Skanda Purana 22 (AITM)
Skanda Purana 22 (AITM)
Skanda Purana 22 (AITM)
CHAPTER ONE
Vyasa said:
1. Obeisance to that endless, subtle, pure, God of gods, the
creator knowable through the means of knowledge, and the
cosmic-formed Samkara.
Suta said:
4. There are many centers of pilgrimage in this world which
cannot be counted. Their number has been stated to be three
and a half crore in olden times.
2 Skanda Parana
Suta said:
10. О great Brahmanas! I describe the sin-destroying story
of Arbuda mountain, the way I have heard.
11-13. Vasistha, the son of Brahma, was a divine sage.
Descending on earth, he performed severe austerities. He used
to live in open during rains and in water during winter. He
used to take fixed food and kept himself engaged in the welfare
of all living beings. Undergoing the pain of self-torment under
five fires during summer, he used to keep himself continuously
engaged in muttering names of deities and in making offerings to
fire. He had a wish-fulfilling milch cow named Nandim with him.
14. Once while wandering about on earth, she fell into a
deep and dark cleft affected by extreme thirst.
15. Coinciding this, the Sun god set down but the cow did
not return to the hermitage.
16. Everyday in the morning and in the evening Vasistha,
the observer of religious vow used to perform the ritual of
offering oblation to fire with the milk of that cow.
17. Now worried with the fear of atonement, Vasistha went in
search of the cow in the higher and lower regions of that mountain.
vii.III. 1. 18-32 3
18. Going near that ditch, he heard the painful voice of the
cow. He asked the auspicious cow, “How could you fall down
here?
19-20. Becoming nervous as to how offering oblation to the
sacrificial fire could be continued, I have come out to see you.”
The cow said, “I have fallen down here due to my desire to
have grass. Please save me from this difficult, intolerable pain.”
Having heard those words of hers, Sage Vasistha, resorted to
meditation.
21-23. He meditated on the (divine) river Sarasvatl, the
purifier of all the three worlds. She on being meditated on by
that sage filled the ditch completely at once with pure water.
The ditch having thus been completely filled, NandinT then
came out of it. Becoming happy, the cow came back to the
hermitage with the sage.
24-27. That great sage saw depth in the middle of the ditch
and he, the wise one, thought of filling it up. О Brahmanas! a
thought that this ditch be filled up with stones brought from the
mountain dawned on Vasistha and he thought, “Let me proceed
towards Himalaya soon. Himalaya will send stones here. This
ditch will get filled up by this great soul.” Sage Vasistha then
went to Himalaya. Having seen Vasistha coming, the Himalaya
mountain became happy. Then having received him by washing
of feet and making deserving offering he said:
28-29. “Welcome to you, О great sage! My life has become
fruitful today that you, the one adorable to all gods, have arrived
at my house today. О great sage! Tell me the job to be done,
any job, which I, of course, will do, even by sacrificing my life
for your sake.”
30-32. Vasistha said: “There is a dangerous hollow near my
hermitage. NandinI, my best cow, had fallen into it. I took her
out with great effort. I have come to you with the fear that she
may fall into it again. О Lord of the Earth! No one else is able
to accomplish this task (of filling the hollow). Hence, О great
one, please send any mountain there, by which the hollow gets
filled up. Send something like this.”
4 Skanda Purana
Vasistha said:
1. There was a great sage named Gautama in earlier times,
who had practised severe austerities. His wife was renowned
by the name Ahalya.*
2. This sage had taught crores of disciples and he used to
send them back home after making them accomplished in the
learning of sacred texts.
3. Attached firmly with faith in the teacher, one of his
intelligent disciples named Uttanka used to stay in his (the
teacher’s) house.
4. Despite old age afflicting him (i.e., the disciple), he was
not sent back home. His hair turned grey. But as he (Uttanka)
was the best disciple, he used to put up there.
5. Proficient in studies and remaining engaged in all activities,
some time he went out to fetch firewood.
6. Collecting a heavy load of firewood he came back to the
hermitage and the firewood fell down on the ground.
Saudasa said:
22-23. You go to the temple difficult to approach where my
wife stays. With fear of your own life, you go there carefully
and ask her for the earrings as per my words, which she will
give you. О Brahmana! you do not have to do anything other
than this truth.
Vasistha said:
24-25. Going near Madayantl, the best Brahmana said, “O
revered lady! Please give me both the earrings as per the
command of Saudasa to you.” Madayantl said, “O Brahmana!
I have doubt whether to give you the earrings. Please show me
a token of proof with regard to the identity of the King.”
26. Instantly he rushed to the King and asked for his identity.
Saudasa said:
27. Go and tell that righteous lady these words of mine: “One
without whom welfare cannot be attainable and only misfortune
awaits.” She in turn will, of course, hand over to you the
bejewelled earrings.
Vasistha said:
28-30. Having taken such identity U ttanka went and
communicated it to her. Then having said, “O Brahmana! take
the earrings,” she gave the earrings. She also said, “You must
carry these earrings with great care. О Brahmana! the goldsmith
always had the desire for these two earrings.” Having taken
these, the Brahmana became wonderstruck with wide open eyes.
However, he was perplexed over the words of the King for
which he proceeded to the King again with curiosity.
He said:
31-32. After bringing to notice your identity, I have obtained
the two glittering earrings. But I could not understand your
statement, for the comprehension of which I have come to you
vii.111. 2. 33-44 7
Saudasa said:
33. The act of worship causing pleasure to a Brahmana brings
in welfare while the same act resulting in displeasure causes
misfortune as was my previous (old) condition.
34-35. I had a curse of Sage Vasistha on me, according to
which, I would be released from the sins of my vices when
someone could only enable an unpressed declaration of this
question from me. О best Brahmana! I have become free from
the curse today by your kindness and have attained the sacred
Abode. Take leave from me and my due respects to you.”
Vasistha said:
36-38. Thereafter becoming free from Saudasa, Шапка took
to his way swiftly. While on way, becoming intently troubled
with hunger he happened to see a Bilva fruit (a wood-apple)
on a tree. Then tying up both the earrings with the haired skin
of a black antelope, he kept them on the ground and climbed
up the tree. In the intervening period, Taksaka, the Naga prince,
taking away both the earrings went away in the Southern
direction of the grassland.
39. Having eaten the fruit, Шапка descended to the ground
and began to look intently for the earrings on all sides. He saw
Taksaka, the King of Nagas in front entering a frightening dark
hole.
40-44. Picking up a stick lying nearby in hand Uttanka
entered the hole full of darkness and got engaged in searching.
Seeing Uttanka to be sad and stressed due to the teacher’s job
Indra put the mighty thunderbolt onto the stick and Uttanka
could dig up to the bottom of the earth very soon. Having
entered the lower region of earth, i.e., hell, he went on moving
around with an eye upon the earrings. He saw a horse of superior
8 Skanda Purana
quality of full white colour there. The horse told him, “You
touch my private part and your job will be done.”
45-46. Smoke soon spread across there after its saying so.
The fire engulfed all places in the nether region including the
mountains supporting the earth. Then agitated snakes began to
run here and there. Along with the earrings, Taksaka, the king
of Nagas, was there before them. Then he handed over the
earrings to Uttanka and after paying his respects left for home.
Vasistha said:
47-54. Now Fire said to the assured best Brahmana, “I am
Agni, whom you had worshipped earlier as per the direction of
your own teacher. Out of mercy, I have come here seeing you
sad. You sit on my back fast. I will take you to the teacher the
storehouse of all qualities.” Then Uttanka seated on his back
started heading towards the teacher’s hermitage and instantly
reached near the abode of Gautama. At that time, after having
a bath and getting herself dressed up Ahalya was by the side of
her husband and happened to be saying, “Uttanka has not come
today. I am determined to curse him. He shows laxity in
performing the teacher’s assignment.” Hardly had she spoken
like this when Uttanka appeared before her with a bright face.
He had brought both the earrings and after paying respects
gave those with faith. Having taken those earrings, Ahalya wore
them on her ears at that time and then sent Uttanka back home.
Vasistha said:
55. Thus that cleft was caused by Taksaka and Uttanka. Intent
upon thinking like this, I am, therefore, for it to be filled up due
to my cow.
56. Hence, you please fill it up quickly for no one else other
than you is able to do this even with one hundred meritorious
actions. О Himalaya, О King of mountains, complete my work
without any hesitation.
vii.HI. 3. 1-10 9
CHAPTER THREE
Suta said:
1-2. Having listened to this statement of the great soul
Vasistha, Himalaya began to think how to fill up the cleft. After
thinking on the matter for a long duration Himalaya asked Sage
Vasistha to tell the way mountains can be brought there.
3. He continued, “Indra had cut off the wings of all mountains
since olden times. Hence, О best Sage, make this work certain.”
Vasistha said:
4-6. О great mountain! there is a way to fit mountains there.
You have the son famous as Nandivardhana. His best friend is
of the name Arbuda. He is the best among all bearing life. He
is powerful, and roams about in the sky. As one always on the
move to higher regions, he must have reached there fast and
there is no doubt about it. I have come here having known that
all works are his sport.
7. You give him orders and do not get worried. If you are a
devotee of mine, send him fast there, of course.
Suta said:
8-10. A fter hearing the words of Vasistha, Himalaya,
affectionate toward son became very sad and thought: “Our
son Mainaka has entered the sea and Vasistha has arrived to
take away the eldest one. Now what should we do that will be
for the good of all of us. There was fear of curse on one side
while on the other was excessive sorrow of separation from
son. But then separation from son is right while incurring the
curse of a Brahmana is not.”
10 Skanda Purana
Nandivardhana said:
13-14. О Lord! that country is full of sinners. No fruit or
flower appears there. Only Palana, Khadira and cotton trees
(Salmali), etc. grow there. There is no river there. All inhabitants
there are wicked. О King of mountains! I am in no way fit to
go there.
15-18. Vasistha then told the nervous Nandlvardhana, “There
is no need for you to fear or to be affected by anyone’s
wickedness there, for there will always be my abode on top of
your head. Places of pilgrimage, rivers, gods, auspicious
mansions and many kinds of trees having fruits, foliage and
flowers will be there. As good signs, there will be deer and
birds there. I will get Lord баткага there for your need, as a
result of which along with Indra all gods will shine forth there.
Suta said:
19-26. Nandlvardhana became exalted after hearing the
statement of Vasistha. Going near the Arbuda mountain and
repeating the same statement he said, “O friend! we will go
there. Let there be good fortune for you. I consider this time to
be fit for the job related to the Brahmana”. Arbuda said, “O
son of Mountain! with myself originated from mountain, I will
come there due to my love for you and will undoubtedly dwell
there with you till the accomplishment of your job. But, О
brother, due to my love, I want to say something. Till my voice
lasts, I am speaking out of love and if you feel I am right, do
not think differently. May this place earn its fame by my name
and I do not have any other debt.” Then after admitting, and
bowing down to mother and father, he left along with the sage
getting mounted on Arbuda.
vii.III. 3. 27-37 11
Arbuda said:
28-31. О great Sage! You are pleased. This is the best boon.
However, О Brahmana! If you have to give something then
listen: Let there be a stream of clean water on the peak of this
mountain which be renowned by the name ‘Nagatlrtha’ in all
directions of the land. Due to love for my friend I will always
dwell there and with your kindness let all humans attain the
heavenly world after having a bath in this place of pilgrimage.
Let a barren woman taking bath in this place of pilgrimage get
happiness, good fortune and children.
Vasistha said:
32-35. A barren woman who takes a bath only once in this
whole water will obtain a son endowed with all good features.
A woman worshipping with fruits on the fifth day of the brighter
half of the lunar month of Sravana (July-August) will obtain
sons despite being one hundred years old. The humans who
take bath with faith in this place of pilgrimage will attain the
highest place after getting exempted from old age and death.
Those perform ing the ceremony in honour of the dead
forefathers here on the fifvh day of a month with all strictness,
will get the complete fruits of pilgrimage performed in the month
of Sravana.
Suta said:
36-37. Sage Vasistha after having given boon in this way
came near Nandivardhana and said these words, “O Son! ask
for a boon. О sinless one! I am pleased with you. Because of
12 Skanda Purana
Nandivardhana said:
38-39. О Best one of Sages! Your earlier statement is true.
Your presence be always here by virtue of which I and Arbuda
earn fame on the earth. It is established in my mind that all
these happened by your grace.
SUta said:
40-47. The blessed sage Vasistha told him that it would be
like this and inspired by his statement he built up his own
hermitage there. Trees like Pansa (bread fruit), Campaka (a
tree bearing yellow fragrant flowers), mango, Priyangu, Bilva,
three leaved Bela (asafoetida) and pomegranate etc. are there
on this mountain. Many kinds of birds also dwell here. Gods
and the heavenly musicians (Gandharvas) serve it. Sage
Vasistha dwells there along with Arundhatl. Through (the power
of) penances, Sage Vasistha had brought the river Gomatl here
by bathing in which the extremely vicious humans also go to
the heavenly world. Those who take bath in the month of Magha
(corresponding to the months of January-February) especially
during the period when the Sun remains in Makara (the Zodiac
sign of Capricorn), attain the highest status. Especially, a human
being making offering of sesames in the month of Magha dwells
for a number of years equal to the number of sesame grains in
Heaven. What more to say! One should take bath here. A
human being does not take a rebirth after seeing the face of
Sage Vasistha. Arundhatl is worshipped particularly here.
vii.HI. 4. 1-9 13
CHAPTER FOUR
Origin of Acalesvara
Suta said:
1. Sage Vasistha made his own hermitage on that Arbuda
mountain and began the pursuit of intense religious austerities
for making the dwelling of God Samkara on it.
2. The sage continued to have fruits for food as per rule. He
remained dependent on having leaves for food for two hundred
years.
3. He spent five hundred years drinking water only and
another ten hundred years by breathing air only.
4. He practised Pancagni (remaining in the middle of five
fires) during summer and stayed under water during winter.
He stayed in the open for a thousand years during rains.
5. Then being pleased with the austerities of that great sage,
the Linga of Siva worshipped in the form of a stone came up
instantaneously piercing the mountain. Then witnessing the
presence of that Linga of Siva, Sage Vasistha began recitation
of hymns in wonder.
6. He recited: “Homage to you, О holy one! О Lord Siva!
whose sacredness everyone praises, О bearer of braided and
knotted hair and the bearer of the image of three gods.
7. Homage to you, having the gross form yet omnipresent
through the fine form and the bearer of bow and arrow and the
three-eyed one.
8. Homage to you, О Samkara holding the crescent moon
and pervading all directions! Homage to you, О bearer of the
Pinaka bow and one having the body of eight forms!
9. О Samkara! You are of the form of knowledge, you are
comprehensible through the path of knowledge. You are the
embodiment of knowledge. Homage to you- the image of all
wisdom.
14 Skanda Purana
Suta said:
13. In the meantime a statement issued from the Incorporeal,
saying that it was pleased by the gentle behaviour (of the
worshipper) and that he could ask for any boon for well-being.
14. Having said so, the Linga of 6iva worshipped in the
form of a stone pierced out from within the body of the
mountain.
Vasistha said:
15. О God Samkara! You please dwell for ever in this Linga.
I have prayed for the same at this great soul earlier. If you are
pleased then, О Samkara! let my words be true.
Suta said:
22. Having said this much, the great God stopped. The great
soul Vasistha became pleased in heart followed up by Sages
like Gautama etc.
23. Gods like Indra etc. were also happy. The Brahmana
sage had brought other places of pilgrimage, temples and
mansions on this mountain through his own austerities.
24. Now becoming happy, the great God got settled down
here.
CHAPTER FIVE
Suta said:
2. Pulastya, the illustrious sage, in ancient times, came to the
house of king Yayati. After paying homage, the king told the
sage.
3. О best of the sages! welcome to you. My life has become
fruitful. With pleasure, please let me hear the story of the Arbuda
mountain.
16 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
6. О king Yayati! this best of the mountains—Arbuda has
abundant religious merit. A detailed description of it is not
possible in hundreds of years.
7. Hence, I am describing only the principal centers of
pilgrimage on it in brief. Among these in the very beginning is
Naga Tirtha which fulfills desires of all people.
8. This center of pilgrimage especially grants the good
fortune of gift of children to women. Due to this, its ancient
history is a matter of great wonder.
9. There was a loyal, faithful and virtuous Brahmana lady
by name GautamI who had made visits to places of pilgrimage
the principal objective of life for becoming a widow in
childhood.
10. She had come to Arbuda and had approached Naga
Tirtha. She had taken a dip in its water with all her mind.
11. A woman named Nayaka had also come here with her
son for the purpose of pilgrimage. О king! that son had
performed many kinds of services here.
12. He perform ed service with all paraphernalia. But
becoming sad with separation from son, GautamI began to worry
(thinking).
13. “Fortunate is that child always engaged in service.
Fortunate is she having a son like this. I am reproachable for
being devoid of child.
14. I, a widow, am very sad without a child.” О king! she
then came out of the reservoir.
15-16. Without union with husband she became pregnant
immediately. As a virtuous lady she got ashamed for being
vii.111.5.17-28 17
CHAPTER SIX
Influence of Acalesvara
king! you are capable of making all gifts. Please speak out as
we have a curiosity in this matter.”
