayana with the
Sarnga (bow) as his weapon dispel all sins.
May the glorious, sinless Nara, the knower of self, dispel all
the sins. He is the Atman unto all embodied beings.
He has tucked up the clusters of matted hair. May the gentle
face and sight of these two, who will pardon us, dispel all the
sins incurred in the whole of this life.
Further a great crime has been committed by us, due to the
defect in the learning we had. That is why we came here to
tempt the Lords worthy of being respected by all the three
worlds.
О Lord, О one full of pure knowledge, be pleased with us
of deluded visions. Good people always keep up their righ
teousness.
Just as this excellent jewel of a lady came into being on
546 Skanda Purina
m
seeing us, so also, О Narayana, the excellent intellect has origi

nated in you, the intellect that facilitates getting across to the
other shore of Samsara. Hence, О eternal Lord, of a great
soul, of a truthful soul, О Narayana, be pleased. You are the
greatest ultimate resort of all people by means of that truth.
О Nara, of clear intellect, of quiescent soul, О Lord having
pleasant face and eyes, be pleased, О Lord of Yogins. О Lord,
О omnipresent and unswerving one!
We bow down to Lord Nara; and also to Hari Narayana.
Obeisance to Nara worthy of being bowed to! Obeisance to
Nar&ya^ta too!
О Lord, we were helpless before. But we have a Lord who
helps us. We are pleased. May Nara bring about our welfare.
О Narayana, grant us welfare.
0

59-68. On being adored thus by means of the eulogy in
the presence of all living beings, О king, Lord Narayana de
void of Rdga, Dve$a (attachment and hatred) said:
Narayana said:
Welcome unto Madhava, Kama and the celestial damsels.
May this be said as to what is to be done by us unto you who
have come here.
Certainly you have been deputed by the enemy of Bala for
overpowering us. Hence this display of the combination of
dance etc.
We are not allured by songs, dances, movements of the
limbs, utterances etc., nor by sensual objects. I consider these
sensual objects terrible.
О splendid ones, when our senses are not defiled by contact
with sounds etc., how can then things like dances etc., offer
temptation to us?
We are Siddhas and not Sadhyas (conquerable) by you all,
Smara and Madhava. Let Sakra be free from suspicions, com
posed and at ease.
' The supreme being, the greatest Puru$a, Paramesvara, the
Supreme Atman, is the cause of the origin of mobile and im
mobile beings. It is in him that everything gets dissolved. In
V.iii. 192.69-88 547
view of his being the immanent Lord, he is termed Sarvavdsl

(the abode of all) and Vdsudeva.
We are the parts of the parts of that honourable Lord having
four Vyuhas. (emanations).
We follow the path indicated by him for the enlightenment
of embodied beings. We see the Lord of all abiding in all
beings. We see all impartially everywhere. How can we having
discrimination entertain attachment (Rdga) and hatred?
69-75. That same Bhutatman (the Atman) is present in
me, Vasanta, Indra, in you all the celestial damsels and in
Smara. How can there be hatred etc.?
Visnu is the Lord of the Lords of all. All creatures are iden
tical with him. That being the case, how can there be Rdga
etc.?
All the things and beings of the universe are born from that
single Supreme Atman-beings such as Brahma, Indra, Isana,
Aditya, Maruts, Visvedevas, sages, Sadhyas, Vasus, Pitrs, Yaksas,
Rak$asas, spirits etc., Nagas, serpents, reptiles, men, birds, cows,
elephants, lions, aquatic beings, flies, mosquitoes, bees, butter
flies, water-worms, hedges, trees, creepers, bamboos, grasses,
whatever can be seen or cannot be seen. Know that this is so,
О celestial damsels.
Born thus, О celestial damsels, who can have attachment,
hatred and greed, because Visnu is his own greatest Atman?
76. Visnu is identical with all living beings, omnipresent
and supporter of all. How can there arise the qualities of Raga
etc., after belittling that Visnu who is different from ordinary
living beings?
77. Thus, О women, when we all, you all and all the living
beings have become identical with him, where is the occasion
for Raga etc.?
78. The eye that comprehends the unity of all is called
Samyagdr$(i (right eye). Knowing as different is a popular usage.
79-80. This entire universe consists of the elements, sense-
organs, inner mind, Pradhana (Prakfti) and Puru?a. Then of
what nature is difference?
The waves come into being and get subsided in the waters
of the ocean. But they are not different since they are only
water. Similar is*the universe, due to the identity.
81-88. Just as the sparks of fire are yellow, tawny, pink and
548 Skanda Purana
■
grey in colour but are not different from fire, so also the
universe is not different from Brahman.
That Purandara (Indra) makes you all cause excitement in
us is improper as our minds are inclined towards good conduct
and true knowledge.
You all, the Lord of Devas, all the people including Suras
and Asuras, along with oceans, mountains and forests—all these
агемМми my body.
Just a* this lady exquisitely beautiful in all the limbs is shown
to you all, I shall show the entire universe too in a similar
manner.
Let not Indra be arrogant. Whose Indra-hood is permanent?
You too do not become proud. There are many women with
extraordinary beauty.
When the difference itself does not exist, what is beautiful?
What is ugly? If there is comparison in regard to beauty of
form, it is always due to the view of discrimination.
I correctly conjectured that your pride originated from such
qualities as exalted physical beauty. Hence this slim lady was
shown to you. Therefore, you are likely to be quiescent.
Since this lady of excellent limbs and blue lily-like eyes has
come out of my thighs (Uru), she will become an excellent
Apsar& named Urvasi.
89-95. Just as you have been sent by him to us with a
desire for our pleasure, so may this lady of exquisite complex
ion be taken to Devaraja.
That thousand-eyed Indra should be told thus: M Our austeri
ties are not motivated by a desire for enjoyment or of getting
some benefit not yet acquired.
I Shall point out the righteous path to the wide world. I
along with Nara shall carry out the protection of the universe.
I am bent upon it.
О Lord of Trtdasas (Devas), if anyone is to harass you, I
shall restrain him. О Vasava, you abstain from (such attempts).
If you fail to chastise any wicked one, I shall surely chastise
him. This I shall bring about undoubtedly.
Being aware of all these, you need not experience any dis
tress on my account. О Vasava, I have taken the incarnation
to render help unto the worlds.
О Purandara, this lady Urvasi who originated from me shall
be the cause of Tretagni (three sacrificial fires).w
V.iii.l98.1-15 549
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYTHREE
The Greatness of Sripati Tirtha

0

1-6. When this was spoken (by Narayana), all the Apsaras
bowed down to Narayana repeatedly with a desire to have his
vision and said:
Vasanta, Kama and Apsaras said:

О holy Sir, this advice tendered by Your Holiness with a desire
for our welfare has been understood and your greatness is
comprehended.
You were kind enough to say with a delighted mind, “This
wide-eyed beauty has been shown; I shall show you the uni
verse too.” Now, О Lord of the universe, we have surrendered
to you in all respects. Hence reveal yourself in the same manner
as Urvasl has been shown.
If you have no anger towards us despite our guilt, do reveal
your own self directly. О Lord of the worlds, we offer obei
sance to you!
Narayana said:
О ladies of Suras, see here in my person all the worlds, Vasanta,
Madana and yourselves, as also whatever besides you wish to
Sri Mdrkan4eya said:

7-15. After saying this, the holy Lord Narayana laughed
loudly and the entire universe came into being there, viz. Brahma,
the lord of the subjects (the patriarch), Sakra, all Rudras, the
Pinaka-bearing Lord, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Visvedevas, the
great sages, Nasatya, Dasra, Wind-god, the Fire-gods everywhere,
Yaksas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Pisacas, Serpents, Kinnaras, all
the celestial damsels, the lores, the Vedas with their ancillaries,
expressions (utterances) (of scriptural texts), human beings,
beasts, worms, birds, trees, reptiles, subtle beings, all other
beings called Jim (living organism), all the oceans, mountains,
550 Skanda Parana
rivers, forests, all the islands and continents, all the lakes, the
entire earth full of cities and villages. All these were seen by
the celestial ladies in the body of the great Soul.
Within the Cosmic-formed Lord those ladies of beautiful
limbs saw the entire firmament filled with stars, planets and
constellations.
No limit or end was seen above, below, or at the sides of
that being. Hence they eulogized the Lord, the infinite and
beginningless Being.
All the excellent ladies became terrified along with Madana
and Madhu became dismayed and praised the lord devoutly.
Vasanta, Kama and the Apsaras said:

16-25. О Lord, we do not perceive your beginning, end
or middle. Your enormous physical form is Avyakta (unexpounded,
not comprehended). We bow down to you, О Narayana, О
ultimate resort of the worlds, О infinite one, О immanent
Soul.
О supreme Soul, not inferior to anyone elsel You are iden
tical with Sabda (sound) and other sense objects.
The Mahdbhutas (great elements): earth, firmament, wind,
water and fire constitute your form.
All these originate from you, О imperishable one. О Lord,
О (great) Soul, difference too constitutes your form.
О Hari, you alone are the seer of colour or form, the knower
of the greatest; (you alone are) the hearer of sound. You arc
omnipresent and the creator of all, the enjoyer of fragrance,
and a separate individual soul.
There is no one among all the Suras, there is no one in the
human world, there is no one among beasts and other classes
of beings who does not form a part of yours, О Lord of Devas.
О gentle one, Brahma, ocean, the Moon, Sakra and others
are your excellent forms. Among those possessing courage your
form is the sea. Among the refulgent forms, you are the Sun
as well as fire.
Among those with forbearance as their asset (i.e. virtue) the
most excellent form is Kfiti (Earth). Among the quickest and
the most powerful ones (your form) is the rapid-moving wind.
The human form is the royal guise. О Lord of all, among the
deluded ones you are the tree.
V.iii Л93.26-35 551
О imperishable one, you are Danava among all those who

are unjust. Among those with great discrimination you are
Sanatsujata. You abide in water in the form of taste. Fragrance
is your form. You are Hutasana (fire) in the form of the visible.
You are of the form of touch in the wind. Sound etc. of
thine is the form in the firmament. О Lord, in mind you are
of the form of thought.
In intellect, you are of the form of knowledge and under
standing. You are the only one everywhere, О Lord of all,
immanent in all.
In the middle of the lotus in your navel I see Lord Brahma
and in your eyebrows I see Нага. The Asvins are in your ears.
All the Guardians of the world are stationed in your arms. Your
nose is Anila (wind or breath) and the Sun and the Moon are
in your eyes. Your tongue is Sarasvatl, О Lord.
26-35. О Hrslkesa, we see the earth as your feet and all
the worlds in your belly. Wc constitute your calves and the
multitudes of Pisacas, Yaksas, Uragas and Siddhas are in the
toes of your feet.
The Lord of all subjects (Patriarchs) is established in your
manliness. All the Kratus are established in the pair of your
lips. О Lord, all of us are in your teeth and curved fangs. The
Devas have become your teeth.
All the groups of the Devas are your hair. О Lord, Vidyadharas
are the lines in the soles of your feet. All the Vedas along with
the Angas (ancillaries), О Lord, are stationed in the joints of
your arms.
The form of the Boar holds up the Earth; the form of the
Manlion is always highly terrible. Your lofty equestrian head we
And in Trivikrama. It is incomprehensible.
These oceans are in your body. These mountains constitute
the place of your girdle (waist). So also these rivers with Ganga
as the chief one, and also all the continents and the regions
of forests etc.
О Lord, these sages stationed in your body eulogize your
exalted greatness. These performers of Yajnas worship you,'the
Lord of all the worlds, the infinite one.
Whatever is gentle here in the world originates from you
alone. О Samastamurti (one whose form is constituted of every
thing), there is nothing more hideous than you. О Kesava,
552 Skanda Parana
9
there is nothing colder or hotter than you. You alone surpass

all the other forms.
Be pleased, О Lord of all. О Lord identical with all beings,
О eternal Atman, О great Isvara, О Isa, pardon our offence
because our minds are deluded by your Maya.
Or, what offence has been committed by us, О Lord of
Devas, because our hearts (as well as yours) have originated
from your Maya? О destroyer of the distress of those who bow
down, our mind, suspicious of your Maya, has become con
fused.
We have not committed any offence against you. If at all,
any offence has been committed by us traversing the wrong
path, let that be pardoned. О Lord, the offence is thine be
cause as a creator you created our indiscretion too.
36-47. Obeisance, obeisance to you, О Govinda, О Narayana,
О Janardana! May all our sins perish by the recitation of your
names.
Obeisance, О infinite one, obeisance to you, О Soul of the
universe, О conceiver of the universe! May all our sins perish
by the recitation of your names.
О most excellent one, О Yajnapuru$a, О protector of the
subjects, О Vamana! May all our sins perish by the recitation
of your names.
Obeisance to you, to the Lotus-navelled one, to the patri
arch! О Нага, may all our sins perish by the recitation of your
names.
О Adhoksaja (Vi$nu), we offer obeisance to you, the boat
for crossing the ocean of worldly existence. May all our sins
perish by the recitation of your names. Obeisance to the su
preme Lord of Sri, to Vasudeva the creator, who voluntarily
combines himself with the Gu$as, to the cause of creation,
sustenance and dissolution (of the world)!
О immanent Soul of the universe, withdraw this eternal
form of yours. О Isvara, our eyes are incapable of looking at
this ever increasing form (of yours). О imperishable one, this
datding lustre of yours is on a par with that of thousands of
fires at the time of ultimate annihilation. With its enormous
extent, the quarters, the earth and the firmament have been
enveloped.
We do not know where we are stationed. О Lord, you alone
V .iii.193.48-63 553
are seen. We see the entire world dumped here, heaped into
a lump.
Can we extol adequately your form? О Hari, what is the
extent of this form? What is your greatness, О Lord? How can
we describe it when it does not fall within the ken of the
tongue?
A clear description of your exquisite features and your ex
tent, cannot be effectively carried out, О Lord, even by ten
thousand propounders and ten thousand times ten thousand
intellects. Well, the form has been displayed. Great favour has
been shown. О Lord of the worlds, withdraw this at your will
(when it pleases you).
*
Sn Mdrkandeya said:
48-56. On being eulogized thus by those celestial damsels,
Lord Janardana, the conceiver of all living beings entered all
those beings through his own partial aspects in the full view
of those ladies now endowed with divine knowledge.
On seeing Lord Adhoksaja getting merged into those be
ings, all those celestial damsels were surprised much.
The Lord of all entered the mountains, trees, oceans, earth,
water, fire, wind and firmament. The Atman of all entered the
Kala and Diks (quarters) by himself as well as otherwise.
He revealed the universe stationed in the form of himself
by his own greatness. With regard to the Devas, Danavas, Rak$asas,
Yaksas, Vidyadharas, Uragas, human beings, animals, insects
etc., beasts, the beings in the space above, on the earth, in
heaven and those having water as their abode or the Atman
of the universe entered all these by assuming their forms. He
merged thus along with Nara.
О suppressor of enemies, all those ladies of the Devas be
came surprised much with what had been seen by them before.
On account of awe and fright, their faces became pallid, О
excellent king, and they bowed down.
Lord Narayana spoke to those celestial ladies:
N drayana said:
57-63. Mayjthe fair lady Urvasi be taken to the place where
the Lord of Devas lives. For the sake of the welfare of ye all,
554 Skanda P arana
the knowledge that this being is within all living beings has
been imparted by me who have merged myself again into all
those living beings. Hence do go now, you all. The entire
group of Bhutas (living entities) is a part of mine. I am a part
of Vasudeva, the Yogin, whose existence is within the Atman.
There is nothing other than this which is cited as Ananta
(Infinite). Know ye all that he is unborn, Lord of all living
beings and the greatest region. I myself, you the ladies, Devas,
human beings, beasts—all these are the creations of Vasudeva,
the infinite one. After realizing this, О ladies of Devas, Asuras
and human beings along with the flocks and herds of cattle
should be seen impartially as equals.
*

On being told thus by that Lord, all those Sura-damsels
bowed down to them both. О king, accompanied by Madana
and Vasanta, they took Urvasi with them and went back to the
king of Devas. To the king of Devas they recounted everything
in the manner it had happened.
0

64-71. Similarly, О great king, you too, comprehending
Kesava within all the Bhutas achieve equanimity and impartial
ity which alone is conducive to salvation.
Realizing this in particular, i.e. that Vasudeva the great Isvara
is immanent in all the Bhutas, how can you not eschew cov
etousness and other defects?
When all the Bhutas have come out from Govinda, О king,
and when they are not different, the emotions of enmity etc.
too are likewise, О dear son. They should not be entertained.
Thus, О king, see the entire universe as having Vasudeva for
its Atman. This form alone has been exhibited by Krsna. The
form that is Paramesvara has been recounted to you. It is the
greatest form of Visnu devoid of all states such as birth etc.
О king, what I mention succinctly may be listened to. By
knowing this, a person attains the greatest salvation. Every
thing is oft a par with Vi$nu. Bhava (existence) and Abhava
(non-existence) are identical with him.
This Isa is both Sat (manifest) and Asat (unmanifest); Mahadeva
is the highest state.
V.iii. 194.1-15
I 555
Visnu alone is the refuge and raft unto men immersed in

the ocean of worldly existence, who are assailed by the squall
of Dvandvas (like pleasure- pain), who are burdened with the
succour of sons, daughters and wives, who get drowned in the
dangerous waters of sensual pleasures without a boat.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYFOUR

The Marriage of Sripati
*

1-8. On hearing that the Cosmic Form was revealed by the
Infinite Being, the Lord, Devas and their king became exces
sively surprised.
On seeing UrvasI, the splendid Apsara with lotus-like coun
tenance, Indra surrounded by royal glory became surprised
and dismayed.
He kept quiet without saying anything in reply. Thus the
activities of Narayana became the current news.
On hearing about the great form, the Cosmic Form (of
Narayana), Lak$mi born from the Khati (abyss) of Bhrgu, О
king, became surprised and thought thus:
‘By what means shall this Lord Narayana be my husband?
Is it through Vrata, penance, Dana or some restraints? Can it
be through attending upon the old people or by propitiating
Devatas?’ О Yudhi§(hira, Sat! (Siva’s consort) knew that the
girl was thinking thus and she said: M It is through austerities
that Sankara was obtained by me as my husband. So also Prajapati
(Brahma) was obtained by Gayatri. Desired husbands were obtained
like that by other women too. О lady of good Vratas, it is only
through penance that the husband should be obtained by you.
Hence perform penance, great and fierce, which will give you
all that you desire.”

9-15. О conqueror of the cities of enemies, Lak$mi went
to the outer limit of the oceans and performed an elaborate
penance extremely difficult (for others) to perform, for a long

duration.
She stationed herself steadily like a lamp-post for a period
of one thousand divine years. Thereupon Indra and other Devas
holding conch, discus and the club (like Visnu) went there for
her sake. She asked the Suras, uBe quick, manifest the Cosmic
Form of Vi?nu.”
Abashed and perturbed thereby the Devas went to Narayana
and said, “We were not able to reveal the Cosmic Form.”
Thereafter they went away as they pleased. Visnu thought,
‘The fair lady stays there in a dreadful form. This Bhargavi is
burning her body. Hence I shall go there to her. After grant
ing her the desired boon I shall perform penance once again
or display once again the Cosmic Form belonging to Visnu,
which ordinarily cannot be seen by either Devas or Danavas.'

Then Hrsikesa went to Sri staying at the outer limit (shore)
of the ocean. He said, “O fair lady, I am pleased with you.
Choose a boon as desired by you.”
Sri said:
16-25. О Lord Janardana, if you are pleased with me who
have dedicated myself to and sought refuge in you, О sinless
one, show me what was seen by the celestial damsels.
О Kesava, О conceiver of the living beings, your Cosmic
Form is infinite. О Lord Vi$nu, do recount to me the details
of the penance performed by you on Gandhamadana, if it is
not false. I am not convinced with this form at all, the form
I see before me.
Even though they have come to know my mental attachment
to Hari, I have been freely wooed by many Yak$as and Raksasas
moving about employing their magical tricks.
They had assumed the form of Vi$nu adopting four arms
and wielding the discus. But all of them went away fully abashed
and chagrined since they were unable to display the Cosmic Form.
Sn Markandeya said:
On being told thus by her, Lord Narayana gave up that form
V.iii Л94.26-37 557
holding the conch, discus and club, the form adored by Suras,
and displayed the great Cosmic Form as mentioned before.
After showing it, he spoke these words in accordance with
the injunctions in the Pancaratra text: “He who adores me
always is worthy of adoration. After being adored, he will become
possessor of wealth and foodgrain and all means of pleasurable
enjoyment.
Brahmacarya (celibacy) is the very root of all pious activi
ties. Therefore I will stay there with the title Mulasnpati (Con
sort of original Sri). Mulasri is called Brahml. She is in the
form of Brahmacarya. She is meritorious, Yoga incarnate, aus
picious, and destructive of all sins.
26-37. I am her Lord and consort, О my beloved, the best-
ower of boons on living beings. A man who bathes in the
waters of Reva and adores me named Mulasnpati with due
performance of Vratas and maintenance of restraints, shall
attain the desired benefit. If he offers Dana and Mahadana
there, О my beloved, he obtains the merit thousand times
more than elsewhere.
It was seen by you there in that region and perfectly com
prehended. Adoring it, you will undoubtedly obtain great desires.
О goddess of Devas, choose a boon desired by you (even if
it be) inaccessible to the Suras who have fallen into the im
passable forest of worldly existence, О great goddess.”
Sn said:
0 Narayana, О supporter of the universe, О Lord of the uni
verse, О great Brahman, О ultimate great resortl Be pleased
with me for my devotion. Save me perfectly. Employ me in the
perfect creation. You are my lover. Manage everything so that
1 can be your beloved.
The stage of householder is the root cause of Dharma, Artha
and Kama. It has been approved by Devas. Adopt that meri
torious Asram a (stage of life) and employ me in the rites for
welfare.
N arayana said:
О fair lady, since you addressed me (submitted to me) uttering
the word Nardyaâ, my name here will be Nar&yanagiri.
558 Skanda Parana
At the recollection of Narayana the sins incurred in the

course of crores of births vanish. It is termed Giri because it
swallows (sins). The 'Giri’ (mountain), the supporter of all,
shall be the king of all mountains! О fair lady, just as I am the
supporter of Suras, Asuras and human beings.
Those who adore this divine form of mine named Narayanagiri,
О lady of splendid eyes, after placing it in the mystic Mapdala
(diagram) become richly endowed with divine knowledge and
divine physical form as well as divine activities. (They) will
attain the divine Loka enjoying divine pleasures.

38-43. Even as they were having the dialogue thus, Devas
with Indra as their leader and great sages came to that forest
region at the outskirts of the ocean.
After knowing that she was Bhrgu’s daughter, the king of
Devas requested him for what Narayana had been thinking of.
He, the righteous soul, gave her readily. Dharma performed
the rites of marriage in accordance with the injunctions. О
sage-king, he performed the rites of marriage of the Lord of
Devas with due consideration for the sake of the Devas.
Yudhi$(hira said:
It has been told by you that Dharma performed the rites of
marriage in accordance with the injunctions. What was the
Vidhi (Procedure)? What Daksirâ was offered by Bhrgu in the
Yajna of that Vivaha (marriage)? Who became the holder of
the Sruk and Sruva (sacrificial ladles and vessels)? Who were
the Rtviks and who were the members of the sacrificial assem
bly, О excellent Brahman a? Was there an Avabhrtha (the vale
dictory bath thereof)? Mention everything in detail. I am not
fully satiated by imbibing the nectar of your words.
Sri Магкагфуа said:
44-52. Neither Brahma nor Paramesvara is capable of de
scribing the good features of the marriage of Narayana, the
YajAa and the Tapas of that Lord and his perfect conduct. О
Yudhutthira, yet I shall recount in a general way. Listen with
careful attention. ;
V.iii.194.53-61 559
Brahma and the Seven Sages were engaged in holding the

Sruk and Sruva there. They performed the Н ота in the sacrificial
fires, О king. The entire earth along with the oceans was the
altar.
The oceans gave jewels to the Brahmarsis, О excellent king.
Dhanada (Kubera) too gave the monetary gift as desired by all
the Brahmanas.
Visvakarma built houses of wonderful varieties fully embed
ded with all jewels and showed them to the glorious Lord of
Devas.
Then, О great king, Satakratu asked the various Brahmanas
assembled there to choose whatever they desired. They were
the Brahmanas including Saunakas etc., Baskalas, Chagai as and
Atreyas with Kapisthala as their leader.
On seeing those wonderfully variegated jewels, they said to
the Lord of all chieftains: uThis (joint) assembly of Devas and
sages is highly meritorious. О Lord of Suras, we wish to stay
forever in this meritorious assembly."
Satakratu said again, “Your residence shall be here as long
as you please, while all of you are engaged in true Dharma.”
*
53-61. О tiger among kings, in answer to your question as
to who were the priests offering sacrificial oblations in the
sacrifice, I shall describe it. Listen to it with concentration.
Those with Sanatkumara as their chief were the Sadasyas
(members of the sacrificial assembly). Atri, Angiras and Marlci
officiated as Udgatrs. Dharma and Vasisfha did the job of Hotrs
(reciters of the Vedic Mantras). Sage Sanaka was the Brahma
(Presiding priest in the sacrifice). Satakratu (Indra) gave them
thirty-six thousand vallages.
The Lord did everything and so Lak$rm was united with her
husband. Even as Brahma was performing the Н ота, his fore
head was visible to the Suras seated all round. The region
where such view was possible is called Lalafadesa and that spot
became the meritorious spot of Sripati and was resorted to by
Devas and sages.
It is full of miracles, divine and efficacious. Then Lak$mi
endeavoured to establish the row of the Brahmanas. She spoke
these words to the Lord named Sripati.
560 Skanda Parana
in said:
I wish to duly establish these Brahmanas of excellent Vratas
and restraints. They are the disciples of Bhrgu and others. О
Adhok$aja, with your favour I wish to establish them. О Garuda-
emblemed One, Marfci and others have been established by
the Lord of Suras.
There are many Brahmanas here of steadfast Vratas and
restraints. Some of them are engaged in the Prajapatya Vrata
of Brahma. О Adhoksaja, I shall establish them with your favour.
in Markandeya said:
62-71. Thereupon the enthusiastic Bull-emblemed Lord
asked the Vratins who were all allotted different avocations.
Narada approached Mahadeva, the consort of Sati, and said,
T hese Brahmanas of steadfast Vratas wore deer hides. These
excellent Brahmanas should be made to cover their nakedness
by means of excellent clothes. О Lord of Suras, there are
twenty-four thousand Prajapatyas. О Bull- emblemed One, there
are twelve thousand members of those who follow Brahmacarya
Vrata and propound those Vratas.”
On hearing the words of Narada, Devas and celestial sages
considered the suggestion good but none of them said any
thing.
Thereupon, Lak$m! devoutly called those Brahmanas, touched
their feet and said: "Favour may be done to me. There are
thirty-six thousand houses constructed by Visvakarman. All of
you, do stay there.”
They were delighted in their minds. They promised, "So will
it be”. They became rich owners of money and food-grain, the
fulfilment of their desire. There being no necessity to begin
their activities, they were fully satisfied with their desires ful
filled.
After establishing those Brahm anas thus, Lok§mi stood th ere
an d pro tected them . Visnu, interested in doing what pleased
Goddess $ n , stood th ere in four forms.
Thus, th e Yajfta o f the m arriage n ta s was concluded an d the
sages asked, "O Janardana, w here w d| we take the A vabhrtha
(valedictory) bath?"
V.iii.l94.72«e0 561
72-80. On hearing these words, Sripati released the wa

ters of Jahnavi from his lotus-like feet. The pure waters flowed
into the middle of Reva.
On seeing the waters issuing forth from the feet of Hari
and being fully aware of its worth and weightiness, those sages
who knew its greatness, became wonder-struck.
All the Devas along with Rudra and the sages too began to
shake their heads. They were surprised and talked about it in
their dialogues.
The sages said:

Do tell us, О Sambhu, what is this sudden outflow of water
arising from the lotus-like feet of Vi§nu. It is greatly fascinat
ing.
Isvara said:
О Suras, I know fully well that this is the water from the feet
of Vi$nu. Bath in this water surpasses the valedictory bath to
be taken after ten horse-sacrifices. Sripati (Lord of Sri) is ador
able to you. Whence can you have the Avabhrtha bath? Hence
he has quickly created the (Ganga) water for your sake.
No one is competent to explain fully, О Lord of Devas, the
benefit that can be attained by taking the holy ablution here.
Hence why talk more?

О eminent one, О Bull among the descendants of Bharata,
after saying thus and taking their holy ablution, the Devas with
Mahesana as their leader went away in the manner they had
come.
Thereupon, all the Brahmanas resorted to their own houses,
О great king, in the Devatirtha destructive of all sins.
562 Skanda Purana я
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYFIVE
The Glory of Sripati
Yudhisthira said:
1-7. О sage, what is said to be the greatness of Devatlrtha?
What is the benefit acquired by those who perform holy ab
lution, Dana etc. there?
*
Sri Mdrhandeya said:

О mighty-armed one, all the Tirthas on the entire earth,
resorted to by Devas and groups of sages, were thought about
by Visnu and they arrived there together, О Yudhisthira. That
Tirtha is the well-known Devatlrtha, a meritorious Vaisnava
* я »
holy place.
Kurukgetra is the greatest Tirtha on the earth, and Tripuskara
in the firmament. Purusottama is the greatest Tirtha in heaven.
Devatlrtha is greater than the greatest.
О Yudhisthira, there is no Tirtha on a par with Devatlrtha
in this world as well as in the next one. On attaining i t , a man
ceases to become distressed.
All the Tirthas were told by Devas: “If a man takes his holy
bath here in Devatlrtha, it is as good as though he has taken
his holy bath everywhere.”
“So be it”, the Tirthas told the Devas and the groups of
sages. They adored Srisa and went to their respective places
fully contented.
8-19. О king, if one takes his holy bath here (in Deva
Tirtha), adores Srisa and observes holy fast in accordance with
the injunctions, and gifts gold pieces duly at the time of a solar
eclipse, he will obtain the benefit of the holy bath here.
Satakratu has said: “Gifts of plots of land, cows and gold
have endless benefit. So also gift of diamond gives infinite
benefit. Soma attained endless benefit, due to gift of clothes,
Bh&rgava due to gift of pearls; the Sun and Dharmaraja made
a gift of gold and attained endless benefit. Brhaspati of a gen
erous mind says: “Whatever Dana is offered in Devatlrtha by
one with full faith has infinite benefit.”
Devatlrtha in Bhrguk$etra is superior to all the other Tirthas.
V .iii.l95.20-30a 563
A man who takes his holy bath in Devatlrtha and visits Srlpati
at the time of a lunar eclipse, redeems a hundred members
of his family and enjoys heavenly pleasures.
Those men by whom gifts were made to eminent Brahmanas
in Devatirtha, О Lord of men, will enjoy great pleasures after
death.
With Hari in view, if a person feeds out Brahmanas, О
Yudhi$thira, he enjoys all types of pleasures in Svarga Loka.
A man or a woman should take a holy bath in Devatlrtha
with mind in full control. He or she shall observe fast on the
eleventh day with complete devotion and adore the Consort
of Sri devoutly. He should light a lamp with ghee and keep
awake during the night. He should get up early in the morning
on the twelfth day, take bath in the waters of Narmada and
duly propitiate a Brahmana couple (or couples) with clothes,
ornaments, betel leaves, flowers, incense and unguents. He or
she will rejoice in Visnuloka as a result of the satisfactory completion
of the Vrata.
20-30a. One who takes holy bath on the eleventh lunar
day, observes fast, worships Hari and keeps awake at night in
accordance with the injunctions in the Veda and scriptural
texts, never faces the torturous and accursed harassment meted
out by Dharmaraja.
One who adores Srlpati in accordance with the injunctions
in the Pancaratra system, after duly receiving the Vaisnava
initiation that annihilates sins, bestows heavenly pleasures and
salvation, also accords worldly delight and wealth, kingdom,
sons, good fortune, excellent wife, devotion to Vi$nu, will cross
the ocean of worldly existence, О highly esteemed scion of the
family of Kuru.
One who worships the Consort of Sri there in Devatlrtha,
or Visvarupa, or Mulasripati, or Narayanagiri in the house with
devotion and faith, on the eleventh lunar day gets great ben
efit. He should make use of the following material in the course
of the worship: milk, water, unwashed cloth of fine texture, silk
cloth of various colours, woven silk garments, incense, agallochum,
sandalpaste, Guggulu mixed with ghee and various kinds of
food offerings like milk pudding etc., О Yudhisthira, О Lord
of men.
564 Skanda P urina
9
A m an who adores the Lord with lamps made of Рц1а (flour-

cakes with wicks fitted in) that charm the m ind and glow in
creasingly, goes to Visnuloka. O n how he goes listen, О de
scendant o f Bharata. He will be equipped with conch, discus,
club and lotus and will have the form o f the G aruda-em blem ed
Lord. H e passes through Devalokas and reaches Vi?nuloka.
S0b-41. O ne who devoutly, sees th e lotus-like feet of Sripati
established in four form s as well as Sri, the m other o f the th ree
worlds, while offering en tertain m en t by dances and songs is
certainly rid o f sins.
O ne who is always engaged in waving lamp as N irajana lights
to the Lord at dawn, mid-day and evening and adores and
worships H ari, shall cross impassable dangers. H e will never
get distress and misery.
T he rite called N irajana (showing o f lights) of H ari is con
ducive to the lengthening of life expectation an d enhance
m en t o f glory. It is highly pleasing to the eyes and destroys
m inor sins. H e is blessed who recites the prayer to the Lord
o f Devas at the tim e o f H ari’s N irajana.
O ne who waves his inverted palms over the rem n an t of H ari's
N irajana an d wipes his eyes and face therew ith, becom es free
from Tim ira (blindness) and o th e r eye diseases. His face be
comes bright. Lighting of lamps in fro n t of Sripati is effica
cious in destroying all defects, О best of m en. A devotee en
gaged in Vratas should take his holy bath in the m eritorious
Reva w ater and offer the same ritualistically (i.e. water is h eld
in the jo in e d palms cupped together, M antra is recited an d the
w ater is throw n u p ) . It is as good as the en tire earth with seven
continents, oceans and rivers circumambulated. So said Sankara.
O ne who listens to this narrative o r reads this shall at the
Л
tim e o f d eath recollect H ari and becom e sinless to H ari.