Venu said:
21. О Brahmanas! listen to what am I saying. This description
of my past life is specially true.
22. A bird by name Suka used to stay here in this palace in
olden times. Then I used to take round of the God day and
night.
23. I have become one having memory of one’s family by
its grace and influence. I am now doing this act of taking round
out of Supreme faith.
24. I do not know what fruit will accrue out of the influence
of this God. О sages! I am not doing any other thing due to this
reason.
Pulastya said:
25-26. After hearing these words of king Venu, with wonder
and exhilaration, the sages said, “all right! all right!” Then all
the great sages continued keeping themselves engaged in the
act of taking round. They got imbued with great faith.
27. With the grace of God Samkara, the fortunate king Venu
obtained that difficult place in comparison with gods.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Pulastya said:
1. О best of kings! then one needs to visit the great pond
known as Bhadrakarna where the bearer of the three lustrous
eyes is even visible now-a-days in many stones.
22 Skanda Purana
Bhadrakarna said:
12. О great God! let there be your closeness to the Linga I
have founded on this Arbuda mountain and you remain fixed
in this pond.
vii.111. 8. 13-15 — 9. 1-7 23
Eminence of Kedara
Pulastya said:
1. О king! then one must visit Kedara—the place of
pilgrimage renowned in the three worlds, a visit to which takes
away all sins of human beings.
2. The river Ganga known as Mandakinl has arrived here by
joining the river Sarasvatl. О king! the human being, after
having a bath here, gets free from all sins.
3. О king! listen to the old historical description of this place
of pilgrimage. The sages have sung this in many ways in this
mountain of Arbuda.
4. Ajapala—the best of kings bom in the Surya dynasty was
undoubtedly the protector of this earth comprising seven islands.
5. This king neither had elephants nor any infantry nor did
he have any horse with him. He also did not have a chariot and
treasury in any form.
6. The king never used to collect excess taxes from his
subjects. By this, he used to rule in the welfare of people.
7. If there was any individual committing offence of any
kind, he used to go immediately and bring that rogue to book.
24 Skanda Purana
Ajapdla said:
14. О Brahmana! you know everything—the past, the present
and the future through the influence of your perseverance.
15. О Sage! I have a curiosity in heart. With grace towards
me and pleasure in mind, please explain me.
Vasistha said:
16. О king! please speak out everything that is in your mind.
I will let you know all those difficult things.
Vasistha said:
22. О king! listen in details as I say. Do not get hurt or feel
ashamed.
23. О king! in the other previous body (i.e., past life), you,
were born in the last, i.e., the Sudra Varna of the four-fold
Varna system. So was also your virtuous wife.
24. At certain juncture of time in that period, famine had
occurred. Everywhere in the world, there was suffering from
hunger due to the destruction of crops.
25. At that time you had proceeded to another country. In
that country, ascending a range of mountains, you had crossed
over a fountain.
26. There, after seeing an auspicious pond full of an enticing
forest of lotus, you took a bath there and offered libations of
water to your parental ancestors.
27. You thought ‘let me take these lotuses and sell them so
that we could arrange our food.’
28. О king! then carrying along many lotuses, you went to a
place where many people were already there.
29. Being sufferers of famine, no individual purchased the
lotuses. Moving around in the four directions you got tired and
became dejected.
30. With the day ending you took rest in a cave. Putting the
lotuses down on the ground you receded into sleep overtaken
with hunger.
26 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
52. The king got into a state of astonishment hearing these
words of Vasistha. The king then made up his mind to visit
Kedara.
53. Then having gone to the m ountain and having
worshipped Lord Kedara, the king remained engaged for years
in observance of the religious ritual undertaken on the fourteenth
day of the waning period of moon in the month of Chaitra,
(i.e., March).
28 Skanda Parana
CHAPTER TEN
Yayati said:
1. You have heard about Kedara in the supreme mountain
Himalaya. The river Ganga has come out of it and has entered
the sea in the east.
2. And the river Sarasvatl has come out of the mango groves.
Absorbing the heat of big fires, it has flown into the sea on the
west.
3. How could a place Kedara come up there? This is very
astonishing and I have a curiosity. О Brahmana! please narrate
all these strange things in details.
Pulastya said:
4. О king! what all you are asking are true. Listen carefully
to the way it has been and as I have heard.
5-8. In olden times, centres of pilgrimage like Ganga, resting
places of gods like Kedara along with gods like Indra and others
and with other great sages went to Brahma. All of them
conducted many and different types of religious discourses
there. О king! all places of pilgrimage, regions, forests and
gardens belonging to gods were present in this congregation.
Eventually, in the course of discussion, Indra told Brahma, “O
king! this be happened to utter in curiosity.”
Indra said:
9. О God! now I desire to hear about the greatness of good.
As a matter of proof please tell me about the distinction of
‘Krta yuga’ amongst all.
30 Skanda Purana
Brahma said:
10. О Indra! Yugas have been said to comprise 70 lakh years.
From these, one half of twenty eight thousand years is said to
constitute the Krta Yuga.
11. Twelve lakh years from that stated above is named as
Treta Yuga. In mutual give and take in commercial exchanges
it has been measured to comprise more than one hundred
thousand years.
12. There has been a Yuga renowned to comprise eight lakh
and sixty-four thousand years. This has been proclaimed as
the Dvapara Yuga by gods.
13. There has been still another Yuga well-known as
comprising four lakh and thirty-two thousand years which is
called the Kali Yuga. This is how it has been the established
practice of laying down Yugas in thousands of years by the
best God.
14. There were four steps of righteousness and Visnu was
having a fair complexion in the Krta Yuga. There was hardly
any famine or disease in this Yuga.
15. With religious and moral duties being performed, there
was no untimely death of humans at that time. Crops could be
yielded without ploughing and the cows used to give abundant
milk.
16. Bad qualities like lust, anger, fear, greed and jealousy
could hardly be possible in that Yuga.
17. Then ushered in the Treta Yuga in which there were
three steps to righteousness. With people having a long life
Visnu was of red complexion in this Yuga.
18. There used to be Yajnas as a measure of fulfilling peoples’
aspirations. People did not have the disposition towards
enjoyment of desires.
19. People’s occupation in that Yuga happened to be
remaining engaged in austerity, observance of chastity, having
a bath as fulfillment of religious activity, making offerings,
having a different type of Yajna, making of sacrificial offerings
to fire and taking the name of God repeatedly in one’s mind.
vii.III. 10. 20-32 31
20. Then the third Yuga named as Dvapara let people little
loose. In this Yuga there were two steps to religious
righteousness and Visnu was yellow complexioned.
21. Repeatedly taking of name of God within one’s mind,
Yajnas and religious austerities were all conducted with desire
for fruits. People were followers of truth and were equally
inclined towards dance (Merriment) and the King was well-
disposed during this Yuga.
22. The kings on earth at this time were fighting among one
another. They used to go to the heavenly kingdom after attaining
purity through worship of Visnu by Yajna.
23. Then the fourth Yuga, i.e., Kali Yuga starts in which
there is only one step to religious righteousness. People remain
fearful in this Yuga and regular worship is undertaken.
24. Visnu becomes of a black complexion and there is
relatively a greater prevalence of sins. So also cheating,
jealousy, greed, anger and fear prevail.
25. Becoming followers of greed and desire, people in the
kingdom remain occupied with how to gain wealth. The age
(Longevity) of life with people reduces and the earth also yields
less crops.
26. Cows give less milk and the Brahmanas become bereft
of truth. People cheat and stay assrued under the garb of
happiness of taste and sex.
27. With deterioration of truth, sins proliferate in Kali Yuga
and hairs of people get gray at the age of sixteen.
28. Women get pregnant at the age of twelve and О Indra!
people become of a dirtier and mixed complexion at this time.
29. All Varnas and Asramas become one in this age. Yajnas
and the regular rituals followed for ages in a family head towards
ruination.
30. All places of pilgrimage become meaningless due to their
coming in contact with outcastes, non-Aryans. Even the best
of kings become bereft of influence.
31-32. Having heard these statements of Brahma whose birth
is unknown, the centers of pilgrimage stationed there told
Brahma, “You have stated what our position will be in the
32 Skanda Purana
difficult Kali Yuga. With no place for us О God! please tell the
selected places that could always be ours in this Yuga.”
33. Brahma said, “there is the best of mountains by name
Arbuda where Kali cannot prevail. Hence that is the destination
for all centres of pilgrimage to have their station.
34. “Any individual who, despite having committed the
biggest of sins, takes a look of the Arbuda mountain, obtains
the ultimate passage becoming free from all the shortcomings
of Kali Yuga.”
Pulastya said:
35. Saying like this О king! Brahma then went to the Brahma
world. Then all the centres of pilgrimage went to the Arbuda
mountain in the Kali Yuga.
36-37. With the presence of Arbuda, the Chief of Mountains
on earth, the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvatl and even the
ponds and places of pilgrimage such as Kuruksetra, Prabhasa,
Brahmavarta including all other pilgrim centres, spread over
three and a half crore lands went to the Arbuda mountain out
of fear of Kali Yuga.
38. This is how every pilgrim centre could have its place of
fixation on the Arbuda mountain and this is how Ganga and
Sarasvatl also came there.
39. People with their minds bent upon peace attain
emancipation from rebirth with all certainty there. All ancestors
of a family go to heaven by conduct of religious ceremony
there in honour of the departed souls.
40. О king! there was some astonishing happening there.
There was a sage by name Mankana staying on the banks of
Sarasvatl.
41. Giving up desire and anger that pure soul was engaged
in performance of religious austerity. While continuing in that
state once shivering with cold he began to sneeze.
42. There was some bile lying there. That was appearing
like red in colour. Having seen that the sage Mankana became
pleased.
vii.UI. 10. 43-53 33
Mankana said:
48. “O Brahmana! is it not visible to you that my bile has
turned red? I have attained that accomplished fulfilment as my
bile has already become red.
49. О Brahmana! due to this reason, I am dancing out of
pleasure.” He told in this way to the Great God.
50. О virtuous king! Saiiikara struck his thumb with the index
finger of his own and then white-like ash similar to the fibre of
lotus came out of his thumb.
Then he said:
5 1 .0 Brahmana! look at this feat of mine with all curiosity
where white ash is coming out of my finger.
52. Pulastya said, “That Brahmana got preplexed after
witnessing this and then having recognized him as the image
of Siva, kneeled down and bowing before him started saying
like this.
Mankana said:
53. You are of course the Great God. I am seeing you directly.
Please be pleased with me. My heart says that I have perhaps
recognized you.
34 Skanda Purana
Mankana said:
56. Let the fruits awaiting that specific worship in which
horses are offered to the fire or the one in which a king makes
offerings to fire to win the consent of everyone for his
coronation be obtainable by a mere bath in the Sarasvatl river
undertaken with undivided sincerity of mind.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Eminence of Kotisvara
Pulastya said:
1. О foremost king! then one needs to visit the supreme God
Kotisvara by having a look of which humans definitely attain
fulfilment.
2. Before that О king! listen to one astounding incident that
happened there. It was a proven fact that one crore prominent
sages used to live in its southern side.
3-4. Competing among one another like in a game of play
they all came to this Arbuda mountain presupposing within
themselves that the sage arriving last would become a dog,
and become devoid of devotion and faith.
5. In this way, playing in mutual competition like in a game,
they all came to Arbuda mountain and then in conformity with
time they all got themselves engaged in the performance of
worship as a fulfilm ent of some mental resolve made
respectively in their minds.
6. All the Brahmanas were composed in mind, devout in
religious austerities and adroit in the learning of Veda. Sarhkara
became eager to know their wish.
7. Driven by their feeling of devotion, ^amkara placed there
with great kindness a crore of Lingas of Siva worshipped in the
form of stone separately from one another.
8. The glimpse of Samkara in crores of number could be
seen by everyone distinctly.
9. Seeing Samkara all together, all the sages then keeping
their eyes wide open in wonder said ‘excellent! excellent!’
10. All the Brahmanas with devotion sang the Vedic hymns
meant for Samkara. Being pleased, Samkara started to say.
Pulastya said:
16. With the sages making such a prayer together, the
worshipable Linga of Siva pierced out of this best mountain all
of a sudden.
17-20. Just at that moment a voice from the bodiless came
out and told those sages, “This Linga of mine will be famed by
name Kotisvara in the world. Crore times fruits will be attainable
by all those Brahmanas who will worship it on the fourteenth
day of the waning period of moon in the month of Pausa (i.e.,
January). Whichever Brahmana from the Southern country
performs the religious ceremony in memory of his ancestors
here will get crore times fruits equal to the same such religious
ceremony performed in Gaya. Therefore, people should worship
this Linga of mine.”
Pulastya said:
21. The voice stopped after sounding like this. Then the
sages with faith worshipped (the Linga) with incense and
flavoured oil.
viUII. 11. 22 — 12. 1-7 37
22. О king! the act of worship was done with great faith in
this way and all the Brahmanas after worshipping attained
fulfilment with the grace of the worshipable Linga.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Pulastya said:
1. О best king! after this go to the centre of pilgrimage with
good appearance, i.e., Rupa Tirtha. All sins of men go away
by a visit here and good appearance and fortune is attained.
2. О king! in a place by name Vapu there was a renowned
divine beauty. It is mentioned that she had attained fulfilment
there.
3. Earlier there was an ugly woman having a disfigured face
for whom fear was unknown. Having a fat belly and crooked
neck, she had such horn-like big teeth that the same appeared
as if piercing out of her head.
4. Once she was roaming about in the Arbuda region in
search of fruits. That was the third day of the rising period of
moon in the month of Pausa (i.e., January). She fell off into a
fountain in the mountain.
5. In that beautiful and bright reservoir she got enjoined with
a beautiful complexion, with lotus eyes, good hairs and with
all traits pronounced.
6-7. О king! the emergence of hers with such a body was
out of the influence of this centre of pilgrimage. In the meantime,
a King arrived there in the same pronounced mountain for the
purpose of playing. But then by beholding such a beautiful
sight in that auspicious moment the king got pierced with an
arrow of lust.
38 Skanda Purana
Indra said:
8. Tell me who you are like a diamond? What for have you
come here? Are you a goddess or the daughter of King of snakes
Naga or are you the embodiment of fulfilled knowledge?
9. I have been hijacked in mind by your well-moving brows
and lotus eyes. I am the King of all gods. О beauty with a
pleasing smile! entreat me.
Pulastya said:
13-14. After her saying like this the King, i.e., Indra possessed
with desire and desirous of winning her over, told her, “O giver
of welfare! ask for the boon that is in your mind. I am pleased
with your polite behaviour. I will give you a good boon.”
Pulastya said:
17. Saying ie t it be so’ the King of gods, taking her along
left for the heavenly kingdom in a space vehicle.
18. This is how after having got a pure body while on earth,
the place is renowned as Vapu and she has got the same name
as a divine beauty.
19. The gods with faith take bath in that pond in morning on
the third day of the rising period of the moon in the month of
(Pausa, i.e., January).
20. О king! the other divine unmarried girls as well as Yaksa
girls taking a bath there at that time also attained fulfilment.
21. Appearance is gained over there as she got it completely
there. Everyone becomes accomplished there endowed with
learning.
22. There is a beautiful cave on the eastern side where the
unmarried girls inhabiting hell take bath.
23. After taking a bath there, they proceed to the cave carrying
a bit of water with them. From there they take a bit of water
from the stone at the sitting place of Lord GaneSa.
24. After mixing both the water humans become accom
plished. The living beings carrying that water go here and there.
25. There is a tree by name Tilaka on the doorway of that
cave which cannot be seen anywhere either in heaven or on
the surface of earth. ■
26. All works get accomplished by its flowers and fruits.
The man becomes fulfilled by eating or bearing those on the
body.
27. The stones in that cave spread across all directions are
like conches. It appears they wish to have a touch of that water
through which they turn golden.
28. If a woman sterile for years and centuries drink the water
mixed with sandalwood, she becomes pregnant.
29. By practising to take bath there, a man suffering from
diseases becomes free from ailments and one, afflicted with
planetary debilitations, slows down the same affectations
through such a practice.
40 Skanda Purana
Yayati said:
32. This very strange and supernatural greatness of this
pilgrimage centre as told, has impressed me. It has neither any
past nor a future.
33. What could be the specific reason about this place so
that its supernatural greatness is being remembered? I have a
great curiosity. Please describe in detail.
Pulastya said:
34-35. In earlier times, with the downfall of the kingdom of
Indra followed by the demon Bala becoming king of three
worlds, the mother Aditi observed severe penance here. Then
the four-armed Visnu descended into the womb of Aditi. Then
the great Visnu came out but afraid of the terror of the demon,
remained clandestinely inside the pond on the doorway of the
cave.
36. So that way as soon as Hari took birth, he placed himself
in that pond. Due to that the pilgrimage acquired its sacredness
and people’s wishes get actualised by a visit here.
37. О King! there is no other reason. I have narrated the
truth to you. On the third day of the rising period of moon in
the month of Pausa (i.e., January) the dwarf Trivikrama was
born here.
38. The tree Tilaka placed ahead of all trees was brought up
here like a son by Aditi. She had served it with the auspicious
water everyday in her own hands.
39. In this way, I have narrated to you the greatness and
goodness of this centre of pilgrimage as mentioned by all.
Hence, everyone must make good effort to have a bath there.
It fulfills desire of all people in this world as well as in the next
world.
vii.111. 13. 1-9 41
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Greatness of Vi§nu
Pulastya said:
1. О best king! after this one should go to that excellent
centre of pilgrim age situated in the north-east direction
established by the royal sage Ambarisa famed in the three worlds
as the destroyer of all sins.
2. In this place of pilgrimage, even in the time of Kali Yuga,
Ambarisa himself continued to stay respecting that particular
saying.
3. In old times during Satya Yuga, a king named Ambarisa
having undergone an impregnable penance, had pleased God
Visnu.
4. Frugal, the king of kings Jitendriya survived on eating
fruits for one thousand years in this place of pilgrimage.
5. Then for two thousand years he ate only dried leaves. For
another two thousand years more he had only water.
6. Then remembering God Visnu and inclining the mind
with faith he lived on breathing air for another three thousand
years.
7. Then God Visnu was pleased to come before his sight
after ten thousand years.
8. Bearing the form of Indra and seated on the back of
elephant Airavat, Visnu came and told King Ambarisa, “I want
to give you boon.”
Indra said:
9. О King! ask for the best of boons as desired in your mind.
I have come here after having seen you engaged in the act of
devotion without any doubt.
42 Skanda Purana
Ambarisa said:
10. You cannot give me salvation. I have killed the demon
Vrtra. By your grace, О God! the running of affairs in the three
worlds is done according to me. О King of Gods! welcome to
you,' but you please go as boons do not interest me.
11. By getting pleased in all ways, the four-armed Visnu
will only give me a boon. That only I will accept. О King!
please go. Homage to you.
Indra said:
12. О King! ask for the boon there in your mind. I am even
the Lord of Brahma, Visnu and Samkara.
13. I am the Lord of the other gods and of the three worlds.
Therefore, ask for the difficult boon with pleasure from me.
14. All gods remain pleased with my getting pleased. Act as
per my words and ask for the good boon, О King!
Ambarisa said:
15. You are the king of all gods and the lord of the three
worlds. I am the king of land having seven islands and I have
killed the demon Vrtra.
16. О Father! it is for sure that I am a true devotee of Visnu
in accordance with perceived ways. You are the Visnu and
will give me a boon.
Indra said:
17. О King! if you do not accept the boon as given by me, I
will apply my weapon of thunderbolt and kill you definitely.
18. Having said like this Indra took out the thunderbolt
weapon in the right hand and moved it around itself like a
snake with skill.
19. Great disorder began to happen with his circling the
weapon around in this way. The mountains including the peaks
as well as rivers got affected.
vii.III. 13. 20-29 43
20. With the sky covered with dark clouds, the ground below
got under its shadow. Nothing was visible as everything got
covered with darkness.
21. In the meantime that king—the devotee of God sat in
concentration with closed eyes.
22. Then becoming pleased, the God of the world came to
direct manifestation. Airavata—the elephant became Garuda—
the king of birds.
23. Visnu—the bearer of conch, cakra (a discus) and mace
(a weapon) told that king engaged in concentration with a deep
and vibrant voice like the clouds.
Ambarisa said:
25. God! if you are happy to give me a boon, kindly give
me such a boon which will enable me to swim across this sea
of world.
Pulastya said:
26. Then God Visnu, as a grant of boon, instructed King
Ambarisa about the well extensive Jnana Yoga that operates as
the cause behind obliteration of the world.
27-29. Like a man bom leaves the world instantly, the King
Ambarisa after hearing this properly paid homage to Visnu
and said, “O God! this path of Yoga which you have narrated
to me is specially beyond the comprehension of people in the
Kali Yuga. If you are pleased with me, kindly instruct about
the Kriya Yoga, О bearer of conch, the discus and the mace!
This will be meaningful for the people to swim across this
world.”
44 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
Pulastya said:
34. With Madhava granting permission in this regard,
Ambarisa started to construct a temple for Hari and began to
worship the idol with offerings of flowers, incense and oil.
35. Then after passage of a long time, the God Himself in
His own body along with son and other kith and kin came to
that Visnu temple.
36. Even today, in the Kali Yuga, God Visnu, keeping with
the truthfulness of words given to the king has permanently
positioned himself here.
37. О Great King! from then onwards till the present time in
this Kali Yuga, the ritual of making and fixing of idols on the
surface of earth has started.
38. Those who worship Lord Visnu here on this Arbuda
mountain with faith go to the same world as of Visnu with His
grace.
39. Placing the self in front of Visnu, one who performs the
activity of keeping awake throughout the night and that too
without food on the eleventh day of a month goes to that place
of Visnu which is even difficult for gods to attain.
40. The same fruit is obtained by the mortal men by having
a look of God Visnu, as is obtained by gifting of the Kapila
cow at the pre-eminent Puskara (a celebrated place of pilgrimage
at Ajmer in Rajasthan) in the month of Kartika (i.e., October).
vii.111.13.41-50 45
Greatness of Siddhesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then, О best of kings! one must visit the place of supreme
God Siddhesvara. He is the giver of fulfilment to living beings.
This was founded by a Siddha long ago.
2. A Siddha (accomplished one) by name Viswavasu had
practised penance here for many years and had set up the idol
of Siva here.
3. He had won over anger, arrogance and all sensuous
actions. Then after a thousand years Samkara, i.e., the God
having the bull on His emblem came to his sight on His own in
the form of a king.
48 Skanda Purana
Viswavasu said:
6. О best king! let there by fulfilment of desires of people by
the grace of Samkara after bearing this worshipable Linga in
the mind with all certainty.
Pulastya said:
7. After saying ie t it be so’ Siva then disappeared from sight
there. Since then thousands of people have attained fulfilment
after going to the Siddhesvara temple.
8. By the influence of the worshipable Linga all desires have
been fulfilled. Therefore, all righteous actions have disappeared
from the surface of the earth.
9. Neither anyone has any need to perform sacrifice (Yajna)
nor has to make any offering as charity. By Siddhesvara’s
courting of God’s favour like this, humans on earth can be
equally entitled to reach that stage of fulfilment.
10. О virtuous king! with the uprooting of Yajiias and charity,
all gods along with Indra became unhappy.
11. Learning about the destruction of the Yajna, Indra put
across his weapon thunderbolt as an impediment so that
fulfilment could not be attained.
12. Even then, with the place being in proxim ity of
Siddhesvara there, О best king, all actions meet with fulfilment
and all sins get destroyed there.
13. О king! One who touches this, on the fourteenth day
either during the waxing period or the waning period of the
moon in the month of Pausa (i.e., January), that man becomes
a Siddha (accomplished).
14. Even today also Siddhi (fulfilment) happens there. I have
told this truth to you. Therefore, Sadgati (a good or happy state)
can be possible (for you) by going and bowing down there.
viUII. 15. 1-8 49
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Greatness of Sukresvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to Sukresvara established by Sukra in
ancient times. By having a look of this, a man instantly gets rid
of his sins.
2-3. О virtuous king! seeing the demons who were defeated
once by gods, Bhargava, the intelligent Brahmana was prodded
to think as to how could the demons win over the gods and
attain great fame? Thinking that by worshipping Samkara he
could proceed on the path of fulfilment, he began to nurture
such a desire in mind.
4. Having decided like this, he proceeded towards the high
region of Arbuda and finding a cave in the valley began
performance of difficult austerities.
5. Having installed the worshipable Linga of Siva he got
himself intently engaged in worship with incense, perfume and
by anointing the Linga with scented oil.
6. Then after a thousand years of nurturing such a desire,
the God finally came before him and said:
Mahadeva said:
7. О good Brahmana! I am satisfied with the faith of yours.
You can ask for that auspicious boon even if that is difficult to
obtain.
Sukra said:
8. If Mahadeva is satisfied, the great God may grant me that
learning by which I may bring to life the living beings who
have met with death in a battle.
50 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
9. О virtuous king! having imparted him that learning, Siva
told Sukra that he could enjoy and ask for yet another boon.
Sukra said:
10-11. Whoever touches or worships this Linga on the eighth
day of the waxing period of Moon in the month of Kartika
(i.e., October), let there be no fear for him or her of untimely
death by your grace. Let them all obtain their wishes nurtured
in the mind.
Pulastya said:
12. Saying, ‘it will be so’, Siva then disappeared from sight.
Sukra also got demons killed by gods many a time.
13. By the power of that learning, the sage brought many
back to life. On the head of that Sukresvara temple there is a
great pool with clean water which is the destroyer of sins.
14. A human being gets completely free from sins by having
a bath there. О king! the grandfathers become pleased by the
performance of Sraddha here.
15. They become satiated with the water alone here. So the
need for making the offerings again in the form of cooked rice-
balls becomes superfluous. Hence everyone, with all possible
efforts, needs to observe the ritual of having a bath there.
vii.III. 16.1-10 51
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Greatness of Manikarnikesvara
Pulastya said:
1. О best king! then one has to go to that sin-destroyer centre
of pilgrim age widely heard of and known by the name
Manikarnika.
2. О king! the great Balakhilya and other sages had attained
Siddhi (perfection) here. The pond they had built up inside a
cave in the charming mountain is a remover of sins.
3. О king! by their taking a seat, a great astonishing event
happened there. Listen to that.
4. There was a Kirata woman (i.e., belonging to the degraded
mountain tribe) named Manikarnika who was very dark, ugly,
having a horrible shape.
5. Once, with the sun right over head during noon, she
became thirsty. She came there and entered into the water. But
soon Rahu had a mouthful of the sun (i.e., leading to solar
eclipse).
6. In the meantime she got a body of celestial appearance.
When the sages saw, they found her coming out of the middle
of the water.
7-9. Her husband who was in a hurry to look for her came
there and unhappy with the sorrows of separation from wife
asked that woman, “My wife had come here. If you happened
to see her please tell me fast. This boy is bom out of her. He is
crying repeatedly affected by thirst and hunger. If you beautiful
eyed woman have seen her, please tell. Without her this boy of
mine will die.”
11. You also go and have a bath quickly in the water. You
will also obtain that excellent appearance like me.
12. Then he, along with his son entered into that water for a
bath. But, О King! with the Sun coming out coincidentally at
that time, he again got back his usual ugly appearance.
13. With sorrow, he embraced death in that condition in the
pond. On her part, overwhelmed with grief for the husband’s
death, she decided to die.
14. Having prepared the pyre with selected pieces of wood
to bum the dead body she set fire to it.
15. О good king! it was a matter of great surprise for everyone
to see her courage and her being full of mercy.
Pulastya said:
20. This is how she brought it to the notice of the sages as
well as of all others about her decision made with full
determination. In return, all assembled there became full of
mercy within themselves and began to look in the direction of
the body on the pyre.
21. Then at that time, the great sages brought her husband
alive. He was endowed with saintly appearance and with all
supernatural traits.
vii.III. 16. 22-32 53
Manikarnika said:
26-27. О Sages! if you are pleased, grant me the boon too
with pleasure. Let the great worshipable Linga here be named
after me. Such is the wish in my mind at this time. I do not
need any other thing. With all your blessings, I am going to
Heaven now.
Pulastya said:
29. She went to Heaven along with husband and the sage,
Balakhilya, sincere in observance of religious austerities stayed
there with the boy.
30. Religious duties like taking a bath and making of charities
here in Manikarnika on the day of solar eclipse produce the
same fruits as in Kuruksetra.
3 1 . 0 King of kings! taking a bath here with the mind
centered, results in simultaneous realization of desires of the
mind alongside the very action of bathing.
32. It is due to this that everyone with all efforts must nurture
the habit of taking bath here. One must make charities here in
54 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then one should go to the Pangu TTrtha—the destroyer of
all sins. Earlier a Brahmana named Pangu had performed
austerity here.
2. In earlier times a Brahmana by name Paftgu was bom in
the lineage of Sage Cyavana. Due to his disability, he was unable
to walk.
3. Once while occupied with some household work, he was
unable to go with friends and family relatives. О king! he felt
very sad.
4. Given up by them, he then went to the Arbuda region.
There on the banks of a pond, he began performing penance.
5. Having installed a Linga of Siva there, he began to worship
it. He used to offer perfumes, flowers and other associated items
to it with due faith.
6. Moved by devotion to Siva he used to subsist only on air.
The good Brahmana Pangu was invariably engaged in offering
oblations to sacrificial fire and in muttering the God’s name.
7. Then, О great king! Mahadeva satisfied with the Brahmana
spoke thus to Pangu:
Pahgu said:
9-10. О God of gods! let this sacred place be famous after
my name. О Samkara! I, being disabled, have come here for
your blessings. Let there always be your presence along with
your wife here.” With him saying like this, the Lord said the
following to the Brahmana.
Pulastya said:
13-14. By a mere bath only the Brahmana acquired
supernatural appearance. This God of gods and the greatest
God, i.e., Mahesvara dwells here with Gauri. О best of kings!
one should take bath there on that day when the lame Brahmana
getting free from his disability had attained supernatural
appearance there.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Pulastya said:
1. Then, О best of kings, one has to go to that good place of
pilgrimage known as Yama Tirtha. It is a destroyer of sins of
living beings and giver of freedom from hell.
2. In olden times, there was a king named Citrangada who
was excessively greedy. Neither did he do anything good nor
was good behaviour known to him on earth.
56 Skanda Purana
Yama said:
12. Leave him aside. In any case there are different types of
wickedness. He has died in this place of my pilgrimage which
is the destroyer of all sins.
vii.111. 18.13-16— 19.1-3 57
Pulastya said:
1. After that, О best king, one needs to go to that place of
pilgrimage which Hari, i.e., Visnu in His incarnation of Varaha
(i.e., boar) inhabited and which always gives happiness and
destroys all sins.
2. In the Varaha incarnation, Visnu had rescued the Earth
there and Hari (i.e., an epithet of Visnu) had stayed back there
in that unchanged form. There is no need of fear for anyone at
anytime.
3. In this part of Earth, Visnu told Earth herself to ask for
any boon—even the one difficult to attain—as He had to go
back again to the auspicious Vaikuntha. (i.e., the abode of
Visnu)
58 Skanda Purana
Hari said:
5-8. О Goddess! I shall stay with this body in the Arbuda
mountain as per your statement and will remain incessantly
engaged in the welfare of people. This lake in front of me is
full of clear water. The human being undergoing the religious
duty of taking a bath here with devotion on the eleventh day of
the bright period of Moon in the month of Magha (i.e., January-
February) will free him from the sin of murdering a person
having knowledge of Veda. Men performing Sraddha with great
faith will give satisfaction to their ancestors, which will continue
till the time of final destruction of this world. Hence with all
necessary efforts everyone must have a bath here with all
sincerity.
Pulastya said:
9. Having said this, О king, Govinda, i.e., Visnu disappeared
from sight on the Garuda, i.e., the king of birds (which is the
insignia with which God Visnu has always been associated
with). Hence О best king! take the ceremonial bath specifically
on that day there.
10. Any inhabitant on earth who makes offerings with
libation of water and rounded balls of cooked rice to his
ancestors with all eagerness through devotion goes to a place
nearer to Visnu along with his ancestors.
11. Going there and making offerings as donations is always
praised. О best king, also present cows here.
12. О king! all humans making gifts of cows here stay for as
many years in Heaven as the number of hairs on the cow’s body.
13. Fulfilling the religious duty of having a bath and of making
gifts according to one’s capability specially on the eleventh
vii.HI. 20. 1-7 59
Greatness of Candraprabhasa
Pulastya said:
1. Then, О virtuous king, one needs to go to the radiant
Candresa TIrtha where the great soul Candra had attained
brightness completely.
2. О king! Candra had married twenty-seven daughters of
Daksa, AswinI being the first among the stars.
3. Amongst them, he always used to remain engaged in
making love with Rohinl. (Hence) all other daughters of Daksa
finding themselves rejected by Candra were very unhappy.
Crying, they went and surrendered themselves to their father.
They said:
4-5. О lord of the citizens! despite being blameless, we have
been rejected by our husband. Hence with sorrow, we have
come seeking a respite under you relying on your greatness.
You, the best of kings, always do welfare of all. Hence improve
our current state. Chalk out a middle path by which our situation
will improve as well as Candra can be dissuaded from his
obsession with Rohinl.
Pulastya said:
6. After hearing them, he then went to Candra and told him
to behave equally with all his daughters.
7. Then ashamed of himself Candra told Daksa that he would
act as per his words and then after paying homage he asked
Daksa to let him take leave.
60 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
11-12. Thus being angry, Daksa went to Candra and told
him, “You have committed a sin by not honouring my words.
Hence, undoubtedly you will have death by tuberculosis.”
Giving such a curse, Daksa returned to his own place.
13-14. Subsequently by suffering from tuberculosis and the
gradual spread of the same disease throughout his body, Candra
became emaciated and bereft of his usual brightness. Then he
began to deliberate telling himself, “What could then be my
duty with such a difficult and cruel curse on me? Why should
I not worship 6iva who fulfills all desires?”
15. Resolving like this and winning over anger, he then went
to the peak of Arbuda and got sincerely engaged in performing
austerities, offering oblations in sacrificial fire and muttering
names of God.
16. Then after passage of years together, Mahadeva being
pleased, appeared before him saying, “I have come to grant
you a boon.”