It is conducive to renow n, longevity, heavenly pleasure and
delight o f th e groups o f Pitrs.
O ne who reads the greatness o f Sripati before Brahm anas
a t the tim e o f a Sraddha, has th e same benefit as though he
J
has p ro p itiated th e Pitam ahas (ancestors o r grandfathers) with

ghee an d honey.
V.iii Л 96.1—V.iii. 197 Л 1 565
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYSIX
The Greatness of Hamsatirtha

1-6. Thereafter, О king, a devotee should go to the excel
lent Haihsatlrtha where a swan performed penance and at
tained the status of the vehicle of Brahma.
A man who takes his holy bath in Hamsatirtha and' makes
gift of gold becomes rid of all sins and goes to Brahmaloka by
means of a vehicle fitted with swans and having the lustre of
the sun and richly endowed with all desirable things. He will
be attended upon by groups of celestial damsels.
After enjoying all pleasures as he pleases, he will be reborn
as a human being where he will be able to remember previous
births.
He then renounces and casts off his body when, О descen
dant of Bharata, he will attain salvation. Thus, О son of Kunti,
has been recounted to you, what the merit of visiting Hamsati
rtha is. It is meritorious, destructive of all sins and capable of
destroying all miseries.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYSEVEN

The Greatness of Mulasthdna Tirtha
1-11. Next to that, one should go to the excellent Surya
Tirtha which is well known as Mulasthana (the original holy
spot).
It is a splendid shrine established by the Lotus-born Deity.
The goddess was told by Mulasripati, “Instal Bhaskara.” On
hearing what was told by the Lord, the goddess installed Bhaskara.
It is mentioned as 'Bhaskara designated Mulasthana* on the
banks of Narmadi.
A man who controls his mind, takes his holy bath there in
the Tirtha, offers libations of water and rice-balls to Pitrs and
566 Skanda P arana
deities and thereafter visits Mulasthana attains the greatest

goal. A special feature there has been heard by me.
It is a greater than the greatest secret. I heard it in the
assembly of sages from the Moon-crested Lord Sankara.
On the seventh lunar day, the Mula constellation or Sunday,
a devotee should go to the river Reva, take the holy bath in
the waters, propitiate Devas and Pitrs and offer Dana in accor
dance with his capacity, О most excellent one among the
descendants of Bh^rata.
He should carry bn the adoration with Karavlra flowers and
the water of red sandalpaste. He should instal Bhaskara de
voutly and in accordance with the injunctions.
Then he should fumigate with incense along with Aguru
(agallochum) and Kundara grass in particular. The Lord of the
chiefs of Devas is adored with incenses and lights should be
kindled illuminating the ten quarters.
He should observe fast and keep awake at night, and there
should be a special arrangement for vocal and instrumental
music. If this is performed, О Lord of the earth, he shall never
be a victim of acute misery.
О excellent king, he will stay in Suryaloka for a period of
three hundred Kalpas and he will be served and attended upon
by Gandharvas and celestial damsels there.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYEIGHT
The Greatness of Sulesvara Tirtha

0

1-9. Thereafter, О Lord of the earth, one should go to the
Bhadrakall Sangama well known as Sulatlrtha. It was created
by the Lord himself.
The Trident-armed great Lord Paramesvara who is adored
by all Devas, stands in the middle of Pancayatana (five shrines).
That Sangama (confluence) is always resorted to by Devas,
О excellent king.
By visiting that Tirtha, and more particularly by taking the
holy bath and offering gifts evils like ill-luck, bad omens, curses,
imprisonment by king etc. are destroyed. So said Sankara.
V.iii.198.10-21 567
Yudhisthira said:
• •
__ Ф Ф
How did Goddess Sulesvarl and Нага Siilesvara come to be

well established and well reputed on the banks of Narmada?
Do recount this in details.
ф

There was a certain Brahmana well known by the name
Mandavya. He was conversant with all types of pious rites and
pursued his avocation while engaged in truthfulness and penance.
The radiant sage of arduous penance observed the vow of
silence. He stood at the foot of a tree in the middle of a grove
of Asoka trees with hands lifted up.
For a long period he thus engaged himself in the severe
penance when some thieves carrying a great deal of booty
reached that hermitage, closely pursued by a number of king's
officers of law. О scion of the family of Kuru, they deposited
the stolen goods in his abode.
10-21. After depositing the stolen goods, the thieves re
mained hidden in the hermitage itself. Even as they remained
hidden, a posse of police officers came there immediately,
closely following the thieves. The pursuers of the thieves spoke
to the sage and asked him the details.
“O excellent Brahmana, do tell us which way did the thieves
go? If we know it, we can quickly follow them.’’
Despite their repeated queries in these words, О king, the
ascetic did not say anything good or bad.
The royal officers made a search of the hermitage, found
the goods lost and bound him and the thieves. They produced
them before the king.
The pious sage was impaled on a stake and remained there
for a long time meditating on Sankara, the consort ofUma and
the Lord of the three worlds. He meditated on Mahes&na mentally
for a very long time. The Brahmana-sage did not take in food.
Yet he did not die.
A bull among Brahmanas, he meditated on Hari in his heart.
A penance was performed by him though he suffered much at
the top of the stake.
On hearing this, all the sages became excessively distressed.
О descendant of Bharata, they took the form of birds and
came to him at night.
568 Skanda Parana9
After noticing the power of the sage they asked the excel
lent Brahmana: uO Brahmana, we wish to hear. What sin was
committed fey you?"
ф

22-31. Thereupon, the tiger among sages said to those ascet
ics: "Can I escape from my own faults? No one else has com
mitted any offence against me."
After saying thus (to himself)» the sage said so to all of

them. Thereupon, the sages submitted this to the king the
next day.
On hearing that it was a sage (who had been impaled) the
king came out along with his kinsmen. He craved the indul
gence of the excellent sage impaled on the stake.
The king said:

О dear one, it was due to ignorance that a great offence has
been committed by me. I request you to become pleased. It
does not behove you to be angry with me.
On being requested thus, the sage became pleased. The
king got him brought down from the stake. The sage had
become pleased.
On being brought down the flesh of the sage got entangled
on the stake. The Brahmaiia became highly distressed. He
meditated on Sankara mentally.
Saftkara had been meditated upon by him after a long period
of fast. Mahadeva appeared before him and cut off the stake.
Standing at the foot of the stake, the delighted Sambhu said
again and again: "What should be done, О Brahmaiia who are
abiding by your Sattvika nature? I am pleased and so also is
Um&. I shall grant you something that cannot be (ordinarily)
granted. But (one thing kindly note) the achievement of truth
ful persons in the world may not be (necessarily) much. Crea
tures enjoy the benefit only in accordance with their own actions.
Prosperity results from good actions and misery from evil acts."
32-43. (Past) Actions bear fruit in diverse forms for hu
man beings. To some it gives poverty; to others it gives suffer
V.iii.198.44-56 569
ing due to loss of wealth. To some the suffering may arise from
absence of progeny. To some it is due to the contrary. They
may be distressed due to misbehaviour of children. To some
persons the distress may be due to the death of sons or sepa
ration of dear friends. To some misery may be due to tyranny
of a king, to a thief or to a fire accident brought about by
adverse fate.
The distress due to evil action may manifest in the bodies
of certain persons. Old age sets in at various stages of life.
Ailments are also to be seen.
One is subjected to slander and calumny through sins in
curred in the course of the actions of previous births. Some (ap
parently) sinless now, fall into the most miserable situations.
In the same way, as a result of the previous Karmas some
continue to be pious and abiding in performing austerity. Many
are self-controlled, devoted to their own wedded wives, munifi
cent and ready to give liberally and eager to worship (deities).
Others are endowed with many good qualities such as bashful
modesty, tactfulness etc.
There are some men who do not get excited or distressed
due to insuperable calamities as a result of their own Karmas.
They do not censure pious behaviour and religious activity.
They consider this as a form of penance. On the other hand,
some stupid persons censure it as torture. Good men do not
lament during sufferings saying, uAlas, my brother ! Mother !
Son ! etc ” They remember me or the lotus-eyed Lord Visnu.
They get ready to reap the fruit of evil actions. Thereat, cer
tainly it gets subdued.
If good men continue to meditate on Lord Isa and endure
the sufferings, their (past) acts become milder, О Brahmana.
It is emphasized by Srutis. О Brahmana, this is since I have
been mentally remembered and worshipped by you in the midst
of your sufferings, that I have come here in the company of
Gauri. Tell me, О Brahmana, what should be done by me.”
Mdndavya said:
44-56. О Sankara, if you along with Uma are pleased and
if you are going to grant me a boon, then do clarify my doubt
which occurred, while I was on the stake.
When all myiimbs were impaled on the stake, I did not have
570 Skanda P aran a
*
any pain at ail. That Sula (Stake) appeared to exude nectar.

Do tell me to what power it was due.
Sulapani said:
It was due to the fact that I have been mentally remembered
by yout О Brahmana. I am the destroyer of injustice and evil
actions. I dispel miseries.
As soon as I was meditated upon, О Brahmana, when I was
stationed in the nether worlds, I, Sambhu came to the foot of
*
the Sula and the Goddess herself stationed herself on the top.
Goddess Ambika, the mother of the universe, flooded you with
nectar.
Mdndavya said:
Since you along with Uma had already pervaded the Sula
and stationed yourself there, even now you in her company are
inclined to do me favour.
Merely by remembering her all Daurbhdgya (ill-luck) will get
dissolved. There is nothing more miserable than the greatest
misery of ill-luck.
О excellent one among Suras, this traditional verse is being
sung in the Puranas: While you were burning the three worlds,
all Saubhdgya (conjugal felicity) gathered into one unit and
getting to the chest of Visnu settled down there. This is already
heard by us.
As it dripped down from his chest it was imbibed by Daksa
the Paramesfhin (Patriarch). Therefrom was born this lady
with eyes like blue lotus in the form of Satl.
О Lord of Devas, when he performed a Yajna he insulted
you. Hence, that goddess consigned herself, her Pranas, into
the fire. After reducing herself to ashes, О Lord, she was born
of Menaka (Mena) as the daughter of the Himalaya Mountain.
She is now named Uma.
О Lord of Suras, that Goddess has neither beginning nor
end. She is beyond comprehension and guess, О Lord of Devas,
if you are pleased and if Uma is pleased to grant me a boon,
both of you shall become stationed in this spot, i.c. the foot
and the top of the $iila. Your incarnation may be here and
there but the permanent stay shall be here.
V.iii.198.57-75 571
Ф

57-63. When this was requested by him, the ground was
suddenly split into two and from the foot and the top of the
Siila they came out in the form of replicas of Linga and idol.
The Linga was seen at the foot illuminating all the quarters.
To the left was the Goddess Sulesvan stationed as the idol.
She shone filling up all the quarters and fascinating the
entire universe. On seeing her, the excellent Brahmana joined
the palms in reverence and began to eulogize.
Mdndavya said:
You are the mother of this world; the deity presiding over
the fortune of the universe. О lady of excellent countenance,
there is nothing without your presence in the whole of the
Cosmic Egg.
0 goddess expert in the knowledge of Dharma, do favour
me. It behoves you to command me.
Where are the different spots where you are stationed in the
forms similar to this? О great goddess, be favourable to me and
mention them.
Sri Devi said:

1 should be seen as present everywhere in all living beings,
everywhere on the earth. In all the worlds there is nothing that
is created without me.
I shall, however, truthfully recount to you the places where
I should be visited by people desirous of Siddhi and remem
bered by those desirous of prosperity.
64-75. The deities in various shrines are: Visalak§I in Varanasi,
Lingadharini in Naimisa, Goddess Lalita in Prayaga, Kamuka
in Gandhamadana, the deity named Kumuda in Manasa, Visvakaya
in Apara, Gomati in Gomanta, Kamacarini in Mandara, Madotkafa
in Caitraratha, Hayantl in Hastinapura, Gaurl stationed in
Kanyakubja, Rambha in Amalaparvata, Klrtimatl in Ekamraka,
Visva in Visvesvara, Puruhuta in Puskara, Margadayini in Kedara,
Nanda on the tableland of Himalaya, Bhadrakarnika in Gokarna,
BhavanI in Sthanesvara, Bilvapatrika in Bilvaka, the deity named
Madhavt in Srisaila, Bhadresvarl in Bhadra, Jaya on Varahasaila,
Kamala in КатйШауа, Kalyani in RudrakoÎ, Kali in Kalafijara,
572 Skanda P aran a
Kapila in Mahalinga, Mukutesvari in Makofa, MahadevI in Saligrama,

Jalapriya in Sivalihga, Kumar! in Mayapurl, Lalita in Santana,
Utpalak$I in Sahasrak$a, Mahotpala in Hiranyak$a, the deity
named Vimala in Gaya, Mangala in Purusottama, Amoghaks!
in Vip&s&, Pa(ala in Pundravardhana, Narayani in Suparsva,
Bhadrasundar! in Trikuta, Vipula in Vipula, Kalyani on Malayacala,
Kofavl in Kotftlrtha, Sugandha in Gandhamadana1, Trisandhya
in Godvasrama, Ratipriya in Gartgadvara, Sabhananda in Sivacanda
and Nandini in Devikatata.
76-85. Rukmin! in Dvaravatl, Rad ha in Vrndavana forest,
DevakI in Mathura, Paramesvar! in Patala (nether world), S!ta
in Citrakuta, Vindhyanivasin! on Vindhya, Ekavira on the Sahya
Mountain, Candika in Hariscandra, Ramana in Ramatlrtha, Mrgavatl
on Yamuna, Mahalak$m! in Karavira, Rupadevi in Vinayaka,
Arogya in Vaidyanatha, Mahesvar! in Mahakala, Abhaya in Usna
TIrtha, Mrgl in Vindhya caves, the deity named Manduki in
Mandavya, Svaha in the city of Mahesvara, Pracanda in Chagalinga,
Candika on Amarakan(aka, Vararoha in Somesvara, Pu$karavat!
in Prabhasa, Vedamata on Sarasvati, Para on the banks of Para,
О Sage, Mah&bhaga in Mahalaya, Pingalesvarl on Payosnl, Simhika
in Krtasauca, SaAkari in Karttika, Lola in Utpalavartaka, Subhadra
in the Sona confluence, Laksm! considered (the deity) in
Siddhavafa, Tarahga in Bharatasrama, Visvamukhi in Jalandhara,
Tara on Ki$kindha mountain, Pusti in Devadaruvana forest,
Medha in Kasmlra Mandala, Bhimadev!12on the Himalaya mountain,
Pu$(i in Vastresvara (but in verse 84 Devadaruvana is named),
Suddhi in Kapalamocana and Mata in Kayavarohana.
86-98. The deity named Dhvani in Sankhoddhara, Dhrti
in Pindaraka, Kala on Candrabhaga, Saktidharin! in Acchoda,
the deity named Amrta on Vena, UrvasI in Badarl, 0$adhl in
Uttarakuru, Kuôdaka in Kusadvlpa, Manmatha on Hemaktita,
Satyavadin! in Kumuda, Vandinlka in Asvattha, Nidhi in
Vaisravanalaya, Gayatr! in Vedavadana, Parvat! in the vicinity
of $iva, IndranI in Devaloka, Sarasvati in Brahmasya (face of
Brahma), the deity named Prabha in Siiryabiihba (Solar disc),
(I am) considered Vai$navi among the Mothers, Arundhatl
among Satis (chaste ladies), Tilottama among Ramas (beauti
ful ladies), the deity named Brahmakala in Citra, Sakti of all
1. Also Kimuka in v 64.
2. In V68 Nandi is associated with Himalaya.
V.iii.198.99-110 573
the embodied beings, Sulesvarl in Bhrguksetra, Saubhagyasundari

in Bhrgu.
Thus the excellent one hundred eight names (of the dei
ties) as well as the holy spots have been cited on the whole.
О Brahmana, this alone shall be the greatest (resort) of
everyone. A man who reads the one hundred eight names in
the presence of Siva, shall be liberated from all sins. He will
get the cove table and coveted woman.
A woman who takes her holy bath on the third lunar day
and worships me devoutly shall never meet with misery, О
excellent Brahmana, by my power.
A woman who invariably comes and visits me will never have
misery brought about by her sons or husband.
In my shrine, a woman devotee shall adore the Tulapurusa.
She should then worship and decorate the Devas and the Guardians
of the worlds, along with Fire-god. Thereafter she should honour
Brahmanas along with their wives by giving them garments and
ornaments.
Then oblations are offered to the spirits. She should then
circumambulate the Tula and the -Rtviks and the preceptor
repeating this Mantra:
99-110. (She shall be pure and wear red garments and hold
a palmful of flowers.) "Obeisance to you. You are the Sakti of
all the Devas stationed supreme as witness. You are the mother
of the universe created by the source of origin of the universe.
О Tula, you are glorified as the authority unto all living beings.”
The devotee then closes both the fists and looks at the face
of Uma. While placing herself on a pan of the weighing instrument
(Tula), eight things are to be placed on the other pan, О
eminent Brahmanas, in accordance with his monetary capacity..
These eight things are my own parts fixed on the earth. They
are: gold, Ni$pava rice, black mustard, safflour, Tfnaraja
(sugarcane), Indu (camphor), salt and saffron as the eighth one.
One of these should be used in accordance with the money
that one can command. Gold and other things may be more
than one’s weight or exactly equal, О Brahmana, and the woman
or man devotee should wait till the weighing is over. Then the
following is tojbe repeated: "Obeisance, obeisance to you, О
Lalita termed Tul&puru?a. О Uma, redeem us from this mire
of worldly existence.” Then the devotee gets o ff the weighing
574 Skanda Parana
*
machine. One half is gifted to the preceptor and the other half
to the Rtviks while water is ritualistically poured. After taking
the formal leave from them, the devotee should gift other
things to other suppliants. The preceptor and his wife should
be given red clothes to wear. So also to other Rtviks according
to capacity. The preceptor is adorned with armlets and brace
lets. Saying "May Lalita be pleased”; a white milch cow too
should be gifted.
A woman who performs this rite thus in my temple, shall be
on a par with me. With royal glory she will shine. She will be
like Savitrl in beauty for another fifteen births.

111-117. On hearing these words of Gauri, the most ex
cellent Brahmana bowed down and quickly went to (his) abode,
О Dharmaraja.
Ever since then that Tirtha became well-known as Sulesvarl.
A devotee should take his holy bath there in that Tirtha and
offer libations to Pitrs and Devatas.
■
Brahmanas should be propitiated through food and cloth

ing and the Pitrs and Pitamahas through balls of rice. Sankara,
the Lord of Devas, should be propitiated along with Uma through
the usual offerings of a devotee such as incense, Guggulu and
bright lights.
Rid of all sins, he will go to the presence of Siva. An indicted
and cursed man who takes his holy bath there for three days,
becomes liberated, О Lord of men.
The man who has become pure (by taking bath) and who
has observed fast shall keep awake in the night on the four
teenth lunar day in the dark half. He shall then worship Siva.
Dispelling the delusion caused by sins, he goes to Rudraloka.
He will acquire the form of Rudra with three eyes and four
arms. He will sport about with celestial girls as long as the
moon, sun and stars shine.
V.iii. 199.1-14 575
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETYNINE
The Greatness o f A svin a T irth a
S ri M drkandeya said:
1-7. Next to it is the excellent Asvina Tirtha, О king. It

is the most desirable among all the Tirthas. It is the bestower
of Siddhis on all living beings.
It was at this Tirtha that the Asvina Devas, the most excellent
ones among physicians, the very handsome ones performed an
elaborate penance and became sharers in the offerings of Yajnas.
They became the most honoured ones to all the Devas.
These two sons of Aditya, called Nasatyas, were fully endowed
with inherent power. They are the most excellent ones among
the destroyers of all miseries.
#
Sri Yudhisthira said:

• •
For what reason did the sons of Aditya become Nasatyas. О

dear Brahmana, I wish to hear your best assessment.
ф

In the Bhaskara (i.e. Aditya or Saura) Purana, the behaviour
and action of the noble-souled Mar tan da, the Lord of Devas,
has been heard in detail by me.
Though I have become emaciated on account of old age, О
descendant of Bharata, I shall undoubtedly recount this to you
in brief, since you are endowed with devoted feelings.
On observing the excessive refulgence of Ravi, О excellent
one among men, (His) queen, the goddess, assumed the form
of a mare and performed very severe austerities in the forest
on Meru.
8-14. After many days, the venerable Lord Ravi saw her
galloping about briskly here and there according to her phys
ical capacity. He became a victim to the mind-born god of
Love. He cast off his supremely refulgent form and high splen
dor. He became a nimble-footed horse.
Neighing 1ощ}1у he began to indulge in copulation with the
mare. The light-footed goddess (mare) turned towards him
face to face. So the excellent semen penetrated her nostril.
576 Skanda Parana
From the seed (semen) that entered the nostrils, an excellent

foetus developed. О son of Kunti, the sons born thereof be
came well known as Nasatyas. Their limbs were symmetrical
and well-formed like a duplicate drawn from an image.
They excelled all the Devas in their handsome features and
masterliness. They came to the banks of Narmada. They per
formed veiy difficult penance at Bhrgukaccha and attained
great Siddhis.
He who takes his holy bath there in that Tlrtha and offers
libation to Pitrs and Devas becomes fortunate and handsome,
О son of Kunti.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED

The Greatness of Savitri Tirtha
in Markandeya said:
1-6. Next to it, О son of Kunti, is the excellent Savitri
tlrtha where the highly esteemed Savitri, the mother of the
Vedas, attained Siddhi.
Yudhisfhira said:
Who is this Savitri, О excellent Brahmana? How is she pro
pitiated by the learned? On being pleased, what boon does she
grant? Do tell me.
in Markandeya said:
Padm&, the Yogini of lotus, presided over by the Lotus-seated
One, resembles the Sun-god in her splendour. Hence she is
called Savitri.
The lotus-complexioned, lotus-faced Savitri with the eyes
resembling lotus-petals, should be always meditated upon duly
by Brihmapas, Ksatriyas and Vaisyas.
She should never be meditated upon by $udras for fear of
incurring the sin of Brihmana-slaughter. If it is uttered or
regained in the mind by a &udra he certainly falls in Naraka.
It has been decided that for merely pronouncing the Veda
V.iii.200.7-18 577
Ф ф
(Vedic text by a Sudra) the tongue of that Siidra should be

cut off by K$atriyas who are the protectors of Dharma.
7-18. In the course of the excellent Sandhya meditation
early in the morning, Savitrl is to be imagined and meditated
upon in the form of a girl resembling the crescent moon, with
red garments and red unguents.
At midday Savitrl should be imagined and meditated upon
as a sweet-faced, auspicious-looking, young woman with large
and protruding breasts, richly adorned with all ornaments and
wearing white garlands and unguents. She is wearing white
clothes and has white Yajnopavlta (sacred thread). She bestows
worldly pleasures and salvation.
At dusk, О son of Kuntl, she should be remembered as
white-complexioned with grey hair. She protects like a mother
in a forest of impassable tracts.
О great king, the excellent Savitrl Tlrtha is of special excel
lence and efficacy. After holy bath, a devotee should duly per
form the Acamana (ritualistic sipping of water). By means of
Pra$ayama he will destroy many of his sins incurred in the
course of seven births mentally, verbally and physically. He
should thereby burn all defects.
A person should sprinkle his body with water while uttering
the Mantra apohistha, nine, six or three times in that Tlrtha,
О excellent king. If the Mantra apohistha etc. is repeated thrice,
one is not defiled by the sin of Pratigraha (acceptance of gift
from undeserving persons).
If the Mantra of Aghamarsana consisting of three Rks or one
from one’s Veda of special study is repeated, one is not defiled
by minor sins, like a lotus leaf which is not wetted by water.
Usually the Acamana is performed three times by a Brahmana.
He shall perform three Ullekhas (scrubbing). He who performs
the fourth one dispels the sin of Brahmana-slaughter.
The Mantra called Drupada from the Vajasaneyaka Veda (i.e.
Vajasaneyl Samhita, Sukla Yajurveda) should be repeated while
in water. It destroys all sins.
One should adore Divakara (the Sun-god) with the Mantra
beginning with udutyam and then perform the Japa of the holy
Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas. A Brahmana who performs
the Japa of Goddess Gayatri uninterruptedly after the Sandhya
prayers, shall be rid of all sins. He goes to Brahmaloka.
578 Skanda Purina
m
19-27. Gayatri quells a sin incurred in the course of ten

births if repeated a hundred times. If it is repeated a thousand
times, it quells the sins committed before in the course of
three Yugas.
A Brahmana who has only repeated the Gayatri and exer
cises self-control is far superior to a Brahmana who has learnt
all the four Vedas but has no self-control, who eats everything
indiscriminately and sells everything indiscriminately.
A man bereft of Sandhya prayers is always impure. He is
disqualified in all sacred rites. If at all he does anything (re
ligious), he does not derive the benefit thereof.
A Brahmana who does not perform the Upasti (adoration)
of the Sandhya (twilight) is dull-witted. In this very life, he is
on a par with a Sudra. On death he is reborn as a dog.
A Brahmana, after reaching the Savitrl Tirtha should per
form the Japa of Savitrl. Undoubtedly he gets the benefit of
studying the three Vedas.
If the devotee takes his holy bath with the Pitrs in view and
offers balls of rice, О king, his grandfathers become satisfied
for twelve years.
If after reaching Savitrl Tirtha a person castes off his life,
he shall stay in Brahmaloka until the annihilation of all living
beings. On the completion of that period he is reborn as a
human being. О king, he is reborn in a pure family of a Brahmana
learned in all the four Vedas.
He will be endowed with plenty of money and heaps of grain
and have sons and grandsons. Free from ailments and grief,
he shall live for a hundred years.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED ONE
The Greatness of Deva Tirtha

,1-4. Thereafter one should go to the excellent Deva Tirtha,
О king. О Yudhi$fhira, it was there that the highly esteemed
Devas including Indra attained Siddhi.
V.iii.202.1-7 579
Holy bath, Dana, Japa, Н о та and study of the Vedas as well

as adoration of deities performed there become everlasting in
their benefit by the power of the Tlrtha.
Especially the thirteenth day in the dark half of Bhadrapada
is of great importance because the deities of all the Tirthas
gather together there.
A person should take his holy bath on the thirteenth day,
perform Sraddha in accordance with the injunctions and wor
ship the Bull-emblemed Lord established there by Dcvas. He
shall be free from all sins and go to Rudraloka.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWO
The Greatness of Sikhitlrtha
Sn Markandeya said:
1-7. Next to it a person should go to another excellent holy
spot called Sikhitlrtha. It is the most important of all the Tirthas.
It has five excellent shrines.
For the sake of his flames (and sparks) Havyavahana (Fire-
god) performed a penance and got it. Thereby he came to be
called Sikhin (‘one having flame'). He installed Siva named
Sikha.
On the first lunar day in the bright half of Asvayuja, О king,
a person should go to the excellent Tlrtha and bathe in the
waters of Narmada. With gingelly seeds and water, he should
offer libation to Devas, sages and Pitrs as well as others.
After propitiating Hutasana (Fire-god), he should make a
gift of gold to a Brahmana. Thereafter, he should adore Siva
with scented garlands and incense.
After worshipping Mahesvara with this procedure in the
Sikhitlrtha, the devotee becomes eligible to go to Rudraloka.
Surrounded by groups of celestial women and sung about by
Gandharvas, he travels by an aerial chariot having the lustre
of the Sun. His enemies get destroyed and he becomes bril
liant, if he is reborn on the earth.
580 Skanda Parana
*
CHAPTER TW O HUNDRED THREE
The Greatness o f K oti Tirtha
Sri M drkandeya said:
1-6. Thereafter, О Lord of the earth, a person should go

to the excellent Kotitirtha where great and highly esteemed
sages, a crore in number, became Siddhas.
After performing an elaborated penance, the sages installed
Siva as well as goddess Kotlsvari, Camunda who killed the demon
called Mahisa.■
О king, it was on the fourteenth lunar day in the dark half

of the month of Bhadrapada that the sages invited crores of
Tirthas and installed Siva. If the constellation Hasta coincides
with that lunar day, it is destructive of all sins. One should go
there at that time and take his holy bath with mental concen
tration and purity. Thereby he redeems twenty-one genera
tions of members of his family from Naraka. Merely by offering
libations with gingelly seeds and water, this is achieved. All the
more so if the man performs Sraddha. Holy bath, Dana, Japa,
Нота, study of the Vedas and worship of deities performed,
become a crore times more effective through the contact of
that Tirtha.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FOUR
The Greatness of Paitamaha Tirtha

1-9. Thereafter a person should go to the excellent Bhrgu
Tirtha, the king of all the Tirthas. It is highly meritorious and
destructive of all sins. It pertains to Pitamaha (Creator).
For some reason, formerly, the propitiation of Sarhbhu was
carried out by Brahma, there at that Tirtha for three hundred
years.
V.iii.204.10-16 5R1
Yudkisthira said:
• •
О tiger among sages, why did Brahma, the grandfather of

the worlds, propitiate Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas, with great
devotion?
He himself is worthy of being propitiated by all living be
ings. He is the Lord of the universe. I wish to listen about this
great and excellent miracle worthy of being heard.
On hearing the words of Dharmaputra, Markandeya, (he

leader of sages, recounted the old legendary story.