God said:
17. Let there be your well being. You can ask for a boon
cherished in your mind. I shall grant the same to you, О Candra,
even if it may be very difficult to attain.
Candra said:
18. О best of Gods and the destroyer of the three worlds!
Please kill my disease. О Lord of the world! Tuberculosis has
spread throughout my body.
vii.lll. 20. 19-28 61
Candra said:
22-23. О Samkara, a man who takes a bath on Monday with
all devotion in the pool meant for Candra attains the ultimate
status. О God of gods! let the ancestors of one offering balls of
cooked rice here go to Heaven. Let this centre of pilgrimage,
by your grace, bestow liberation on one.
Pulastya said:
28. Having said like this, the God having manifold forms
disappeared from sight. Candra also keeping with the desire of
62 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. After that, О good king! one has to visit the Pindodaka
Tlrtha. Pindodaka, a Brahmana, had performed religious
austerities in this centre of pilgrimage.
2. In ancient times, there was a Brahmana by name Pindodaka
on this great earth. Though taught by a teacher, he turned out
to be less intelligent and less meritorious.
3. О king! he could not succeed in study due to his idiocy.
Then adopting the path of ultimate renunciation he went inside
a cave in a mountain.
4. Just at the same juncture of time, Goddess Saraswatl
entertainingly playing the Vina and roaming around arrived
there.
5-6. After seeing the Brahmana quite depressingly engaged
in the pursuit of renunciation the great Goddess Saraswatl got
carried with kindness and said, “Why are you so sad and appear
to be displeased? You are not smiling from within your mind.
What for have you come here? Tell me fast. I am there near
you.”
7-9. Pindodaka said: “Due to being condemned by the
teacher, I have embraced renunciation. Madam, as one without
learning, I am seeking death at the moment. Goddess Saraswatl,
does not dwell at the tip of my tongue. О beautiful-faced one,
there is no other reason for my death than this. I have to go to
another place, as you have seen me all of a sudden. Death is
vii. III. 21.10-15 63
desirably the best for me rather than living the life of a dumb
one.
Saraswatl said:
10. I am Goddess Saraswatl who always dwells here in this
mountain as the night sets in on the thirteenth day of each
month. Hence, you can pray for the desire nurtured in the mind
even if that may be very difficult to obtain.
Pindodaka said:
11. О Benevolent one! by your grace let me have the
knowledge of all that desired in the mind. О goddess with pure
smile! let this place of pilgrimage acquire fame by my name.
Saraswatl said:
12-14. Starting from today you will be the bearer o f all
knowledge in this world. As you have wished, this place of
pilgrimage will be renowned by your name. One who performs
the religious act of having a bath here with the setting in of the
night on the thirteenth day of a Lunar month, will be a bearer
of all knowledge despite of him lacking in intelligence. О good
Brahmana! my association will always be there with this place
of pilgrimage. Hence it is your duty to have a bath here with all
earnestness.
15. Having said like this, the Goddess disappeared from sight
then and there. Becoming all-knowing, Pindodaka returned to
own home. All were surprised to know the impact of drinking
the water as well as of taking a resort to this place of pilgrimage.
64 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then, О best king! you go to the place of SrTMata
worshipped by gods also. It is a giver of fulfilment to actions
of human beings in this as well as the next world.
2. She is also the all-power spread across this world. She has
on her own chosen to dwell on this mountain.
3. There was a demon by name Kalinga in the ancient Deva
Yuga. Free of old age and death, he was a threat to the gods.
4. His actions had extended over the three worlds. He had
won over the Heaven along with its king Indra by dint of his
power. He had reached the Brahma World along with all gods.
5. The gods as well as humans were all terrorised by that
demon. That demon named Kalinga had himself become Indra.
6. Then that demon appointed all demons, as per their abilities
in the place of Vasus, Maruts, Sadhyas, ViSvadeva and of the
divine sages.
7. The demons themselves ate up all those shares of Yajnas
intended for the gods. Then all the gods went to the Arbuda
mountain in pursuit of austerities.
8. Even now this place is famous in the three worlds as one
where the gods tilled the land, and subsisted on leaves, flowers
and fruits as a part of their observance of religious vow.
9. It cannot be spoken as to what extent they were equally
engaged in the activity of meditation while in a state of utter
fear. Some of them were sincerely engaged in the observance
of religious vow by practising penance in the midst of five
fires.
10. Some were having food only once a day while some
were not taking food at all and were subsisting only on air.
Some others were fasting for a month altogether and were
observing the religious vow called candrayana.
vii.IH. 22. 11-22 65
О Goddess! you are intelligence, you are the motion and the
agent. You are also SacT, Laksml, Parvati, Savitxi, GayatrT, the
invulnerable one and destroyer of all sins. Whatever different
names, О Goddess! may be taken of you in places in the three
worlds other than this mountain, those are of the same form in
which you have placed yourself in this mountain. As fire pervades
wood or threads constitute cloth, so are you encompassing the
entire world with yourself present everywhere in disguise.
Pulastya said:
23-24. After such hymns were sung in praise of her, the
Mother of the world told all the good gods, “Do ask for the
boon fast as desired, О best gods. Why are you all putting up
here clandenstinely in the middle, in such a poor and helpless
state? There is no fear for my devotees with me ever present in
the three worlds—both living and non-living.”
30. She sent the message through the messenger asking the
demon Kalinga to leave Heaven fast. Going to the demon
Baskali, (son of Baskala, i.e., Kalinga) i.e., the messenger
conveyed the same with all sobriety.
Pulastya said:
33-37. After having heard the words of the messenger, the
demon, thinking of himself as the Lord of the world and self-
conceited as he was in excitement said, “Who is this virtuous
lady or who even are the gods? I do not know anything or
anyone of that sort, nor am I going to give up Heaven. Go and
tell this order of mine to her. I shall not part with Heaven under
any circumstances out of fear. Even the King does not kill the
fearsome/difficult enemy. For this reason, О messenger! I am
not depriving you of life. О messenger! after this, if you enable
me to have a look at the gracious mother, I shall present to you
the thing as per desire of your mind. This statement of mine is
true. I shall accompany you there where she is putting up and
making my statement true, I will subjugate her.”
Pulastya said:
38. After saying like this the demon, wild in excitement went
swiftly to the Arbuda mountain along with the messenger with
anger.
39. Seeing (i.e., noticing) the arrival of Baskil, the gods along
with Indra began to retreat despite the Goddess asking them
not to do so.
68 Skanda Parana
40. Possessed by fear, the gods in any case, had already run
away equally in all directions. Then Baskali arrived along with
a great army.
41. Then king, Kalinga through the messenger, told the
gracious Mother after whom that particular region of Arbuda is
named.
Baskali said:
42-44. О best messenger! go and tell the gracious Mother
having a beautiful smile that “let her be my wife and I shall
ever remain under her control. The entire kingdom of mine
will be there under her control. Otherwise, by winning over all
the gods, I shall take her forcefully. О one with the best face!
What need have you of the less powerful Indra and of other
gods sim ilar in that respect. N either the thousand-eyed
God nor the other gods nor any other demon are comparable
to me.”
Pulastya said:
45. Having heard all this, the messenger then went and
conveyed the same. О King! he conveyed all that as told to
him.
46. After hearing all this, the Goddess began to deliberate
with a gentle smile on her. She thought that the king of demons
had been made free from old age and death, is the doing of
Sambhu, i.e., Lord Siva.
47. As per what action to be initiated by me, could I kill him
and oblige the gods. When the Goddess was deliberating like
this once and again with regard to the course of her action in
respect of the demon, he (i.e., the demon) restless with desire
came towards her in a hurry.
48. Learning that the Lord of the demons was having such a
lowly vision, she decided for all certainty on her part to bring
his downfall as far as possible.
49. Then, О virtuous king! as the Goddess began to laugh
slowly, ferocious soldiers began to creep out of her mouth.
vii.111. 22. 50-57 69
Pulastya said:
53. After hearing such words of theirs, despite their awareness
of him (i.e. the demon) being free from death, the Goddess
gave them the great peak of the mountain with herself placed
on top of that.
54. Since then, has this gracious Mother of the world who
can assume a form as per her own sweet will, been dwelling on
this best mountain and, О king! she is still present there even
today for the welfare of the world. Her dwelling there is
manifested through the fulfilment of desires of human beings.
55. At that time, becoming pleased all gods began to sing
hymns in honour of that supremely powerful Goddess who
took away all their fears.
56. О king! the Goddess became fully pleased with the hymns
of gods in her praise. With their pain/difficulty gone away, the
gods—all of them, retreated to their own places. They all went
back- to places of their own with the obstruction on the way
taken away and with all their difficulties gone away.
57. О Indra! О King of Gods! ask for any boon that your
mind is cherishing. Saying so the Goddess assured that she
would grant all his boons, herself being satisfied with his
devotion.
70 Skanda Purana
Indra said:
58-61. If you are satisfied with me, О Goddess! who is
eternally fond of devotion, please stay here till I am the lord of
Heaven. I am ruling over the gods, О one eternally fond of
devotion. I am the Indra as this demon is immortal and free
from old age. Made by Нага (i.e., Siva) earlier he has remained
unmoved by old age and death. Let there be no disease in the
three worlds by your grace. We all will be worshipping you
equally here. Let them, who worship you on the fourteenth
day of the bright fortnight of moon in the month of Caitra
(March) go to that supreme position free from old age and death.
Pulastya said:
62. After saying like this, the thousand-eyed, i.e., Indra
together with other gods became pleased to get back Heaven
and returned to Heaven.
63. She—the Goddess also stayed back there for the welfare
of gods.
64. One who takes a look of her, О king! on the fourteenth
day of the month of Caitra (i.e., March) when the earth is
bedecked with the white rays of moon, attains that ultimate
place becoming free from old age and death.
65. So О king! what values the observance of religious vows
or regulations or making of charities can have. All these cannot
even equal one-sixteenth part of the results that awaits taking a
full and complete look of her.
66. О king! the divine foot-wear of hers there even sets a
pathway of vision. Taking a look at it is relatively more
important for one doing so does not have to look forward to
the world again. He attains all desires of this world as well as of
the other world.
Yayati said:
67. At what time in the past, a best Brahmana attained freedom
by the footwear of the Goddess? Please tell me in great details
as to how could it be and what were the reasons behind it?
vii.III. 22. 68-81 71
Pulastya said:
68. О virtuous king! men attain two kinds of supreme
fulfilment accruable to the conduct of a religiously righteous
deed by seeing that Goddess.
69. At this time, О king! with the evolution of undertaking
of pilgrimages and observance of religious vows on earth, such
activities like conduct of sacrificial fires, i.e., Yajnas and the
offering of presents disappeared.
70. All the hells of King Yama became empty and difficulties
arose without gods having the participatory shares of Yajnas.
71. Hence all gods, О best king! assembled there and went
to the Supreme and gracious Mother on top of Arbuda.
The gods said:
12-1A. О queen of gods! all actions like conduct of offerings
to eight sacrificial fires (Agnistoma Yajna) have gone to dogs.
We are therefore affected by such severe activities in the mortal
world. All beings with sins along with their ancestors are
attaining the passage of fulfilment by having a look at you, О
Goddess. Hence by your grace let us also attain that prosperity.
The demon Baskila is not moving out from here. Hence please
do something of this sort.
Pulastya said:
75-81. After hearing like this from them, the Goddess then
began to deliberate deeply and after making a footwear for her
out of stones, she left the same there. Then, О king! coming
nearer to the gods and with her body bowed down, the Goddess
said, “As per your statement, I have left this best of Mountains
and have left my footwear there for your protection from the
demon Baskila. О best gods! under the weight of my footwear
that demon has become unable to move and henceforth is like
an immobile pole there by my power. For the purpose of this
footwear, I have made the rules in Sastras. These rules are for
the spiritual well being of living beings on the surface of earth.
One who worships the footwear with utmost devotion and
72 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
82. After saying like this to the gods and all others having
deformed bodies, the Goddess left for heaven listening to the
hymns in her praise and leaving the pair of her footwear there.
83. Even today, the yogis acquire fulfilment here through
well-intended meditation. The meditation conducted with all
sincerity of mind is like having a sight of Goddess.
8 4 .1 have described all this as you asked me. Welfare is also
possible on the land by the worship of footwear of the gracious
Mother.
85. О king! reading of this with devotion and extolling it
with faith relieves one of all sins and makes him inclined towards
wisdom with all sincerity.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to the £ukla TTrtha which is good. In
olden times, it acquired fame by its association with a tribe of
fishermen who were staying in the vicinity of the pilgrimage.
2. In olden times, О king! there was a washerman by name
6anlaksha. He used to rinse clothes dipping them in indigo, О
great king.
vii.IIJ. 23. 3-14 73
3. While doing so, fear engulfed him once with his becoming
aware of the paradoxical situation with the clothes. Accom
panied by his own kith and kin, he left for some other land.
4-5. As a result, О king! his daughter became very sad and
going near one of her good friends among the daughters in the
community of fishermen, she began to describe her about the
fear arising out of clothes and with a choked voice told her the
same reason for which they were heading for a foreign land.
6-11. The fisherman-girl became equally sad by her sorrows
and with repeated beating of heart as well as with a wet voice
began to say, “There is a great way out of this as per my
knowledge which is good. It is certain that by doing so all of
you as well as your father will be fearless. There is a waterfall
here in this Arbuda mountain which bestows one with the best
of fair complexion and appearance. I, my brother as well as
others go there to catch fishes. All other things apart from this,
i.e., fish thrown into the auspicious water here turn into white
as can be seen in his (i.e., the brother’s) body. Like the
fishermen, all your sins will go away by having a dip in this
water. Like that by putting all your clothes well in the middle
and by washing those swiftly, those would also become white.
There is no need to fear for your action in the mind here and
stop your father from going elsewhere. Do not leave for any
foreign land nor do you nurture any consideration of getting
your work accomplished anywhere else other than here.”
Pulastya said:
12. After hearing such words of hers, she went and conveyed
it to her father. Her father got into a feeling of self-contentment
by this.
13. With the ushering in of morning, he hurried to the
waterfall and got himself wet. Then, О king! he threw those
clothes he had carried along as well as his ownself into the
waterfall.
14. Then all those clothes quite plenty in number became
white there, so also his own appearance. He became happy to
witness such a supremely beautiful sight.
74 Skanda Purana
Greatness of KatyayanI
Pulastya said:
1. Then О best king! one must visit the Goddess dwelling
inside the cave. The Goddess KatyayanI, the killer of demon
Kumbha abides here.
2. In olden days, there was a demon by name Kumbha on
the surface of the earth. With his victory over the gods, his
influence had spread throughout the world.
3. Blessed with a boon by Lord Samkara, he was free from
getting killed by gods, demons, satans and all other creatures
on earth except a woman.
viUII. 24. 4-14 75
4. Then all the gods went to the summit of Arbuda and began
penance in the first half of the day with the sole aim of bringing
down Sumbha to earth. They began to worship the Goddess of
gods in her well-manifested form there.
5. Thus being pleased she appeared before them and told, “I
will grant you all a boon. Tell as to what you all want to get
done.”
6-7. The gods said, “This bad soul demon Sumbha, О
Goddess! has snatched away everything of ours. О giver of
welfare! please kill him for he cannot be killed in a war. We
have been earlier protected by you from Baskila. О Goddess
with a beautiful smile! there is no other way for our freedom
than your protection.”
Pulastya said:
8. After the gods said like this, the Goddess went to the
dwelling of Sumbha and began to humiliate him repeatedly so
that he would be instigated into a war through anger.
9. О king! after having come to know that he is being incited
for a war by a woman, the demon as well as his fellow demons
began to nurture a sense of utter disrespect.
He said:
10. Catch hold of that wicked and bad-mouthed woman and
bring her alive to me. Then, give her the harsh punishment
beyond any doubt, and without waiting for my orders.
11. Then all the demons having faith in the calling as per
their master’s orders went hurriedly, encircled her from ten
directions and called her bad names.
12. The Goddess reduced the demons to mere ashes by
merely looking at them. Then Sumbha, as it is, got enraged
and arrived himself.
13-14. Raising his powerful sword he said, ‘Wait! wait’. But
then, О great king! as soon as the Goddess looked at him, he
met with his final destruction by turning into ashes instantly
like a kite on fire. Then with the killing of the demon, the
76 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
20. After the Gods having said like this, they pleased as they
were, entered the heaven. The Goddess also, О king! went there
to the mountain Arbuda.
vii.lll. 24. 21-22— 25.1-7 77
21. She got well settled for ever there inside the cave for the
welfare of the world. Separated from all but truly happy within
herself, she is difficult to attain for gods as well as humans.
22. Thus having a look of her on the eighth day of the rising
period of Moon with the mind completely withdrawn towards
her always results in the attainment of desires nurtured in the
mind, О king! even though those may be difficult to attain.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Pulastya said:
1. Then the king, one has to go to the Pindaraka Tirtha which
takes away sins. A Brahmana by name Manki had earlier
attained fulfilment here by the influence of this place of
pilgrimage through penance.
2. Manki was a Brahmana by name only in old times. О
King! as an idiot, he was ignorant of the observance of the
generous activities of the Brahmanas.