Formerly, the Grandfather wished to approach carnally his
own mental daughter, О excellent one. He was then cursed by
the angry Lord of Devas: “O Lotus-seated One, the Vedas will
cease to be with you and your knowledge will come to an end.
Undoubtedly you will never be worthy of the adoration of all
the worlds.”
When this curse was uttered, Brahma became overwhelmed
with sorrow. He went to the northern bank of Reva. Taking
regular baths, he propitiated the Lord of Devas for three hundred
years. Sankara was ultimately pleased and said: “During Parvas
(days of religious festivity) you shall become worthy of being
worshipped. I too shall stay here along with the Devas and
Pitrs.”
Markandeya said:
10-16. Ever since then, thanks to Pitamaha, that Tlrtha
became famous. It is meritorious and destructive of all sins. It
is the most excellent one amoifg all the Tirthas.
On a new-moon day (or) any day in the dark half of the
month of Bhadrapada, one should take holy bath and offer
libations to Pitrs and Devas.
О kings, even if it is only a single ball of rice or water mixed
with gingelly seeds, the Pitrs undoubtedly become satisfied for
twelve years.
When (the Sun) is in Virgo, a person should offer Sraddha
everyday. The ancestors derive delight therefrom and begin to
laugh and jump (joyously). Undoubtedly, one gets through a
582 Skanda Purana
■
single Sraddha performed on a new-moon day that benefit

which accrues by performing Sraddha in all the Pitrtlrthas.
A man who takes his holy bath in Paitamaha Tlrtha and
worships the Consort of Parvatl becomes rid of major and
minor sins. There is no doubt about it.
Men who die there in that Tlrtha become purified in their
souls, О king. They undoubtedly go to Kudraloka from which
they never return.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FIVE
The Greatness of Kurkuri Tlrtha

0

1-5. Thereafter, О king, a person should go to the highly
splendid Tlrtha well known by the name Kurkuri. It is destruc
tive of all sins.
The goddess of Devas, Kurkuri, is the presiding deity of the
Tlrtha. She grants whatever one prays for such as cattle, sons,
wealth etc.
The Ksetrapala (guardian of the holy spot) residing there
is named Dhaundhesa. A devotee, man or woman, who propi
tiates him and then bows down (to the deity), О great king,
gets his ill-luck destroyed thereby. One without a son gets a
son. One without wealth gets excellent wealth. Men and wom
en realise the excellent wishes cherished by visiting and taking
bath in that Tlrtha in accordance with the injunctions.
V.iii.206.1-10 583
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SIX
The Greatness of D asakanya Tirtha
Sri M drkandeya said:

1-5. Thereafter, О king, one should go to the highly splen
did and meritorious Tirtha that destroys all sins. It is well-
known as Dasakanya Tirtha. It was created by Mahadeva and
gives all desired things.
It was there at that Tirtha that Mahadeva celebrated the
marriages of the ten daughters of Brahma endowed with all
good qualities. Ever since then that became well-known as Dasakanya
Tirtha. It is meritorious and destructive of all sins. The benefit
thereof is glorified as everlasting.
A person should make a gift of his daughter fully adorned
in accordance with his capacity. О king, the devotees become
meritorious-souled due to the Punya arising from the gift. They
stay in the proximity of Siva for as many years as there are hair
(on the body).
6-10. After a long time, О Lord of men, they attain human
birth usually very difficult to get. They shall be possessors of
crores of coins.
One who devoutly takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha
and offers to a quiescent Brahmana a piece of gold attains
great happiness.
О descendant of Bharata, due to the gift of gold all the sins
incurred earlier such as verbal, mental, and physical perish
entirely.
One who offers gold even as little as the tip of a hair, goes
to heaven on death. There is no doubt about this.
There he occupies an excellent aerial chariot and is wor
shipped by Siddhas and Vidyadharas. He shall stay there until
the annihilation of all living beings.
Ш
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SEVEN
The Greatness of Suvarnabindu Tirtha
1-9. In front of it is the sacred Tirtha well known as Svamabindu.

People who take their holy bath there go to heaven. On death
they do not get a rebirth.
О Lord of the earth, listen to the benefit that is cited as
arising from the gift of a piece of gold to a Brahmana after
taking holy bath there in the Tirtha.
Of all jewels, gold is the excellent jewel. It is born of the
fiery brilliance of Agni. Hence it is the greatest on the earth.
If a person, therefore, gives a piece of gold, it is as though
the entire earth including the cities and towns, mountains,
forests and parks has been given.
О descendant of Bharata, by the gift of gold all the sins
incurred earlier, whether mental, verbal or physical, perish
entirely.
Even if the devotee gives only a piece of gold as little as the
tip of a hair, there in the Tirtha, he goes to heaven on death.
There is no doubt about it.
There he occupies an excellent aerial chariot and is wor
shipped by Vidyadharas and Siddhas. He should stay there
until the annihilation of all living beings.
When his period (of stay in heaven) comes to an end, he
attains human birth. He is reborn as a Brahmana in a family
possessing crores of gold pieces.
He shall be free from all the ailments. He shall be honoured
in all the worlds. He shall live for more than a hundred years
and be well known in royal assemblies.
V.iii.208.1-9 585
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHT
The Greatness o f Rnam ocana Tirtha

1-9. О protector of the earth, thereafter one should go to
the highly splendid Tirtha well known in all the three worlds
as ‘that which discharges the debts due to the manes.*
A man who takes his holy bath in accordance with the in
junctions, offers libation to Pitrs and Devas and gives gifts, О
excellent king, becomes free from indebtedness.
All the Pitrs (ancestors) wish for a son for their own pur
pose, because they say “This son shall redeem us from the hell
named P u t”
Offer of balls of rice and water libation is called the first
indebtedness. It is mentioned as the debt of the Pitrs. ■
Hereafter I shall mention the Daiva Rna (‘indebtedness to

Devas’). Agnihotra, Yajnas, tying (for sacrifice) a sacrificial
animal and the Istis should be performed. Thus the indebted
ness to the Devas has been mentioned.
Thereafter listen to the human indebtedness. What is prom
ised and then given to Brahmanas during the rites performed
at Tlrthas and shrines is the human indebtedness.
О son of Dharma, these three together are called Rnatrayam
(‘threefold indebtedness’) of the sons. Good sons are those
who take their holy bath in the Rnamocanatirtha. Therein
those with or without sons are redeemed from threefold in
debtedness.
Hence, a son of fully controlled self should go to this ex
cellent Tirtha and offer libations and balls of rice to the Pitrs.
w
What is given and consigned to fire (Н ота) is of everlasting

benefit. If the preceptors are pleased, the devotee derives ben
efit for seven births.
586 Skanda Purana
«
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINE
The Greatness of Bharabhiiti Tirtha

0

1-9. Next to it, О son of KuntI, is the excellent Pu$kali
Tirtha. A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha
shall get the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.
0 Lord of the earth, thereafter a person should go to the
Tirtha well- known in all the three worlds. It is resorted to by
Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas and celestial damsels.
There stays directly Rudra, the great Lord of Devas. He is
remembered as Bharabhuti because he manifested himself with
a great burden.
Yudhisfhira said:
1 wish to hear about the Tirtha well -known as Bharabhiiti.
It is endowed with all good features. О leading Brahmana, my
eagerness is very great.

О most excellent one among the sons of Pandu, listen to
the orfgin of (the name) Bharabhiiti the way it was explained
earlier by Lord Sambhu in detail.
In Krtayuga, there was a Brahmana who had mastered the
Vedas and Vedangas. He was well - known by the name Visnusarman.
He was perfectly conversant with the topics of all the scriptural
texts.
He had the full complement of all good qualities such as
forbearance; self-control, compassion, munificence, truthful
ness, cleanliness, fortitude, learning, perfect knowledge and
piousness.
О excellent king, only those Brahmanas who have qualities
of this type redeem the Pitrs fallen into terrible Narakas.
Those Brahmanas who ardently long for the pleasures of
senses are deluded through sins, О excellent king. They fall
into terrible Raurava Naraka.
10-15. Those Brahmarias who have forbearance and self-
control, whose ears are filled with Sruti sounds, who have con-
V.iii.209. 587
quered the sense-organs, who desist from killing living beings

and the finger ends of whose hands shrink from accepting
gifts, are capable of redeeming (others).
A Brahmana, endowed with such sterling qualities stayed on
the banks of Narmada along with other Brahmanas. The means
of his sustenance was gleaning of the ears of corns.
On coming to know of such a Brahmana, Mahesvara, the
Lord of Devas, assumed the form of a Brahmana and person
ally went direct to his hermitage.
On meeting the Brahmana reciting the Vedic Mantras in
the Patha called Pada and Krama along with the other Brahmanas,
he made obeisance to the Brahmana. He was also honoured
with due formalities of reception.
After a short while, the Brahmana who was taken by surprise
asked: uO Brahmana boy, what is it you desire that I can do
for you?”
The Batu (Brahmana boy) said: “O excellent Brahmana, take
me to be a disciple having come to you. If you impart instruc
tion, I shall stay in your house.”
The Brahmana said:

16-26. О Batu, you hail from the most excellent Gotra of
all Brahmanas. The greatest of all Danas is the Dana of Vidya.
How can it be given? By service rendered to the preceptor or
by ample fee paid. Or Vidya can be fruitful by another Vidya
(in return)?
The Batu replied:

Just as other boys who are duly initiated serve you day and
night, similarly I too shall serve you along with other boys.
The eminent Brahmana said, “So it shall be" and began

teaching him everyday along with the other disciples. He too
(i.e. the Batu) regularly brought the gleanings of the ears of
corn.
After a few days Isvara (the Lord in the form of the Batu)
was told by the other pupils: “O Bafu, it is your turn now. Do
the work of cooking etc."
After saying “So it shall be" the Lord of Devas went off to
588 Skanda Parana
Bharagrdma village. Meditating on all vegetables (and their

presiding deities) he spoke these words:
MBy the time the Brahmana returns to the abode along with
the disciples, the cooked food should be kept ready by you all
remaining invisible.*1
After saying thus to all of them, the Cosmic-formed Mahesvara
took the guise of the Bafu separately and went there to play.
On seeing him come in the guise of a Bafu separately, they
censured him in harsh words in the presence of the Giri {Guru:
probable reading):
“Fie upon you! The throats of all of us are parched with
hunger. We thought that going to our abode we shall get sat
isfaction by the food cooked by you. О Brahmana, by your
coming here (to play) you have frustrated our expectations. О
Brahmana, you have come away after making a false promise.
You have committed a foul act."
The Batu said:

a
27-39. О bulls among Brahmanas, you need not have any

exasperation or regret in the matter of food. You will be going
back to the abode where you will find the food ready.
The other Batus said:

m
Everyday while we cook food, it does or does not become

ready in the remaining part of the day. Here it is completely
uncooked (you have not cooked at all). But what is not ready
is being cited by you as ready. After going there and proving
your lie, we will bind vou and cast you into the waters.
The Baftt said:

О excellent Brahmanas including the preceptor, listen ye all
to my solemn, irrefutable declaration. On hearing it you may
perhaps be dismayed. If every item of food you find ready and
cooked in the hermitage of our preceptor, all of you will be
bound and should be hurled by me into the waters of Narmada.
Or if the food is not ready I should be bound firmly by you
all and hurled into the whirlpool of Narmada even as the
preceptor is watching us.
V.iii.209.40-52 589
They all assented to this stipulation in the presence of the

preceptor. They concluded their holy bath, Japa etc., in accor
dance with the injunctions and went back to the Bhutagrama
village.
On seeing an elaborate presentation of the articles of food,
they were surprised agreeably. О excellent king, they ate all
the items with six tastes severally. Then the delighted and well-
nourished excellent Brahmana spoke these words: mO dear
child, I am ready to grant you any boon whatever may appeal
to you. All the Vedas with their Angas and Upangas and the
different scriptural texts will manifest themselves to you. They
will manifest of their own accord to you. Let this be my boon
unto you." The boy bowed down and went about playing hap
pily with the other Batus.
The next day, О Yudhisthira, all of them went to the waters
of Narmada for sporting about. Then recollecting the wager
and cautioning all of them the Lord (in the form of the Ba(u)
bowed down to the preceptor and said with palms joined in
reverence: mO holy Lord, I shall hurl into water all the Batus
who have lost the wager.”
40-52. On hearing the words of the Lord, О king, even
as the preceptor was watching the other Batus dispersed run
ning in all the directions.
The Lord rushed at them with the speed of wind all round
and caught hold of them. Tying them up into a weighty bundle
the Lord who both curses and blesses, hurled them into the
water as though within the house.
The preceptor saw them in the waters of Narmada and told
the Ba(u: “Why did you commit this rash deed? If their parents
or the other women in the houses of these boys were to ask
me, shall what I tell them? Where have they gone? This being
the case, О fair Sir, if any one dies, you will have to make it
up with your own life. If those Brahmana children die, it is
certain that I too will die. When I die, many sins of Brahmana-
slaughter will assail you. Even if a single Brahmaiia is bound,
the assailant will certainly fall into Naraka. О base Brahmana,
I do not know what you will face after death."
On being told thus, Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas smiled
and raised up4he Brahmanas from the Bharabhutesvara Tirtha.
The weights attached were taken away. A Linga called Bharabhtita
was installed there.
590 Skanda Purana
Ш
Seeing the dead ones coming back as the former Brahmanas,

the sin of Brahmana-slaughter was removed. All the five hun
dred Brahmahatyas disappeared.
On seeing those boys, the preceptor became amazed. He
came to know that except for the great Lord Isvara, no one
else can have such a power.
Realizing that it was the Lord of chiefs of Devas, the Brahmana
bowed down to him and said: uO Paramesvara, whatever has
been said by me displeasing you, was due to my ignorance and
whatever has been done by me which was not to your liking
should be forgiven, О Lord."
The Deva said:

53-57. О holy Sir, you are my preceptor. You are my Lord.
You are my grandfather, О Vedagarbha (‘one who has mas
tered the Vedas by heart’), obeisance to you. There is nothing
out of the way.
The progenitor, the priest who invests with the sacred thread,
the preceptor who imparts learning, he who gives food and he
who provides succour from fear — these five are remembered
as Fathers (Protectors).
After saying thus to Visnusarman, the Lord of the universe

bowed down to him there in that TIrtha and quickly went away
to the Kailasa mountain.
Ever since then, that TIrtha is famous as Bharabhtiti. It is
reputed in all the worlds as destructive of great sins.
I shall tell you another event that happened there in the
Tirtha. It is a great legendary event that is divine and destruc
tive of all sins. Listen to it with an attentive mind.
58-68. Formerly, at the beginning of Krta Yuga, there was
a high-minded Vaisya well known as Sukesa. That large-eyed
Vaisya passed away. His son well- known as Somasarma was
highly pious and righteous. He formed friendship with one
poverty-stricken son of a Vaisya known as Sahadeva. He was
very efficient in all activities.
Once he thought of a partnership deal with him. "Friend,
with my money as the capital we shall buy and take with us
much merchandise. We shall go on voyage in a ship with aus
V.iii.209.69-79 591
picious embarkation. We shall go to the other shore (country).

The profit will be equal between us.”
Thus they took counsel together in regard to what they
planned. Taking all the requisites for the voyage, they rode
(set sail) on the salt sea.
They went to the other shore and sold their wares in a city
there. Much gold and different kinds of jewels were acquired
by them.
The boat was made fit for the voyage and they got into it.
It was midnight. Sahadeva observed that the boat fully laden
with gold was sailing on the high sea and that Somasarma, with
full trust in him was sleeping with his head placed on his lap.
He thought thus: 'This fellow has gone to sleep with his very
life in my hand. The entire proceeds (gold etc.) are in his
possession. It is not sure that he will give me half the profit
after going there. He may or he may not.’
On coming to this conclusion, the sinful wretch hurled
Somasarma into the salt sea.
69-79. Taking the entire wealth, he crossed the ocean by
means of that boat. After a few days, he met with his death.
He was seized by the servants of Yama and taken to the
terrible city of Yama. He was taken along that path where the
Sun had grown twelve-fold and was blazing as though at the
time of the ultimate dissolution of the universe. There were
many extremely sharp thorns, hideous dogs, great serpents
with sharp fangs, tigers, and huge wolves. There the sands
were excessively hot. There was hunger, thirst and pitch dark
ness. There was no talk (i.e. trace, or drop) of water, no shade
or hermitage anywhere. Any food along with water, turns into
poison.
If people request for shade, the fire burned all the more
hot. The wretched inhabitants who were burned lamented again
and again.
They cried, “Alas, mother! Alas, brother! Alas, son!” and fell
into swoon on the way. That (Sahadeva) was led through the
path of such nature by the servants of Yama.
The servants of Yama left (produced) him at the door of the
palace where Lord Yama, the controller of the subjects, was
staying. After tying tightly a rope round the neck of the be
trayer of his friend they reported: “Listen, О Lord of Devas.
You know what should be done thereafter.”
592 Skanda Purdnaл
Yama said:
The face of those who commit breach of trust has never

been seen by me. There are clever and efficient sages ap
pointed here for the purpose of deliberating and deciding
what punishment should be meted out to the sinners perpe
trating breach of trust to their friends. Cast this fellow over
there where they order you to cast him. You need not think
about it further.
80-92. Ordered thus the servants of Yama hastened to the

great sages along with him. Producing him before them as per
order of Yama, they reported with reference to him:
“By this fellow, out of greed for wealth, his own friend who
trusted him and was asleep at night was murdered. What should
be the punishment for this crime?”
The sages said:

The face of the murderer of friends has never been seen
by us before. Keep him hooded with a screen. You can hear
later what his punishment shall be.
Those sages pored over the scriptural texts and discussed

mutually. The leading Brahmanas then summoned the mes
sengers of Yama and told them:
T h e scriptural texts were gone through; the Vedas with
their AAgas, the Smrti texts, the Puranas, and MImamsa texts
have been consulted by us.
Means of expiation have been laid down in the scriptures
in regard to Brahmana-slaughter, imbibing liquor, theft and
carnal approach to the wife of preceptor but there is no way
of atonement for the ungrateful (one who kills his friend).
Means of expiation have been prescribed in regard to those
who kill women, preceptors, Brahmanas and children. But there
is nothing by way of expiation for the ungrateful. Means of
expiation have been enjoined in regard to those sinners who
demolish tanks, wells and lakes, to those wicked people who
cut off and demolish gardens and parks, to those who burn
forests, to those who injure lives, to those who administer poison,
V.iii.209.93-10S 593
who deceive their masters, who forsake parents and precep

tors, who find fault with others, to a woman who is disloyal to
her husband, to a woman who destroys foetus, to a woman
bereft of discrimination, who takes food without taking bath,
who takes two meals on the Vaisnavavdsara (on the eleventh
lunar day) etc. A way of acquittal by expiation is seen in regard
to all those women but not to those who betray trust and to
men who are inimical to their friends. They have no salvation
(expiation) according to the Vedas. What need one say of the
Puranas! In the case of such sinners there is no way of expi
ation.
93-103. No other way of salvation has been heard by us for
killers of friends and of those who have trusted.
О messengers of Yama, take this betrayer of trust from this place.
Let him be cast into all the Narakas numbering thirty crores severally
and by turns, for a period of hundred crores of Kalpas. You need not
hesitate in this respect.
On hearing these words, the servants bound him and took

him to cast him into the terrible Narakas. At the outset they
took him to the terrible hell named* Raurava.
They hurled the great sinner there. As soon as he was put
there, a great uproar of protest was heard from the creatures
suffering in that Naraka: ‘This sinner should not be left here.
Merely by touching him, our pain increases hundred-fold as
though we are cut with swords or burned with well-kindled
fuel. What dirty thing did he commit? Just as a good man is
reduced to a low status due to association with an evil one, so
is the case with the proximity of this fellow. It is like sprinkling
acid on a wound. May this favour be done. Let him be taken
to another Naraka.”
On being requested thus by them, they went towards Asuci.
The residents of that hell shouted like those in the previous
ones. All those servants wandered from hell to hell. Thus that
evil-minded sinner had no place of rest even in Naraka. The
situation being such, all of them took him to the presence of
Yama. They told him whatever was voiced by the residents of
those hells and asked him: “Tell us. What should be done with
that fellow who has no place even in hell?"
594 Skanda Puranam
Yama said:
104-109. Let this foulest sinner fall into brutish wombs for
periods of time as mentioned by the sages. Let him be forced
into the wombs of brutish creatures.
When these words were uttered by the Controller of subjects

(i.e. Yama), the fellow attained birth successively as worms
living in feces. Thcieafter he became a fly, mosquito, ant,
louse, bug etc., by turns and then a bird.
Thereafter, he became an immobile being (like a tree) and
then he attained the state of a rock. Then he became a reptile,
python, boar, deer, elephant, wolf, dog, mule, camel, pig, do
mestic animals, ass and buffalo and other similar wombs of
brutish creatures successively. At the end he became a beast
of burden in the abode of a righteous king of great fame.
110-117. Once that excellent king noted that Karttiki
(the full-moon day in the month of Karttika) was imminent.
He summoned his priest and many other Brahmanas and said:
'This I have heard often that Karttiki festival should not be
celebrated at home. Tell me, О excellent Brahmanas, where
we all shall go in a body. It is the injunction of the Sruti. 'He
who spends the Karttiki day without holy bath, Dana and other
rites loses the Puiiya performed in the course of a year.'
Hence we shall assiduously go in a body to a Tlrtha with all
good features in order to take the holy bath and make gifts
in accordance with our capacity.”
When these words were uttered by the king, the excellent
Br&hmarias said: "O excellent king, on the northern bank of
Reva, there is a Tlrtha yielding salvation, well-known as Bharesvara
Tlrtha. We shall all go there. It is capable of wiping off all
sins."
On being told so, the king took with him plenty of money and
filled a cart with all this. That beast of burden was Sahadeva who after
«
committing the murder of his friend, had now reached the species
of a bull. He was yoked to the cart
118-127. Thus he reached the excellent Tlrtha on the
banks of Narmada. After going there, he waited patiently for
the fast on the fourteenth lunar day.
V.iii.209.128-138 595
The procedure of worship (w 119-145)

On that day, he went to the banks of Narmada uttering the
name of Rudra many times attentively. Thereafter, uttering
the following Mantra he took some mud from a clean place:
“You were lifted up by the Boar and the hundred-armed Rudra.
I shall also lift (you) up along with the progeny and the bind
ing.”
After taking the mud and casting it down on the northern
bank, he looked at the Sun. Then with the following Mantra
he applied the mud over the body: uO Earth trodden over by
horses, traversed over by chariot, walked over by Vi$nu, О
Earth, dispel my sin acquired in the course of hundred crores
of births.”
Afterwards entering into the water he uttered the following
Mantra: “O Narmada of meritorious waters, your water has
originated from Sankara. May it dispel the sins incurred by me
even as I take my holy bath.”
After performing the holy ablution as per this procedure,
he offered libations to Pitrs and Devas, went to the shrine
taking with him the requisite offerings.
In his presence he devoutly meditated upon Sankara, the
benefactor of the world.
In accordance with the injunctions laid down in the Puranas,
he began the worship. Fourfold worship of the Lord during.
Sivaratri is being prescribed.
In the first Yama (Watch) (a period of 3 hours) the king
bathed Sankara with Pancagavya. The filling-up was afterwards
performed with ghee by the excellent king.
128-138. At the outset incense and lights were offered
with due Sankalpa (ritualistic utterance of what is proposed to
be done). Arghya was offered to the Lord of Devas, Sankara,
with the Mantra recited as:
“Obeisance to you, О Lord of the chiefs of Devas, О Sambhu
the ultimate cause. О Lord, accept this Arghya and remove the
sin in the form of Samsara (mundane existence). Gold conse
crated with Mantjras has been given according to the financial
capacity. Agni alone represents all the Devas and gold is (ob
tained) from.fire JHence all Devas may become pleased by the
gift of gold. May SaAkara be always pleased with the person
offering Arghya.n
596 Skanda Parana
According to this procedure Siva was worshipped by him in

the first Y2ma.
The procedure at the outset is the same for the second
Yama.
(The king) bathed the Slayer of Tripuras with cow’s milk.
The filling-up of the Lihga of the Trident-bearing Lord was
later performed with raw rice grains.
Following the procedure mentioned earlier a pair of white
cloth was given because a pair of white cloth is very dear to
ЗаАкага. $ambhu becomes pleased when white cloth is offered.
On observing that the third Y&ma had arrived, the excellent king
bathed the Lord with honey and filling-up was done by means of
gingelly seeds.
Uttering the following Mantra, a Drona (a measure) of gingelly
seeds should be offered: “Whether the gingelly seeds are white
or black, they dispel all sins. May my bond be cut off by this
gift of a Drona of gingelly seeds.”
According to this procedure the king concluded the worship
of that Yama of the night. Then he performed the rite of
Jagarana along with entertainments and the chanting of the
Vedic passages. The adoration of Sambhu, which is a source
of acquiring much merit, was done.
139-147. О son of Kunti, even Yajvins (those who per
form Yajnas) do not get the goal which those persons get, the
persons who auspiciously abide by the Jagarana (keeping awake)
rite of the Three-eyed Lord, during Sivaratri in a shrine of
Bhava (Siva). Whatever may be the sins, sins acquired in the
course of crores of births, if Jagarana of Нага and Kesava is
performed and the devotees take holy bath, those sins perish.
О king, the devotees derive the benefit of an Asvamedha for
each of the moments spent during the night in the rite of
J£garaiia. No one shall obtain the same goal even if people are
engaged in the observance of fasts, staying in the shrines, listening
to pious narratives, meditating on Нага and Kesava or in performing
Kratu (sacrifice) with much gold (given as gift). The Tithi
(lunar day) of Sivaratri is meritorious and Karttiki is specially
so; the northern bank of Reya and Bharesvara Tlrtha too are
so.
How can then the sin of one who keeps awake not perish?
Thus that Lord of men kept awake during $ivaratri. When it
V.iii.209.148-159 597
dawned bright, he went to the excellent banks of Narmada and

thought: ‘It was through the help of these animals that pulled
the carts etc., that I could come to the Tirtha and have my holy
bath. I shall, therefore, make them also have the (benefit of)
the bath.'
Then all the vehicles, elephants etc., were thus bathed by
him. The merchant who passed through the various births of
creatures etc. and was standing in the middle was also bathed.
148-159. With these in view, he made some gifts in ac
cordance with his capacity. By means of this rite, a man be
comes rid of the defects (sins) brought about through (riding)
the vehicles. Otherwise the profit (benefit) acquired solely
goes to them.
After bathing them, the king himself took his holy bath in
accordance with the injunctions; offered libations to Pitrs and
Devas, performed the Sraddha rite duly, offered balls of rice
to Pitrs, ritualistically released a bull endowed with all good
characteristics, went to the holy shrine, bathed Lord Sankara
successively with the waters of the Tirtha, Pancagavya, Paficamrta,
waters containing all medicinal herbs and finally with pure
water.
Then Sankara was smeared with sweet-smelling sandalpaste.
The fourth filling-up of the Linga was performed with saffron,
camphor, diverse kinds of scents and clusters of fragrant flow
ers by the excellent king who followed the previous procedure.
Afterwards gift of a cow was made in accordance with the
rites laid down in the scriptural injunctions (uttering the fol
lowing Mantra): “O cow, you are of the form of Rudra. You
have been created by Rudra. Redeem me from falling into
unfathomable ocean of mundane existence."
A well-adorned cow should be gifted with, this procedure.
After requesting the Lord of the chiefs of Devas for pardon,
the devotee should feed many Brahmanas with six types of
foodstuff. They should be honoured with clothes. After adoring
them with diverse kinds of monetary gifts, the devotee requests
them for forgiveness.
The Lord of the Earth did everything and took food himself
later along with his attendants. He stayed there for that night.
Even as he spent4he night there thus, he heard the utterance
of a divine voice in the sky at mid-night.
598 Skanda Parana
The Voice sa id :
160-168. О king, the benefit will accrue to the world all

round now. Wicked souls that had fallen into the ocean of
mundane existence derive benefit merely by their being present
(in the Tlrtha). How it is so is being described, if it can be
cause of elation to one born in the family of Santanu
(Dharmaputra).
Now in your house there is a beast of burden. By this fellow
the sin of killing a friend and committing breach of trust was
incurred in a previous birth, with more than a thousand other
rebirths intervening. He was stationed in Narakas due to the
sin. Then he was born and reborn into thousands of wombs
of creatures. That wicked fellow finally was born as a bull in
your abode. In the course of the present religious festival, he
was bathed in the Tlrtha by you. He witnessed the worship
performed by you and also kept awake. Thereby he has be
come rid of sins. In front of you, О king, he will cast off his
body and go to heaven seated in an aerial chariot.

As soon as this was uttered, the bull, the beast of burden,
fell dead. Instantly he was seen seated in an aerial chariot. He
bowed down to the leading king and said smilingly:
The Vjrsa (Bull) said:

169-179. О most excellent one among eminent kings,
indeed the efficacy of the Tlrtha is very great, since a man like
me is rid of all sins. I have realized completely. There is no
other sinner like me, on a par with me.
Henceforth what more shall I do except glorifying the Tlrtha?
You are my mother. You are my brother. You are also my
grandfather. I should be excused. I am bowing down to you.
It is such a splendid Tlrtha where people like me attain a
bright status. I do not know what your fate would be.
You have propitiated Mahesana after adoring him duly. What
would be the fate in your easel О Lord, grant me permission
to go. These groups of divine beings stationed in heaven are*
prompting me to hurry up. Hail unto you! I shall go.
V.iii.209.180-186 599
After saying this, he vanished in a moment.