3. О virtuous king! he used to remain engaged in grazing
the buffaloes of people in this beautiful mountain.
4. In course of time, he earned some money through that.
Then once, he was carrying a pair of cows back home with
great difficulty and with the little money that he made for that
day.
5. Then О virtuous king! he tied a pair of cows to a camel.
As a result, the cows became afraid as per the circumstances so
provided to them.
6. Now with its neck region thus obstructed and pressurised
out of situational force, the camel, О king! got up swiftly and
stood up.
7. With the camel’s getting back into its usual (and normal)
posture of long and erect neck, the pair of cows having their
78 SkandaPurana
Pindaraka said:
13-14. О God of gods! let me be your follower till the end of
the three worlds. Please do accordingly. There is nothing other
than this prevailing in my mind. Let this Pindaraka centre of
pilgrimage here be famous after my name.
Pulastya said:
1. Then О best of kings! one has to go to that centre of
pilgrimage which is heard of in the three worlds. As a destroyer
of sins, it is known by the name Kanakhala in the Arbuda
mountain.
2. О king! listen to the astonishing incident here earlier. A
king by name Sumati had happened to come to the Arbuda
mountain.
3. The king had gone to the Kanakhala Tlrtha during solar
eclipse and by prayer, he got gold produced there.
4. But due to lack of caution on the part of the king plenty of
the same fell off somewhere. Despite the king’s earnest efforts
to retrieve them, he could not get them.
5. Then after having a bath, he returned home equally
burdened with repentence. After passage of substantial time,
he again came there.
80 Skanda Purdna
Pulastya said:
8-10. While thinking like this, a voice came from a formless
body which said, “O king! nothing of this or the other world is
destructible here. The gold you had managed to obtain earlier,
and the loss of which you have already repented vehemently,
have grown by a crore more times. From their original quantity,
they have also grown into numbers beyond imagination. Those
who observe the religious act connected with remembrance of
their ancestors, i.e., Sraddha, need to do so with faith, О virtuous
king. Hence, you perform the Sraddha carefully and specially
with gold. If you make them as presents to Brahmanas, their
numbers grow into such countless proportion which cannot be
imagined. If you look for them in this region, there is no doubt
of your getting them.”
12. Hearing the flow of that voice emerging from the sky, О
king, he began searching for the gold and got them back in
that region.
13. Bestowed with gold endowed with brightness of crore
times, he got joined with pleasure. Thus learning the effect of
the centre of pilgrimage, he distributed them benevolently to
thousands of Brahmanas with the intention of uplifting his
ancestral forefathers equal to gods.
14. Thus with the effect of that and by his making of gifts,
the king got reborn with the name Yaksa meaning the giver of
wealth and himself becoming a giver of many types of wealth.
15. О king! one who performs Sraddha here on (day of) the
Solar eclipse with libation of water joined with all good
intentions, his forefathers attain that degree of unimagined
satisfaction.
16. The sages, the gods and the divine snakes with human
faces become happy through a bath here. It leads to germination
of forces forever that kill sins on the surface of earth.
vii.III. 26.17— 27. 1-3— 28.1-2 81
17. Hence, О virtuous king! with all earnest efforts, one needs
to undergo the religious activity of having a bath there. One
must also make offering through charity as per one’s ability
and conduct Sraddha here.
CHAPTER TW EN TY SEV EN
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best king, go to the Cakra Tirtha, in comparison
to which there is no other better place of pilgrimage. The
influential God Visnu had left his Cakra, i.e., His discus here.
2. Killing the demons, the God Visnu entered into the beautiful
torrent here and had washed Himself completely by a bath.
3. Those who perform the Sraddha here both in the retiring
i.e. the sleeping place of Hari as well as in His place of
contemplation, get their forefathers contented till the persistence
of the Creation, О king.
CH APTER TW EN TY EIGHT
Pulastya said:
1. Then О best king! one has to go to that pool known as
‘human pool’ which is very auspicious. By having a bath there,
man attains humanness for ever.
2. Despite having committed great sins, he does not become
a foetus in the wombs of animals and birds. There was an
astounding happening there in this regard which has no
comparison. О king! listen to that.
82 Skanda Purana
CHAPTER TW EN TY N IN E
Pulastya said:
11. After hearing that he has committed a great sin, the king
became full of fear. Then he thought of invoking mercy of the
doe till her last breath left over.
12. “My killing of you—the auspicious, clearly shows my
lack of consideration and the lowest degree of cruelty. О good-
self doe! please consider and do something by which I shall be
free from your curse and that too a pitiable one like this.”
21. О king! this cow always used to eat those grasses with
their top uncut or not severed. In the process, she had got into
a deep, desolate and hence frightening cave in the mountain.
22. There the same tiger with visibly great teeth attacked
her. The cow got frightened in the same way as the doe was
terrorized when the king took out arrows to kill her.
23-24. Remembering her calves left behind in the cowshed
and dependent on her milk, she began to weep. Seeing her
condition, the master of deer, i.e., the tiger said, “Why are you
crying in vain О cow, for it is well known that one coming in
the vicinity of my mouth can not remain alive. Hence remember
your favourite God.”
Kapila said:
25-27. О tiger! One never cries out of fear for one’s own
life. My baby calf feeding on my milk is waiting for me in the
herd. Even till now, she does not take grass. This is the reason
behind my sadness for I shall be leaving my duty incomplete.
О tiger! my crying out is solely out of affection that my own
offspring will get killed. So, the powerful, after feeding my
small children, then seeing and speaking to my own people, I
shall come back if you agree.
Kapila said:
30. I vow to come back. You can take it as the truth on my
part. If you have your faith in what I say, you—the lord for
deer, may grant me this much liberty.
86 Skanda Purana
Kapila said:
32-47. Let the sin for not following the words given to a
Brahmana adept in the learning of Vedas wait upon me, if I do
not come back again. Let the sin of disobedience or sedition
against the teacher await me, if I do not come back again. Let
the sin evolving out of killing a Brahmana or a cow also apply
to me if I do not come back again. Let the same sin that befalls
cheating friends and the elderly people apply to me if I do not
come back again. Let the sin that awaits crushing a cow, or a
Brahmana with feet or the fire with feet, engulf me if I do not
come back again. Let the sin that accrues to humans for
dismantling a well or a pool or a garden also take me within its
hold, if I do not come back again. Let the sin that happens to
the ungrateful and also to those who bring bad name, also affect
me, if I do not come back again. Let the sins that come to
people through indulgence in wine and meat also take me within
hold, if I do not come back again. Let the sin that arises out of
the action of dethroning or disrobing a king, take me in its
wrap in equal proportion, if I do not come back again. Let that
sin that generates from sale of Veda, also take me within its
hold, if I do not come back again. Let the sin that awaits one
who prevents even a lesser amount of charity to Brahmana,
take me in its grab if I do not come back again. As the sin of
killing the faithfuls burns all completely and without any
distinction, let the same sin also cover me if I do not come
back again. Let that sin which follows indulgence in enmity
towards the Brahmanas also cover me, if I do not come back
again. Let the sin that awaits those who remain engaged in
condemning others or those bad souls, may cover me if I do
not come back again. Those who commit the sinful act of eating
VK.///. 29.48-55 87
barley with curd at night, let the fruit of that sin cover me if I do
not come back again. Let that sin which arises after having
brinjal, raddish, white onion and red carrot, may cover me if I
do not come back again.
Pulastya said:
48. After hearing such a vow of hers, the tiger got his eyes
exalted with wonder. Then developing faith in her, the tiger
accordingly made the following statement.
Pulastya said:
Kapila said:
57-60. О son! first have milk. After that you will hear the
reason from me. I have come here out of sheer love for you.
Get satisfied as per your desire. This is my last appearance
before you for after this О son! your having a look of your
mother will be very difficult. Right now I have to return, О
son! as per my vow. The tiger which can assume form as per
his sweet will, has granted me life for the time being. He has
granted me to meet you, the son only after my having
proclaimed a vow before him. Now, I have to go near the king
of deer i.e. the tiger. As bound by vow, I have to, О son! offer
this body of mine to him.
Kapila said:
67-75. It has been destined for me to die in this way. For
you— the son, it is not fit to die at the moment. Death of any
living being cannot be visualized on the basis of someone else’s
death. О son! this is the best message of the mother and it is
also final. Listen to this carefully and this bears conducive
results. О son! always graze in the forest, but while doing so,
be above carelessness. For there is no doubt that danger is the
cause behind destruction of all living beings. Never graze in
dangerous places in greed for grass. Greed is the cause behind
destruction of animals in this as well as in the other world.
Prompted by greed, people enter into the oceans, the forests
and the battles. Carried by greed their actions get added with
cruelty of the highest order. Hence give it up. Men are tied up
to these three viz. greed, carelessness and assurances. Hence
neither greed nor carelessness nor reliance on assurances should
be anyone’s duty. О son! always be careful to protect yourself
from the preying, violent and ferocious animals. One also needs
to protect one’s self from the crooked and those bom of sins
who roam about in the forest. It is not your duty to grieve also
as death is certain for all. Listen to this statement of mine which
takes away all sorrows. As a traveller tired of journey looks for
the shade of a tree, takes rest under it and resumes the journey
again after having rest, so is the coexistence of all living
creatures.
Pulastya said:
76. Speaking like this to her son and then kissing his
forehead, she proceeded ahead to meet her mother and other
friends.
77. Grieved with separation from her son, she then told her
own mother ‘please listen to these last words of mine.’
78. You all have to rear this weak son of mine, awaiting
orphanhood, pitiable with foam coming from mouth as if on
the eve of his final end.
90 Skanda Purana
Kapila said:
85-87.1 can only drive at this point for the sake of protection
of life of other living beings. I cannot drive at this even to the
slightest for the sake of self. A thousand of the religious acts
where sacrifices of horses are made to the fire have been
weighed up with truth and it has been specially found out that
truth outweighs thousands of sacrifices of horses made at the
altar of fire. I cannot drive at hither and thither in the hope of
life. Please accord me the necessary permission so that I can
go near the king of deer, i.e., the tiger.
Pulastya said:
90. Having said like this, Kapila then went to the place where
the king of deer, i.e., the tiger was. Then seeing Kapila, the
tiger became astonished and its eyes remained wide-open
exalted with happiness. Then brimming with happiness it made
this statement humbly:
Pulastya said:
94. In the meantime, it, i.e., the tiger regained its previous
natural form of the king by getting free from the curse of the
deer and became a bearer of good and divine body with
matching appearance. Then with happiness, he told Kapila—
the speaker of truth.
Kapila said:
96-97. I have been gratified О king! that you have been
free from your sin. As thirst is hurting me at the moment, please
get some water for me. I do not know how to beat about the
bush. Hence, I only speak the truth.
92 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
98. Then the earthly being, i.e., the king raised his bow swiftly
in hand and after that tightening up the string put the arrow
onto it and then struck it into the surface of earth after holding
the arrow at its hindmost point.
99. Then auspicious, clear and cool water sprang up and
Kapila having her bath there got her thirst quenched.
100. The God of death, Yama appeared there in the
intervening period and seeing the grateful and happy Kapila
there, he told her to ask for a boon.
He said:
101. I am pleased with your observance of truth. There is
hardly anyone who can be like you in this regard. There can be
hardly any other cow in the three worlds which can be so
complete in grace.
Kapila said:
102-103. By your grace let me along with the king as well
as with the other herds of cows attain that divine position
becoming free from old age and death. Let this pool—the giver
of all good, acquire fame by my name. Let it also take away
sins of humans and fulfill all their wishes.
104-108. The God of death (i.e., Yama) said: Those who
take a bath here in this auspicious and well-being causing water
especially on the fourteenth day of a month, will attain that
ultimate passage. It will happen that this place of pilgrimage
which is an inducer of all goodness will be named after you.
The mortals who come here for the sake of having a look at
this pilgrimage will obtain a thousand of cows. By having a
bath here lakhs of qualitative traits will be earned and the
goodness that is earned through the religious deed of making
presents/donations here will be imperishable. If men perform
the religious ceremony connected with remembrance of their
family members, i.e., §raddha here with all earnest application,
vii.111. 29. 109. 11 1 — 30. 1-2 93
those great souls will obtain the fruits of both enjoyment and
liberation accruing to the attended act of making presents /
donations in Sraddha. The insects and the birds having a dip
here in this good-giver water out of thirst will also go to
Heaven— the abode of gods. So what to speak of humans
enjoined with full devotion and those who are the speakers of
truth. Similar will also be the case with the wise, the highly
fortunate, the utterly faithful and the farsighted
109. Pulastya said: At this conjucture О king! thousands of
winged vehicles arrived there as a result of the impact of Kapila.
110. Then ascending onto them, Kapila, the milkman and
the herds of cows, all together enjoined with good radiance
attained and reached that ultimate position.
111. It is due to this that the religious activity of taking a
bath there should be observed with all efforts. The earthly beings
should truthfully conduct the religious ceremony connected
with remembrance of their family members and must make
presents/donations there as per their ability.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Pulastya said:
1. Then О king! one has to go to that supremely pure centre
of pilgrimage known as Agni Tirtha. Fire had become obsolete
there but the gods brought it back.
Pulastya said:
3. In old times, once it had stopped to rain on earth for twelve
years and beyond any doubt, the condition of all in the world
had become pitiable with hunger.
4. Almost all living beings were dead and those who were
left out were on the brink of death. Forests, villages, animals,
birds and deer—all were ruined.
5. Seeing such hardships befalling the mortal world, О king!
the best of sages Viswamitra became very apprehensive.
6. Given the scarcity of water, the left-over medicinal herbs
appeared as if they were fanning out in the air waiting for a
spark of fire. On another day, while roaming about in another
direction, he saw the parched land having dust enough to cause
sneezing.
7. Then being excessively affected by hunger and thirst, the
sage reached the house of an outcaste. There he saw a dog
lying dead on the dry earth giving an impression as if it was
characterised by some good actions.
8. Taking hold of it, he brought it home and washed it with
water. Hungry as he was, he then put it on fire so as to make it
digestible.
9. Then О king! becoming aware that the thing that cannot
be eaten is being converted into something eatable by offering
it to the fire, the fire God got enraged with Indra.
10. With the vanishing away of medicine and water from
the world, it appeared that whatever was available as per time
could be deemed as appropriate food for fire.
11. “I may better give up this land, but shall never eat the
uneatable. By my doing so, Indra and other gods will have that
painful situation of a high order.”
12. Thinking like this and with heightened anger in mind,
the Fire God ascending onto his bearer disappeared completely
from the mortal world consisting of the living and non-living.
13. With the disappearance of fire, all religious activities
specially connected with offering of oblations into fire like the
sacrificial fire and the Agnistoma Yajna disappeared
vii.III. 30.14-22 95
Pulastya said:
17. After deliberating like this, all gods along with Indra,
then spread themselves out in all directions of the earth in search
of fire.
18. Then seeing a parrot before them, the gods tired as they
were, asked it with due regards to say, if at all, it has seen the
fire.
23-25. The Fire God entered there without the gods noticing.
A frog coming out from there brought it to the notice of the
gods by saying, “With the fire putting up there in the mountain
brook, all living bodies in the water got burnt out with the water
becoming hot. О gods! I have extricated myself from the face
of death in that painful fire.” After learning this, the Fire God
then entered into the sacrificial oblation to fire with all care.
26. О king! then the Fire God cursed the frog that you be
deprived of your tongue.
27. Then О king! all gods stepped out of that pool and
encircling it began to recite hymns of Veda to please the Fire God.
Pulastya said:
32-34. When the gods, thus encircling the mountainous brook
were singing hymns with all sincerity, the Fire God appeared
on the shore of the brook and said, “O Indra! you have propelled
me to eat the non-edible. Due to that the God of gods! I have
stopped it to rain in the mortal world. I have entered into the
brook here giving up the land. With the drying up of water in
the human world I am left with no will to put up there.”
Indra said:
35-37. О Fire! listen, as to why have I stopped it to rain.
Devapi, the king so named and a learned man in the field of
V I I .///. 30. 38-43 97
Pulastya said:
38. Saying so, the Thousand-eyed, i.e., Indra commanded
the clouds Puskara and Avarta to arrive fast for the purpose of
raining on the surface of earth.
39. Ordered so by Indra, rows of heavily thunderous clouds
with lightning began to fill the surface of earth with abundant
water. О king! it appeared as if they were out to fill with all
intensity the surface of earth with water with themselves ablaze
with lightning.
40. Then the Fire God became supremely satisfied and as
per gods’ wishes made the earth pleasurable by settling down
on it.
Fire said:
42. Let this pool yield goodness and be a good centre of
pilgrimage named after me. Let it attain fame on the surface of
earth by all of yours grace.
Pulastya said:
45. Having said so all gods went back to their respective
places. And the Fire God also, О king! remained present there
for having no other way out.
46. One who after getting up in the morning regularly reads
the hymns in honour of Fire here becomes free from all sins by
virtue of the greatness of Fire.
47. By listening to the same day and night, one also gets
free from the sins so committed.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Greatness of Raktanubandha
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to that place of pilgrimage which is
related to blood and which is heard of in the three worlds. The
man taking bath here generally gets free from the (sin of) murder
of Brahmana.
2. In olden times there was a king on earth by name
Indrasena. His dear wife named Sunanda was very beautiful.
A devoted wife treating her husband as holding an important
part of her life force, she used to remain engaged in such actions
by which she could always be dear to her husband.
3. At a certain time, the same king along with family went to
a foreign land to kill his wicked enemy Sandha.
4. Killing him and winning over plenty of wealth, he was
returning home. On his way back О king! he sent a fictitious
messenger.
vii.III. 31.5-15 99
They said:
30. This centre of pilgrimage will always remain on the top
among all centres of pilgrimage in ensuring freedom from sins,
because Indrasena became free from his sins by coming in
contact of this pilgrim centre.
31. Since then, that centre of pilgrimage has acquired fame
on the surface of earth. It reminds the living beings of their
relationship with blood.
32. It is a rule that its fame is derived from such a relationship
based on blood. О king! those who offer libation of water here
as part of the religious activity connected with remembering
their forefathers, i.e., Sraddha can claim to have equally
worshipped the gods.
33. The man who takes a bath here with utmost faith on that
day from which the summer solistice begins indicating the
ascension of Sun in the northern hemisphere, becomes free
from Brahmanicide.
34. The man who performs £raddha here connected with
remembrance of his family members during the time-zone meant
for forefathers, i.e., Pitru Paksa and in a similar fashion as in
Gaya, he gets the same fruits from such a religious ceremony
here like in Gaya.
35. О virtuous king! the man who makes a present of cows
here either on the Solar or the Lunar eclipse, ensures liberation
for seven generations in the family.
102 Skanda Purana
Greatness of Vinayaka
Pulastya said:
1. After this, the earthly beings need to go to the Great
Vinayaka. By taking a look here, men can generate those forces
that do away all impediments.
Yayati said:
2. How could there be the greatness of Vinayaka and when
did it happen? О best of the Brahmanas! please tell me all those
in details.
Pulastya said:
3. О king! in old times, Parvati, for amusement, had made a
youthful boy from some good quality sm ear meant for
application on the body.
4-5. But due to exhaustion of the smear she could only give
shape to a form of body having complete limbs but without a
head. Then she told Skanda, “O Skanda! please arrange for
some smear fast for the head. Herein lies your welfare, for by
this, the invincible son of mine, your brother can be devised.”
6. Then О virtuous king! following the instructions of Garni,
he stepped out to get the smear and finding a furious yet chief
of the elephant got back with its head.
7. Then when it was taken for fixation on the body given
shape out of the smear, a question was put to him as to
wherefrom had he brought that heavy head for her son.
8. Then О chief of kings! when the same head was fixed
upon the body despite Parvati’s repeated pleading not to do so,
a good fortune occurred.
9. With the head going well with body, the same appeared
specially like a master and the statue of the boy with a handsome
body endowed with all qualities came to the fore.
vii.HI. 32. 10-21 103
Pulastya said:
22. О king! this is how the birth of the Great Vinayaka
happened there. Listen with undivided attention to the welfare
that accrues after having a look of him.
23. О king! a man gets free from all sins committed either in
childhood days or during the period of youth and old age (by a
look of him).
24-25. Coming here on the fourth day of the bright period
of the moon in the month of Magha (i.e., January) one who takes
a look of it, becomes a good speaker with a fairly wide range of
knowledge arising in him. There is a great pool full of clean water
in front of it. All in a family of the man become knowledgeable by
his taking a bath here, О king, and then following it up with taking
a look of Vinayaka with faith.
26. After uttering the incantation that “you are this among the
demigods”, one who takes a round of this place thrice and takes a
look of him, sins do not remain visible to him from a far off distance.
27. Therefore, with all efforts, one needs to take a look of
Vinayaka here. By doing so, all desires of one in this world as
well as the other get fulfilled.
28. The worldly individual who remembers him with all
devotion on the eve of executing any work can get all those
accomplished completely.
29. A mortal being remembering Vinayaka after waking up
in the morning can get accomplished all activities coming forth
on the same day.
30. Remembering Vinayaka on the eve of marriage or battle
or war or in setting forth on a voyage or before commencing
any agricultural activity and the auspicious entry to a new home,
can get all these activities successfully accomplished by his
grace.
31. One who appeases the great Vinayaka with all earnestness
and as per prescribed procedures can hardly be disturbed by
the departed spirits, planets and diseases, by his grace.
vii.111. 32. 32-44 105
Yayati said:
32. О virtuous Sage! please tell me about the appeasement
of great Vinayaka. How can this be, by which invocation and
by which procedure as laid down? I have great curiosity.
Pulastya said:
33. In the rising period of the moon on that particular
auspicious day when the star is free from any malefic effect
and when the force of the moon is at its pre-eminence, one has
to observe the religious conduct of appeasing Ganesa.
34. Erect a temporary hall On the plain land in the north-east
direction. Then make an altar for the conduct of ritual sacrifice.
Place a lotus with eight petals in the middle of the altar tied
with a thread.
35. О king! after taking the initial consecration, place all
god-rulers like Indra etc., and GaneSa and the sixteen mother
goddesses and then specially perform the activity of worship.
36. Placing a couple of pitchers full of water and covered
with white cloth, make oblation to him through offerings of
scented garland and gifts as laid down in details.
37. After this put a golden fruit on the eastern point of the pitcher.
38. Then О virtuous king! taking the invocation repeatedly
upto one thousand eight times within that ‘you are this among
the demigods’ worship him as agreeable to the Hindu calendar.
39. Then folding your own hands together to form a circle,
make a girdle on the four sides of the pool and decorate it with
the female organ of generation.
40. After the conduct of the sacrificial fire with honey, bent
grass and offering of whole grains, make the invocation that
‘you are this among the demigods’ ten thousand times.
41-44. Then be seated facing the Brahmanas from the
direction of North. Then putting on the yellow cloth, having a
yellow mark applied on the forehead by the four astute
Brahmanas and putting on a gold finger ring perform the act of
sacrificial fire. Then О best king! after the completion of the
106 Skanda Purana
Greatness of Parthesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to Parthesvara— the destroyer of all
sins. By having a look of it, a human being usually gets free
from all sins.
2. О king! ParthI— a virtuous woman was the faithful wife
of Devala. She had earlier undergone penance there.
vii.lll. 33. 3-13 107
3. She— the famous wife of the Sage was sterile and thus
had no child. Thus becoming highly dejected, she went to the
Arbuda.
4. Subsisting only on air, she remained without food. But
then she remained fixed on her seat. Then О king! a thousand
of years passed in the pursuit of devotion of hers in this manner.
5-8. Then tearing apart the surface of earth, a procreative
§iva Linga came up instantaneously. Coincident with such
happening, a voice came from the incorporeal saying, “O greatly
fortunate lady! worship this purifying Linga of Lord Siva. It
has come out from within the surface of the Earth by virtue of
your devotion and to fulfill your great desire. Whoever human
being worships keeping this in mind and in pursuit of his
desires, not only his but also of others including the desires of
the bodiless spirit get fulfilled and there is no doubt about this.
This will be renowned in this world by the name Parthesvara.”
Having said so, О king! the voice then stopped.
9. Then completely taken over by wonder, she began to
worship that then and there. Then getting one hundred sons,
she got the beautiful line-up to foster/perpetuate her future
family generations.
10. Beginning from that, this worshipable Linga has acquired
fame on the surface of earth. Since then also, clean water has
been springing up from inside the cave in this mountain.
11. A human being if, after having a bath here takes a look
of that (i.e., the worshipable Linga of Siva) can never have
sorrow accruing due to lack of children. Otherwise, he will
have the same sorrow.
12. One who worships it, remaining awake throughout the
night and that too without food on the fourteenth day of the
bright period of moon, is sure to get a son.
13. One who performs the religious activity of offering balls
of cooked rice here in remembrance of one’s forefathers with
all sincerity, will welcome fatherhood by the grace of one’s
forefathers.
108 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. After that go to the Krsna Tirtha which is always dear to
Krsna. О king! Visnu always remains close to it.
Yayati said:
2. О virtuous Brahmana! how could this place of pilgrimage
so-called after Krsna come up and when did it come up? О
Sage! please narrate this in detail to me.
Pulastya said:
3. When both the movable and the immobile met with great
destruction due to lightning and storm then all the planetary
bodies had also got ruined due to the’same reason.
4. Then after passage of time-span of thousand years the
enlightened and lotus-seated Brahma began to deliberate all
alone as to how could Creation materialize.
5. Then moving about here and there, the four-faced Brahma
saw the Supreme Soul of the Universe in the form of large
eyed and four-armed Visnu, to be present in a far off distance.
6. Then the four-faced (Brahma) told him, “From where have
you come and how have you been made? For what purpose
have you come here? Please tell me all in details.”
7-8. Then to tell him, Govinda keeping aside all deceit and
mockery said, “I am the Supreme Soul since the beginning and
you are also created by me. I am wishing to create four types
of creatures.”
Pulastya said:
9-10. Then hearing these words of his, the great Father and
God, i.e., Brahma became very angry and mockingly repeated
‘the Supreme Soul statement’ once and again. He said, “O fool!
vii.UL 34.11-21 109
Brahma said:
24-26. О beautiful and fortunate lady! it has arisen from my
contest with Visnu as to who can reach the final limit of the
worshipable Siva Linga to finally get it. Between two of us one
is relatively less while the other is better and more powerful.
These are the words of £iva after hearing which, I proceeded
towards the higher regions while Visnu has proceeded to the
lower, i.e., nether world. After covering the entire circum
ference of the worshipable Linga, I shall return to the world.”
After hearing these words of him, the flower (i.e., Ketaki) said:
27-30. О Brahma, О Lord of the World! all efforts will be
vain for I am yet to comprehend the final limit of the worshipable
Linga, despite my passage for thousands of years constituting
a major period of the Creation by remaining on top of it. After
falling down from the top of the worshipable Linga, I kept
reciting the hymns in praise of Lord Samkara, О Lord of great
radiance. But I could never get to the bottom of the world. I
travel hundred times the distance that is 8 miles that you take
to move on the back of your Swan. Hence basing yourself
firmly on what have I said you go and citing me as a proof
vindicate your point having greater power in comparison to
Visnu.”
31. Then with all happiness and carrying that (flower) the
four-faced, i.e., Brahma appeared again on the surface of the
Earth after a thousand years to show it to Visnu as proof of
being there above the worshipable Linga.
Brahma said:
32. I have got this white garland О Four-armed (i.e., Visnu),
after making it to the ultimate point. О best of the male force!
do not tell me a lie as to whether you have got it or not.
vii.UI. 34. 33-44 111
Visnu said:
33-35. О Brahma! I could never succeed in crossing over
the limitless limit of §amkara. Brahma! if at all you have
succeeded in crossing over the boundary, Mahesvara—the God
of Gods miust certainly have been pleased by that. The boundary
in no other way than this has ever been seen by anyone else.
Therefore you— the elder have become the superior and better.
Pulastya said:
36. In the meantime, the God having bull as His insignia (in
other words the God Siva) got angry instantaneously, О great
king! with Brahma.
37-40. Then coming before his eyes (i.e., sight) to condemn
such childishness he said, “How could you fare such a thing
falsely and uncautiously. For this untrue statement of yours to
have seen my complete stretch over Creation, you can never
be worthy of worship of all classes. Those men who worship
you, unaware of this, will get difficulties of highest order with
themselves getting completely destroyed. As whatever you said
has been impelled by the wickedness of KetakI, hence anything
you touch in the world will become severely inferior.
41. After giving such a curse, the great God then spoke to
Kesava (the other name of Visnu) being pleased with him and
with a smiling face.
42. The God said, “O strong and powerful Vasudeva!
(another name of Visnu) I am pleased with your great mind
speaking the truth. You can ask for a boon for your following
the resolution in a good manner.”
43-44. Sri Vasudeva said “Your, i.e., the great G od’s
appreciation of mine as well as being pleased with me, is itself
a boon. О God! you can never be pleased with one having no
credit of goodness for oneself nor can you be so pleased.
However, О God of gods! if you still have to give me a boon
then let this so-called and ever eternal Linga get little smaller in
size and spread across the happening world to make the
expansive Creation just indicative of your universal mind.”
112 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
45-48. After that having made that procreative Linga shorter
and bearing it, the great God said, “O Hari (another name of
Visnu)! listen to these words of mine. О Hari! place this Linga
of mine in sacred places. Worshipping it as per laid down
procedure will result in highest welfare of yours. You had got
burnt up and got blackened by the heat erupted out of me.
Hence you will be renowned in the world by the name Krsna.
Any human being who after getting up in the morning, sings
your name as О Krsna! О Krsna! with all faith, will attain the
supreme passage”
Pulastya said:
49. Having said like this Kan (the other name of 6iva)
disappeared. Carrying that Linga, Vasudeva arrived on the
Arbuda mountain and placed it in a mountain’s brook having
good and clean water.
50. That is how got bom the centre of pilgrimage known as
Krsna pilgrimage on the surface of earth. Now О prominent
man on earth! listen to the fruits of taking a bath there,
51. Taking a bath in the Krsna lake and after that having a look
of that worshipable Linga results fittingly in accrual of well-being
for mortals equal to the results of all pilgrimages together.
52. Those who make charities without being attended with
desire can derive results. Even those with desires, happen to
derive results difficult to attain.
53. Therefore, one needs to undergo the religious ritual of taking
a bath here with earnest efforts. One having a desire for incessant
welfare must do it without giving heed to any other activity.
54-55. О the winner over senses! one who remaining awake
throughout the night and observing fasting pays homage to the
worshipable Linga with all faith and devotion and observes the
Sraddha in the following morning, enables emancipation of all
those learned in righteous conduct as well as of one’s own
forefathers.
vii.lll. 34. 56-57—35.1-6 113
56. Any mortal being who makes offering of black sesame
to Brahmanas here is certain to get free from the sin of
Brahmanicide etc.
57. О King of kings! taking a look of the worshipable Linga
here at the Krsna Tlrtha absolves a man of all sins and there is
no need for thinking about any other action in this regard.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Pulastya said:
1. Then О best of kings! go to that centre of pilgrimage
renowned as Mamu Lake situated on the outskirt of the
mountain which kills all sins.
2. A bath there by a human accompanied with desirable faith
relieves him of the deeper sins of previous lives.
3. О king! there, on the Western side of the mountain is a
worshipable Linga. The same—a fulfiller of all human desires,
is founded there by a Brahmana named Mudgal.
4. If a human being takes bath in the Mamu Lake on the
fourteenth day of the bright period of Moon in the Month of
Phalguna i.e. February and takes a look of the Linga there, he/
she obtains superiority and best result difficult even in all centers
of pilgrimage.
5. One who perform s the ceremony, connected with
remembrance of forefathers, i.e., £raddha near the statue
situated on the Southern direction, happens to get his forefathers
inundated with pleasures which seem to have not happened
before.
6. Eulogy of great sages and mendicants for making offering
of gifts there is already there. О king! conduct of Sraddha with
edible leaves and fruits is a source of great contentment.
114 Skanda Parana
Yayati said:
7. How could the manifested Mamu Lake as such derive its
name in the first instance? What is the Mudgal hermitage?
Please narrate all methodically.
Pulastya said:
8. О king! in olden times, a Divine Messenger had come in
a winged vehicle to Mudgal—the great soul residing there.
He said:
9. О virtuous Sage! this winged vehicle has been sent to you
as per the orders of Indra— the King of gods. This is meant for
you to ascend onto it and proceed to the Heavenly Kingdom.
Mudgal said:
10-11. О Messenger! please tell me the qualities and lacunas
of Heaven as proclaimed to be. After hearing the same, I will
act fittingly. О messenger! after your detailed description of all
those, I shall proceed on my own.
Mudgal said:
13. Without listening to those, I shall not go. This is my
mental resolve for all certainty. I shall continue with my severe
penance and keep worshipping Mahesvara—the great God.
Mudgal said:
25-21. There is fear of downfall as well as that of abatement
of goodness there. Hence О messenger! I shall never try for
Heaven. You go back as per my orders and tell (Indra) the
King of gods very clearly that I may be pardoned for my mistake
that I do not have any desire for the Heaven. I shall keep on
doing the fitting work in which there is no fear of downfall. I
shall persevere for a different world free from downfall.
116 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
28. Saying so, О best of kings! Mudgal disinterested in
Heaven, continued to put up there keeping himself incessantly
and devotedly engaged in meditation on Siva.
29-31. Then after hearing the words of the messenger in
details, Indra told him with a relatively higher equanimity, “O
Divine Messenger! you have disproved the heavenly winged
vehicle which has hardly been done by anyone before nor can
anyone ever do so in the future. Therefore hurrying up, you
go and bring the Sage by force, otherwise, I shall curse you
beyond any doubt.
Pulastya said:
32. So hearing Indra, the Divine Messenger was taken over
with fear. He left swiftly for the place where Mudgal was putting
up.
33. Seeing the arrival of the occupied winged vehicle, Mudgal
entered into the water in Mamu Lake.
34. The Messenger as it is, stunned with the words of the
Sage as if they were written, was unable to walk.
35. Learning that it is too long since the Messenger left,
Indra—the ruler of three directions, i.e., Heaven got very angry
and seated on his bearer elephant Airvata came there.
36. Then seeing the Messenger to be made immobile by
Mudgal, he took out his thunderbolt and began to move it
around in circles to kill him.