0

When the bull vanished there the king was amazed. He went
to his city extolling the incomparable greatness of the Tlrtha.
Such is that Tlrtha situated on Narmada, destructive of all
sins, excellent, dispelling all miseries.
Minor sins perish merely on account of holy bath, О descen
dant of Bharata. On the fourteenth lunar day in the month
of Karttika, a devotee should observe fast and fill the LiAga in
four ways. Listen to the benefit of that merit.
By the power of these four the great sins perish, viz. those
of Brahmana-slaughter, imbibing liquor, stealing and carnally
approaching the wife of preceptor. He gets the excellent benefit
of an Asvamedha Yajna.
One who has observed fast on the fourteenth lunar day in
the bright half of the month of Karttika should make the gift
of gold in that Tlrtha. He gets the benefit of Yajna.
180-186. On the eighth and fourteenth days of the month
of Vaisakha too (observe) as before. By making a lamp of
flourcake the devotee causes salvation to Pitrs.
Whatever is given as Dana there, even if it be as little as the
tip of a hair, shall have everlasting benefit. So says Mahesvara.
О king, men who die in Bharabhiiti become purified in
their souls. They will reach the goal of Sivaloka from where
there is no return.
Or for the sake of the growth in avocation of the world, he
will desire to conquer the mortal world. He is reborn in a pure
family of Brahmanas who have mastered the Vedas with their
Angas. He will live for a hundred years rich with wealth and
foodgrain and possessing Vedic lore. He will be free from all
ailments.
Again he will come to that Tlrtha and attain the eternal
region. Thus, О descendant of Bharata, О excellent king, the
meritorious story destructive of sins has been recounted to
you. Next to it listen to another great narrative.
600 Skanda Purina■
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TEN
The Greatness of Puhkhila Tirtha
£n Markandeya said:
1-8. Next, О dear one, is the excellent Puhkhila Tirtha. О
son of Kunti, it was there in that Tirtha that Punkha attained
Siddhi.
A holy sage, the son ofJamadagni, the highly refulgent destroyer
of K$atriyas, performed an elaborate penance there on the northern
bank of Narmada.
Ever since then, О Lord of men, the Punkha Tirtha became
well-known. He who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha
and propitiates Paramesvara, becomes endowed with extraor
dinary strength in this world and attains salvation in the other
world. He who adores Devas and Pitrs becomes free from
*
indebtedness to Pitrs.
If a man casts off his life there in the Tirtha, he will undoubtedly
proceed to Rudraloka from where he will have no return.
A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha, shall
obtain the merit of a horse-sacrifice. If a man feeds a single
Brahmaria there in that Tirtha, it is as good as a crore of
Brahmapas are fed.
Whoever worships the Bull-emblemed Lord there in the Tirtha
undoubtedly obtains the merit of a Vajapeya Yajna.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN

The Greatness of Mundi Tirtha
Sn Markandeya said:
1-9. What was done by the Lord of Devas in regard to those
residing on the banks of Narmada, was something very surpris
ing to the entire world. I shall recount it to you fully. The Lord
assumed the form of a leper and begged of some miserly Brahmanas
at the time of Sraddha. He had smeared himself with red
sandalpaste as unguent.
V .iii.211.10-17 601
There were bubbles of exudation from his limbs. He was

fully covered with worms and flies. He had a foul face and his
skin was sorely infested. He was stinking and he faltered at
every step.
He went to the abode of a Brahmana and stumbling at the
door said thus: “O householder, I wish to take well-cooked and
consecrated food today at your house along with these Brahmanas.”
On seeing the Brahmana with foul effusions all over the
body, the Brahmanas in the company of the householder said:
“Fie upon you! Fie upon you! О stinking fellow, get out. О base
Brahmana, get away from this house quickly. Since you looked
at it, this consecrated foodstuff has become unworthy of being
eaten by everyone.
MThat is so”, said Mahesvara, the Lord of Devas. Even as he
was being watched by the excellent Brahmanas, he rose into
the clear sky. When the Lord later vanished, the Brahmanas
took bath and sprinkled themselves with water all around.
When they were about to take their food separately in the
different platters, they saw worms and worms wherever they
looked.
10-17. On seeing it, all of them were amazed and said:
“What is this?” Then one of them said: “This Brahmana is
Brahma himself; he has many good qualities.”
Another said: “He had come here before in the assembly of
many Brahmanas somewhat hesitatingly. He is Paramesvara,
the great Yogin.
This transformation of foods is his playful practical joke, the
result of our rebuking him, not of anybody else. It is declared
by the scriptures that a guest should be honoured. If not, the
result would be unpleasant. He is worthy of adoration, being
the supreme Soul and a guest in particular. If anyone does not
honour a guest who comes at the time of Sraddha, Pisacas and
Rak$asas spoil it undoubtedly.
In regard to a guest, we should not considered whether he
is handsome or ugly, dirty or wearing dirty clothes, Yogindra
or a Candala.”
On hearing these words, the Brahmanas with the householder
as their leader, rushed to all the directions in search of the
Brahmana guest:
602 Skanda Parana9
Somehow someone saw him hidden in a thick forest and

shouted: M He is seen." All of them came there and saw the
Brahmaga standing steady like a post.
18-22. He did not flicker or move, shout or see. Some of
them lamented piteously; others began to pray with pleasing
words. Thus the Three-eyed Lord was eulogized. Then they
requested: mO Lord of Devas, the cooked food of the hungry
Brahmarias is utterly spoiled. It behoves you to make it good."
О Yudhis^hira, on hearing the words of those Brahmanas,
the Lord became pleased and said to them with great compas
sion:
mO highly esteemed ones, 1 have become pleased. So I have
made that same food of yours pure like nectar. May the Brahmanas
eat it along with their kinsmen and servants. Let them worship
my Mandala (mystical circle) everyday.
Thereat, О son of KuntI, that shrine became famous by the
name Mundi. On the day of the KarttikI festival it is particu
larly on a par with Gayatirtha.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWELVE
The Greatness of Ekasdla Dindimesvara Tirtha

ф

1-10. Henceforth I shall recount another superb act of
the Lord. Merely on hearing it, one is rid of all sins.
Assuming the exact disguise of a begging mendicant, Mahesvara,
the Lord of Devas, went to village Ekasala seeking alms. He was
hungry and'thirsty.
He had smeared himself with holy ash and had a rosary
displayed in his hand. The Lord of the universe had his matted
hair and earrings for his ornaments. The trident shone in his
hand.
Clad in elephant hide, the Lord of huge physical form was
embellished with the great serpents. He was playing on his
splenidid Damaruka (hand-drum) resembling a pindima.
The Lord had a skull in his hand. He was surrounded by
V.iil.213.1-6
many boys. Dancing and singing, laughing and playing at times,

he moved on.
The Lord sportingly placed down the Dindima on some
houses. Wherever he placed it down, the house collapsed by
its weight.
Moving thus the Lord was surrounded by many men. The
Lord was sometimes visible and sometimes not visible. Thus
the Lord came out of the crowd. He began to run about here
and there. Whenever he became invisible, the men stood
perplexed. They thought that it should be Sambhu himself.
Then they eulogized him.
Even as they devoutly eulogized Sankara, the Lord of the
worlds was seen stationed in the form of Dindi (ma). Ever
since then, the Lord of Devas is called Dindimesvara. By seeing
and touching him, one is rid of all sins.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED THIRTEEN
The Greatness of Amalesvara Tirtha

*

1-6. Further I shall recount another superb (miraculous)
act of the Lord. Merely by listening to it, one is rid of all sins.
Though not a boy, Saiiibhu himself in the form of a boy was
playing along with rustic boys. He was playing with the fruits
of embylic myrobalan. I shall narrate it to you, О descendant
of Bharata.
The fruits, О son of Pat>du, thrown by the Lord were brought back
immediately by them and Нага threw them thereafter.
By the time the Amalaka fruits went to the various quarters
and came back therefrom, they saw the fruits in the form of
a Bhuta (ghost) of huge size.
The third act of the Lord took place in the greatest of the
holy spots, the excellent Amalesvara. Merely by adoring it, one
attains the greatest region (Mok$a).
604 Skanda Purana
»
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN

The Greatness of Sri Kapala Tirtha
1-11. I shall recount the fourth great act of the Lord. Merely
by listening to it, one is rid of all sins.
The lord wandered over the earth as a Kapalin (holder of
a skull) wearing patched garments. He was surrounded by Pisacas,
Rak$asas, Dakinis, and Yoginis.
He assumed the form of a Bhairava and resorted to a cre
mation ground where he performed an elaborate penance causing
freedom from fear to all the three worlds. He spent the Asadha
month there. Hence his name AsadhI became well-known.
■ •
In another place, the Kanthd (patched garment) was left by

Lord Parames{hin. Ever since then, О great king, he is called
Kanthesvara. By visiting him, one obtains the merit of a horse-
sacrifice.
Then the Deva continued his spontaneous wanderings. He
met a Balakara (vendor of gum myrrh or the shoot of the
plant). He was told by Нага: “О fair one, if you do not become
angry with me now (I have a request). Fill (cover up) the Linga
with Bala. I shall give you plenty of money.”
On being told thus by the Lord, the pedlar was deluded by
covetousness. He fitted Bala to the Lingas. They were of high
and medium quality. He went on filling till his stock was ex
hausted. On seeing the Linga still standing erect, he became
worried.
On seeing him thus agitated, Paramesvara broke it into pieces
and said laughingly: “My Linga was not filled. 1 shall go away
if you consider it to be necessary (if you allow me). I shall give
you the money if the Linga is filled-up.”
The Vanik (Pedlar) said:
12-18. I have not performed meritorious deeds. I am not
blessed. О Paramesvara, 1 have to be bound over. Unable to
do something pleasing to you, 1 will regret it for a long time.
t
On hearing these words of the son of a Vanik, О descendant of

Bharata, Mahesvara gave him inexhaustible wealth and stationed
himself there.
V.iii.215.1— 216.3 605
Ever since then, О great king, the Linga stood there with
a desire to bless the worlds. It appeared as though adorned
with Balakas (Cranes) in order to give credence.
The path made by the Lord and well-established sportingly
became well-known in all the three worlds as “Devamarga". He
who views this and worships it, is rid oi all sins.
He who goes to Devamarga and worships Balakesvara, reaches
Pancayatana and goes to Rudraloka.
Men who die in Devamarga become purified souls. They do
not come back again from Rudraloka.
О most excellent one among men, by listening devoutly to
the greatness of Devamarga, one is rid of all sins. No hesitation
need be felt in believing this.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN

___ ф ___
The Greatness of Srhgi Tirtha

#

1-2. Thereafter, one should go to the Srngl Tirtha that
accords salvation unto all embodied beings. О great king, there
is no doubt about the attainment of salvation by those who die
there.
There itself one should offer balls of rice. Thereby one
becomes free from indebtedness to Pitrs. Becoming a purified
soul by that merit, he attains the goal of Ganesvaras.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN
The Greatness of Asadhi

0

1-3. Thereafter, О prince, a person should go to Asadhi
Tirtha whereJMahesvara has stationed himself after assuming
a lovely form.' This Tirtha pertains to all the four Yugas. It is
606 Skanda P aran a
the most excellent one among all the Tlrthas. By taking his
holy bath there, О king, a man shall become an attendant of
Rudra.
If anyone casts his life into that Tirtha there, his departure
to Rudraloka will certainly be one without any return.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN
The Greatness of Erandi Tirtha

1-8. Then one should go to the confluence of Erandi (with
Reva) which is bowed to by Suras and Asuras. That Tirtha is
highly meritorious and destructive of great sins.
A devotee should observe fast with perfect restraint of the
sense-organs and mind. Then he takes his holy bath in accor
dance with the injunctions; he is rid of the sin of Brahmana-
slaughter.
If anyone devoutly puts an end to his life there in that Tirtha, he
will undoubtedly go to Rudraloka without any return therefrom.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTEEN
The Greatness of Jdmadagnya Tirtha
§ri Markandeya said: Ш

*
1-10. Thereafter, О Lord of the Earth, a person should go

to the highly splendid Tirtha well-known as Jamadagni Tirtha
where Janardana became a Siddha.
Yudhisfhira said:
О excellent Brahmaâ, how did V&sudeva, the preceptor of
the universe, become a Siddha? Is it by assuming human form
with a desire for the welfare of all the worlds?
V.iii.218.11-20 607
I wish to hear the full story of the Discus-bearing Lord of

Devas properly. О sinless one, may it be recounted by you.
*

0 great king, formerly there was a great ruler of the Haihaya
clan. He was known as Karttavirya, a king with a thousand
arms.
He was richly equipped with elephants, horses and chariots.
He was the most excellent one among all warriors wielding
weapons. He was also a master of the Vedic lore. He granted
freedom from fear to all living beings. He was the Lord of the
city of Mahismatl. He was a glorious king, owner of an Aksauhinl.
Once that mighty king set out for hunting deer. After many
days, he reached the excellent Bhrgukaccha where Jamadagni,
the highly refulgent ascetic, was staying.
The glorious sage was in the company of Renuka. He was
the bestower of freedom from fear on all living beings. Lord
Narayana himself was born as his son Rama.
He (Rama) was a knower of Brahman, an excellent Brahmana
but possessing all the qualities of a Ksatriya. With his genuine
devotion, he indeed delighted his parents.
Jamadagni of great refulgence met Arjuna who was out hunting
deer and invited him as his guest.
11-20. Saying 'yes*, the king went into the meritorious
hermitage along with his attendants, army and vehicles. The
hermitage of the noble-souled sage instantly became richly
equipped and enveloped in great glory.
Seeing this amazing transformation, the king entered it and
was promptly served (fed) with his attendants and army.
Casually he (Karttavirya) asked the cause thereof (of this
transformation). After coming to know that the power of
Kamadhenu was the cause, he said to the Br&hmana:
"O Brahmana, give me this excellent cow of variegated colour
as a donation. In return I shall give you hundred, a hundred
thousand or even millions of embellished cows."
Jamadagni said:
1 will not give away this excellent Kamadhenu in lieu of ten
thousands, hundred thousands and even crores of other cows.
You may go.
608 Skanda Parana я
On being told thus by that Brahmana, О descendant of

Bharata, the eminent king spoke these words with his eyes
turned red: uO base Brahmana, even in regard to me you have
such self-willedness. Hence even as you are watching, I will
take away the divine cow from your house.”
The Brahmana said:

Who dares to play with a great angry serpent? One who
dares to take away my cow will be sure to he met by the god
of Death on the way.
After saying this the furious Jamadagni seized a huge staff,

like another Brahmadanda (the staff of Brahma) and uttered
thus:
21-31. “Whoever has the power or brilliance of a Ksatriya,
О base one in the (Ksatriya) family, let him take away my cow
immediately. His life along with that of his followers will be
reduced and crippled.**
On hearing these cruel words, Haihaya accompanied by hun
dreds rushed in but when struck by the Brahmadanda, he fell
down on the ground.
The cow produced a gruff uHuthn sound and from that cow
of variegated colour thousands were seen issuing forth (from
her nostrils) with swords, nooses and other weapons. The Kiratas
came out from her nostrils and tips of the hair. The Magadhas
came out of the anus. Hundreds and thousands of other war
riors issued forth from the other pores.1They killed each other.
Haihaya (King Arjuna) burned them. All those perished along
with the Brahmaâs due to that refulgence of Arjuna.
After gaining victory in the battle and killing the excellent
Brahmana, Karttavirya joyously went to his city. Evidently the
king was deluded by the prompting of the god of Death.
Only when the enemy had gone away did Rama hurrying
homewards came there. He saw his mother piteously lament
ing near his father.
1. Here a few verses are missing, apparently of the following import: They
fought against the army of Haihaya. The mutual fight was very tumultu
ous.'
V. Hi. 218.32-48 609
Rama said:
By whom has this rash act been committed, only to invite
self-destruction? He who has thought of killing my father has
been prompted by the desire to meet Death.
On hearing the words of Rama, she lost all her strength

and got agitated. Beating her belly with both the hands, she
spoke to him:
“The ruthless Arjuna accompanied with other Ksatriyas came
here. By that king endowed with (a thousand) arms (Jamadagni)
was killed. See your father senseless and bereft of life on being
killed. Cremate him duly, dear son, and perform the requisite
libations."
32-40. On hearing these words, Rama paid obeisance to
her and took this vow. О king, hear what it is: “I will exter
minate the entire race of Ksatriyas twenty-one times. I will take
my holy bath then and offer libations to your husband with
their blood.
With my axe I will cut off the arms of that wicked Karttavlrya
and will drink the blood thereof. Listen to this truthful vow
of mine.”
After taking this solemn vow, the valorous son of Jamadagni
performed the cremation of his father. At the height of his
fury, Rama went to the city of MahismatT, cut off the forest of
arms of that base Ksatriya and killed him.
Then for the annihilation of Ksatriyas he surveyed the whole
earth consisting of seven continents, oceans, mountains and
forests and parks.
He dug five deep pits in Samantapancaka in the Kuru land
in the four directions of east, west, south and north (as well
as the centre).
It has been heard by us that he, being extremely furious
offered libations to his Pitrs with blood in the eddy-like pits
filled with (Ksatriya) blood.
Thereupon^Rclka and other Pitrs approached the bull among
Brahmaâs and told him to forgive him. So he stopped (the
bloody revenge).
41-48. The area around those eddy-like pits filled with
blood is gloriflechas the meritorious Samantapaficaka.
After desisting Irom that activity, О son of Радф 1, the highly
610 Skanda Purana
9
righteous Rama spoke to the Pitrs: “Let this blood poured into
the five pits by me become an excellent Tirtha.” Saying “So it
shall be” all the Pitrs vanished.
Thus the contact of Rama in Devamarga by perception and
touch is destructive of all sins of men, О Yudhisthira.
In order to convince Renuka the Pitrs as deities are seen
• •
even today, stationed in Devamaiga. They are destructive of all

sins.
О great king, by taking a holy bath at the confluence of
Narmada and the ocean as per injunctions in the Tirtha, men
are rid of sins.
О son of KuntI, the great ocean should not be touched even
by the tip of a blade of Kusa. О excellent king, one should take
bath there reciting this Mantra:
“Obeisance to you, the Lord of waters, in the form of Visnu.
О Lord of Devas, be present in the briny ocean.” This is the
Sparsana Mantra (Mantra for touch).
49-57. О Pandava, one should dive into the Lord of rivers
uttering this truthful sentence: “Agni is the lustre in the body
with forgiveness and graciousness. It is the Retas in the body.
It is the navel of Nectar.”
Then the devotee should offer Arghya to the great ocean
with five jewels, fruits, flowers and raw rice grain. О great king,
the Mantra thereof is as follows:
“O Lord and chieftain of all immortal ones, you are the
storehouse of all jewels. You are the receptacle of all Ratnakaras
(oceans containing jewels). Accept my Arghya. Obeisance to
you.”
The Mantra for bidding good-bye is as follows:
“O great Ocean, redeem me from the sins incurred ever
since my, birth. О storehouse of jewels, you have been wor
shipped. Do go now to the mountains, О foremost among
P&rvapas (those who go on increasing at Parva time). О Lord,
you are the powerful one getting the portals to heaven opened.
Who else can be better than Lord Ocean!”
There the excellent great Tirtha extended upto the ocean.
There the Lord was installed by Rama, the son of Jamadagni.
There Devas, Gandharvas, sages, Siddhas, and Caracas per
form the Upasana of the Three-eyed Lord and the excellent
sage Jamadagni. Men who see Goddess Reiiuka also there, remain
in the pleasing &ivaloka for as much time as they desire.
V.iii.219.1— 220.7 611
A man who takes his holy bath there and offers libations to
Pitrs and Devas, shall redeem more than a hundred generations
of his family from terrible Naraka. They should take the holy
bath, offer Dana and listen with devotion (to the narratives).
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETEEN
The Greatness of Koti Tirtha

0

1-6. On the southern bank of Narmada is the great Tirtha
called Kotlsvara. Here the holy bath and Dana etc., yield a
crore times the benefit.
Devas, Gandharvas and sages free from sin attained great
Siddhi here at the Kotitlrtha, a rare thing to be achieved on
the earth.
Mahadeva called Kotlsvara is installed there. By visiting him
one attains excellent Siddhi.
О excellent king, whatever is performed there, auspicious
or inauspicious, shall have a crore times the benefit (or re
sult). This is the statement of the scriptural texts: Those ex
cellent sages who are on the southern path (i.e. stay on the
southern bank of the river) become Siddhas on death and
certainly they attain Pitrloka and those excellent sages who are
the residents of the northern bank have already gone to Devaloka.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTY
The Greatness of Lotanesvara Tirtha

0

1-7. Thereafter, О Lord of the earth, a person should go
to the excellent Lotanesvara Tirtha on the northern bank of
Narmada. It is destructive of all sins.
The sins accumulated in the course of seven births are de
stroyed at the very instant of visiting the Lord of Devasr.
612 Skanda Parana9
The sins incurred since childhood, the sins committed dur

ing youth all perish by visiting the Lord of Devas.
Yudhisfhira said:
The great (sanctifying) activity (efficacy) of Narmada is amazing
to all the three worlds and has been entirely narrated by you,
О Brahmana. It is destructive of all sins.
I wish to hear about one great TIrtha that yields the benefit
of all the TIrthas taken together. Have pity on me and describe
it quickly.
Many questions of very rare (solutions) in all the worlds, О
excellent one, have been heard (as clarified by you) by me
along with my kinsmen.
О foremost one among those conversant with all the ques
tions, after hearing this sole question, with your favour, 1 shall
go (to it) along with kinsmen.
ф

8-18. Excellent! Excellent! О highly intelligent one! There
is nothing difficult to attain in all the three worlds to a person
like you whose mental power is like this.
О leader of the descendants of Bharata, one who knows
Dharma (piety), Artha (wealth), Kama (love) and Moksa (lib
eration) at the proper times, is an intelligent one and this is
his duty. Hence I shall tell you the splendid answer to this
question. On hearing it, men on the earth are liberated from
all sins.
Narmada is the most excellent one among all the rivers. She
is auspicious and identical with all the TIrthas. A special effi
cacy thereof is said to be in the confluence of Reva with the
Ocean.
On seeing Reva coming on, О excellent king, the great
Ocean bowed down to her. On being united with Reva he
thought, 'Who is this excellent river coming into contact with
me?’
After reflection he realized that it was the great Rev& orig
inating from a Lifiga. (To express his deep reverence) the
grc»at Ocean went on rolling (itself before her) when he ap-
p n i^ h e d face to face. Where the great river Narmada entered
the Ocean, a Lihga of the chief Lord of Devas arose there.
V .iii.220.19-27 613
The highly esteemed Narmada, the most excellent one among

the rivers, that had originated from a Linga, got merged into
the Linga. Hence she is the most meritorious.
One who stays near Narmada always and drinks her waters,
is on a par with one initiated in all the Ko/mzsand drinks Soma
juice everyday.
A man who takes his holy bath at the confluence there and
worships Lotanesvara attains the benefit of (the performance
of) a horse-sacrifice.
О king, all the sins committed verbally, mentally or physi
cally, become dissolved on approaching Lotanesvara.
19-27. A special rite has been prescribed for Karttiki by
Sankara. О excellent king, listen to it, as it is destructive of
all sins.
On coming to know of the approaching Karttiki (full-moon
day of Karttika), one should observe fast on the fourteenth
lunar day and then take his holy bath in the waters of Narmada.
Then he should offer libations to Pitrs and Devas and per
form Sraddha duly. He should worship Lotanesvara and keep
awake at night. His life is fruitful. All his activities are fruitful.
If Lotanesvara
• ■ is not seen with full concentration of the
mind, those persons are no better than lame ones. Their life
is futile.
In the family of a true devotee none will attain ghosthood
and none will be reborn in a base womb.
One should go to the confluence and duly perform the rite
of ablution. The rite of keeping awake (at night) should be
observed with a provision for meritorious songs and dances.
After the night turns into dawn, the devotee bows to and
invokes the Great Ocean and takes the holy bath in accor
dance with the injunctions laid down.
The Mantra for Amantrana (Invocation)
“Ош, obeisance to you, the Lord of the Tlrtha in the form
of Visnu. О Lord, be present in the briny Ocean while I take
bath."
The Snana Mantra:
MAgni is the depositor of the semen virile in the body. It is
lustrous. Vi$nu is the navel of Amrta.”
614 Skanda Purana
Uttering thus the truthful statement, О son of Pandu, the

devotee takes bath in the Lord of rivers.
28-38. A man might have committed many sins in the
course of hundreds and thousands of births, but he dispels all
the clusters of sins by taking a bath once in the briny ocean.
О leading member of Kuru family, this all-pervading great
Ocean is of divine origin. Hence, otherwise (without Mantra)
the Ocean should not be touched by learned men even with
the tip of a blade of Darbha grass.
Argha Mantra:
“O receptacle of the store-house of all jewels, you are the
most important of all jewels. О chief Lord of all immortal ones,
accept the Argha. Obeisance to you.”
Thereafter the devotee offers libation to the Pitrs, Devas

and human beings. The devotee comes out of the river and
ф
gets the Sraddha performed by eminent five Brahmanas resem

bling the Guardians of the worlds.
The Lokapalas are to be installed duly and duly worshipped
(by worshipping those Brahmanas alone). Then the devotee
should confess his good and evil acts to them.
The devotee confesses to them whatever sin has been com
mitted ever since childhood, in the course of youth and old
age and then submits the same to the Guardians of the worlds.
The devotee utters it as follows: MWhatever inauspicious act
has been perpetrated ever since childhood, in the course of
various births (or ever since birth) has been entirely confessed
to the Brahmanas. Their presence is in all my situations.”
After uttering so the devotee shall roll in front of them.
After getting their permission the devotee has to perform the
holy bath.
О excellent king, the Sraddha too has to be performed duly
to the Pitrs. If this is performed, О excellent king, all the sins
shall perish.
If anyone is curious to know about himself, analysing his
auspicious and inauspicious activities, then listen to his proce
dure as follows:
39-49. After taking the holy bath in the great Tirtha, the
man |p e s ahead rolling. A man of righteous actions goes to
wards the river and a man of evil actions to the opposite side.
V.iii.220.50-55 615
Thereby the evil-doer shall realize his previously accumulated

sins. After taking the holy bath in the excellent Tirtha he should duly
make Dana.
After worshipping Lotanesvara, he is rid of all sins. After
adopting a non-crooked way of life, he is rid of all sins.
Hence, О excellent king, after becoming aware of this by
means of all efforts, all men should bathe at the place where
Нага is present.
After taking the holy bath in accordance with the injunc
tions, О protector of the earth, he should adore and honour
Brahmanas who have mastered the Vedas for the purpose of
quelling all the sins.
О excellent king, that Tirtha has all these good features.
Listen attentively to the greatness of that Tirtha.
A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tirtha, offers
libations to Pitrs and Devas, devoutly performs Sraddha to Pitrs
there and makes Dana (gifts) of cows, plots of land, gingelly
seeds and gold to Brahmanas is honoured in Svargaloka for a
hundred crore and sixty thousand years. He goes to Svarga
seated in an excellent aerial chariot.
At the confluence of Reva and the ocean one gets the same
benefit as one derives through holy bath taken in all the Tirthas
on Narmada.
By giving gold, silver, copper, jewels, pearls, cows and bulls,
plots of land and good grain as charity (Dana), one obtains
everlasting benefit.
Undoubtedly all auspicious and inauspicious actions bear
their fruits.
50-55. Listen to the meritorious benefit of one, whoever
be that man, О Yudhisthira, who casts off his life there in the
Tirtha with devotion.
After sporting about in the Palace of Siva for crores of years,
he is reborn as a Brahmana conversant with the Vedas and
Vedangas in a pure family. He will live for a hundred years
richly endowed with sons and grandsons, wealth and foodgrain.
He shall be free from all ailments.
One attains by worshipping Lotanesvara in the month of
Karttika when the constellation Krttika is present, the same
benefit as acquired by worshipping Somanatha in the course
of twelve pilgrimages.
616 Skanda Ритйпа Ш
О son of KuntI, by visiting Lotanesvara one gets the same

benefit as at Gaya, Ganga, Kuruksetra, Naimisa and Puskara.
A man who devoutly listens to this auspicious text being
read shall go to Rudraloka after being rid of all sins.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYONE
The Greatness of Hamsesvara Tirtha}
Sn Mdrkandeya said:
1-6. Thereafter, О great king, a person should go to an
excellent Tirtha named Hamsesvara on the southern bank of
Reva within two Krosas (4 miles=6 kms.) from Matrtlrtha. It is
meritorious and destructive of mental depression.
Formerly, Harhsa, son of one of Daksa’s daughters born in
the family of Kasyapa, performed a great penance and became
the vehicle of Brahma.
Once, without any direction from Brahma, he became too
impetuous. О Yudhisthira, he was attacked by Sivaganas. He
fled away in the course of the destruction of Daksa's Yajna.
Without bearing Vidhi (Brahma) he became a deserter and
ran away. Even when remembered by Brahma, the bird did not
come to him. So Brahma cursed him and dismissed him from
his office.
Knowing himself to be cursed, Hamsa (Swan) hurriedly ap
proached Brahma, the grandfather, bowed down to him and
requested:
Hamsa said:
7-16. It does not behove you to curse me born of brutish
womb. It is but natural in the case of brutes that the mind is
devoid of discrimination. Still, О Lord, granting that I am a
sinner, that I deserted you, the master, О Pitamaha, I shall tell1
1. /In order to explain the name Hamuivara the legend of the curse of
Brahmft to his vehicle swan for his desertion and Brahma's guidance to
expiate sin of desertion by installing a LiAga on the bank of R ed, is
narrated.
V.iii.221.17-27 617
you how it happened. I became frightened when the fierce

attendants of Sarva rushed at me suddenly. In my fright, I left
you and fled. Even now, О Lord, I see the cause of fear before
me. That was why, even on being remembered by you, I did
not come to you.
ф

Saying this to the Creator, Hamsa heaved sighs in a wretched
manner worshipping him through the eyes (reverential glance):
“O Lord, save, save me, the sinning brute of deluded mind
fallen in front of you. You are the only Lord, the author of
the creation. All these objects of diverse types have been cre
ated by you. Indeed if I have been created by you in this
manner, О Creator, it is verily your own fault.
None other than you is capable of cursing and blessing.
Whom shall I then seek for refuge? I have been a slave but now
dismissed from the service. О dear one, I deserve to be slapped
with the palm of your hand. But save me, your devotee.
Vidyd and Avidyd (knowledge and ignorance) manifested
themselves from you. So also Dharma and Adharma (piety and
impiety), Sat and Asat (good and bad, existent and non-exis
tent), Dyu and Nisa (day and night). You create the different
aspects of the universe. Such a uniquj one I seek as refuge.
In view of your single and multifarious activities, you are
single and also have many forms. You are devoid of activity as
well as engaged in all activities. Hence I seek refuge in you.
Obeisance, obeisance to the most excellent one! Obeisance,
obeisance to the bestower of boons! Obeisance to the creator
and dispense! Obeisance, obeisance to one who is worthy of
being the refuge!
О Lord, what can this speech of mine bereft of the essence
of letters and learning offer by way of eulogy? What is my
power? What is my knowledge? Forgive this utterance of mine.”

17-27. Even as Hamsa was submitting this Brahma, de
lighted in his mind, said: “You have been granted learning
(knowledge), O-bird, do not be sorry. Purify yourself through
penance so that^you will attain the end of the curse. By taking
618 Skanda P aran a
я
the holy bath render service unto Reva. After installing Mahesvara,
you will attain your original status ere long.
The benefit of installing Siva is the same as is attained after
performing many Yajnas with the full complement of excellent
monetary gifts and Dana of crores of cows and gold.
By installing Siva on the banks of Reva, one is rid of all sins
whether he be slayer of a Rrahmana, imbiber of liquor, thief
of gold or defiler of the bed of preceptor.
Hence, by installing the Three-eyed Lord on the banks of
Bharga-sarit (Reva) you shall be rid of all faults and attain the
excellent office.и
On being told thus by Brahma, the excellent bird became
delighted and contented. Saying “Yes, so be it” he hurried to
the excellent banks of Narmada.
After performing austerities for some time, he installed Sankara
after his own name, the excellent Hamsesvara, О excellent
descendant of Bharata. By adoring this deity, the most excel
lent bird attained the greatest position.
О Yudhigthira, one should go to the Hamsesvara Tlrtha,
take the holy bath and worship Paramesana. He is rid of sins.
By eulogizing the Lord with thorough concentration of mind,
one can avert wretchedness.
О excellent descendant of Bharata, by performing Sraddha,
offering a lamp and feeding Brahmanas to the extent of one's
capacity, one is honoured in Svargaloka.
О son of KuntI, a person should adore Siva once or thrice
a day and make gift of a recently calved cow to an excellent
Brahmana. He is honoured in Sivaloka for sixty thousand years.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYTWO
The Greatness of Tiladesvara Tirtha
iin Маткапфуа said:

1-10. N ext to it within a Krosa (3 Kins.) is the excellent
Til&da T lrth a w here a devotee should go thereafter. It was
th ere th a t Jabali gained purity by eating gingelly seeds.
V.iii.222.11-16 619
He was full of defects and faults. He had abandoned his

father and mother. He coveted the wife of his brother. He was
a sinful seller of his son. He deceived his preceptor. Being full
of such sinful faults, wherever he went he was insulted and
rejected by good people, О descendant of Bharata. No one
cared to associate with him even in the assemblies.
Thus the Brahmana became excessively ashamed, О king.
He worried over this for a long time because he was not aware
of any means of attaining sanctity.
He performed pilgrimages to all the Tlrthas. He took his
bath in Reva, after reaching Arnavopanla (the vicinity of the
sea) on the southern bank of Narmada. There, О son of KuntI,
Jabali stayed and began eating gingelly seeds.
He started by eating gingelly seeds once a day; then on
alternate days; and gradually once in three days, six days, twelve
days, fifteen days and a month.
He observed the vows of Krcchra, Candrayana etc. with
gingelly seeds. Thus a regular gingelly seed cater, he reached
the seventy-second year.
As time passed on Isvara became pleased with him and granted
him purity here and hereafter and also Sdlokya salvation (the
state of being present in the same world as the Lord).
That Lord was installed, О foremost one among the descen
dants of Bharata, by him. The deity was called after his own
name. The deity got the name Tiladesvara all over the world.
11-16. Ever since then, this Tirtha became very famous as
being destructive of sins. A person should take his holy bath
there in that Tirtha on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days.
He should observe fast on Harivasara (i.e. eleventh day). He
must perform Н о та with Tila (gingelly seeds). He shall smear
himself with gingelly seeds instead of unguents. He must use
gingelly seeds for bath and offer gingelly seeds with water. He
must give gingelly seeds as gifts and eat gingelly seeds. (Thus)
he is rid of different kinds of sins.
He must fill the Linga with gingelly seeds. He must offer
lamps with the gingelly oil. He attains Rudra Loka. He sanc
tifies his family till the seventh generation.
О excellent king, by offering the balls of gingelly seeds at
the time of Sra<Jflha all the ancestors who had committed pro
hibited actions {Vikarmasthas) attain the desired goal.
620 Skanda Purana
»
Those who are staying in Svargaloka derive everlasting sat

isfaction and rejoice as a result of the Sraddhas and Brahman a-
feeding. They rejoice for many years.
The man takes the members of the three families viz. that
of father, that of mother and that of wife, to heaven after
redeeming them.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYTHREE
The Greatness of Vdsavesvara Tirtha
Sn Mdrkandeya said:
1-11. Within a Krosa therefrom, О son of KuntI, is the
excellent Vasava Tirtha. There the Vasus stayed for twelve years
and installed the deity.
The eight Vasus are: Dhara, Dhruva, Soma, Apa, Anila, Anala,
Pratyu$a and Prabhasa.
Formerly, О descendant of Bharata, they were distressed
due to the curse of Pitr (father, ancestor) that condemned
them to stay within womb. They came to the Tirtha on Narmada
and performed penance with the sense-organs fully controlled.
They propitiated the great immutable Lord of Bhavanl for
twelve years. О great king, Mahesvara was delighted thereby.
He became visible to them and granted them excellent de
sired boons. Thereupon the Vasus installed Mahesvara called
after their own name. SaAkara being (then) pleased, they went
away passing through the firmament.
Ever since then that Tirtha became well-known after the
name of Vasus. О great king, a devotee should worship Siva
with easily available offerings. Lights should be offered assidu
ously on the eighth day in the bright half of a month. The
devotee should offer the same everyday as per his capacity, He
should stay in the vicinity of Siva for eight thousand years.
Then he enters Siva's abode. He never resides in a womb.
A devotee who worships Lord Ildna with flowers, tender
sprouts, fruits and foodgrain shall never meet with wretched
ness. Freed from all griefs, he is honoured in Svargaloka.
V.iii.224.1-12 621
О son of KuntI, one who is able to stay at least one day in

the Vasavesvara Tirtha shall shake off heaps of sins and rejoice
in heaven like the Sun. He should devoutly feed Brahmanas
and give clothes and monetary gifts.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYFOUR
The Greatness of Kotlsvara Tirtha
Sn Markandeya said:
• • «
1-6. Thereafter, О son of KuntI, there is the great Kotlsvara

Tirtha within a Krosa therefrom. If the holy bath, Dana, Japa,
Нота, adoration etc. are performed devoutly by men, they will
have a crore-fold more benefit.
There Devas, Gandharvas, Sages, Siddhas, Caracas etc., go
towards the ocean to see Narmada. They gathered there in
crores, О king, at the confluence of Reva and the ocean. They
experienced unparalleled joy on visiting the confluence of Reva
and the sea.
___ ф
They took their holy bath. They installed Siva, the great
Isvara named Kotlsvara and adored him in accordance with the
injunctions, with their respective devotion.
Thus by propitiating Sarva in Kotitlrtha they attained great
Siddhi. Hence that Tirtha is unparalleled among all the TIrthas,
meritorious and the most excellent. Whatever is performed
there, auspicious or inauspicious, О tiger among kings, shall
give crore-fold fruit.
7-12. There in the Tirtha, the excellent sages who are sta
tioned on the southern bank go to the eternal state of Siddhas
and also to the excellent Pitrloka. Those who stay on the northern
bank of Narmada go to Devaloka. This is my firm opinion.
A devotee should worship Mahesvara with the flowers of
Bilva, Arka, Dhattura, Kusa and Kasa as well as other seasonal
flowers, make offerings of various nature duly and with utter
ance of Mantras as per injunctions, О Yudhi&hira, and propi
tiate Dhiiijati with incense, lamps, Arghya and Naivedya. Thereby
he attains £ivafoka and remains there for the duration of the
reign of fourteen Indras.
622 Skanda Parana
Adoration performed on the eighth day in the dark half of

the month of Pau?a is remembered as of special significance.
О excellent king» the eighth and fourteenth days of all months
also are good. On those days» a devotee should adore Siva and
honour Brahmanas of excellent nature by feeding them de
voutly.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYFIVE
The Greatness of Alikesvara Tirtha

1-5. Thereafter, a devotee should go to the excellent Alika
Tirtha within a distance of a Krosa (S Kms.) therefrom.
There was a Gandharva female named Alika. Her habits
were foul and her mind crooked. She was granddaughter
(daughter’s daughter) of Citrasena. She went to Sage Vidyananda,
wooed him and was accepted by him. She resorted to him for
ten years.
For some reason, she killed her husband while he was asleep.
She then went to her father Ratnavallabha and told him this.
Hence she was abandoned by her father and mother, О
king, and rebuked by many: “You are the murderess of foetus
and of husband. So do not show us your face. О murderess of
a Brahman a, О sinful woman, go away. You have been aban
doned. Go away from the house.”

6-13. Thus the deluded woman, on being sternly rebuked
by both of them, felt inclined to cast off her body after resort
ing to some Tirtha somewhere.
О Yudhi$(hira, she went on enquiring about various Tlrthas
from Brahmanas and heard that the Tirtha at the confluence
of Reva and the ocean was destructive of sins,
О son of Kunti, she performed penance there and observed
expiatory fasts such as Krcchra, Atikfcchra, Paraka, Maha-
s&ntapana etc.
V.iii.225.14-22 62S
Through the vows of Candrayana and Brahmakurca she got

her body emaciated. Thus, О king, a hundred and fifty years
passed off in penance including meditations, adorations etc.,
of Siva, since she desired (self-) purification.
After a few days, Siva came to know of her ardent resolution.
On being induced by Parvatl, the delighted Siva spoke to her:
Isvara said:
О daughter, do not be rash. Now you are pure in your body.
I am pleased now with your penance. Choose your desired
boon.
Alika said:
О Lord of Devas, if you are pleased, (and) if I am consid
ered to be worthy of boons, do grant me perfect purity. I have
already been awfully scorched by diverse kinds of fiery sins. I
am helpless and you are my Lord. You alone are the preceptor
of the worlds, the redeemer of the wretched and the helpless,
the deity worthy of being refuge unto all a embodied beings.
Isvara said:
14-22. О fair lady, you have become purified in body; do
not feel acutely aggrieved. Instal me here designating me after
your name. Thereby you will attain heaven.
After saying this, the Lord of chiefs of Devas vanished there

itself. Alika, thereupon, devoutly took her holy bath, installed
Sankara and made liberal gifts to Brahmanas. She attained the
highly exalted region.
О Yudhisthira, she went back to her father and mother. She
m m *
was duly honoured by them as well as by her other kinsmen.

Seated on an excellent aerial chariot and wearing divine gar
lands, О king, she went to the world of Gauri. Even today she
rejoices as the female companion of the goddess.
Ever since then, О son of KuntI, that Tirtha became famous
as Alikesvara. О Yudhisthira, any devotee, man or woman, who
takes his holy bath there in the Tirtha and devoutly worships
Mahadeva accompanied by Uma, shall be rid of all sins. He
attains the world of SaAkara.
624 Skanda Parana
л
By feeding Brahmanas always, one gets rid of all sins, mental,

verbal or physical. Whatever sin was committed before, gets
dissolved.
By offering lamps to the deity, one can avert attacks of
ailments. By offering incense, utensil, ornamental frame, bell
and waterpot to the deity, О great king, one shall obtain the
world of Sankara.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYSIX
The Greatness of Vimalesvara Tirtha
&П Markandeya said:

1-10. Within a distance of a Krosa therefrom is that meri
torious Tirtha Vimalesvara. By taking holy bath there, offering
Dana, performing Japa, Н ота, Arcana etc., and by propitiating
the deity Vimalesvara, one will obtain whatever one desires,
whether it be the acquisition of heavenly pleasures or petty
worldly things.
Formerly, it was due to the great power of this Tirtha that
Satakratu (Indra) attained perfect purity after killing Trisiras,
the son of Tva$$r.
It was there that a Brahmana, Vedanidhi, performed a very
great penance formerly and became pure like the Sun, even
as the diverse impurities of Karma became feeble. Due to the
favour of Mahadeva, he became pleasing to the eyes like the
Moon.
Formerly Bhanu (Sun) became tormented by the arrows of
Smara (Cupid) and coveted Bhanumatl, his own daughter. Due
to that sin he became afflicted with Ku$tharoga (leprosy). He
too performed a penance here and attained purity. By the
grace of Mah&deva who was pleased, he regained his position
and rejoiced.
Similar, О son o f KuntI, is th e case of the saintly son of
Vibh&Qtjtaka. H e had been associating with Yogins in forest b u t
c a n ^ n t o contact with th e king. H e considered him self ex
trem ely defiled due to the defect o f the contact with th e king.
V.iii.226.11-23 625
Along with Santa, his wife, he approached the confluence of

Reva and the ocean. He performed penance for twelve years.
Through Krcchra and Candrayana, the sage propitiated the
Three-eyed Lord. By the grace of Mahadeva who was pleased
he regained his purity.
11-18. Formerly, О king, Sarva was instigated by Sarvani
to infatuate the wives of sages in Daruvana. Thereupon he saw
himself Samala (defiled by impurity) and considered the confluence
of Narmada and the ocean as the greatest holy spot. О great
king, he stayed there with Uma and performed penance. Since
he became Vimala (free from impurity), the deity is called
Vimalesvara. He himself stayed there by that name with a desire
for the welfare of all the worlds.
Then there is the story of Brahma. The grandfather of the
worlds created Tilottama. After creating her and seeing the
charming lady in front, he was overpowered by Bhavi-yoga-bala,
the force of inevitability of the future (course of events). Though
Lord of all the subjects, he became her lover.
Thereby he felt himself guilty and sinful. He resorted to the
banks. of Reva. Observing the vow of silence he visited the
Tlrthas. He took bath thrice a day remembering Siva. He then
took his holy bath at the confluence of Reva and the ocean
and worshipped Sankara. In a short time, О saintly king, Brahma
too became free from impurities.
Thus many other excellent Devas, sages and kings eschewed
the impurities of sins and became pure.
Similarly, О leading king, by taking the holy bath and ador
ing Siva there, you too shall attain excellent purity, although
you are already pure.
19-23. A person whether a man or a woman should take
the holy bath there and worship Mahesvara. Thereby he shall
be rid of sins and defects and become honoured in Brahmaloka.
He who observes fast and visits Vimalesvara, О king, on the
eighth and fourteenth lunar day and on all festive occasions,
gets rid of the sins committed in the course of seven births and
goes to £ivalaya. The person should perform Sraddha in accor
dance with the injunctions and be free from the indebtedness
to the Pitrs.
He should feed Brahmanas in accordance with his capacity
and offer them monetary gifts.
626 Skanda P arana
Whatever one likes most in the world, whatever is beneficial

to him in the house should be given to a person of good
qualities, if the donor desires everlasting benefit. By offering
gold, foodgrain, clothes, umbrellas, shoes, waterpot etc., and
constructing temples according to his capacity, one shall be
come a king on the earth. He should propitiate Paramesvara
through songs, dances and tales (about the deity).
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYSEVEN
Special Injunctions regarding the Pilgrimage

ф

1-10. Thus, succinctly and in accordance with their impor
tance these TIrthas have been recounted to you. О son of
Paiidu, no one is competent to enumerate in detail all the
TIrthas.
This river Narmada is sacred and pure. It is well-known in
all the three worlds. She is the most excellent of all the rivers,
and a favourite of Mahadeva.
If anyone always remembers mentally and reflects on Narmada,
О king, he obtains quickly the excellent benefit of a hundred
Canqlrayanas.
Persons who have no faith, those who are atheists fall into
the terrible Naraka. So said Paramesvara.
Lord Mahesvara himself resorts to Narmada always. Hence
the river should be known as meritorious and destroyer of the
sin of Brahmana-slaughter.
This river born from the person of Mahesvara is mentioned
as Mahesvari Ganga (Gariga of Mahesvara); О Yudhis(hira, she
is called the Southern Ganga of Bharata.
Jahnavi is the Vai$Qavi Ganga, Sarasvatl is Brahml Ganga.
There is no doubt about this that Reva is Mahesvari Gang&.
Just as in the form of the Supreme Puru$a (Being) the Lord
has adopted Traimurtatva (trinityhood, being three gods) i.e.
Brahma, V iû and Mahesa in one and there is no difference
aihong them, so also, О son of Kunti, do not think that there
is any difference among the three rivers.
V.iii.227.11-19 627
On the two banks of Reva, there are Tirthas in thousands,

hundred thousands and crores, О descendant of Bharata.
The Tirthas are situated in water, on ground and in firma
ment and among trees. Who is competent to decisively fix
their number, be he the Lord of Speech or Mahesvara?
11-19. By remembering Reva, sins committed in the course
of a single birth perish. By visiting it the sins of three births
perish. By taking the holy plunge into Reva, the sins commit
ted in the course of seven births perish.
If a devotee takes his bath in Reva, it is as good as a task
of Devas performed by him, Н о та in the sacrificial fires duly
performed and as the four Vedas fully studied by him.
The Tirthas have been recounted to you succinctly and in
accordance with their importance.
О son of KuntI, the details can neither be recounted by me
nor heard by you.
Yudhisthira said:
* •
Tell me the procedure, the Yamas (restrictions) and Niyamas

(regulations). Tell me further how to understand the meaning
of expiation.

You have asked pertinently, О great king, regarding what is
conducive to welfare in the other world. Listen attentively. I
shall tell you everything as I know.
One should perform acts of a permanent nature by means
of the body that is non-permanent. The Pranas (vital airs) shall
surely go away like guests. One should extract the essential
from the inessential viz. Dana from wealth, truth from the
word (speech), piety and glory from life and benevolence from
the body (through physical activity).
It is heard that Kala (Eternal Time, god of Death) cooks
living beings in this big cauldron of deep-rooted illusion by
■
means of fire in the form of the sun, where night and day serve
the purpose of fuel, tossing and stirring with the ladle in the
form of months and seasons.
628 Skanda Purana9
It behoves you to carry on your duties hereafter completely

knowing what is prescribed by the injunctions of the scriptural
texts. Neither this world nor the other one can bring in hap
piness to a person of suspicious, hesitating nature.
20-29a. The achievement of result from the following is
correlated with the faith of the person concerned: Mantra,
Tfrtha, Brahmana, godhead, astrologer, medicine and precep
tor.
If а Н о та is performed without faith (and scrupulous care)
gift is made, penance is performed and pious act is done simi
larly, without faith, О son of KuntI, it is called Asat (false). It
has no value either here or hereafter.
He who disregards the procedure laid down in the scriptural
texts and acts capriciously, does not achieve fulfilment, nor
happiness nor the greatest goal.
Of course, there are diverse means for the purification of
the bodies of men. But no means of purifying one's body can
be on a par with resorting to Tirthas.
Purification is possible (firstly) through Krcchra, Candrayana
and other observances or secondly by resorting to Tirthas.
When a person proceeds towards a Tlrtha, О king, Devas
and Pitrs too follow him moving in the sky. They follow him
with great delight.
___ *
The devotee performs all these rites: Sraddha for the pur
pose of prosperity, taking leave of the deity and beloved kins
men, the adoration of Visnu and Sankara and of the Lord of
the Gap as etc.
After being formally permitted by Brahmanas he should take
up the regulations of the vows and proceed ahead. Only one
who practises these restraints can attain the benefit of Tlrtha,
О excellent king: eating food once a day, celibacy, lying down
on the ground, truthful speech, avoidance of food from other
people, abstention from accepting monetary gifts, avoidance
of hatred, deception etc.
He shall adopt the guise of a saintly person; he should be
modest and free from hypocrisy and arrogance.
29b»38a. He whose hands, feet and mind are under con
trol, and possesses learning, austerity and fame attains the
benefit of the Tlrtha.
О eminent king, one who is free from anger, addicted to
V.iii.227.38b-49 629
truth, steadfast in vows and regards himself equal with other

living beings attains the benefit of the Tlrtha.
Except in the case of Kuruksetra, Visala, Viraj a and Gaya,
tonsuring of the head and observance of fast is universally
applicable in all the Tlrthas.
Holy bath, adoration of the deity, offering of balls of rice
during Sraddha and feeding Brahmanas in accordance with
one's capacity is the general practice in all the Tirthas.
Listen attentively, О son of Kuntl, I shall recount the pro
cedure in regard to one who sets out on pilgrimage for the
sake of expiation with the mind fully restrained.
He shall take food only once a day. He shall be celibate. His
food shall be without salt. After taking bath (elsewhere) he
should proceed towards the Tlrtha (for another bath). His sole
food should be Havisya (sacrificial food cooked in ghee). He
should avoid conversation with a fallen person. He shall not
indulge in talking too much.
He should eschew calumny, association with base ones and
food from others. He should wear two cloths but be bare
footed. He should be clean.
He should make the Samkalpa (ritualistic affirmation of in
tention) mentally and set out after formal permission. After
going to the Tlrtha and taking the bath he should perform the
adoration of the deity. If he is in a mood to repent and regret
he shall be rid of all evil actions.
38b-49. The achievement of results and fulfilment in re
gard to the following is in accordance with the faith: Vedas,
Tlrthas, Deities, astrologers, medicine and preceptor.
In Puranas and Smrtis, the benefits of visiting a Tlrtha have
been stated, О leading descendant of Bharata. A devotee should
not suspect that such statements are Arthavadas (euphemistic
utterances). He shall then reflect upon what is stated in the
scriptural texts and come to a proper decision.
In regard to persons incapable of performing Krcchra rites
physically the procedure for purification is as follows: He shall
perform expiation after knowing the (efficacy of) a particular
Tlrtha.
Listen, О great king, to that inasmuch as it is relevant to
Narmada, If the man sets out from a distance of twenty-four
Yojanas, he shall obtain the auspicious benefit of twenty-four
Krcchras.
630 Skanda Parana»
In regard to the Yojanas beyond this Padakrcchra (one-fourth

of the Krcchra) is proclaimed for one who sets out with a
desire for purity (sanctity) as to the place within this range,
the expiation occurs at every Yojana space according to learned
men.
О great king, in the Tirtha named after Pranava i.e. Omkaresvara
TIrtha, in the confluence of Reva and Uri and in Bhrguksetra
the benefit is remembered as double the previous one. In the
confluence of the celestial river, in $ulabheda as well as in the
confluence of Karaja, О excellent king, it is a quarter less than
the double.
Some say that it is thrice in the confluence of Erandl, the
confluence of Kapila and also in the confluence of Kubja and
Reva.
О great king, in Omkara also that shall be proper and relevant.
Similar is the case in the confluences of other rivers also with Reva.
О Yudhi$thira, they say that the previous benefit is (on a
par) with two Krcchras. In the confluence of Reva and the
ocean, he attains (the benefit of) thrice the Krcchra.
50-59. О Yudhisthira, the Krcchra in the Suklatlrtha is
mentioned as four times (in benefit). Going by the stages of
a Yojana, a devotee should stay there for some time, О excel
lent king. Thus he shall cover twenty-four Yojanas. Thus con
tinuing the service unto Reva, perfectly united in the Yogic
state, the devotee should be devoid of hypocrisy and arrogance
and equipped with pure intellect for the purpose of sanctity.
He shall be liberated.
Thus, О son of KuntI, the characteristics of the topic of
expiation have been recounted to you. The procedure regard
ing the pilgrimage to Reva should be guarded as a secret.
*
Yudhisthira said:
О sage, tell me the measure of Yojana. By understanding it,
it will certainly cause the purification of my mind.
i n Markandeya said:
Listen, О son of Pandu, I shall describe the extent of the
measure of a Yojana. So also I shall describe the special fea
tures regarding the Krcchra with reference to the concerned
pilgrimage.
V.iii.227.60-67 631
They say that the measure of an Ahgula is the length of

eight Yava-grain or more placed obliquely or three Vrlhis (rice-
grain). Twelve Angulas make one Vitasti. Two make one
Hasta (Hand, about 18 Inches). Four Hastas constitute one
Dhanus (bow). The same is called Danda by those conversant
with the specialities of measurements. Two thousand Dhanus
constitute one Krosa. Four Krosas make one Yojana. Thus, О
bull among the descendants of Bharata, the measure of Yojana
has been recounted to you.
Thereby the devotee making his pilgrimage understands the
measure of the benefit too acquired by him.
О Excellent king, the benefit of Krcchra has already been
recounted in respect to the Tlrtha in the form of water. As and
when special features crop up I shall mention them in those
contexts. Even as it is being mentioned to you who have faith,
О king, listen to it.
60-67. The benefit of Krcchra etc., has been mentioned
in the Tlrtha. There too the devotee attains the benefit of
Krcchra through Uposana (fast) also. One obtains the benefit
of Krcchra through Dinajdpya (uttering of the names of the
deity in the day time) also within one’s capacity.
After taking the holy bath in the Tlrtha and visiting, wor
shipping and bowing down to the Lord of Dcvas well-known
there, a man obtains the benefit of the Krcchra, О son of
KuntT.
The main benefit of a Tlrtha is through the holy bath. The
second benefit is through fasts. The third benefit is through
the visit, adoration etc. of the well known deity cited. The
fourth benefit is through Japa day and night within one's physical
capacity. The fifth benefit in regard to all the Tlrthas has to
be reckoned on the basis of the distance.
One who has come within a range of a Yojana from the
banks obtains a tenth of the benefit accruing from the Tlrtha
concerned. No hesitation need be felt in this regard.
Taking a plunge in a Mahanadl (big river) together with
observance of fast (even if) within a range of a Yojana, shall
accord the benefit of Krcchra to men, О son of Kuntl.
Kulyd is a stream flowing to a distance of six Yojanas. Those
that flow twelve Yojanas are called Alpanadts (small rivers).
Those that flow twenty-four Yojanas are Nadts. Mahanadis are
rivers that flow to a greater distance.
632 Skanda Parana
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYEIGHT
The Benefit of Pilgrimage by Proxy

Yudhi$thira said:
1-9. О excellent sage, О storehouse of mercy, if one under
takes pilgrimage for the sake of another, what is the extent of
benefit? Who gets the benefit?
5ri Mdrkandeya said:
Listen, О king, to what 1 say in regard to the pilgrimage on
behalf of others. How much shall be the benefit accrued? How
should it be performed?1
Resorting to Tirthas should never be undertaken in this
world on behalf of a baser one by a person of superior caste
through greed for money etc.
О great king, a learned man should perform a pious action
himself. If there is no physical strength or another pressing
matter intervenes, one should get the pious activity usually
done through a person of one’s own caste. A pious rite got
done through sons, grandsons etc., or kinsmen of the same
Gotra is the ideal things, they say, О Yudhisthira. Hence it is
better that one gets them alone to do the work. Neither through
one of a higher caste nor through one of a lower caste (should
it be got done).
It is my opinion that a rite performed through a baser man
is not proper. A superior one performing the rite on behalf
of an inferior one may result in wretchedness.
One should not give knowledge, leavings of food or Havis
to a Sudra. He should not be taught righteous and pious rites
nor should he be initiated in Vratas.
The following six things cause downfall of women and Sudras:
Japa, penance, pilgrimage, renunciation of the world, practice
of Mantras and initiation for the adoration of a deity.
10-18. A woman with husband (alive) meets with downfall *
(if she undertakes any of these). A widow can perform every

thing. If the husband cannot perform, the wife should perform
with his permission.
If one goes on pilgrimage for the sake of another, he will
get one-sixteenth of the benefit. If one goes to a Tirtha inci-
t
dentally, one gets half of the benefit.

V.iii.229.1-8 6SS
If one undertakes pilgrimage accompanying another and

takes the holy bath, he gets the benefit of the bath but not
the benefit of the pilgrimage, as mentioned in the scriptural
texts, namely destruction of sins.
A man who takes the holy bath on behalf of the following,
gets one-eighth of the benefit: father, paternal uncle, mother,
maternal grandfather, maternal uncle, brother, father-in-law,
son, patron, grandmother, preceptor, sister, mother’s sister,
granddaughter, instructor and others.
One doing directly so on behalf of parents shall attain one-
fourth of the benefit. Learned men say that the benefit is half
in the case of mutual service (of husband and wife). A man
obtains a sixth, a third, a fifth and a fourth of the benefit, if
he performs a rite on behalf of a sister’s son, disciple, brother’s
son or own son.
Thus, О son of Kuntl, the performance of sacred rites on
behalf of others should be undertaken by kinsmen as tradition
ally practised. The procedure thereof has been recounted to
you.
At the advent of rainy season, all the rivers are Rajasvalfis
(like women in their monthly courses) excepting Gaiiga, Yamuna,
Sarasvatl and Narmada.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWENTYNINE

The Benefit of Listening to this Purana
1-8. Thus, О king, the Purana, the scriptural text of piety
and holy rites has been recounted to you as narrated by Vayu
in the celestial assembly, thanks to the pleasure of Siva.
There are sixty crore sixty thousand Tirthas in the begin
ning, middle and the end of Narmada at every step.
The Samhita consisting of twelve thousand verses1was heard
by me even as the Lord of Devas narrated it. It has now been
recounted to you.
1. W 3-4 stale that this Purana (Revn Khanda) consists of 12,000 verses and
was narrated on Mt. Anianrakantaka.
634 Skanda Purina»
While I was staying on Mountain Amarakan(aka, О king, I

was asked by you. Everything has been succinctly recounted to
you now.
Listen to the meritorious activity of Narmada. It gives the
same benefit as listening to the recitation of all the Vedas
along with the six Angas in the Pada and Krama manner.
It may even be more. When the narrative of the divine river
is heard, one attains the same benefit as is gained by a person
by performing a twelve-year Satra (sacrifice lasting twelve years).
By taking the holy bath once in Narmada, one attains the
same benefit as is obtained by the holy bath taken in all the
Tirthas including the ocean. The narrative of the activity of
Narmada is auspicious at the beginning, middle and end.
9-15. Listen to the meritorious benefit accruing unto a man
*
who hears the splendid story of Narmada. He attains Siva's

holy region and becomes an attendant of Rudra and rejoices
along with him surrounded by Rudrakanyas.
If the pious text of the narrative, the most excellent one
among all scriptural texts, is kept in the house of anyone belonging
to any of the four castes,1 О descendant of Bharata, whether
he is in a city or a village, country, rural area or in a big land,
he is Brahma, Siva himself and Lord Janardana.
There are three good causes in the world, of which the path
of Dharma is the most excellent. It is the weighty scriptural
text of Devas too. It is the great cause of Siddhi. О son of
KuntI, I heard it directly from the mouth of Isvara and re
counted to you.
All the meritorious Tirthas situated on the southern or northern
bank (of Narmada) have been particularly described according
to their importance. One who visits, touches, glorifies and listens
to them, is liberated from all sins and goes to Rudraloka.
16-24. If this Purana uttered by Siva is listened to always,
a Brahmana becomes a knower of the Vedic lore, a K$atriya
becomes victorious, a Vaisya earns much wealth and a Sudra
becomes righteous.
On hearing this a woman attains conjugal felicity, progeny,
wealth and heavenly pleasures.
A Brahmana-slayer. a drink-addict, a thief and a defiler of
1. This generous ourlook is noteworthy.

V.iii.229.25-28 685
preceptor's bed etc., become rid of sins on listening to the

greatness of Narmada.
A sinner creating dissension, an ungrateful one, a servant
guilty of the breach of master’s trust, a cow-slayer, one who
administers poison and one who sells his daughter—all these
undoubtedly are rid of sins after listening to it.
О king, those devotees of purified souls, who always listen
to it and adore it, are blessed. It is as though Devas, precep
tors, Narmada and Lord Mahesvara—all these are adored by
them.
Hence this scripture becomes a bestower of benefits, when
assiduously adored with great devotion through sweet scents,
flowers and ornaments.
One who gets the entire auspicious story of Narmada writ
ten and makes a gift of it to a Brahmana attains that benefit
which accrues from holy baths and Dana performed in all The
Tirthas of Narmada. There is no doubt about it.
25-28. This Purana narrated by Rudra is a bestower of
great meritorious benefits, heavenly pleasures, progeny, wealth,
fame and glory. It is destructive of all sins, О son of KuntI, and
dispels misery and evil dreams.
It is a bestower of all Siddhis of cherished desires and wealth
on those who read and listen.
May there be peace! May there be welfare! May all the people
be free from ailments! Hail unto cows and Brahmanas! May
piety be our resort, О son of Dharma!
Reva is the destroyer of Narakas. It sanctifies the whole
universe through the Tirthas thereof. О son of Kunti, may
Narmada be a bestower of piety and all-round welfare on you
always!
636 Skanda Purana
л
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED THIRTY

The Series of Tirthas Enumerated)
Suta said:
1*10. After saying this to the son of Pandu, the saintly son
of Mrkagda, the wise sage who remembered the events of seven
Kalpas, stopped.
Everything connected with the excellent greatness of Reva
has been recounted to you, О excellent ones, in the way it was
recounted to the son of KuntI by Sage Markanda.
This meritorious, excellent river Reva, the sole sanctifier of
the universe, was born of the body of Rudra. It accords free
dom from fear unto all living beings.
To the son of Dharma who had requested him (to narrate),
the scion of the family of Bhrgu narrated the different confluences
and Tirthas from Omkara to Jaladhi (from the shrine of
Omkaresvara to the .ocean).
О sages, I shall briefly tell you. How can all the sixty crore
sixty seven thousand Tirthas be recounted by any one? Even
in the course of hundreds of years it is not possible.
Yet, О excellent sages, in the manner it was narrated to the
son of KuntI, I shall enumerate the auspicious series of Tirthas
beginning with the holy place Omkara. Even as it is being
enumerated briefly, О great sages, be pleased to listen.
After bowing to Mahesana along with Uma, after bowing
down to both Brahma and Acyuta, Sarasvatl, Ganesana, the
lotus-like feet of Vedavyasa, all the preceptors of yore, the
knowers of seen and unseen objects, after bowing down to the
divine river Narmada, I shall enumerate this series of holy
spots.
Om obeisance to Omkaresvara, the omniformed one, the
immanent soul of all, beginning with whom, О Brahmanas, I
shall enumerate the series of Reva Tirthas.
11-20. In this splendid and auspicious series of Reva Tirthas
enumerated by Markanda the following are dealt with one by
one: the chapters on Puranasamhit&s: The description of the
hermitage of Markanda; then the Prasnadhikara (the section
1. This is an old way of presenting ‘Table of Contents'.