37. Coinciding with the time, a severe chaotic scene came
up. The deer, the animals and the birds began to move in reverse
direction. Witnessing all these, Mudgal began to worry and
became astounded.
38. Seeing Indra coming in the sky with his thunderbolt raised
in hand, Mudgal made him still and stationary like a pole by
merely looking at him.
39-41. Then О good king! with his enthusiasm broken, Indra
began taking to the series of hymns in praise of the Brahmana
vii.111. 35.42-49 117
Mudgal said:
42-46. This itself is an adorable boon for me that О King of
gods! you have become visible before me. О Thousand-eyed!
a vision of yours even in dream is difficult. However, О Killer
of the demon Vrutra! if you have decided to grant me a boon,
let me then get liberation fast by your grace. After coming to
this Mamu Lake, the Messenger spoke to me as I also did to
him. That is how this Mamu Lake got its fame on the earth’s
surface. Let this centre of pilgrimage, О Thousand-eyed! be
the destroyer of all sins and О King of gods! a bath here yields
one the divine passage by your grace. Let the offering of cooked
balls of rice by one here yield the pleasure of forefathers.
Indra said:
47-49. This centre of pilgrimage named Mamu Lake will
acquire fame by this name and О good Brahmana! there will
be no doubt that it will be the highest among all centers of
pilgrimage with my grace. Those who take a bath here on the
full moon day in the Month of Phalguna, i.e, February with all
earnestness will attain that ultimate passage. Offering of balls
of cooked rice to forefathers (connected with religious activity
of remembrance of forefathers i.e. 3raddha) here will yield good
results comparable to the fruits obtainable by the same such
act at Gaya. О good Brahmana! the results of making good
gifts here are countless.
118 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
50. Having said so and getting hold of his Messenger, Indra—
the bearer of thunderbolt left for Heaven. Mudgal in turn
continued to remain engaged in deliberating upon the Supreme
Brahma.
51. Observing meditation with all purity, Mudgal obtained
undecaying liberation.
52. The great Narada had sung the poem in praise of this
episode. A congregation of a good number of Brahmanas О
king! had listened to this here in this mountain.
53. After taking a bath in the Mamu Lake and by following
it up with taking a look of the godly Mudgal, a human being
gets liberation after enjoying all desires. О king! it is due to this
reason that the Mamu Lake is remembered.
54. It is heard to be the best among the centres of pilgrimage
in the world. Hence with all care and earnestness, one needs to
fulfill the religious ritual of having a bath here.
55. Those having a desire particularly to attain the ultimate
state of liberation can obtain the same and be contented by
visiting the hermitage of Candl here.
CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Yayati said:
1. О foremost Brahmana! when did the hermitage of Candl
happen to come up there? What is the time in which by taking
a look of it, fruits can accrue to human beings?
Pulastya said:
2. Listen О king! I am narrating the story of it as a destroyer
of sins. By listening to it, a human being can definitely get free
from all sins.
vii.III. 36. 3-17 119
Pulastya said:
18. After his saying so, all gods were taken over by a sense
of happiness. Then along with him, О king! all of them
proceeded to the Arbuda mountain.
19. Making them to take a bath there, Brhaspati got them
purified. Then О king! imparting them the incantation of
supreme power, he made them accomplished.
20. Then along with family, the gods worshipped there with
flowers, incense, oil, garlands and with offering of sacrifices
for three hours per day.
21. With different incantations and by taking enchanting
hymns with all devotion they continued to pray there regularly
by lighting up earthen lamps.
22. Without cheating, without ego, intent on faith in the Teacher,
enjoined with the congruent incantations keeping in mind the
placement of gods in different parts of the body, the gods appeared
to be on the threshold of having equanimity of vision.
23. О virtuous earthly being! with their remaining engaged
like this and after a lapse of seven months, the Goddess of
gods became pleased.
24. О king! with brightness; similar to an assemblage of lamps
together coming onto their bodies and with purity acquired
through incantation, the brightness of gods’ bodies appeared
to increase.
25-30. Within six months, the gods had acquired more than
the brightness of twelve Suns together. Then the king, noticing
that they had thus been endowed with brightness Brhaspati,
giver of all fulfilment, who was present there created a circle
and made all the gods—inhabitants of Heavan sit in its
circumference. He pulled together the brightness of their bodies
О king, through invocation of the right incantation for the
vii.III. 36.31-38 121
Pulastya said:
36. With such singing of glory by all the gods, the Goddess
became pleased and told them to ask for a boon from her.
Narada said:
47-48. I greet you. You are fit for all these. Having taken
recourse to the regular pursuit of duties as part of sagehood,
we have become desireless. Coming from the mortal world, I
am on my way to the place of Brahma. Your place has come in
between my way and I have become curious after seeing you.
49. The demon Mahisa said, “O Sage! has anything surprising
been ever seen by you on the surface of the earth? Did you
ever come across any powerful godly figure or mem or for that
matter any demon?”
vii.UL 36. 50-71 123
Pulastya said:
72. After hearing such words of Narada, Mahisa got affected
with desire and to hear again, О king! he asked the Sage again.
73-74. The demon Mahisa said, “O Narada, the best of
Brahmanas! where is that beautiful woman by the sight of whom
you got afflicted with desire? Whether she is a goddess or
having a human form or is she a female Yaksa or a female
Serpent or is she a maiden or simply a woman with a beautiful
body? Please narrate in greater details to me.”
75-77. Narada said, “I do not know anything about her
including her lineage, as I never asked her anything in this
regard. Simply this much I can tell that the same glorious woman
has occupied my mind fully. She bears the garland made of
rosaries and she has been carrying that earthen or wooden water
pot generally borne by the ascetics. She appears to be engaged
in penance on that mountain for some good cause. О Lord of
the demons! I am now proceeding to the primeval world of
vii.lll. 36. 78-90 125
Brahma. I shall not speak anything about her lest the fear of
physical desire may overtake me.”
78. Then the king, having said like this, the Sage (Narada)
proceeded to the perpetual world of Brahman. Remembering
quite attentively as to what did the Sage say, the demon Mahisa
commanded his messenger to go to her.
79. (Mahisa commanded his messenger) saying, “Go there
quickly, have a glimpse of the glorious woman there and be
seized of the matter as to for what purpose has she been engaged
in penance there.”
80-81. As per the orders of Mahisa, the messenger went
quickly to the Arbuda region and sighted her having the beauty
similar to the interior portion of a lotus. Then after gathering all
information about her with due efforts, he came back and told
Mahisa, the chief of demons, with a sense of astonishment that
he happened to come across a woman endowed with all good
qualities.
Pulastya said:
85. After hearing those words, Mahisa was again overpowered
with desire. He sent an able-bodied demon as messenger there.
86. (Mahisa told his messenger ) “O able-bodied! go quickly
and bring that female ascetic to me either by treachery or by
force”.
87-90. Then the able-bodied demon messenger after paying
homage to the King stepped out quickly and reached that region
126 Skanda Purana
109. She did not respond despite his saying like this. Then
completely taken over by physical desire, he approached nearer
to her.
110. Then becoming aware of his eager desire, the Goddess
got seized with anger and began to be reminded of her carrier,
the lion. Then as soon as the lion came, the Goddess got herself
mounted onto it.
111. The Goddess said repeatedly, “Go back, go back from
here. Otherwise, I shall kill you, the stupid demon, here itself.”
128 Skanda Purana
ask for the desired boon in your mind. All the gods will be
pleased to grant the same to you without any doubt.”
Bmkma said:
164-169. О Goddess! human beings after seeing your face
in this form here will obtain that supreme passage by virtue of
the greater goodness of the hermitage here. Those humans will
be endowed with the knowledge of Brahmanhood. As you have
performed the ferocious deed of killing the demons here, you
will therefore be famous in the world by the name of Candika.
This hermitage of yours here will be renowned as per the same
name of yours. О beauty! those who after taking a bath here on
the fourteenth day of the waning period of the moon in the Month
of Asvina, i.e., October perform the ritual of offering of balls of
cooked rice in memory of their deceased forefathers, will obtain
the same fruits like that of Sraddha conducted at Gaya. Taking a
look of yours here will also absolve one of all sins.
Krsna said:
170-171. Sins of those who spend a night here with full faith
and due observation of fasting, will get completely wiped 9ut
and for all times to come. It is beyond doubt that a childless
man or woman performing the ritual of offering balls of cooked
rice here in memory of his/her forefathers with all sincerity of
mind and as per prescribed procedure will definitely be blessed
with a child very quickly.
Indra said:
172. If a king deprived of his kingdom observes the ritual of
taking a bath here followed up with making of charities will
vii.III. 36. 173-179 133
not only get all his enemies dissipated but his kingdom will
also expand.
Yama said:
174. Untimely death will never occur to those who after
taking (the ritual of) bath here offer sesame to Brahmanas.
Varuna said:
176. Those who offer water to the Brahmanas here after taking
bath, will attain purity for all time to come in this as well as the
other world.
Vayu said:
177. Those who offer specially the flavoured paste of
sandalwood to Brahmanas will remain free from all diseases.
Isvara said:
179. One who observes the religious rite of conducting yajna
here with all resolution and sincerity at the interval of every
134 Skanda Purana
four months will obtain happiness for ever in this as well as the
other world.
lndra said:
180. A man who, after observing fast for three nights,
performs yajna here will be free from all sins starting from his
birth till death.
Aditya said:
181. Men making gifts of umbrellas and footwear (which
relieve the feet) here in this auspicious hermitage with all
devotion and faith, will obtain the eternal world.
Tirtha said:
183-184. Today onwards, there will be presence of all centres
of pilgrimage here. This hermitage will specially earn a place
of renown and will be heard from the mouths of people.
Following the (religious) ritual of taking a bath with fasting
here on the fourteenth day of the waning period of moon in the
Month of ASvina, i.e., October will result in attainment of fruits
encompassing fruits of all centres of pilgrimage.
Gandharva said:
185. Those who undertake the religious activity of Bhajans
and Kirtans here will attain the appearance of beauty for seven
life-times to come.
Pulastya said:
187. Thus all gods bestowed their blissful boons on the
Goddess. О best of kings, and that is how the Goddess has
been present here as per the direction of gods.
188. As a result of taking a look of the Goddess in the
hermitage here and empowered with her blessings, the mortals
started to proceed to the Heavenly Kingdom which in turn
became full of the mortals without any difficulty with their
penetration.
189. In the wake of this, religious rituals including the
relatively longer cycle of Yajfia connected with making
offerings to the Fire God lost vitality on the surface of earth.
Same also became the fate of other religious activities. The
gods became deprived of their due worship.
190. Then becoming scared, the Thousand-eyed i.e. Indra
through connivance with Brihaspati made a quick invocation
of desire, anger, fear and excitements.
191-192. Then instructing them he said, all of you along
with thirst, deceit and qualities to induce attachment towards
offsprings, proceed quickly to the mortal world so as to incite
desire in mortal beings both men and women so that they can
stay back (instead of proceeding to the Heaven). All of you, as
per my orders, be there in the auspicious hermitage of CandT in
her service and especially remain there upto the last day of the
fourteen day period of the waning period of moon in the Month
of Asvina, i.e., October.”
193. Your Highness, thus directed, all of them (i.e., desire,
anger, attachment, etc.) hurriedly proceeded to the mortal world
and kept themselves engaged in its upkeep and preservation.
194. After knowing all this, you—the virtuous earthly being,
also proceed quickly there, if at all, you desire the best of both
this and the other world.
136 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then one needs to go to that centre of pilgrimage—the
destroyer of sins, called the Naga (i.e., cobra) lake. There in
some beautiful interior region of the mountain, one can come
across the Nagas, i.e., the cobras engaged in penance.
2-3. It is said that in olden times hearing about the curse
inflicted on Kadru (i.e., their mother) all the Nagas became
fearful and then headed to see Sesanaga. Bowing before him
they all asked him, “Where shall we go and what should we do
О virtuous King of the Nagas! so as to free her from the curse?
As it is we are heavily depressed with the curse on our mother.”
Sesa said:
4 -8 .1 had to initially satisfy the Mother Goddess to get rid of
the curse, who in turn, exhorted me that the self-righteous souls
who as it is observe self-control and remain incessantly engaged
in penance, must never raise the fire in the Yajna of Pariksita.
A mountain called Arbuda is there on the surface of earth for
this purpose. The Goddess Candi remains there on her own. You
proceed there and get yourself engaged in penance as per the
laid down procedure. Prayers to and before her definitely root
out all dangers. Hence as per my words, you remain engaged in
her worship day and night. It is her blessings by which only all
distress can be put an end to. He further said that he would not
visualize any other alternative. For him neither gods nor the
humans nor could there be any other means to liberation.
Pulastya said:
9. After the King of Nagas said so, all the Nagas, О king!
after paying their homage to the King, proceeded towards the
Arbuda mountain.
138 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
24. Then the persisting fear (in the minds) of the Nagas faded
away and they became happy. Taking the shelter of Goddess
as their own, they began to roam around there (in the Arbuda
region).
25. Then in the inevitable course of time, which supercedes
everything, the (procedurally fixed) duration of Pariksit’s Yajna
got over. All the Nagas feeling peace within enteifed the region
under the surface of the earth.
26. О king! with the grace of Goddess they, i.e., the Nagas
became free from the frightening curse. Therefore paying their
homage repeatedly to the Goddess they remained unmoved in
their faith and devotion for her.
27. Even today, О king! they come there especially on the
fifth day of the waning period of Moon during Sravana (i.e.,
July-August) to get a look of the Goddess with all eagerness.
28. Hence, with all sincere efforts, О best o f kings! one needs
to conduct the ritual o f Sraddha observed in remembrance of
on e’s forefathers here. The best w ishes o f on e’s s e lf get
materialized by the ritual of having a bath here.
140 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Thereafter О king! head towards the pond having a similar
appearance of the worshipable linga of Lord Siva. О virtuous
king, Ganga puts up here clandestinely.
2. The fruits of all pilgrimages accrue to a man by a bath
here. Besides, he gets free from all sins committed since birth
till death.
Yayati asked:
3. О great preceptor! what for Ganga happened to be there?
In which Age did she come there? There is an intense curiosity
within me.
Pulastya said:
4-7. Once upon a time when the gods after appeasing Lord
Siva, who usually mounts upon a bull, asked him to remain
ever present in the Arbuda mountain, the radiant God himself
proceeded to put up there. On his own he founded his
worshipable Linga there. But that worshipable Linga was
brought down by the great sage Valakhilya. The Sage had done
so due to excess anger for some reason. Then Lord 6iva made
a promise before all gods saying that he would not move out of
there under any circumstances and would stay there beyond
any doubt. Since then and in the unchangeable march of great
Time he has been present there.
8. Then the thought of Ganga occurred in the mind of the
everlasting God impelling him to think as to how could togetherness
of his other half (i.e., Ganga) be there at that place forever.
9. Then he thought of great ways of bringing along the caring
and supreme Goddess Gauri. Accordingly he ordered his loyal
followers waiting upon him.
vii.III. 38.10-18 141
Pulastya said:
32. The Goddess became glad to hear such words of hers
and told her politely that she had put forth the right position.
33. Hence you may ask for any good boon as desired in
your mind. Leaving aside the beloved Maheswara who is the
only medium of my pursuit of duty of loyalty to husband, you
may ask for anything else.
34-36. Ganga said, “Is it my misfortune that as wife of Siva
I have to be put on the sharp-edged iron-bar. Hence, grant me
at least one day when I can have my playful fun with him. О
Goddess of gods! let the road of Siva to his abode take turn
towards this pool especially on the thirteenth day of the rising
period of moon in the month of Caitra, (i.e., March-April) when
this pool becomes my abode. О daughter of the mountains ! let
this pool here in this mountain acquire fame with your grace,
by the name of Siva Ganga on the surface of earth”.
Pulastya said:
37. Let this be so, said the Goddess to the great river Ganga
and then embracing each other, both parted.
38. Then as Ganga left, Gauri bringing her face down and
after holding the hands of Siva for a while, left for her abode
moving around here and there.
39-40. О king! this is how the old story of this pool has been
described. With sincerity and with all efforts, one needs to
observe the religious ritual of taking a bath here especially on
the fourteenth day of the rising period of moon in the month of
Caitra, (i.e., March-April) as togetherness of both the God Siva
and Ganga remains here on this day, the virtuous king.
41. (A bath) here dissipates all bad deeds and by donation
of bulls to Brahmanas here О best of kings! one is sure to attain
residence in heaven for as many years as the number of hairs
on one’s body.
144 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
4. The virtuous earthly being, now listen to the greatness of
Mahesvara. I shall bring to you another version of the glorified
story in this regard which has been narrated.
5-6. When due to humiliation of Daksya for not being invited
to Yajna, Satl, i.e., the manifested force exhibiting the power
and victory of truth got consumated by death, Kamadeva taking
his bow and arrow of flowers in hand arrived there swiftly.
Seeing the invincible Kamadeva, Siva then put him as an arrow
onto his bow.
7-8. Apparently out of fear Siva disappeared. Then he, i.e.,
Kamadeva moving about here and there, reached the hermitage
of Valakhilya which was bearing a beautiful look with a good
tree outside it. Valakhilya’s wives then got a glimpse of the
handsome Kamadeva.