V.iii.2S0.21-30 637
of questions asked); then the praise of Narmada; the glorifi

cation of the fifteen flowing currents;
The clarification of the names; the origins of the Kalpas; the
enumeration of the names of twenty-one Kalpas;
The characteristic features of the seven Kalpas experienced
by Markandeya; the greatness of Reva as well as that of Siva
and Vi$nu;
Characteristics of Samhara (Annihilation) and the origin of
Omkara; the greatness of Omkara; the glorification of Amarankata;
Amaresvara Tirtha; the great Daruvana; Darukesvara Tirtha
and Carukesvara Tirtha;
Carukasangama confluence; Vyatlpatesvara; Patalesvara Tirtha
and that (Tirtha) which is called Kopyajna;
Varunesvara Tirtha and the hundred eight Lingas; Siddhesvara;
Yamesa and Brahmesvara thereafter;
Sarasvata; Astarudra; Savitra; that which is called Soma; the
great Tirtha Sivakhata and Rudravarta, О excellent Brahmanas;
The great Brahmavarta Tirtha; then Suryavarta; Pippalavarta
Tirtha and the confluence of Pippali;
21-30. The greatness of Amarakanta; the confluence of
Kapila (with Reva); the origin of Visalya; the glorification of
Bhrgutunga Mountain;
The meritorious confluence of Visalya; the confluence of
Karamarda; Karamardesvara Tirtha; the excellent Cakratirtha;
The confluence of Nilaganga; the annihilation of Tripuras;
the glorification of Tirthas and Dana; the Madhiika Trtiya
Vrata;
Apsaresvara Tirtha; the injunction regarding hurling of the
body; the Tirtha named Jvalesvara Tirtha the confluence of
Jvala;
Sakratirtha; Kusavarta; Haiiisatirtha; Ambarisa\s Tirtha and
Mahakalesvara;
Matrkesvara Tirtha; description of Bhrgu Tunga; the great
ness of Bhairava there; glorification of Capalesvara;
The greatness of Caiidapani, the confluence of Kaveri;
Kuberesvara Tirtha and the confluence of Varahi;
The confluence of Candavega; Candesvara Tirtha; the meri
torious confluence of Eraridi; the excellent Erandesvara Tirtha;
Pitrtirtha there itself and the origin of Omkara there; the
greatness of the five Lingas of Omkara, О leading sages;
638 Skanda Purana»
The greatness of Kofi Tlrtha; and Kakahrada TIrtha;

Jambukesvara Tirtha; and Sarasvata Tlrtha thereafter;
31-40. The confluence of Kapila and Kapilesvara Tirtha;
Daitya-Siidana Tirtha and Cakra Tirtha; Vamana Tirtha;
They know of a hundred thousand Tirthas in the eastern
confluence of Kapila; then the characteristics of Svarga and
Naraka as described by the sage;
The structure and internal arrangement of the human body;
the description of the gift of a cow; Asokavanika Tirtha and
the description of Matanga’s hermitage;
Asokesvara Tirtha; the excellent Matangesvara; the merito
rious forest of deer; Manoratha Tirtha there;
The confluence of Angaragarta; the excellent Angaresvara;
Meghavana Tirtha; the enumeration of the names of the god
dess;
The confluence of Kubja; Kubjesvara Tirtha; Bilvamraka Tirtha;
the Purnadvipa Tirtha thereafter;
The confluence of Hiranyagarbha of meritorious glorifica
tion; the Tirtha named Dvipesvara;, the meritorious Yajnesvara;
Mandavyasrama Tirtha; the confluence of Visoka; the Tirtha
named Vagisvara; the meritorious confluence of Vagu;
Sahasravartaka Tirtha there; Saugandhika; the confluence
of Sarasvati; the excellent Isana Tirtha;
Devatatraya Tirtha; Sulakhata thereafter; Brahmoda; Sankara;
Saumya; and Sarasvata thereafter.
41-50. Sahasrayajna Tirtha; Kapalamocana; Agneya; Aditisa;
the excellent Varaha Tirtha; ф
Devapatha Tirtha; Yajnasah asraka Tirtha; Sukla Tirtha; Diptikesa;

Visnu Tirtha; Yodhana;
Narmadesvara Tirtha; Varunesa; Maruta; Yogesa; Rohini Tirtha;
and Darutirtha, О excellent ones;
Brahmavarta; Patresa; Vahna; Saura glorified: Meghanada;
Darutirtha; Devatirtha; Guhasraya;
The Tirtha called Narmadesvara; the excellent Kapilatirtha;
Karafyesa; Kurujlalesa; Pippalada thereafter;
Vimalesvara Tirtha; the confluence of Pu^karini; the praise
of &ulabheda; there itself the exploit of Andhaka;
The offer of solace unto the Devas; and the complete sub
jugation of Andhaka; the origin of Sulabheda; the testing of
V.iii.230.51-70 6S9
the deserving ones; the praise of Ddnadhartna (munificence

and piety); the glorification of RsisrAga; the attainment of
Svarga by Dirghatapas; the inclination of Bhanumati;
The departure of Sahara to heaven; the greatness of Sulabheda;
Kapilesvara Tirtha; Mok$atirtha thereafter;
The confluence of Moksanad! river; Vimalesvara Tirtha;
Uluka Tirtha; the confluence of Pu^karini;
51-60. Adityesvara Tirtha; Sangamesvara Tirtha; the
confluence of Bhimakulya; the auspicious Bhimesvara Tirtha;
Markandesvara Tirtha; Pippalesvara; Karotisvara Tirtha; aus
picious Indresvara Tirtha;
Agastyesa; Kumaresa; the excellent Vyasesvara; Vaidyanatha;
Kedara; the Tirtha named Anandesvara;
Matrtirtha; Mundesa; Caura; Kamesvara; the confluence of
Anudhuhi; the two Tirthas viz. Bhima Tirtha and Arjuna Tirtha;
the Tirtha named Dharmesvara; Lunkesvara thereafter;
Then Dhanadatirtha; Jatesa; Mangalesvara; Kapilesvara Tirtha;
the excellent Goparesvara;
The Tirtha named Maninagesvara; the confluence of Maninadi;
Tilakesvara Tirtha; Gautamesa thereafter;
The Matrtirtha there itself was described by the sage, О
leading sages; Sankhacuda; Kedara; Parasara thereafter.
Bhimesvara; Candresa; the confluence of Asvavati; Bahvisvara;
Naradesa; Vaidyanatha; Kapisvara;
Kumbhesvara; Markanda; Ramesa; Laksmanesvara; Meghesvara;
Matsyakesa; what is called Apsara Hrada;
Dadhiskanda; Madhuskanda; Nandikesa; Varuna; Pavakesvara
Tirtha; Kapilesvara;
61-70. The Tirtha called Narayana; the excellent Cakratirtha;
the great Candaditya Tirtha; the excellent Candika Tirtha;
The Tirtha called Yamahasa; the auspicious Gahgesvara, what
is called Nandikesvara; what is named Naranarayapa;
Nalesvara; Markanda; Sukla Tirtha thereafter; the great
Vyasesvara Tirtha there and Siddhesvara;
Kofi tirtha; Prabha Tirtha; the excellent Vasukisvara; the
confluence of KaraAja; the excellent Markandesvara;
The Tirthas named Kofisvara, and Sankar?ana; Kanakesa;
Manmathesa; the Anasuyaka Tirtha;
The meritorious confluence of Erandi; the splendid Matrtirtha;
the Tirtha called Svarnasalaka; Ambikesvara;
640 Skanda Purdna
Karanjesa; Bharatesa; Nagesa; Mukufesvara; Saubhagyasundari

Tirtha; the excellent Dhanadesvara;
Rohinya; Cakratirtha; what is called Uttaresvara; Bhogcsvara;
Kedara; Ni$kalanka thereafter;
Markanda; Dhautapapa; Angirasesvara Tirtha; the confluence
of Kotavi; the meritorious Koptlrtha there;
The great Ayonija Tirtha; the excellent Angaresvara; Skanda;
Narmada; Brahma; what is called Valmikesvara;
71-80. Kofitirtha; Kapalesa; Pandutirtha; Trilocana Tirtha,
Kapilesa; Kambukesa; Prabhasa; Kohanesvara;
Indresa; Valukesa; Devesa; Sakra; Nagesvara; Gautamesa; the
excellent Ahalyatirtha;
Ramesvara; Moksatirtha; Kusesvara and Lavesvara, Narmadesa;
Kapardisa; Sagaresa thereafter; the great Ghauraditya Tirtha;
Aparayonija Tirtha; Pingalesvara Tirtha, the excellent Bhrgvisvara;
Dasasvamedhika Tirtha; Koptirtha, О excellent ones; Markanda;
Brahmatirtha; the excellent Adivaraha;
The Tirtha named Asapiira; Kaubera; Maruta; Varunesa Yamesa;
Ramesa; Karkatesvara;
0
Sakresa; Som atirtha; the excellent N andahrada; the

Vaisiâvacakra Tirtha; the ones called after Rama and Kesava;
Rukmini Tirtha; the excellent Siva Tirtha; Jayavaraha Tirtha;
the Tirtha called Asmahaka;
Angaresa; Siddhesa; Tapesvara thereafter; again the Tirtha
named Siddhesvara; Varunesvara;
The meritorious Parasaresvara; the excellent Kusumesa;
Kundalesvara Tirtha and Kalakalesvara;
81-90. What is called Nyankuvaraha; the excellent Ankola
Tirtha; Svetavaraha Tirtha; Bhargala; the excellent Saura Tirtha;
ф
Humkarasvami Tirtha; the splendid SuklaTirtha; the confluence

of Madhumati; Sangamesvara Tirtha;
Narmadesvara; the confluence of three rivers; Anekesvara
Tirtha; ârbhesa named after Mok$a;
The meritorious confluence of Kaveri; the Tirtha called
Gopesvarai; Markaiidesa; Nagesa; the confluence of Udambari;
The T irtha called Sambaditya and the confluence o f Udambari;
Siddhesvara (M arkanda) as well as th at created by Siddhesvari;
Gopesa; Kapilesa; the excellent Vaidyanatha; Pihgalesvara
T irth a; th e g reat Saindhavayatana;
T h e T ir th a c a lle d B h u tisv a ra ; th e r e a f te r G ad g av ah a;
Gautam esvara T irth a and Dasasvamedhika;
V.iii.230.91-110 641
T he m erito rio u s B h rg u tirth a and the well known

Saubhagyasundari; Vrsakhata there itself; Kedara; DhutapStaka;
Dhutesvari Tirtha; Erandi Sangama; Kanakesvari Tirtha,
Jvalesvara Tirtha thereafter;
The Tirtha named Salagrama; the excellent Somanatha; Udirna-
varaha Tirtha; Candraprabhasaka;
91-100. Dvadasaditya Tirtha; the Tirtha that is named
Siddhesvara; Kapilesvara Tirtha, the auspicious Traivikarma Tirtha;
The Tirtha called Visvarupa; that which is created by Narayana;
Mulasripati Tirtha; what is called Caulasripati;
Devatirtha; Hamsatirtha; the excellent Prabhasa Tirtha;
Mulasthana; Kan^hesa; the Attahasa Tirtha thereafter;
Bhiirbhuvesvara Tirtha; the well known Sulesvari; Sarasvata;
Darukesa; the excellent Tirtha of Aivins;
The unparalleled Savitri Tirtha; Valakhilyesvara; Narmadesa;
Matrtirtha; the excellent Devatirtha;
Macchakesvara Tirtha, the splendid Sikhitirtha; О excellent
sage, Kotitirtha and Mrda named Kotisvari;
The Tirtha named Paitamaha; (Tirtha) called Mandavyesvara;
Nariyanesa there; Akriiresa thereafter;
_
Devakhata; Siddharudra; the excellent Vaidyanatha; Matrtirtha;
«
Uttaresa thereafter;
Narmadesa; Matrtirtha again; Kurari Tirtha; Dhaundhcsa;
Dasakanyaka;
Suvarnabindutirtha; Rnapapapramocana; Bharabhutesvara
Tirtha; Mundisvara;
101-110. Ekasala; Dindipani; the great Apsarasa Tirtha;
Munyalaya; Markanqla Tirtha named Ganita-Devata;
Amalesvara Tirtha; Kanthesvara Tirtha; Asadhi Tirtha; Srrtgi
Tirtha;
Bakesvara Tirtha; Kapalesa; Markanda; Kapilesa; the confluence
of Erandi;
Erandi Devata Tirtha; Ramatirtha thereafter; the great Tirtha
of Jamadagni, the confluence of Reva and the ocean;
Lofanesvara Tirtha; Tirtha named Luhkesa; Vf?akhata Kunda
also, О excellent sages;
Hamsesvara; Tilada; Vasavesvara; Rojlsvara Tirtha; the ex
cellent Alika Tirtha; Vimalesvara Tirtha in the confluence of
Revi and the ocean.
Thus the highly meritorious series of the Tirthas has been
642 Skanda Parana■
described by me, О great sages. The meritorious pearl neck

lace of the TIrthas has been wreathed through the string in
the form of the banks.
It is purified by the waters of Narmada. It has been made
by М&гкап^еуа for embellishing good people and for the welfare
of all the worlds.
It suppresses the darkness of sins. It should always be worn
by the seekers of piety. By repeating this once, sin committed
in the course of a day and night is destroyed.
By repeating this three times, the sin arising in the course
of a month is destroyed. By repeating it before Siva, sin com
mitted in the course of three months is destroyed. By repeat
ing it for a month, sin of a year is destroyed and by repeating
it for a year, sin of a hundred years is destroyed.
111-1 IS. If a devotee recites the meritorious series of
the TIrthas, standing before Brahmanas taking food at the
time of &r£ddha, he would be on a par with one who performs
Gayasraddha.
If he recites this with faith in front of the deities at the time
of worship, he will delight all the Devas and sanctify the
entire family.
Thus the meritorious series of TIrthas situated on the banks
of Reva has been recounted by me, О sinless excellent sages.
Listen further.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED THIRTYONE
The Number of Tirthas Enumerated
Suta said:
1-6. Similarly, О excellent sages, I shall enumerate the
Tirthastabakas (bunches of flowers in the form of the Tirthas)
wherewith the wreath of Tlrtha series has been strung together
and divided (into separate units) for the increase of devotees'
delight
I shall mention the bunches (groups) of the Tirthas in the
saipe manner as mentioned by the son of Мгка^ф* earlier in
response to the queries made by the son of Kunti.
V.iii.231.7-18 643
Indeed the meritorious Reva is the Kalpalatd (wish-yielding

creeper) that originated by drinking the water of Siva. It is
splendidly blossomed through the flowers of the Tlrthas situ
ated on both the banks. The three worlds have been rendered
fragrant by the glorious sweet scents.
Sage Markanda, the most excellent one among intelligent
persons is, indeed the bee capable of knowing best the taste
of the honey of those flowers.
The sage, a leading scion of the family of Bhrgu, always
wears in his heart that sacred garland of flowers rendered
decorative by the bunches of Tlrthas. О excellent sages, I shall
explain the situation of the bunches thereof.
7-18. Beginning with Omkara Tirtha and ending with
the western ocean, there are thirtv-five confluences of rivers.
They are destructive of sins.
They are eleven on the northern bank and twenty-three on
the southern bank. The thirty-fifth one, the most excellent
one, is the confluence of Reva and the ocean.
Thus along with the confluences on the two banks of Reva,
there are four hundred famous Tlrthas, О excellent Brahmanas.
ф
There are three hundred thirty-three Siva Tlrthas. I shall

mention these too individually, which you listen to, О excel
lent ones.
О leading sages, among them there are ten Markandesvara
Tlrthas, ten originating from Aditya (i.e. Aditya Ksetras), nine
Kapilesvaras, eight installed by Soma, an equal number of
Narmadesvaras, eight Koti tlrthas, and seven Siddhesvaras.
Nagesvaras are seven on both the banks of Reva. Seven indeed
are created (installed) by Vahni (Fire-god). There are seven
Avartas there.
Kedaresvara Tlrthas are five and five Indra Tlrthas. Varunesas
are five and five indeed are Dhanadesvaras. There are five
Devatlrthas and four Yamesvaras;
Vaidyanathas are four and four are Vanaresvara Tlrthas. О
leading sages, AAgaresvara Tlrthas also are as many. Sarasvata
Tlrthas are four and there are four Darukesvaras.
Gautamesvara Tlrthas are three and Ramesvara Tlrthas are
also three. Kapalesvara Tlrthas and Hamsatlrthas are three
each.
Mok$atirthas are three and Vimalesvaras too are three. The
sage stated that there are three Sahasra-yajfia Tlrthas.
644 Skanda Parana
19-27. Three Bhimesvaras are enumerated and there are

three Svarnatirthas. Two Dhautapapak$etras have been men
tioned. So also two Karanjesas.
There are two Rnamocana Tlrthas and two Skandesvaras. О
Brahmanas, there are two Dasasvamedha Tlrthas and two Nandi
Tirthas.
There are two Manmathesas and two Bhrgutirthas. There
are two Parasaresvaras and two Ayonisambhavas.
There are two Vyasesvaras and two Pitrtirthas have been
mentioned. There are two Nandikesvara Tirthas and two Gopesvaras
have been remembered.
So also two Marutesas and two Jvalesvaras are remembered.
There are two meritorious Suklatirthas and two Apsaresatirthas.
There are two Pippalesvara Tirthas and two Tirthas named
Maiidavyesvara. Similarly the scion of the family of Bhrgu enu
merated two Dvipesvaras. There are two Uttaresvara Tirthas
and two Asokesas, two Yodhanapuras and two Rohini Tirthas.
Two Luhkesvaras have been enumerated by the sage. О
Brahmanas, there are one hundred nineteen Tirthas mentioned
one by one. Two hundred fourteen Tirthas have been grouped
in the Stabakas (bunches).
These Tirthas are Saivas (pertaining to Siva). О excellent
ones, listen to the Vaisi>ava, Brahma and Sakta Tirthas enu
merated in order.
28-38. The sage enumerated twenty-eight Vai$nava Tirthas.
О excellent sages; among them six are Varaha Tirthas.
Four are Cakratirthas. The remaining eighteen alone are
praised by Vi$tiu. Thus the son of Mrka$du said earlier.
Seven Tirthas have been enumerated where Brahma achieved
Siddhi. In three of them there is the adoration performed by
Brahma and the other four have Brahma as the Lord. Thus
twenty-eight Tirthas have been enumerated in due order and
number.
This is unparalleled in sanctity; this is excessively destructive
of sins. The greatness of the meritorious story of Narmada has
been declared by the sage.
Suta said:
Thus the series of Tirthas on Reva have been generally briefly
mentioned by me in the same way as Sage M&rkai^da recounted
to the son of Kuntf.
V.iii.2Sl .39-54 645
Many subsidiary Tlrthas are concealed therein. О sinless

ones, listen to the details as to where and how many lie embedded
there.
All round Omkara Tirtha in all directions within two Krosas
from Mountain Amarakantaka the number of Tirthas whether
hidden or manifest, О excellent Brahmana, is three and a half
crore.
In the confluence of Kapila, there are a crore of Tlrthas.
In Aiokavanika Tirtha there are a hundred thousand shrines.
О excellent sages, in the confluence of Angaragarta, there are
a hundred Tirthas.
There are ten thousand Tirthas in the confluence of Kubja.
A hundred Tlrthas are stationed in the confluence of
Hiranyagarbha.
There are sixty-eight Tirthas in the confluence of Visoka
and a thousand Tirthas in the confluence of Vagu.
39-45. There are a hundred Tirthas in the confluence of
ф
Sarasvati, two hundred in Sukla Tirtha, a thousand in Vi$nutirthas

and ten thousand in Mahismati.
О Brahmanas, more than a hundred thousand Tirthas are
ф
present in Sulabheda. The sage has mentioned that there are

more than a thousand Tirthas in Devagrama.
More than seven hundred Tirthas are present in Lunkesvara
and one hundred eight Tirthas in the confluence of Maiiinadi
. They know of more than one hundred eight Tirthas in
Vaidyanatha.
О Brahmanas, in Kumbhesvara Tirtha there are as many.
More than a hundred thousand Tirthas are situated in the
confluence of Reva and Uri.
It is the statement of Markaiiâ that there may be more
than that. Eighty-eight thousand Tirthas are present in Vyasadvipa.
There are ten thousand eight Tirthas in the confluence of
Karanja. Similarly there are one hundred eight Tirthas in the
confluence of Erandi. There are sixty-eight Tlrthas in Dhiitapapa.
The sage has spoken of a hundred meritorious Tirthas in the
Skanda Tirtha.
46-54. Sixty-eight Tirthas are present in Kohanesa and
one crore and a half Tlrthas are present in Korilapura.
He has mentioned more than a thousand in Ramakesava
Tirtha. Indeed a thousand Tlrthas are present in Asmahaka.
646 Shanda P u rin a
m
О excellent Brahmanas, there are eight hundred two thou

sand Tirthas in £uklatlrtha as mentioned to the son of KuntI
by the scion of the family of Bhrgu formerly.
In the case of the remaining rivers, except in the case of
the confluence of Kaveri, he has mentioned one hundred eight
Tirthas in each confluence.
О Brahmanas, there are five hundred Tirthas in the confluence
of Kaveri. As said, special efficacy exists in the Tirthas during
Parvans (festival days).
They say that Mok$atirtha is excellent and supported by the
Puranapuru$a (Ancient Being). One crore Tirthas are present
in the holy spot of Bhjrgu. О excellent sages, who is competent
to speak more about the Tirthas? It is mentioned as the resort
■ ___
of all immortal ones and all Tirthas. It is well-known in all the

three worlds and is honoured. It is the means of achievement
of miraculous powers. In Bharabhiiti one hundred eight Tirthas
are present.
One hundred fifty Tirthas are present in Akruresvara Tirtha.
The sage has mentioned that there are more than a hundred
thousand Tirthas in Vimalesvara Tirtha at the confluence of
Reva and the ocean.
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED THIRTYTWO
The Finale of the Reva Khanda
Siita said:
1-7. Thus, О Brahmanas, the excellent greatness of Reva
has been recounted to you as imparted to the son of KuntI
formerly by M&rkancfcya.
So also the groups of the Tirthas with special characteristics
in some have been recounted by me in the proper order and
the due number.
This is unparalleled in sanctity. This is highly destructive of
sins. The story of Narmada and the greatness spoken by the
sage is meritorious.
О leading sages, the intelligent son of Mrkan4a, the Brihmana
V.iii.232.8-18 647
who survived seven Kalpas on isarmada was the most excellent

one among those who know the Highest Reality.
Formerly after resorting to all the Tlrthas and all the rivers,
he sought refuge in Reva whom he saw as one who remembers
many Kalpas, one born of the physical form of Siva and one
about whom Sarva said, “This is my Kala (digit)." She is a
divine river without old age and death, the great destroyer of
Daityas. She is endowed with great power, is a destroyer of
worldly existence, the very Jahnavl (Gariga) of Bhava.
He (i.e. Markandeya) had great and excellent devotion to
wards her and he became free from old age and mortality.
8-18. О excellent ones, sixty crore sixty thousand Tlrthas are
established on both the banks together step by step.
All round there are thousands of rivers with Tlrthas therein.
But, О leading sages, 1 think they never come on a par with
Reva.
О Brahman as, thus everything that was asked by you has
been recounted to you, which originally the Wind-god told the
sages after having himself heard directly from the mouth of
Mahesa.
Similarly the son of Mrkanda too after seeing the sacred
river along with the Tlrthas step by step narrated it to the son
of Pandu.
• •
Thus, О excellent Brahmanas, the meritorious story of Narmada,

very rare in all the three worlds, has been narrated to you.
Of what avail is the water of the thousands of other rivers,
if the water of Reva that destroys sins is resorted to?
A person who resorts to the water of Mekala attains perma
nent salvation.
Even as a man resorts to it always with faith or without it
and undertakes pilgrimage to the Tlrthas, he will invariably
obtain whatever he wishes.
This water of Narmada is directly Brahma, Hari and the
great Нага. This is the Brahman without form, the Kaivalya
(state of being the Absolute).
The Tlrthas and the rivers that bestow pleasing benefits
may roar only as long as Reva and the eager service thereto
is not remembered by men during Kali Age.
Certainly, for the sake of the welfare of the world, this Reva,
a power in the form of a river, has been caused to issue forth
from his own body by Siva.
648 Skanda P u rana
в
YajfiSs, forests and holy shrines etc., roar much only as long
as the glorification of the name of Narmada is not carried out
in the Kali Age.
19-30. The weight of austerities, Danas, Vratas and other
things is reckoned only so long as the river born of Bharga is
not resorted to by men on the earth.
Those who stay on the northern bank are the followers of
Rudra (and go to Rudra’s region). Those who stay on the
southern bank attain the Vai$nava Loka.
They are blessed, they are the excellent ones who reside in
the lands where this Narmada flows continuously, this Narmada
that is capable of destroying Narakas. It is created by Siva
himself.
Those who drink the meritorious water originating from the
river of the Consort of ParvatT, are really meritorious. They
never meet with grief.
О Brahmanas, one who listens to or glorifies this unparal
leled sacred story of Reva, is rid of all sins.
The benefit thereof is eight times more than the benefit
obtained when all the Vedas along with the six Angas recited
in the Pada and Krama order are listened to.
By listening once to the story of Reva one obtains that benefit
which a performer of Sattra lasting twelve years obtains.
By listening once to the greatness of Reva, one gets the
benefit of plunging into all the Tirthas, Oceans etc. This narrative
is conducive to piety. It is most excellent of all scriptures. If
it is written (copied) and kept in the house by any person of
any caste, in any village, city, rural zone or region of land, that
man is Brahma, that man is Siva, he is Lord Janardana himself.
This is the path of piety, wealth, love and salvation, resorted
to by Devas. It is the preceptor of preceptors. It is the great
scripture- causing the achievement of perfection.
31-39. A devotee should always listen to this Purana ut
tered by the Lord. A Brahmana shall become well-versed in the
Vedas; a K$atriya becomes victorious; a Vaisya becomes wealthy;
and a Sudra becomes pious.
By listening to this a woman obtains conjugal felicity and
good progeny and also glory, happiness, heavenly residence
and rebirth in a most excellent family.
The following sinners are liberated from sins : a person who
V.iii.2S2.40-49 649
discriminates in seating people in rows at the time of meals,

the ungrateful, one disloyal to one's master, one who deceives
friends, a slayer of cows, an administerer of poison, one who
sells one’s daughters, a Brahmana-slayer, an imbiber of liquor,
a thief, one who lies on the bed of the preceptor. These and
other sinners listening to the story of Narmada and resorting
to the river for a year, shall undoubtedly be liberated from all
sins.
One who spoils cooked food, one who cooks wastefully, one
who censures Devas and Brahmanas, a slanderer of parents,
preceptors, good people and king—all these undoubtedly are
liberated from sins.
Those persons of purified souls who listen everyday to this
sacred narrative pertaining to Narmada and worship it with
flowers, fruits, sandalpaste etc., diverse kinds of food offerings,
do get great benefit. If this sacred story is honoured, it is as
though Devas and preceptors are honoured.
40-49. This benefit happens here as well as in the other
world. No hesitation need be felt in this respect. Hence by
means of all efforts one should worship devoutly this sacred
book and a person who reads it must be honoured with scents,
garments, ornaments, etc., and also the book, Reva-Mdhatmya.
In regard to the auspicious story of Narmada, one obtains that
benefit which is usually obtained through study of the Vedas
and the maintenance of Agnihotras.
By listening to the story of Narmada one gets that merit
entirely which is obtained in Kuruk$etra, Prabhasa, Puskara,
Rudravarta, Gaya, Varanasi in particular, Gangadvara, Prayaga,
the confluence of Ganga and the ocean and other similar Tlrthas.
The story of Narmada is auspicious in the beginning, middle
and end. Listen to the great benefit that one who devoutly
listens to it gets.
After reaching the shrine of Siva, he will become an atten
dant of Rudra. He will be surrounded by virgins of Devas. He
will rejoice with Siva.
This is a narrative of reighteousness. It is meritorious. It is
the most excellent of all narratives. О excellent ones, it should
be read in the house of anyone of the four castes. I consider
his house blessed. The householder and the family are also
blessed. If any devotee honours the book about Narmada, it
650 Skanda Purana
is as though Narmada too is honoured and also Lord Mahesvara.

If the reader is honoured, Devas and sages too are honoured.
50-55. A man who causes the entire excellent story of
Narmada to be written and gifts it to a Brahmana obtains the
benefit of plunging into Narmada and all other Tlrthas. There
is no doubt about it.
This story is an ornament unto all the scriptures. This Purana
is narrated by Rudra. It accords the benefit of great merit,
heavenly pleasures and sons. It is conducive to wealth, fame
and glory.
It augments piety and longevity. It destroys misery and evil
dreams. It bestows all the Siddhis and cherished things on
those who read and listen to. If this Purana of great merit
gifted by one is read by Brahmanas the devotee stays in Sivaloka
for as many years as there are letters in the Purana.
Thus this story of Narmada has been narrated well by the
chief sage Suta. Originally it was obtained by the Wind-god
from the mouth of Sarva and narrated to others. It is worthy
of being known by all the three worlds. Suta narrated this in
front of the sages and the Kulapati.
• •
• • The End of Reva Khanda ::
• •
INDEX
Abala 12 Agni Tirtha 125, 384. 415

abduction of RukminI 407 Agrayana 79
Abhaya 572 Ahalya 396, 397
Abhyanga 188 Ahalyesvara Tirtha 396
ablution 75 Ahavaniya 340
ablution at the time of solar eclipse 219 Ahitagni 184
Acamana 577 ailment of eyes 539
Acarya 350 Ailments of men 497
Acchoda 572 airavata 167
Acyuta 171, 447, 450 Ajyapas 17
Adhok$aja 560 Akamksa 18
Adhvara 88 akarpaiiya (absence of miserliness) 79
Adimoksa 54 Aksakuinara 265
Adis 7 Alambusa 543
Aditi 146 Alatacakra (circular movement of a fire
Aditya 379, 380, 575 brand) 60
Adityahfdaya 157 Alika Tirtha 622
Adilyas 19, 25, 65, 66, 540 Alpanadis 631
Adityesvara 435, 436 Amalaka 102
Adityesvara shrine 221 Amalaparvata 571
Adityesvara Tirtha 435, 437 Amalasaraka 173
Adivaraha 535 Amalesvara 173, 603
Adivaraha Tirtha 390 Amalivfksa 102
adoration 40 Amara 60
adoration of the deity 629 Amarakantaka 74, 81, 84, 90, 115, 572
aerial chariot 17 Amara mountain 446
afflictions in the ears 539 Amaranka|a 59
Agaslyesvara 230 Amaraparvata 486
Agham arcana 577 Amaravati 15, 90
Aghora 94 Amaresa 52
agna ayahi 46 Amaresvara 84, 85, 89, 120
Agneya 174, 187, 263, 498 Arnba 113
Agneya bath 498 Ambarifa Tirtha 117
Agneya missile 170, 174 Ambho 69
Agneya Purana 4 Ambika 570
Agni 66 Amitavikrama 267
Agnihotra 141, 335 Amoghiksi 572
Agnihotrin 184 Amra 102
Agnija 360 Amras 7
Agnikalpa 53 Amrta (Nectar) 42, 67, 70
Agniloka 119, 130 Amft£ 12, 17, 33, 572
agnimle 46 Amfiasambhavi 14
Agni'toma 79, Ю0, 141, 142 Arhsuman 540, 541
Agni^toma Yajfta 147 Anakfara 85
652 SkandaPardna
Anala 58, 620 Arundhati 572

Anandesvara 231 Aruni 479
Anahga 427 Aryaman 540
AnarakeSvara Tirtha 453 As&dha 301
■ ■
An&£aka 116 A$adhi 605

AiiasQyi 79, 335, 336, 338, 339, 340, A$adhi Tiratha 605
341, 342, 343, 344 Asani 60
Andhaka 162, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, Asat 628
172, 173. 174, 175, 177, 437 Asauca 202
AndhaUunisra 443, 445, 493 Asipatravana 300, 304, 444, 445
AAgaraka 364 Asmahaka 414
AAg&raka Caturthi 365 Aspfha (absence of desire) 79
AAgSraka Tirtha 363 Associating with sinners 536
Angas 3, 386 Asarmas, system of four 137
Anger 572 A$tamurii 94
anger, the place of 522 Asthibhanjana 443, 444
AAgiras 279, 407 Asuci 593
Arigirasa 362 Asvamedha 9, 90
Ahgirasa Tirtha 362 Asvamedha Yajna 156, 367, 369
Angiras-s 47 Asvat^ha 350, 572
Anila 620 Asvayuj 79
AAjana 18, 575 Asvayuja 104, 503, 509, 579
Anjanisuta 267 Asvina 100, 307
AhkOra 471 Asvina Tirtha 575
Ankflresvara 473 AtasI 71, 104
Ankuresvara Tirtha 472 Adkrcchra 38
Annaprasana 79 Atiratra 79, 384
annihilation 51, 54, 67 Atman 63, 399, 456
Annihilation by Twelve Suns 64 Atmayajna 37
annihilation of all living beings 54,134, Atreya 47
343, 348, 578, 583 Atri 40, 279, 335, 342, 415, 479
annihilation of seven Kalpas 10 Atyagnis(oma 79
annihilation of the universe 64 auspiciousness 158
annihilation of the YUga 173 Avabhrtha 558, 561
Antalipura 107 Avantya-khanda 1
Apa 620 avariciousness 43
Apara 569 Avarta 76
dpohiffkd 499, 577 Avici 300
Apsar& 555 Avyaya 54
Aptoryama 79 Ayana 301
Arajiyaka 46 Ayoniga 455
Arbuda 142 Ayoniprabhava Tirtha 382
Arcana 119 Ayonisambhava Tirtha 363
Argha 195
Argha Mantra 614 Babhru 419
Arghya 28, 103 Badari 572
Arghyap&dya 98, 99 Badaryasrama 306
Aijuna 85 Bacâv&mukha 62
Arogyft 572 Bahurupa 53
Artha 557 Baka 27, 30, 53, 111
Index 658
Bakula 7 Bh&ratavarsa 362
Bala 405 Bharati 178
Balabhadra 335 Bharga 44, 382
Bal&kesvara 605 Bhirgalesvara Sankara 433
Balar&ma 411 Bh&rgava 121
Bali 77, 371 Bhargava (Venus) 176
Вада 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 106, 107, 111, Bhargavas 47
114, 370 Bhargavl 556
Ban&sura 92 Bhasana 55
Birhaspatya 53 Bhaskara 37, 348, 349, 350, 379, 437,
Birhaspatya Purina 5 465, 565, 575
barren woman 525 Bhaskara Tirtha 435
bath, different kinds of^498 Bhasmasnana 498
bath in Devakhatas 497 Bhasmi 177
bath in the Kuberesa Tirtha 394 Bhasvau 160
bath in the waters of Narmada 223 Bhaumika 79
bath in Vf$akhata 520 Bhava 32, 38, 39
bath in Yama Tirtha 394 Bhavamfirti 96
bath on seven (consecutive) Mondays Bhavani 45, 355, 571
537 Bhavi$ya Purana 4, 92
battle between Rima and Ravana 265 Bhavya 79
benefit of a Tirtha 631 Bhiina 45
bet 247 Вhi madevi 572
Bhadra 569 Bhimesvara Tirtha 256
Bhadrakali SaAgama 566 Bhi$maka 403
Bhadra Кагца 77 BhogavalT 160, 179
Bhadrakarnika 571 Bhrgu 31, 40, 47, 279, 341, 354, 513,
Bhadrapada 579, 580, 581 517, 518, 520. 52П 522. 524, 555.
Bhadrasundari 572 558, 560, 572
Bhadresvari 571 Bhrgu, the anger of 518
Bhaga 55, 540 Bhrgukaccha 576, 607
Bhagavata 5 Bhrgukaccha, origin of 518
Bhagavata Purana 4 Bhrgukacchaka 493
Bhagiratha 500 bhrgukêtra 520, 523, 532, 560, 562,
Bhairava 113, 117, 231 572
Bhakti 144 Bhrgu Tirtha 511, 580
Bhalla 356 Bhfgutunga 199, 200
Bha$4an Tirtha 354 Bhrku(esvara Tirtha 384, 589
Bhanu 465, 621 BhrAgin 61
Bhinu afflicts with kugharoga 622 Bhrngisa 177
Bhanumati 207, 210,212,215, 542,624 Bhuh 13, 55, 68, 145
BharabhOta 589 Bhumidana 393
Bharabhutesvara Tirtha 589 BhQrloka 35, 54
BharabhOti 590 Bhuta 79
Bhirabhflti Tirtha 586 BhOtagrama 589
Bharadvija 471, 479 Bhfnas 56, 108
Bharata 12,17,19,22,24,51,52,53,60, BhQtisvara Tirtha 498
80,115,125,127,133,139,140,143, Bhuvah 13, 35, 68, 145
146, 345, 561, 565 Bhuvar Loka 55
Bharatasrama 572 Bitjiilavraias 478
654 SkandaPurana
BIja 19, 45 Brahmya 499

Bljakjepa 78 Brahmya snana 498
Bijavapana 78 breach of trust 48
Bilva 46, 102 breeding of cattle 376
Bilvaka 571 Bfhadrathantara 188
Bilvapacrikd 571 Bfhaspati 361, 368, 478
Bilvas 7 Buddha 431, 433
Boar 72, 431, 432 Bull, giving 213
boon granted by Rudra 237
Brahm& 2,11,16,18, 27.28, 33, 53, 54. Caitra 79, 92, 102, 103, 185, 301, 334,
58, 63, 80,92, 95,98,114, 115, 122, 340, 348
135, 143, 144, 146, 148, 164, 169, Gaitraratha 7, 571
173, 336 339, 355, 369, 373, 383, Cakra Tlrtha 161, 178, 206, 298, 301,
402, 441, 454, 560, 565. 581, 583 355, 357, 413
Brahmacarya 557 Gakravakas 7
Brahmahatya 368 Cak$u$a Manvantara 185
Brahmakaia 572 Campaka 7
Brahmakupcfa 117 Gamugda 175, 526, 578
Brahmaloka 54, 145, 565, 577 Cagakya 438, 440, 441, 447
Brahmapa 336, 337,346,348, 349, 350, Ganda 301
■ •
351, 353, 356, 373, 385 Cagdadiya Tlrtha 301

Brahmanahood 78 Gagdala 455
Cagdamsu 382
Brahmajpa impaled on the stake 378
Candl 57
Brahmaita not to be killed 478
Gaiidika 572
Brahmaâs, devotion to 393 • ■
Candra 16
Br&hmana-slaughter 193,195,197,341,
Candrabhaga 88, 572
536, 538 Candrahasa 535
Brahmaâ-slayer 218 Candrah&sa Tlrtha 371, 374
Brahmaâs 338,339,344,348,349,350, Candrahasyesa 539
363, 365, 367, 373, 375 Candramas 344
Brahmaâs Cursed 519 Gandraprabhasa 538
Brahmaîas deprived of their wealth 394 Gandrayaga 38,118,132,147,367, 398,
Brahma^cjia 5 449
BrahmagcjU* Puraga 5 Gandrdyana Vrata 338
BrahmagT 144 Can lira 411
Brahmavaivarta Purana 4 GapaleSvara 117
Brahma, Story of 625 Garmamunda 528
■ ■
Brahma Kalpa 53 CarmilS 9
Brahma Parame$(hin 141 carnally approaching a Vfâli 300
Brahma Puraga 4 Caruk& 82
Brahmar&kjasa 264, 265, 274 Carukelvara 82
Brahma Tlrtha 383 casting off the body 213
Brahmarps 559 Catacafa 56
Brahmasaras 523 Gaturbhuja 177
Brahmas&vargi 185 Gatuithi 343
Brahmaiilft 417 CaturthfaAg&rakavrata 243
Brahmasya 570 ChSgaliAga 572
Brahmesa LiAga 178 Chandas-s 108
Brahmesvara 82 characteristics of those who slip down
Brfthml 71, 78, 557 from the heavenly worlds 250
Index 655
СН66 Dana 41, 45, 83, 84, 85, 90, 132, 157,
Citra 123 161, 181, 184, 334, 367, 380, 384,
Citragupta 442, 443 459
Citrakiita 572 Dapadharma 185
CitrakfitS 17 Dana made over to $ivayogins at the
Citrasena 123, 190, 192, 193, 194, 196, Dasasvamedha Tirtha 510
198, 621 Dana rites 373
Citrotpala 17 Danava 93, 162, 355, 357, 359
Conch-discus-club-bearing Lord 33 Dandaka 467
■ ■
Confluence 334 Dandapani 111

confluence of Erandi 604
• * Dantolukhalins 36
confluence of Narmada and the ocean Danu 98, 146, 147
610, 625 Darsa 79
confluence of Reva and the ocean 610, Dam Tirtha 133, 134
615, 622, 630 Damka 121, 133, 134
Confluences of rivers, thirty-five 642 Daruka Tirtha 133
confluence with Aurva 280 Darukesvara Tirtha 82
consumptive disease 539 Daruvana 82, 137, 138, 139, 625
control of sense-organs 187 Darvika 79
cooked food from a Sudra 512 DasakanyS Tirtha 583
Cosmic Form 555, 556, 557 Dasami 509
Cosmos 35 Dasaratha 346
cow 69, 70 Dasarna 17
cows full of all the Devas 273 Dasasvaniedha 508 9
creater of impediments 218 Dasasvamedhika 504

creation 54, 72 Dasavajapeyas 79
crossing over a threshing rod 300 Dattatreya 345
Ciidakarma 79
9
Datyayani 474
cultivation, pursuit of 376 Daurbhagya (ill-luck) 570
curse of Brahma to his vehicle Swan 613 Daya 187
curse of Kadru 389 day of Pitamaha 521
curse of Pitr 617 destroyer of wretchedness and sins 77
destruction of the seven Kalpas 20
Dadhiskanda 260, 263 Devadamvana 57
Daiva £ria 585 Deva-hood 457
DaivajAa 456 Devakhata 495, 496
Daivakarma 79 Devaki 572
Dak$a 87, 146, 279, 355, 373, 460, 542 Devala 479
Dak$a’s curse to Soma 279 Devalaka 455
DakgasavarQi 185 Devaloka 4, 136, 572
Dakga’s Yajfta 93 Devam&rga 605
Шк$ауап1 (Gauri) 86 Devanadi 161
Dakfiâ 127, 340, 342 Devapanna 477
DakfinagahgS 15 Devasarman 121
DakwSgni 87 Devasilft 136, 156, 204, 206, 208, 209
Dama (control of the senses) 94, 110 Devatlrtha 135, 136, 386, 563, 570
Damagho$a 405 Devavrata 188
Damaru 61, 139, 176 Devika 9
D&modara 426 Devikataci 572
Daihsa 444, 445 **■ Dhanada 148, 353, 452, 471, 557
656 SkandaPurana
Dhanadatva 259 Durga-goddesses, eighteen 523

Dhananjaya 463 Durvdsas 344
Dhar£dhara 391 Duryodhana 126, 127, 385, 412
Dharma 2,279,354, 365,366,442,542, Duskrta (evil) 180
557, 558 duties of a Brahmana 373
Dharmanadi 10 Dvadasaditya 540, 541
Dharmapalas 442 TTrtha 413
Dharmaputra 365, 450, 581 Dvaipayana 6, 315
Dharmaraja 9, 11, 441 Dvandvas 47, 48, 451
Dharm&ranya 161 Dvaravati 570
Dharmasastra 347 Dvijati 375
Dharmas&varrii 185 Dvipas 24, 25
DhitSl 108, 145 Dvirada 18
Dh&tr 382, 540, 540 Dwarf 431
Dhatri 78 Dying at Dasasvamedha 510
Dhaumrni 47 Dying in fire (by self-immolation) 521
Dhautapapa Tirlha 358, 524
Dhautefvari 524, 525 Earth 72, 108, 363, 542
Dhi 71 Earth, son of (Mars) 176
Dhijni 87 eclipses 381
Dhi^ritodra 88 eight Murtis 73
Dhi$nis 88 eight Vasus 620
Dhi$nya 88 Ekamraka 571
Dhi$nyapas 88 Ekasala 600
Dhftara^(ra 463 Ekavira 572
Dhrti 71, 572 Eleven Rudras 401
Dhruva 617 entering fire at Dasasvamedhika 508
Dhruva attains stability 260 eradicator of the Sin of Brahm an
DhQmra 111 slaughter 491
DhQrjali Nilalohita 55 Erandi 334, 338, 340, 341, 342, 346,
Dhvani 572 347, 348, 350, 351
Dhysina 187 Erandi and Narmada, Confluence of
Dhyanayoga 194 334
piihbha 111 Erandika 351
pitydi 111 Erandlsangama 351
DIrghatapas 190, 191 Erandi Tirtha 526
• *
Diti 146 Eulogy 62

Div&kara 101, 157, 436, 451, 577 excellent sons redeem their grand-fa
Divine rock resembling an elephant thers 336
418 expiation 629
Divinity 52
Divyasn&na 498 feeding a single Brahmana 411
DraupadI 7 feeding a Yogin 401
Dravyas 127 feeding Br&hmagas 629
drawning 521 fifth face 524
Drooa 459 Fire-god 63, 73, 88,108,114,127,128,
Drupada 577 145, 446
'Dundnbha 111 Fish 29. 33, 432
Durbhaga 99 Fish incarnation 5
Durgg 175, 176 five bodies 94
Index 657
five elements 19 Gautamesvara Tirtha 253, 501

five fires 8, 37, 124, 149, 340, 354, 436 Gaya 77, 160, 161, 187, 220, 417
five jewels 349 Gayasiras 180, 201
' five-lettered Mantra 44, 45 Gayatri 19, 46. 108, 372, 555, 572. 577,
five-syllabled Mantra 94 578
five Var&has 535 Gayatri Mantra 386, 400, 489
five Ysyfias 374 Giyatrya 188
food without salt 629 Ghrtkci 316, 543
forbearance 79 Ghftakambala 448
forest of Hanumanta 268 gift of a buffalo 304
four oceans 173 gift of a cow 273, 328
four pitchers 80 gift of a cow at Goparesvara 254
four,sons of Dharma 542 gift of a Kapila 410
four types of living beings 22, 457 gift of a pair of sandals or garments 410
four Vanias 37 gift of a virgin 327
four-faced being 19 gift of bullocks 323
fourth great act of the Lord 604 gift of cooked rice 262
foil-moon day in the month of Karttika gift of elephant 219
503 gift of gingelly seeds 212
gift of grain of Yava at Pufkaripi 219
Gabhastiga 493 gift of silver or gold 410
Gabhastipati 540 gift of umbrella, shoes 226
Galadavan 455 gifts 226
Galava 220, 342 gifts to be made over 212
Gana 68 Gin 558
Ganadhyaksas 28 Girija 173
Gaiianatha 101, 161 Ginfe 113
Ganas 60, 108 Girvana 160
Gandhamadana 57, 67, 556, 571, 572 giver of a house 213
Ganesa 1 giver of cows 213
Ganesvara 90 giver of plot of land 213
Ganga 2, 9, 15, 16, 22. 23, 33, 37, 68, Gobhila 220
81,113,120,141,160,179,187,190, Godavari 9, 88
203, 220, 345, 358, 360, 389, 439, Godha 108
500, 561 Godvasrama 572
Garigadhara 176 Gokarna 77, 571
Gahgadvara 572 gold 213
Gangagarbha 360 gold as the first progeny of Agni 412
Gangav&haka Tirtha 500 gold or silver; gift of 219
Garbhadhana 78 Goman ta 571
Garga 220 Gomati 571
Gargeya 40 Goineda 26, 59, 488
Garhapaiya 87, 340 Gonasas 61
Gaijana Tirtha 133 Goparesvara 251
G&ruda 42,108,174,246,339,388,527, Gopesvara Tirtha 464, 492
531 Gotra 267
GSruda missile 174 Govinda 171, 344
Garuda Puraria 5 Gramabhaua 456
Gauri 92, 335, 353, 361, 569, 571, 574 Grama SOkara 454
Gautama 220, 344, 396, 399 grandson 336
658 Skanda Parana
grandson of the son 338 Hiranyakasipu 371, 432

great annihilation 22 Hirapyakp 571
great goal (Mokja) 157 Holder of Gangi 347
great Lihga 28 holy 42
great ocean 20 holy ash 498
group of four Tfrthas 391 holy bath 40, 90, 629
Guardians of Quarters 45, 392 holy bath once in Narmada 634
guest 601 holy plunge into Revi 627
guest who comes at (he time of £raddha Н ота 8, 37. 63, 84, 119, 338
601 horripilation 88
Guggula 352 horse-sacrifice 129, 133, 135, 142, 339,
Guha 142 fc
lTВO
ЯА
GuhavisT 137 Hradini 88

Gunas 45 Hr! 71
Guru (Jupiter) 114, 176 Hftikesa 88, 171, 556
Hftikesa in Bhadrapada, worship of 426
Haihaya 432 Hum 56
halo 342 Humk&ra 56, 63, 450
Haihsa 7, 616 Humkara of Vyasa 320
Haihsatlrtha 117, 565 Humkarasvami 450
Hariisesvara 613 Humkara Tirtha 451
hand placed on his own head by the hunter 400
Daitya (K&lasprofa) 240 husband, a henpecked 238
HanOmln 264, 267, 275 Hutasana 100, 128, 358, 360
Hanumantesvara 264
Нага 1, 18, 31, 39, 45, 61, 62, 80, 108, Ida 257
109, 110, 112, 119, 349 Iksvaku 440
Han 1, 45, 72, 106, 138, 171, 339, 358, Ila 52
450, 563 Il&pi(ha 58
Harilocana 66 imbibing liquor 300, 536
Haripifigala 433 inauspiciousness 157
Harilcandra 572 Indra 11, 16, 28, 37, 46, 58, 77, 84, 92,
HasticchSyft 301 95,105,108,115,123,134,147,166,
Hastin&pura 571 366, 540, 555, 556, 558
hater of others 218 Indraloka 125
Hautra 77 Indrapi 105, 572
Havis 104 Indrasavaroi 185
Havya 52, 182 Indra Tirtha 365, 369
Havyavftha 360, 389 Indratva 260
Havyavfthana 579 Indraya^tis 190
Hayantl 571 Indrayudha 70
Hem&dri 92 Indu (Moon-god) 356
HemakQta 57, 67, 572 indulging in sexual intercourse with
Hemanta 149 whies of others 218
highest goal 340 infanticide 79
HimScala 36 infiniteness (Mokfa) through medic*»
Himilaya 371, 572 tiota 83
67 lAguda 39, 46
initiation 629
Irftvad 88
Index 659
Isa 54, 65, 71, 76, 76, 94, 116, 121, 567 JA£nacak$ub (‘Knowledge-eyed’ i.e.
fsana 15, 19, 28, 51, 58, 41, 45, 65, 68, wise) 159
70, 72, 94, 96, 122, 150, 186, 571, Jv&lesvara 115, 116
446 Jyauti$a 55
i$etvo 46 Jye$pia 104, 555
I$ta 79 Jye$(ha Prayaga 417
Igtapurta 545 Jyotir Brahmana 188
fsvara 12, 20, 51, 55, 41, 68, 71, 85, 90, Jyolismati 276, 278
95, 96, 114, 115, 119, 158,155, 159,
177, 181, 555, 557, 541, 571, 575 Kacchapa 517
IsvaraAgi 74 - Kadalf 102, 190
Isvari 149 Kadambagolaka 542
Kadru 246, 588
Jabali 141, 455 Kadru and Vinata, the wages between
Jagarapa 596 585
jahnavi 15, 25, 561 Kaikasi 471
Jahnavl as the Vai$navl Ganga 625 Kailasa 45, 55, 75, 152, 142, 149, 165,
Jaigls$avya 220 165, 175, 175, 177, 191, 560, 448,
Jaimini 220 452, 590
Jalalihga 178 Kaifabha 52, 171
Jalandhara 572 Kala 11, 13, 21, 35, 44, 54, 63, 77, 108,
JalasayT 292, 297 109, 110, 113, 144, 171, 377, 443
Jalesvara 82, 84, 92 Kala 52, 343, 379, 570
Jamadagiii 479, 606 Kalaghanasana 298
Jamadagni, the son of 601 Kalagni 68
Jamadagni killed 609 Kalagnirudra 531
Jamadagni TIrtha 606 Kalakala 437
Jambavan 291 Kalakalesvara TIrtha 437
Jambha 92, 155 Kalanala 62
Jambfra 7 Kalanemi 411
JambQ 102 Kalanjara 571
JambOdvipa 22, 26, 59, 488 Kalapini 269
Jana 62, 145 Kalaspnta 233, 241
Janaka 154 Kalaratri 14, 53, 56, 58, 61, 62, 71, 144
Janaloka 11 Kalasa 469
Janamejaya 6 Kalasutra 443
Janardana 169,170, 171, 178, 559, 544, Kalasutraka 444
558, 449 Kalho^ll TIrtha 307, 369, 370
Japa 8, 44, 45, 51, 52, 84, 119, 652 Kali 569
Japa of Adttyahfdaya 219, 220 Kali 13, 40, 82, 113, 445
Jarasandha 411 Kaliki Upapurana 5
Jatakarma 79 KaliAgadesa 81
JatQkarpya 11 Kaliya 463
Jatavedas (Fire-god) 559 Kaliyuga 37, 38, 39, 47, 49
Jaya 472, 555, 556, 571 Kalki 431, 433
Jayanta 55 Kalmaâya^li 140
Jayavaraha 451 Kilodara 103
JhankSra 474 Kalpa 28, 34, 35, 52, 73, 75
JA&na 542 ^ Kalpa of Tiladhenu 501
JA&na as a Pufpa 187 Kalpas 50, 459
660 SkandaPurana
Kalpavahini 29 Karima fire (fire of cowdung cakes) 184

Kaly&gl 571 ( 572 Kari$agni 158
K*ma 19, 102, 125, 159, 354, 371, 373, Karkafesvara Tirtha 398
557 Karkofaka 463
K&mada Tirtha 352 Karma 151, 175, 374
K&madhenu 251, 607 Karmcaiidala (Candala by acts as against
Kamala 571 one born as a Candala) 181
Kamalalaya 571 Karmadi Tirtha 378
K&mamohini 473 Karinas 41, 44
Kamandalu 75, 77, 95 Kaniali 77
K&mapramodini 475, 476, 477, 485 Kanaka 357
K&ma reduced to ashes 428 Kamikara 7, 174
Karhbala 145 Karodisvara 227
Kaihbala K$etra 161 Karpasa 104, 185, 301
Karnbu 371 Karttavlrya 346, 607
Kaihbukesvara Tirtha 371 Karilavirya killed 609
Kaihbu Tirtha 372 Karttika 448, 572
Kamesvara Tirtha 245 Karilikeya 101, 356, 361
Katfisa 411, 432 Karitikl 594
K&muka 571 Karunabhyudaya 515
K&myaka forest 7 Kasi 190, 191, 193
Kanakhala 81, 264. 439 Kastnira 572
Kanakhala Tirtha 529 Kasyapa 47.141,146,147,246,279,355.
KaAcukin 99 388, 479
KaAka 40 Ka|as 85
Kantaka 60 Kalyayani 101, 348 *
Kanth$ 605 Kauberi 78
Kanthesvara 604 Kaucchera 175
Кадоа 282 Kaiunari 78
Kanya D&na (gift of a virgin) 183 Kaurma (Kalpa) 53
Kanyakubja 571 Kaurma Purana 5
Kapilamocana 572 Kaurinya 18 ,
K&palika 139 Kausika 18
Kapila (sage) 493 Kausiki 88
Kapila (kalpa) 53 Kaveri 9, 88, 117, 118, 119, 120
Ka|pila (river) 81, 85, 86, 89, 90 Kavya 50, 182
Kapila (Upapurana) 5 Kayavarohaiia 570
Kapila (cow) 370 Kedara 160, 180, 220, 571
Kapila Hrada 89 Kesara 104
Kapiiadana 370 Kesava 38, 39, 40, 171, 333, 403, 405,
Kapila Tirtha 143, 145, 146, 200, 370 411, 412, 446, 447
Kapilesvara Tirtha 493 Ketakas 7
Kapifthala 559 Khadga 357
Kapitthas 7 Khadgas 97
Karabha 17, 21, 24 Khadyota 25
Karaka 103, 104 Kharjuras 7
KaraAja 147 Kh&li of Bhfgu 555
КАпщфша & 97, 110 KhafvaAga 60, 61, 93
KaraAja Tirtha 352 Khurapinga (bull) 419
KaraAjeSvara Tirtha 146 killer of friends 218
i
Index 661
Kiriisuka 109 Kubera 58, 108, 115, 118, 391, 392

Kinasa 44 Kuberesa 393
King as a. tree 393 Kubja 543
Kinnaras 61, 167 Kuliaka 111, 135
Kiritin 306 Kulakoti 491
Kirti 71, 77 Kulaparvatas 22, 25, 67
KJrtimaiT 571 Kulata 373, 538
Kiskindha 572 Kulika 129, 463
Kohanasva 377 Kulya 628
Kotavi 572 Kumara 360
Koji Tirtha 363, 520, 572, 580 Kumaresvara 229
Kotiliriga Sthana 161 Kurnari 144, 571
Kotisvara 609 Kumbha 471
Kotisvara Tirtha 308, 621 Kurhbhakarna 471
Kotisvari 580 Kuriibhasarnhhu 277, 278
Kopyajna 82 Kumbhesvara 277, 278
Rovidara 7 Kuriibhila 111
Krakaca 305 Kumbhipaka 304
Krama 587
Kuriikuma 104, 105, 188
Kratu 279, 354, 407, 462
Kumuda 569
Kraunca 26, 59, 488
Kravyada 111 Kunda 149, 160
M m 9
Kunda flower 27
Krcchra 38, 116, 118, 132, 147, 367
Krcchra Candrayana 362 Kundadhara 148
Krmibhaksya 445 Kundala 149
• ■
Krmipiitivaha 443 Kundalesvara 148, 149, 430

Kr?na 80, 169, 171, 315, 349, 391, 431, Kundalesvara Tirtha 148
• ■
469, 542 Kundina 404

Krsna in the form of a girl 239 KuntJ 565, 342, 344, 391
Kroda 58 Kupa 161
Krodha 77 Kurkuri 582
Krpa 21, 23 Kurkuri Tirtha 582
Kr$na Dvaipayana 6 Kurina 26
Kr$na Dvaipayana duly took a wife 318 Kurma Kalpa 25
Kfsnaveni 88 Kuru 14
Kftasauca 572 Kuruksetra 36,46,77,81,122,160,220,
Krtayuga 15, 23, 82, 126, 137, 143, 146, 225, 264, 412, 417, 439
392, 435, 167, 588, 590 Kusa 26, 52, 59, 488
Kj4ya Mantras 154 Kusadvipa 572
K$ama (forbearance) 187 Kusuriibha 104
K$amodara 103 Kusumesvara 427, 430
Kâna 144 Ki*i(asa]mali 300
R$atriya 158, 375
Ksatriya, Vaisya and £odra, origin of Lagna 183
375 Lak$a 144
Kâtriyas 375 lîk^maâ 346
Kâttr 97 Lak^manapranadata 267
Kêtrajna 54 Lak?mi 14,143,169,171,518,555,559,
K$etrap£la (guardian *of holy spot) 582 560, 572
Ksetrap&las 120, 179 Laksmi cursed all the Brahmanas 519
662 SkandaPurana
Lal&tadefe 559 Madhuvrk$a 104

Lalita 105, 105, 543, 571, 574 Madotkafa 571
Lalitadina 100 Magha 104, 185, 301
Laihba 132, 542 Mahabala 13,16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29,
Lava 144 31,55,64, 70,96,121,124,131,134,
leprosy 497 137, 139, 147, 155, 156, 162, 174,
lice pricked with thorns (by Magtfavya) 267
481 Mahabhaga 572
lighting eight lamps, the merit of 487 Mahadeva 334, 335, 359, 361, 364, 372,
Linga 29, 42, 55,61, 140, 141, 149, 161, 381, 392, 413
347, 360, 383, 436, 452, 536, 571 Mahadeva in the guise of a Br&hmana
Lirigadharim 571 144, 343, 404, 571
Lirtga Purana 4 Mahagiri 108
Lingas 51 Mahah 145
Lingesvara 241, 425 Mahajvala 443
Lokaloka 26, 58, 140, 372 Mahakala 220, 236, 572
Lokapalas 101 Mahakalesvara 117
Lokap&latva 471 Mahalak^ml 572
Lola 572 Mahalambhana (rite) 506
Lomasa 7 Mahalaya 572
Lord Anan ta 426 Mahalinga 132, 571
Lord (Kftna) employed his Maya 238 Mahamaya 59
Lord of Mountains 12 Mahanadis 631
Lord of the Cosmos 101, 103 Mahananda 17
Lord of the universe incarnated as Mahanandin 261
Kapila 493 Mahapralaya 18
Lord (Paramesvara) cut off Brahma’s Maharaurava* 443, 444
head 491 Maharloka 11, 57
Lord Siva assumed the form of a leper Maharnava 21, 24
60 Mahasattva 25
Lopuêsvara 536 Mahasena (Kartlikeya) 356
Lotaiiesvara Tirtha 612 Mahatl 21, 23
Lunkesvara 233, 238 Mahavaraha Kalpa 74
lust of women 538 Mahavrati 122
Mahayogin Mahesvara 29
Madana 138 Mahendra (Kalpa) 53
Madanaikadafi 209 Mahendra 97
M&dhava worshipped in Magha 425 Mahendra mountain 67, 344, 432
M&dhavl 85, 571 Mahendri 78
Madhu (Caitra) 186 Mahesa 16, 33, 52, 150
Madhu (demon) 32, 33, 357 Mahesana 15, 112
Madhu (Brahmaâ) 188 Mahesvara 3, 12, 15, 18, 21, 26, 29, 30,
Madhuhantf worshipped in Vaisakha 31, 32, 36, 49, 52, 55, 59,60, 65, 66,
425 77, 83, 93, 98, 101, 105, 107, 108,
MadhOka 7, 92, 101, 102, 103, 350 118, 122, 134, 140, 155, 156, 162,
MadhOkatftiya 92, 105 163, 172, 180, 339, 340, 344, 351,
MadhAk&vtaka 105 359, 368, 369, 392, 402, 470, 572
Madhuparka 195 M£hesvara Yoga 41
Madhuikanda 260, 263 M&he$van 29, 55, 70, 344
MadhusQdana 344 Mahesvarf 572
Index 663
Mahesvari Ganga 626 Markandeya Purana 4

Mahl 9 Mars 363
M£hi$mati 126, 128, 605 Martanda 575
Mahotpala 571 Manila 53, 88, 167
Makofa 571 M&ruta (Vayavya) missile 174
Manasvat? 67 Marutas (Winds) 108
Manava (Upapurana) 5 Marti ti 267
MandakinI 14, 17, 18, 21, 25 Maruts 40, 92, 273, 402
Mandala 350 Manitvatl 542
Mandala Brahmanas 188
> • ■
Masaka 444
Mandara 66, 108, 571 Masakas 445
Mandara 23 Mata 350, 462, 572
Mandaraka 190 Matali 134
Mandaravana 190 Mathura 572
m
Mandavya 220, 473, 476, 478, 479, 481, Matrganas 58

483, 484, 486. 567, 572 Matrgocara 232
Mandavyaka 480 Matrs 57, 58
Mandavya off ihe slake 485 Matrtlrtha 232
I
Mandavya TIrtha 474 Matsya 18, 53

Mandavyesvara 486, 487 Matsya Kalpa 20
Mandhatrpura 82, 91 Matsya Purana 5
MandodarT 132, 265 Mauktika 136
MandukI 572
• •
MaunjTbandhana 79
Mangala 571 Maya 88, 131, 132
Mangala (auspiciousness) 79 Maya 21, 29, 341, 342, 351
Mangalesvara 243 Mayapurl 571
mango 349 Mayataraka 88
Maninagesvara 249 Mayura 22, 23
Maninagesvara TIrtha 245 Mayura 18, 52
Man-lion 431 Medha 572
Manmalha 103, 113 Meditation 40
Manmatha 572 Meghanada 132, 133
Manmathesvara 334, 351 Menaka 123, 570
Manmathesvara TIrtha 333 mental sins 300
Mantra 45, 77 men who die in Devamarga 605
Mantra for meditation 499 merit-giving benefit of Ravillrlha 226
Mantras 379 meritorious activity of Narmada 634
Manu 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 Meru 57, 61, 108, 166, 363
Manu$yaka 79 milking what should not be milked, sin
Margadayinl 571 resulting from 303
Margaslrsa 104, 301 Miraculous act of the Lord 603
Marlci 146, 279, 407 Misrakesi 543
Maricis 399 Miihila 151, 154
Markanda 11, 32, 35, 117, 186 Mitra 382, 540
M&rkandahrada 161 Mlecchas 49
mirkandesa 161, 331 Modakas 101
M&rkai}êsvara 186, 469 Mok$a 45, 119, 137, 339, 447
M&rkaiiêsvara TIrtha 467, 469 Mokâ TIrtha 462
Markandeya 8,10,13,14,18,21,25,27, moon 343, 538
186, 343, 348, 35ft-, 454, 470 Moon-god 279, 373, 374, 402
664 SkandaPurdna
Mother-deities 523 Naradesvara Tirtha 257

Mothers 232 Naradlya Purana 4
Mfgakf$narhbara 60 Naraka 43, 79,’411, 459, 576, 580
Mfgavatl 572 Narakas (Hells) 158
MfgT 572 Narakesvara Tlrtha 455
Mrtyu 44, 60, 130 NaranarayanT 308
Mftyulafkgala Mantra 45 Narasimha 171
Mftyuftjaya Mantra 45 Narasimha missile 174
Mudgas 104 Narasimha Upapuraga 5
Muhurta 144, 183, 542 Narayana 1, 38,102,447,450,473,479,
Mukhya Vahni 87 542, 543, 544, 555, 556, 558
Muku|esvar! 571 Narayanagiri 557, 558, 563
MQlasri 557 Narayani 355, 399, 572
Mulasripati 557, 563, 565 Narmada 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20,
MfilasthSna Tlrtha 564 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29. 30, 31, 32, 33,
Mui.i<ia 301 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, 48,
Mui^di 111, 602 50, 51, 52, 59, 60, 67, 70, 77, 80, 81,
Muni 479 82, 87, 88,89,90, 107, 118,120,124,
Musala 357 129, 132, 134, 136, 142, 145, 147,
Mu$iika 411 149, 155, 159, 197, 198, 225, 264,
301, 333, 334, 337, 346, 354, 355,
Nabhasya (Bhadrapada) 104 365, 369, 371, 381, 385, 439, 452,
Nftbhi 161 461, 467, 563, 565, 576, 579, 588,
Naciketa 220 589, 613, 626
Nadls 628 Narmada, Epithets of 1, 21
Ndgakesara 7 Narmadesvara 142, 378
Nagaloka 66, 75 Narmadesvara Tirtha 137
Naga Tlrtha 387, 464 Nasatyas 575
Naimiga 2, 77, 122, 120, 417, 453, 569 Navasraddha 449
Nairfta 108 Nidhi 572
Naktam, Vrata of 100 Nila 57, 67, 187
Nalikeras 7 Nila Bull 419
Namakarma 79 NTlaganga 91
name of Haninnan 267 Nllakantha 91, 103
Nandi 571 Nllalohita 21, 54, 60
Nandidevi 401 Nllaparvata 161
Nand&hrada 401 Nimba 7, 102
Nandana 517 nineteen Yogas 355
NandigftA 43, 44 Nirajana 564
Nandtkesvara 261, 306 Niranjana 113
Nandin 61, 236 Nirrd 115
NandinT 572 NirucchvSsa 304
Nandisa 263 Nirudhapasusavana 79
Nandisvara 28, 29 Ni$adha 57, 67
Nara 1 Ni$krama 79
Nara and Narayana 307, 411 Ni$pava 104
Niraca 357 Nisuriibha 135
Nirada 95,96,97,98,99,106,107,235, Nitala 493
274, 915, 955, 412, 479, 592, 560 Nivara 39
Nirada Upapuriupa 5 Niyama 44, 94, 132
Index 665
non-violence 187 Parasurama 345, 431, 432

Nfsiihha 58 Paresvara (Tirtha) 254
Nyagrodha 18, 56 Parijataka 167
Nyasa 187 Parlk$ita 6
Parivatsara 63
observance of fast 629 Pariyatra 67
offering a white cow 287 Parthiva (as a mental flower) 187
offering of balls of rice during Sraddha Parvana (rites) 79
626 Parvas 581
offering raw rice grains 219 Parvaii 113, 177, 255, 335, 343, 572
Oriikdra 19, 21, 63, 82, 91, 108, 280 Pasa 355
one hundred eight Lihgas 82 Pasubhartr■ 11
0§adhl 572 Pasupata 42
other people’s treasure, destroyer of Pasupatya 43
218 Pasus 48
Paiaha 356
Pada 587 Patala 33, 57, 72, 84, 89, 160, 170, 471,
Padasauca 188 572
Padma 576 Patala (a deity) 572
Padma (Kalpa) 53 Pajala 7
Padmaka 87 Pa talas, seven 66
Padmanabha 10 Palalesvara Tirtha 82
Padmanabha worspiphed in Asvina 426 Patall 102
Padma Purana 4, 5, 18 Palhina 50
Padya 28 Patni-sarnyojana 79
Paitamaha Tirtha 580, 582 Patresvara Tirtha 123
Palasa 8 Paulomi (Saci) 471
Panasa 7 Paundarlka 116
# *
PancamI 343 Pauraniki lore 3

Pancagavya 145, 188, 347, 348 Paurnamasi 79
9
PancamI 343 Pauru$asukta (Puruâsukta) 188

Pancamjrta 188 Pauâ 104
Pancanana 44, 45 Pavaka 88, 111
Pancaratra system 563 Pavamana 188
Panca Tirtha (s) 263 Pavani (river) 88
Pancayatana (five shrines) 566 Payosni 10, 572
Pandavas 7, 9 Peacock-vehiclcd One 362
PSntjki 8, 52, 80, 92, 142, 150, 333, 334, penance 632
346 penance perishes due to anger 512
Pandu Tirtha 365 performing the ■rite on behalf of an
Papa-&alyas 89 inferior one 632
Para 570 person who gives foodgrain 213
Paraka 118 Ре$ада 443, 444
РагатездЫп 54, 470 Phalguna 92, 104, 267
Paramesvara 25, 54, 93, 334, 360, 365, physical sins 300
369, 383, 389 pilgramage 626, 632
Paramesvari 144, 536, 572 pilgrimage by proxy 632
Paritfara 1, 11, 255, 317 pilgrimage for the sake of another 629
P&rdsara Upapur&na 5 Pinaka 61, 124
P&rSsarya 315 Pin&karbearing Lord 39
666 SkandaPurana
Pinaka-wielding Lord 44 Prasupta 436

Pipdaraka 572 Pratigraha 376, 577
Pidga Bull 419 Pratipada day 100
Ping&kfa 267 Pratipat 345
PiAgati 257 PratyOâ 619
Pidgalftvara Tirtha 495 Prayaga 160, 220, 571
Pingalesvara 288, 289 precestor’s bed, defiler of 218
Pidgalesvari 572 Prince Kanva, story of 282
Pipala 102 procedure regarding the pilgrimage to
Pippal&da 153, 154, 155, 156 Reva 630
Pippal&da Tirtha 156 progeny 349
Pippalesvara 151 property of god, misappropriate of 218
Pi$(a 562 protection of the subjects 394
Pit&maha 19, 35,64,108,132, 339, 349, Prtha 6
355, 365, 373 PrthivI 80
Pitpgods 83 Pulaha 47, 279, 356, 407, 415, 462
Pitrkamia 79 Pulastya 7, 47, 148, 265, 279, 354, 407,
Pitrkfetras 417 415, 462, 470
Pitrloka 452 Pulindas 49
Pitrs 16, 22, 51, 343, 344, 364, 365, 373 Pumsavana 78
Pitr-Saihhita 419
■ Pundarika 543
• »
Pitrtlrlha 185 Pundarika Yajna 357

Planet of cruel movements (i.e. Saturn) Pufidravardhana 572
153 Punkhila Tirtha 600
Prabha 325, 570 Punnaga 7
Prabhasa 178, 417, 572, 619 Punya 187, 583
Prabh&saka 53 Punyatoya 452
Prabhasesa 327 Рига 18
Prabhisesvara 325 Ригала 3, 84, 398, 508
Pracanda 572 Puranas 2
Pracetas 279, 355 Puranasamhita 5, 43
Pracetasa 462 Purariic Embryology 456
PriicI SarasvatT 204, 207 PuruhOta (a deity) 572
pracdce of Mantras 632 Puru$a 11, 54, 77, 379, 547
Pradh&na 63, 111 Puruârâbha, SOkta of 188
Prahlada 371 Puu$ottama 1, 76, 562, 571
Prajfipati 171, 336, 379, 555 Pu$an 38, 540
Praj&patya 53, 187 Pu$kali Tirtha 586
PrSjdpatya Vrata 560 Puskara 26,59, 122,161, 220,417, 453,
Prakfti 14, 31; 54 488, 571
Prakrtis 26 Pu?karas (holy places) 141
Pralamba 77 Pu§kar&vatl 572
Pralaya 10, 15, 25, 51, 73, 80, 448 Ри$кагщТ 157
Pramathas 58 Pu?ti 572
Pramloca 543 Put 345, 336, 583
Prapava 82, 83, 85, 158 Putikesvara 291
Prityftyftma 51, 577 Putra 345 *
Prapit^maha 63, 72 Putrai$ag& 341
Prasenajit 291 POyasaihpQnpa (a hell) 445
Index 667
nadha 572 righteousness 119

Raghava (i.e. Dasaratha) 345 rite performed through a baser man
Raghu 126 632
Rahu 120 rivers as Rajasvalas 633
Raibhya 479 Rk 53, 137, 150, 157, 181
Raivata 185, 405 Rkfas (bears) 24
Rajasa gift 183 Rk$asaila (Rksa mountain) 14, 17, 20,
Rajas! Bhakti 41 23
Rak$a (protection) 108 Rksasrnga 191, 193, 194, 198
Rak$asa 380, 446, Rnamocana Tirtha 290, 585
Rama 519 Rr.iatrayam 585
Rama 13, 274, 346, 397, 398, 430, 605 Rohini 279, 357
Ramacandra 346, 431 Rohini Tirtha 354
Ramana (a deity) 572 Rohilaka fish 23
Ramatfrtha 572 Rsti 356
Rarhbha 543, 571 Rlviks 127
Ramesta 267 Rudra 2,9,11, 13, 14,17,18.19,23, 29,
Ramesvara Tirtha 395 33, 34, 39, 40, 42, 48, 49. 54, 56, 61,
Ranjana 17, 21, 24 64, 65, 67, 68, 70, 72. 77, 78, 87, 96,
Rasa (water) 23 107, 111, 113, 114, 115, 156, 159,
Rasa (mercury) 513 189, 339, 340, 341, 365, 366, 443,
Rasatala 178 495, 586
Rasayana 515 Rudra, daughter of 14
Rati 71 Rudradhyaya 46
Ratipriya (a deity) 572 Rudra Mantra 45, 469
Ratnavallabha 622 Rudra Mantras 43
Raucya (Manvantara) 185 Rudra-nandana 220
Raurava 38, 304, 371, 443, 444, 584, Rudrakoti 569
586, 591 Rudrakunda 180
Ravana 131, 274, 345, 432, 471 Rudraloka 24. 116, 136, 142, 147, 156,
Ravi 380, 436, 575 338, 342, 363, 374, 449, 464, 574,
Ravi Tirtha 129, 225, 244, 379, 434 579
Re-birth 38 Rudrani 359
Redeemer 34 Rtidrasavarni 185
remembering Reva 627 Rudrastaka 83
■■
Renuka 607 Rudrasukta 188

renunciation of the world 632 Rudratva 343
Rephas 180 Rukma 406
Reva 1, 2, 6, 18, 21, 24, 33, 34, 37, 39, Rukmaka 404
41, 42, 44, 45, 52, 75, 80, 88, 89, 90, Rukmitf 404, 572
91,116,117,124,136,159,160,162, Rukmiiii Tirtha 404
178, 280, 335, 341, 342, 344, 346, Rupadevi 572
347, 369, 435, 448, 450. 501, 559, Ruru 355
561, 562, 563, 564, 566
Rev& as Mahesvari Gaiiga 623 Sabara 216
Reva-khanda 1 Sabaria story of 208
Rgveda 121, 157 Sabhananda (a diety) 572
Rgvidh&na 3 Sac! 165, 167, 367
richness (i.e. powers) of speech 34 sacrificial offerings 37
riding what should-not be ridden 303 $adasiti 301
668 SkandaPurana
Sadaiiva 115 Sanaikumara 5, 63, 559

Sidhya (a daughter of Dak$a) 542 Sandhya 340, 577, 578
S&dhyas 16, 28, 273 Sandhya prayers 84, 338
Sadyojata 13, 42, 94 Sandili’s husband revived 486
Sahadeva 590, 594 Sandilya 220
Sahasrik$a 220, 571 Sangama (confluence) 566
Sahya 67, 572 Sangamesvara 452
Saiva observances of vows 37 Sankara 13,15,20,23,31,32,38,41,43,
&aiva region 46 52,54,55,59,63,68,83,93,96,103,
$aiva Vrata 38 106, 107, 112, 113, 115, 118, 121,
&Lka 59, 488 129, 130, 134, 136, 145, 148, 155,
£akra 44, 117, 124, 166, 168, 382, 400, 164, 182, 192, 333, 335, 347, 348,
542 349, 350, 353, 361, 364 370, 377,
$akratirtha 399 394, 468, 500, 566, 574
Sakresvara 117 Sankara Vrata 43
Sakresvara Tfrtha 226 Sankar$ana Tirtha 333
&kti 52, 356, 361, 572 Sankari (a deity) 572
Saktidhari?! 572 Sankar$ana 333
$&lagr£ma installed 532 Sankha 220
$£lagrama Tlrlha 532 Sankhactida 254, 463
SalakutI (a river) 9 Sahkhoddhara 502, 572
Saligrama 571 Saiikhoddhara Tirtha 500
$a]mala 26 Sankhya 41
Salmali 59, 102, 444, 445, 488 Sahkhyas 36
Sama 53, 350, 372 Saiikranti day 186, 374
S&man 137 Sanku 87
Saman (peaceful overtures) 171 Sarmukha 360
S&man hymn 121, 157 Sannihati 417
Saman tapancaka 609 sanno dew 46
Sama $&kh& 150 Sannyasa 121, 131, 156, 202, 521
Sima verses 350 Sanianu 314
Simba 5 Saptasaptaka 60
Sambara 282, 369, 476 Saptasarasvata 82
&ufcbhu 11, 20, 31, 52, 59, 62, 96, 114, Sara 360
166, 333, 334, 570, 580 Sarala (pine) 85
Saihbhu in the form of a boy 601 Sarasvati 2,9,14,33,34,81,88,90,145,
Samhiti 11 160, 178, 179, 273, 367, 439, 508,
Samhrada 111 546, 572
&uni 102 Sarasvati as Brahmi Ganga 626
Samjna 454 Sarayu 9, 88
Sariikalpa (a daughter of Dak$a) 542 Sarkara 104
Samskaras 46, 78, 79 Sarnga 75
Samvarta 18, 61 Sarngin 171
Saihvartaka 62, 68, 109 Sarpa (serpentine) missile 174
Samvatsara 63 Sarpak$etra 464
Simyauresvara Tirtha 465 Sarpa Tirtha 463
Samaveda 157 Sarva 19, 32, 54, 96, 104, 113, 383, 454
Samyagdnti 547 $arva instigated by ârvani 625
Sanaiscara, 153 Sarvamedha 520
Sanaka 31, 35 Sarvasuresvari 74
Index 669
Sarvatman 103 seven oceans 61, 62

Sasin 356 seven Patalas 66
Satabahu 267, 271 seven sages 356, 559
Satadru 10 seven Somasamsihas (varieties of Soma
Satakratu 366, 367, 369, 397, 400, 559, Sacrifice) 337
624 seventh lunar day in Magha 391
Satanika 220 seven worlds 61
Satarudra 9 Siddha 1, 30, 123, 133, 137, 453
Satarudrika 88 Siddhas 36, 108
£alatapa 220, 479 Siddhavaia 572
Sail 143, 542, 570 Siddhesvara 82, 396, 540
Satrughna 346 Siddhesvara (Suddhesvara) 491
Sattrayajna 133 Siddhesvara Lihga 316, 324
Sauva 8, 47, 48, 77, 80, 109 Siddhesvara Tirtha 422, 466, 540
Sattvika (Loka) 183, 349 Siddhesvari 466
SallvikT Bhakli 41 Siddhi 11, 38, 41, 42, 47, 51, 71. 134,
Salurn 154 135, 193, 362, 438, 442, 571, 576
Saiya (iruih) 108, 211 Siddhi-kseira 81
Satya (Loka) 62, 145 Siddhis 40, 515
Satyabhama 312 Sikha 579
Satyaloka 35. 46 Sikhai^din 268
SaiyavadinT 572 Sikhin 579
Saiyaval! 2 Sikhitirtha 579
Saubhagya (conjugal felicity) 92, 104, Sila 161
106, 570 Silas 445
Saubhagyadayini 103 Simanta 78
Saubhagyasundari 572 Simhavaklra 111
Sauca 108 Simhika 572
Saumika 79 Sindhu 9
Saumya 53, 187 sinners released from sins (at
Saunaka 2, 4 Siilabheda) 218
Saunakiya lore 3 sin of Brahmaria-slaughier 340, 491
Saurabheyl 543 Sin of Brahmana-slaughter and cow-
Saura Upapurana 5 slaughter 524
Sauri (Saturn) 153, 176 sin of spilling into water 300
Saulrihnani 79, 121 sins 536
Savitr 382, 541 sins committed in childhood 300
Savitra 53, 83 Sipra 88
Savitri 14, 78, 108, 574, 576 &isupala 405, 411
Savilri Tirtha 576 Sita 572
second husband permitted 240 Sitasokanivartana (HanOman) 267
seller of girls 218 Sitikantha 438
semen virile of King Vasu swallowed by Siva 1, 4, 5, 22, 29, 30, 41, 42, 43, 46,
a fish 312 53,54,58, 77,85,111,117,124,158,
Senapura 356 174, 175, 333, 337, 343, 345, 348,
seven births 354, 451 349, 353, 360, 362, 371, 413, 451,
seven continents 58, 66, 488 466, 572, 574, 580, 582
seven great oceans 26, 68 Siva, benefit of installing 618
seven Kalpas 11, 17, 19, 52 Siva 57, 71
seven mental soht-of Brahma 406 &vakali il9
670 Skanda Parana
£ivak$elra 490 Sraddha 79,91,102,148,161,180,182,

£ivaliAga 43, 569 185, 187, 202, 307, 333, 334, 418,
givaloka 449, 461 437, 466, 564, 579, 581, 582
£ivapura 29 Sraddha at Somesvara 286
$ivapu$pa 187 Sraddha rites 181
Sivaratri 596 Sravana
■ 104
Siva Sarikara 14 Sravani day 79
Siva TTriha 415 Sri 71, 339, 344, 348, 560
six causes of ihe downfall of women and Sri Devi 78
Ф Л
Stidras 536 Sridhara to be remembered in Sravana

six Kalpas 12 426
six-syllabled Mantra 583 Srikaritha 82
sixteen Kalas 343 Sripati 171,553,559,561,562,563,564
sixteen Kyetrrapalas 523 Srisa 171, 562
sixth mental son of Brahma 511 Srisaila 115, 571
Skanda 11, 58, 101, 273, 359 Srisukta 188
Skanda Purftna 4 Srivrta 511
Skanda Tirtha 359, 362, 368 Srngavan 25, 67
Slokadhyaya 188 Srngi Tirtha 603
Sinara 360 Sruti 2, 43, 158, 373, 380, 385 455
smearing oneself with the ash 399 Srulis 31
Smrti 2, 143, 158, 508 stealing gold 300
Sn&na 90, 119, 338 Sthanesvara 571
SnSna Mantra 613 Sthariu 52
Sodas! 79 Subahu and Sikhandin, stories of 267
solar disc 378 Subhadra 572
solar zone 301 Subhaga 100
Soma 114, 115, 374, 620 Sucis 88
Soma juice 339 Sudarsana 126, 128
Somaloka 374 Suddharudra 491
Somanatha 373 Suddhi 572
Somanatha, power of 284 Suddhodana 440
Somapas 17 Sudra 157, 374, 577, 632
Somarilja (Moon-god) 373 Sudras 337, 368, 373, 375
Somasarma 591 Sugandha 572
Somasamsthas 335 Suka 1, 316
Somatlrtha 83, 373, 374, 400 Sukaniha 103
Somesvara 570, 572 Suka Tirtha 220
Sons 17, 18, 21, 23, 572 Sukesa 590
son of Jamadagni 609 Suklatirtha 438,439,440,442,446,447,
son of Parasara 315 450, 630
son of Vibhandaka 625 Sukriya (Sukta) 188
sons 338 Sukfta (merit) 180
son saves his father 336 Sukta 46
So$ana 443, 444 Sula 61, 495, 570, 571
Southern Gangs 23 SQlabheda 159,160,161,162,177, 187,
Southern GaAgS of BhSrata 626 197, 198, 201, 206, 218, 495
SparSa LiAga 241 Siilabheda, power of 218
Spiritrious liquor, drinkers of 218 SQlabheda Tirtha 180
£raddhi 41, 144 Sulatlrtha 566
Index 671
0
Sulesvara 567 Tak$aka 463
Sulesvara TTrtha 566 Talamegha 292
£ulesvaii 567, 571, 572 Tamaha (a river) 462
Surhbha 92, 111, 135 Tamasa (gift) 183
Suineru 66 Tamasa (Manvantara) 185
Sumloca 543 Tamasa 17
sun balh 499 TamasI Bhakti 41
Sunda 440 Tam as! Maya 313
Sun-god 129, 131, 350, 402 Tamisra hell 441, 444
Sanmukha 229 Tandava dance 167
Sun remained paralysed 484 Tankana (axe) 356
Suparsva 572 Tapas 62, 145, 187
Suparvan (a king) 267 Tapesvara TTrtha 402
Surabhi 349, 439 Taptakrcchra 184
Surajyestha (Brahma) 108 Tara (a Daitya) 88
Surasa 17, 18, 21, 23 Tara 572
Surya 5, 380, 115 Taranga 572
Suryabimba 572 Taipurusa 94
Siiryaloka 46, 465, 566 lawny-coloured cow 287
Suryasavarni 185 TejovatT 132
Surya Tirtha 565 ten daughters of Daksa 542
sustenance 54 ten incarnations of the Lord 431
SOla 2 ten leading sages mentally born unto
Sutala 493 Brahma 279
Suvargabindu TTrtha 584 len-syllablcd Mantra 180
Suvarnasila 352 theft 536
Suvarnasilaka 344, 351 three cities 95, 96, 98, 99, 109
Suvarrisila Tirtha 352 three Devas 340, 341
Svadha 47, 63 three divisions of time 340
Svah 145 three fires 340
Svaha 37, 87, 572 three Kundas 179
• *
Svarga 15, 37, 38, 61, 90, 164, 345 three Sandhyas 340
Svargadvara ('Gateway to Heaven’) 82 three-syllabled Sfikta 161
Svarga Loka 43, 150, 563 Three-eyed Lord 34, 339
Svaroci$a 185 three Vedas 41, 576
Svayambhuva 185, 341 three worlds 72, 75, 78, 88, 90, 95, 98,
Sveta 25, 57, 67, 535, 536 108, 116, 121, 343, 348, 353, 358,
Svetavaraha 431 584
Syama 31 three Wigas 576
Syamaka 39, 46 Tilada TTrtha 619
Syandana 173 Tiladhenu 100, 183, 299, 300
Syandanave$takas (serving as cover of Tilottama 101, 543, 572, 625
the chariot) 173 Timira 159, 543, 564, 572
Tinduka 7, 102
Tailayantra 304 Tirtha, resorting to 625
taking as wife a sister, a daughter or a TTrtha of Dhanada 242
member of sister's family 536 tonsuring of the head 629
taking away the deposits of others 218 Tortoise (incarnation) 431, 432
taking balh in Rev% 266 touching the conch 502
taking food only once a day 629 Toyesa 58
672 Skanda Parana
transformation of foods 601 Upasti 578

Tray! 63 Upasunda 440
Tret* Yuga 131, 148 Upav*sa 117
Trident-bearing Lord 18, 498 Upavedas 2
Triku(a 13, 21, 22, 572 UrvasT 555
TrikA|* 18 Urvasi 572
Triku|i 21, 22 Usiira (arid) Ksetra 144
Trilocana 282 Usaras (arid lands) 141
Trilocana TTrtha 364 user of false weights 218
Trinetri 177 U$na Tirtha 572
Tripura 106, 107, 109, 115 Utpalak?! 571
Tripuras, city of 532 Utpalavartaka 572
Tripu$kara 562 UtsaAga 175
Trisandhy* 572 Uttama 184, 185
Trivikrama in Jyeftha, worship of 425 Ultanapada 162, 182, 197
Triy&ma 348 Uttarakuru 572
Tfpabindu 470 utterance of a Brahmana 508
Truth 187
Trutf 144 Vacaspati 25
tube of semen 312 VagTsa 76
Tul*puru$a 188 Vahni 115, 126, 127, 135, 358
Tva^w 540 Vahni Tirtha 263
twelve Adityas 75, 540 Vaidyanatha 572
twelve names (of the Sun-god) 380 Vaikhanasa Brahmaâs 36
twelve Sun-gods 523 Vaimanika Ganas 35
Vaisakha 104, 185, 301
Uccaihsravas 167 Vaisakha-Sthana 108
Uccaissravas 247, 387 Vai£ampayana 6
Udadhikramatya-srettha 267 Vai$nava 18, 37, 53, 338, 358, 446
Uddalaka 7, 220 Vai$nava region 46
Udg*trs 559 Vai$navas 18, 41, 78, 144, 300, 305
Udiqia 536 Vai$navavasara 593
Udlixia Var*ha 555 Vai$navi 466, 572
udutyam, Mantra begining with 577 Vai$navi Maya 342
Udvarta 18 Vaisravana 149, 471
Udvatsara 63 Vaisravanalaya 572
Ugra 512 Vaisya 158, 375
Ujjayinl 443 Vaitaraiii 336, 445, 458, 459
Ullekha 577 Vaivasvata 185
Urn* 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 34, 54, 58, 82, Vajapeya 79, 364, 397
93,100» 103,104,105,107,118,124, Vajapeya (sacrifice) 366
132, 137, 143, 155, 163, 165, 173, Vajasaneyaka Veda 577
333, 348, 352, 358, 359, 360, 361, Vak 71
362, 396, 448, 567, 570 V*lakhilyas 220, 399
Umimdra 115 V*1i 345
Um* ViSvarQp* 71 Valmtki 1
unwittingly committed sins 300 Valuvihini 17, 18
Upapurflgas M VSmadeva 13, 94, 188
Uparicara V p SI0 Vamana 171, 432, 463
Index 673
Vamana Purana 4 Vedas 2, 3, 32, 72, 88

Vanaspatis 102 Vedavadana 572
Vanaspatya 187 Vedavyasa 7
Vandinlka 572 Vedhas 52
Varaha 18, 53, 171 Vedic passage 508
Var&hakalpa 69, 74 Vedic passages 43, 443
Varaha Purana 4 Vedic Scriptures 26
Varahasaila 571 Vedic Vidya 3
Varavas! 190, 195, 220, 571 vehicle of the Lord 527
Vararoha 572 vehicles and bed, giver of 213
Varija 187 Vena 572
Varman 173 Veni (Prayaga) 178, 179
Varnas (castes) 157 verbal sins 300
Vanina 16, 44, 108, 115, 130, 145, 382, Vibhanda 220
390, 393, 540 Vibhandaka 7
Varuna 391, 449, 498, 499 Vibhl$ana 265, 432, 471, 472
Varuirialaya 263 Vidasa 17
Variuria missile 170, 174 Vidhala 108, 145
Vampa Upapurana 5 Vidhauiapapa 525
Varunesa 393 Vidhi 557
Varunesvara 262 Vidya 587
VaruiiT 78 Vidyadana 387
Va$a* 10, 30, 37 Vidyadharas 108
Va$atkara 63 Vidyananda 622
Vasava 97, 177, 357, 359, 468 Vijnana 54
Vasava Tirtha 620 Vikuihbha 471
Vasi§(ha 40 Vimala 21, 24, 571
Vasiftha 11, 47, 141, 220, 279 Vimalesvara 156, 624, 625
Vastresvara 572 VTija 96
Vasu 311, 542 Vinata 246, 388, 389
Vasudeva 172, 432,451,491,493, 544, Vinata’s enslavement and releue 245
546 Vinayaka 101, 572
Vasuki 330, 387, 461 Vinayakas 57. 179
Vasuklsa Tirtha 328 Vindhya 7, 67, 572
Vasus 400 Vindhyaniv&sini 572
Va(a 102, 393 Vipagi 111
Va(aka1pa 53 Vipapa 21, 24
Vatesvara 393 Vipasa 17, 21, 24, 88, 572
Vatsara 63 Vipras 2
Viyavya 174, 187, 389, 498, 499 Vipula 572
Vayu 18, 21, 58, 115, 392 VipulS 572
Vayudevata 11 Virabhadra 523
Vayu Ригйда 5 VTrasena 204
Vayuputra 267 Vira|. (Cosmic) Puru?a 19
Vayu-vahinI 21, 24 Virocana 371
Vedamata 572 Virfipak$a 7, 43, 96, 111
Vedadga 25 Virupanayana 111
Vedangas 2, 72, 363, 396 Viâbhojana 443
Vedanidhi 621 VisalaM 571
674 SkandaPurdna
Visalya 85, 86, 87, 89, 90 woman does not deserve being inde
Vi$asariipiirna 445 pendent 240
Vifliu 2, 11, 16, 27, 28, 33, 43, 53, 54, woman having only one progeny 525
55, 58, 63, 72, 75, 88, 107, 108,114, woman who gives birth only to girls 525
115, 134, 164, 165, 169, 171, 172, woman who gives up her life in
301, 339, 340, 341, 355, 356, 369, Dhautapapa 526
370, 380, 382, 400, 436, 540, 541, woman whose child is dead 525
547, 560, 561 women of red complexion wearing red
Vifttu in Caitra 425 garments 221
Viwuloka 46,77,91,155,356,451,563, worldly pleasures 83
564 world of four types 345
Yi$gu PursiQa 4, 5 'worship, procedure of 596
Vignusarman 586, 590 worship of Kesava in Margaslr$a 425
Visravas 148, 471 worship of Lord Narayana in Pau$a 425
Vi;uva 301, 374 worship of Loianesvara in Karttika 616
Visvakarm* 517, 559
Visvakaya (a deity) 571 Yajna 357
Visvakaya 71 Yajnas 341
Visvamitra 141, 397, 479 Yajnavalkya 151, 152,154,155, 220, 479
Visvamukhi (a deity) 572 Yajnopavita 51, 177, 577
Visvarupa 563 Yajuh 53
Visvavatl 542 Yajurveda 157, 188
ViSvesvara 571 Yajus 150
Vitasta 88 Yajus hymns 137
Vittasa(hya 105 Yak$akardama 188
Vivasvan 380, 442, 454, 540, 541 Yama 44,58,80,100,108,114,115,167,
Vrata 43, 78, 132 169, 171, 173, 183, 273, 301, 337,
Vratas 32, 46, 52 380, 382, 390, 432, 441, 443, 444,
Vfkodara 463 454, 479, 591
Vfndavana 572 Yamaculli 304
Vftabha 115 Yamahasya Tirtha 302
Vf$akapi 188 Yamala mountains 304
Vftakhata 511 Yamalaparvatas 444
Vr$ali, cohabtation with 449 Yamalva 260
Vftotsarga 252, 323, 419, 490 Yamesvara 82, 391
Vj-tra 367 Yamuna 10, 17, 88, 120, 179, 187, 572
Vyighravaktra 111 Yamya (Tirtha) 391
Vyasa 1, 2, 315 Yatudhanas 49
Vyksa's birth, story of 310 Yodhanlpura 406, 535
Vy£satlrtha 309, 321 Yoga 155, 194
Vyatipfta 120, 186, 301, 374, 459 Yojanagandha 314
Vyatlp&tesvara 82 Yojanesvara Tirtha 411
Ytidhi$thira 9,10, 14,17,18,19, 51, 86,
water of Revft 537 115, 119, 134, 343, 344, 346, 353,
widow 632 373, 394
wife praised 337 Yuganta 30
Wind-god 82 Yug^ntagni 67
wine, diiuter of 218 Ybgmaparvatais 445
woman 335 ^

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101. The Greatness of Sarikarsana Tlrtlia■ •

128. The Greatness of Bhrkutesvara Tirtha 384

168. The Greatness of Ankuresvara Tirtha 470

208. The Greatness of Rnamocana Tirtha

Book V: AVANTYA KHAN DA

S ection III: REVA-KHANDA

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED ONE

The Greatness oj Sankarsana Tirtha

Sri M arkandeya said:

devoutly performs Sraddha unto the Pitrs there itself goes to

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWO

The Glory of Manmaihesvara Tirtha

Sri Markandeya said:

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THREE

The Greatness of the Confluence

Sri Mdrkandeya said:

Earlier Sankara was asked this very question by Gauri. О

who gives sexual pleasure and a son. О beautiful lady, my

Japa, Tapas (penance), pilgrimage, adoration of Siva, prac­

with drinking the Soma juice. No doubt need be entertained

О my beloved, to the confluence of Erandi. They stood in

The Brahmanas said:

the Vrata of sages. Were you performing the severe penance

The Brahmanas said:

moon adorned his head. The omnipresent Mahesvara appeared

Visnu shall be Hemanta (winter). He has the form of the

take pity on me, be present in this Tlrtha and be the bestowers

After considering this the other (two) Devas, Pitamaha and

new-moon day, certainly his Pitrs become propitiated for a

Sri Markandeya said:

Sri Markandeya said:

wood was unloaded by him single-handedly and he became

The note of a musical instrument, of a lute, is heard as very

The wife said:

162-169. Thinking about this like this I spent the night in

Sri Markandeya continued:

If anyone devoutly listens to or reads with great devotion,

He should begin the adoration of the departed ones after

If women desire progeny and take the holy bath at the

the confluence. Trees go to that region which Yogins will attain

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FOUR

The Greatness of Suvarnasila Tlrtha

Listen to the benefit when gold is gifted to a Brahman a

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIVE

Thp Greatness of Karanja Tirtha

Sri Markandeya said:

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIX

The Greatness of Kamada Tirtha

The person should control his sense-organs and observe fast

He enjoys pleasures of great excellence in the company of

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SEVEN

The Greatness of Bhanddri Tirtha

Sri Markandeya said:

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHT

Japa, Tapas (penance), pilgrimage, adoration of Siva, prac

When the eleventh thousand-year-period arrived, О excel

After bathing Mahadeva, the destroyer of all sins, he re