9. Seeing the bare-bodied and amiable Siva, all those women
got enamoured and leaving their sons and homes behind
followed him continuously making entreaties like ‘make me/
us your own.’
vii.111. 39.10-22а 145
Pulastya said:
35. As Samkara said like this, then Brahma, О best of kings!
first of all began to worship the same (i.e., the worshipable
Linga) then and there with sincerity of faith and devotion.
36. After Brahma, Visnu did the same. Subsequently, Indra
followed up. Valakhilya and other Brahmanas also worshipped
it reciting the difficult Satrudriya incantations from the Veda.
37. Then the terrible disorderly situation soon began to
recover. Happy days returned to the world with people becoming
good-natured and gentle and fragrant breeze began to blow.
38. Then Mahadeva asked all the gods to seek boons as
desired in their respective minds.
Pulastya said:
42. Hence, Indra—the King of three worlds covered the
worshipable Linga with his sword of thunderbolt which require
to be won over or brought under control for any mortal being
to get a look of the same (object of worship).
43. Even now, a mere touch of the (same) sword of
thunderbolt entitles a man acquire proximity (to the worshipable
Linga). It is beyond doubt that he gets liberated not only from
sins but also from the cycle of birth and death.
44. So Samkara has sung the glory of the worshipable Linga
while it is Indra who by his thunderbolt gives it the protective
cover on the surface of Earth.
45. Since then worshipping of Lord Samkara has been
commenced in the mortal world. Before this either his idol or
some form of stone as a symbolic icon of him used to be
worshipped in the three worlds.
46. This is the account, as to how the worshipable Linga
used to be worshipped before and after its downfall since
ancient days in this best of mountains called the Arbuda which
you were asking.
47. One who makes offering of cooked food made of freshly
harvested wheat to the unmovable worshipable Linga on that
particular fourteenth day of the waning period of Moon in the
month of Phalguna (i.e., February), which is (considered as)
the great destroyer of all sins, will never have rebirth.
48. One who makes offering of food prepared of the same
freshly harvested wheat to Brahmanas with due faith will be
entitled to enjoyment of the Heavenly World amounting to the
same number of years as per the counted number of wheat
seeds.
49. The offering of barley here by the sages observing
austerities is specially appreciated. This the God Siva has
himself stated.
50. So why to undergo the religious act of making offering
of various gifts or conduct of yajnas with greater details or
undertake several pilgrimages or undergo penance?
vii.III. 39. 51-59 149
* Anjali refers to the cup-shape that is formed after lossely bringing together both
palms of the hands.
150 Slcanda Purana
60. Then the king, all sages with the prominent sage Galava
among them out of curiosity asked the king as to what could
be the reason behind his making offering of barley there.
61. The sages asked, “You have got amazing power to make
gifts of elephants, horses and chariots. Thus О king! why are
you not willing to make offering of anything other than barley?”
Pulastya said:
62. After their (i.e., the Sages’) asking like this, the king
then narrated the details of his previous life and impressed upon
them the value of offering of barley in his context.
Pulastya said:
65. Then with pleasure, the sages uttered, “let there be your
well being”. They began to make offering of barley there for
themselves in a befitting manner and as per their affordability.
66. О king! this is all about the glory of making offering of
barley. This is also how the truth of the greatness of MaheSvara
has been acclaimed.
67. There is no doubt that one who listens to the glorified
story of this with faith from the Brahmanas will certainly get
rid of his/her incessant sins.
vii.IU. 40. 1-7 151
CHAPTER FORTY
Eminence of Kamesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to KameSvara established by
Kamadeva. By taking a look of it, the mortal being always
attains good appearance as well as high influence.
Yayati said:
2-3. You had earlier stated that Sambhu (i.e., an epithet of
Siva), taken over with fear by the weapon of Kama had fled to
the hermitage of Valakhilya where he had seen his worshipable
Linga fallen down and lying on the ground. Now, I have a
great curiosity as to why he, i.e., Kamadeva worshipped
Sambhu. О best of Brahmanas! do also narrate all the details
about the abode of KameSvara (here).
Pulastya said:
4. Even after the downfall of the worshipable Linga,
Kamadeva had not given up following Siva. Carrying his
weapon in hand and aiming it at Siva from behind he was
following him.
5. Then out of fear, the Lord of the ultimate dissolution of
the three regions, i.e., Siva went to Varanasi. On his way he
also saw Kamadeva following from behind with a similar
mindset carrying his bow and arrow in hands.
6. Then Siva changed his onward journey and via Prayag,
he reached Kedarnath. Then through Naimisya and Bhadra-
karna and taking route of Jambu he entered Tripuskara.
7. Then passing through the sacred Gokarna and Prabhasa
as well as through the savage water bodies full of worms and
insects, he went to Hardwar that forms one of the pathways of
Ganga, Gaya that is the master of all the centres of pilgrimage
and the Vatesvara of which hymns of praises have been sung
through Ages.
152 Skanda Purana
17. As she heard such words, she got up well in the middle
and began to worship the God, day and night incessantly and
without retiring to bed for sleep. As part of her resolve, she
remained fully engrossed in activities such as making offer of
gifts, muttering the name of God repeatedly in mind, pacifying
the Fire God through offerings and observation of fasting.
18. Then after a lapse of thousand years, Mahesvara became
gratified and asked her to solicit the boon in her mind which
might cause her welfare.
19. Rati said, “If God Siva—the Creator of three worlds is
pleased with me, let my husband Kama regain life with all his
limbs of body intact and without any handicap or disability.”
20. As soon as she completed saying so, the great king (i.e.,
Kamadeva) instantly came to presence before her with his usual
beaming appearance as if freshly awaken from a deep sleep.
21. Equipped with the bow resembling the pole of sugarcane
and with flower-like arrows and the bow-string appearing like
a row of black bees, he (i.e., Kamadeva) was presenting a
captivating sight.
22. Thereafter paying homage to MaheSvara along with Rati,
Kamadeva proceeded on his work after seeking permission of
the Lord.
23. О best of kings! thus after experiencing the greatness of
Lord Siva, he (i.e., Kamadeva) with full faith accompanied with
complete awareness founded (the idol of) Siva there on the
Arbuda mountain.
24. О great king! bad fortune never touches either a man or
a woman for a time span of seven rebirths after taking a look of
Siva here.
25. This is how I narrated to you (i.e., the King) the much
recounted story with regard to the burning down of Kamadeva
and the greatness of KameSvara which you were asking for.
154 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, head towards the hermitage of
M arkandeya where the great soul/Sage M arkandeya had
undergone penance.
2. In olden time a Brahmana named Mrukando got blessed
with the birth of a very handsome son for him towards the
ultimate years of his life through observance of a religious vow
here.
3. Full of all qualities, he was sober and had the brilliance
like Sun. Once, in course of time О king! a passerby came on
the pathways of their hermitage.
4. The incomer Brahmana was somehow well acquainted
with and had good knowledge of all things that have some
linkage with the sea or having origin from the sea. At that time,
the boy who was five-year old, was playing.
5. (That Brahmana) watched the child from nose to the string
of hair on top of his head for a little longer and then began to
laugh instantly. Mrukando was equally watching him (i.e., the
Brahmana) at the same time.
6. He (i.e., Mrukando) said, “O Brahmana! you saw my son
and after that you have been laughing continuously and
relatively excessively. Would you please tell me the reason for
the same?”
7. When Mrukando asked the best Brahmana the reason
behind his stop-over once and again, the Brahmana began to
speak out his purpose.
8-9. He said, “O best of Brahmanas! the signs on the body
of this boy indicate that something unageing and unfading is
definitely going to happen. But somehow it is again definite
that this boy is going to have death in the normal battle of life.
vii.III. 41. 10-20 155
Pulastya said:
10. After saying like this, the wise Brahmana spent the night
there and as dawn broke in the next day, he proceeded ahead
towards the region of his wish and desire.
11. Though got hurt to learn that his son had a short life,
Mrukando, however, О king! performed the ritual of sacred
thread ceremony of his son when he was five years old.
12. “(He told him ) Whenever you О son! come across anyone
accomplished in the learning of Scriptures, always greet him
and try to share and have the taste of his knowledge.”
13. The son followed such advice of his father in particular.
14. Then the boy paid his reverence to everyone whether
old or young whom he came across with all politeness.
15. Once, in the course of time, seven sages who had made
up their mind to undergo pilgrimage with all sincerity arrived
there near their (i.e., Mrukundo’s) hermitage.
16. Then the king, the boy hurried and moved towards them
to pay his homage. He offered his reverence to all those sages
one after another in due order.
17. Seeing the zeal on the part of the boy (to pay reverence)
they (i.e., the sages) became pleased. And then blessing him
saying ‘let you have long life’ they all moved ahead on their
way to the region as already planned in their minds.
18. There was (the Sage) Agira adept in spiritual knowledge
among them who observed the boy in a relatively more
absorbing and intense manner.
19. With surprise he told the other sages that they were
blessing the boy with long life while he was not going to have
that in any way.
20. (He said): “This prince-like boy was going to have death
on the fifth day then onwards. Hence, as virtuous sages their
words should not prove to be untrue. Hence, some way should
be found out by which this boy would really have a long life.”
156 SkandaPurana
Hence the king, all the sages became fearful deliberating that
their words would not be true.
22. Then taking the boy along, they all headed for the world
of Brahma. There after seeing Brahma all of them—the god
like sages paid their reverence to the Four-faced God (i.e.,
Brahma).
23. Following them, the boy also conveyed his greetings to
Lord Brahma. Brahma also blessed the boy saying ‘let you live
long’.
24. The virtuous king, the seven sages then felt quite happy
for themselves within. Brahma after resting (i.e., sitting quietly)
for a while to relieve his tiredness began speaking to them.
25. Brahma said, “Speak out as to what work is intended to
be accomplished through me for which all of you have come
here.”
Eminence of Udalakesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, visit the place of worshipable Linga
of Siva which takes away all sins. It is popularly heard to have
been founded by the Sage Udalaka.
2. A mere touch of this (i.e., the worshipable Linga) or a
look of this or the worship of it specially relieves man of all
diseases and makes him entitled to happiness as a house-holder.
3. Becoming free of all sins, one attains the greatness of the
world of Siva.
CHAPTER FOURTY THREE
Eminence of Siddhesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, visit the place having the
worshipable Linga of Siva—known as the giver of all fulfilment.
Siddha had founded this worshipable Linga that destroys all
vii.111. 43. 2-3— 44. 1-2 — 45.1 159
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, follow the undertaking of
pilgrimage towards Gaja Tirtha. In ancient times eight competent
elephants had undergone penance here.
2. To bear the burden of Earth, Airavata along with other
elephants had adopted penance here onto the self, the king.
Observance of the religious ritual of taking bath here brings
the same results as that of donating elephants.
CHAPTER FOURTY FIVE
Pulastya said:
1. Then visit the w elfare-causing and good centre of
pilgrimage called the ‘Devakhata’ (i.e., God’s fame). All the
gods here had acquired fame for themselves on their own.
160 SkandaPurana
Pulastya said:
1. Then visit Vyasesvara founded by Vyasa. By having a
look of it, the mortals become meritorious and their minds
become pure. And this condition/state of affairs continue with
one for life-times encompassing seven rebirths. This is how
Vyasa himself has stated it to be.
CHAPTER FOURTY SEVEN
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, visit the best hermitage of Gautama
which is a giver of fulfilment. The great soul Gautama had
earlier undergone penance here.
2. In ancient time, there was a highly religious Sage named
Gautama. With faith and devotion, he had worshipped the God
of gods, Mahesvara.
3. О king! as a result of his devoted worship, a huge
worshipable Linga of the supreme MaheSvara erupted piercing
out of the surface of Earth.
vii.111.47. 4-12 161
Pulastya said:
1. Then follow the pilgrimage by visiting that known for its
enabling all members of one’s lineage to successfully cross
over the worldly life. A bath here helps the same.
2. Observance of the action/ ritual of making gifts here by a
man with due faith leads to the release of his previous ten
generations as well as of his ten forthcoming generations in the
future, the best of kings.
3. In olden time there was a king by name Aprastuto who
was fond of sins. Neither did he make any charity nor did he
engage himself in the pursuit of knowledge or meditation. He
never used to do any good work.
4. People were hardly happy during his reign. His interest
was always in others’ wives and in meeting out severe
punishments to others.
5. He used to acquire wealth by both just and unjust means.
He also used to kill both the sinners and the non-sinners.
6. In course of time old age dawned on him. However he
did not sober down. Then his forefathers exhorted him saying
he was only giving effect to the sorrows of Hell by remaining
unawakened.
our good deeds cannot be saved. Your evil deeds have already
made Hell to be our abode. Side by side the same fate awaits
the next ten coming generations of ours.
10. Saying like this, all the forefathers extremely depressed
as they were left for Hell presuming the same to have been
obtained by them. But the king got awakened.
11. Then remembering the words of his forefathers he became
very distressed and began to cry aloud after getting up early in
the morning. His wife began to say:
12. Indumati said, “What for are you crying aloud, the
powerful king? Is everything fine with your body and your
kingdom and your palace?”
13-16. The King said, “O queen! just now and at the end of
my dream, I saw my father and grandfather to be unhappy.
Alongwith them I also saw my forefathers in a similar state.
My deeds have been visualized to have harmed them. My
remaining active in unrighteous deeds has yielded the painful
hell for them. This will also be the fate for another ten future
in-coming generations. Hence by virtue of good deeds I have
to draw them out of such downfall. I awoke by my forefathers
saying so. I am sad by remembering such words of theirs
within.”
Indumati said:
17-19. The king, whatever the grandfathers et. al. have stated
are true. I cannot remember you to have done anything good
in the past. О king! like enabling forefathers to crossover (the
worldly life) gets actuated by good sons, spoilt sons get them
the passage to Hell and there is no doubt about this. Hence,
you send for the prominent Brahmanas and those adept in
religious scriptures and after consulting them do the desirably
best in which lies the welfare of forefathers.
20. Then the king invited several Brahmanas adept in both
the Veda or in parts of it and those enlightened in religious
knowledge and began to entreat them with all humility along
with his wife.
164 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
30. After listening to the Brahmanas, the king began to get
inclination towards faith. With a keenness for pilgrimage, he
began to take a round of such places on Earth.
31. Having food as per need, he began to make charities in
plenty. Giving due/rightful place to children of subjects in the
kingdom, he began to pursue the all powerful truth.
32. In course of time and during the course of pursuit of
pilgrimage, the king reached the pool with clean water on the
Arbuda mountain.
33-34. With devotion within he underwent the ritual of bath
there. And as soon as he took the bath there, he became free
from the sin of bringing the tormenting Hell for his forefathers
and became very happy. Embellished with beautiful garlands,
his forefathers began to ascend onto the divine airplanes.
35-37. Then the forefathers said, “O son! you have enabled
us to cross over the worldly life through your pilgrimages. Not
only we, the same will be the case with the ten forthcoming
generations due to the effect of your pilgrimages. О best of the
earthly beings! by the very activity of taking bath as well as by
making offering of water, you have also taken your own self
successfully across (the worldly existence). By virtue of your
pilgrimage, you have taken our entire clan across as well.
H enceforth this centre of pilgrim age will be known as
‘Kulasantavana’. Now you also leave for Heaven along with
us. You can accompany us with your body due to the effect of
the pilgrimages.”
Pulastya said:
38. After the completion of dialogues (between both the
sides) in this manner, the king then got onto the airplane and
went to Heaven along with them (i.e., his forefathers).
39. I have narrated to you, the royal Sage, the influence of
‘Kulasantavana’. I have described you the normal influence
that this (the place of pilgrimage) bears on itself. Now if you
have anything to ask, please go ahead.
166 Skanda Purana
Yayati said:
40. By virtue of which influence could the king attributed
with sins go to Heaven along with his body at the end? I have
a great curiosity in this regard.
Pulastya said:
41. On the Full Moon day of Somvati coinciding the time
when Moon remains in the most chaotic state, the king had
undertaken the religious ritual of bathing here by virtue of
which welfare and wellbeing accrued to him.
CHAPTER FORTY NINE
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to visit Rama TIrtha which the sages have
made it their own. The mortals get their sins destroyed by a
bath here.
2. A bath here keeps one’s forefathers satisfied till the time
of the final deluge of the world. In ancient times, ParaSurama
the best of the bow and arrow bearers and hailing from the
lineage of Bhrgu was bom here.
3. Initially he had undergone penance here with the motive
to destroy his enemies. The supreme weapon ‘PaSupata’ was
obtained by him here.
4. Mahadeva was pleased with his penance after three
hundred years and had told that he would be blessed with the
enemy-destroyer weapon.
5. Accordingly he was handed over with Siva’s supreme
weapon called PaSupata. A mere recall of this (weapon) leads
to wearing out of enemies.
vii.111. 49. 6-16 167
Pulastya said:
11. After saying like this Mahadeva then disappeared from
sight on his own. Parsurama also got distressed with the sorrow
of death of his father.
12. As per his, i.e., the great soul’s vow subsequent to
Jam adagni’s death, he made the offering of blood of his
enemies twenty-one times to his forefathers with all pleasure.
13. Twenty-one Ksatriyas having the mindset to harm, to
wound, had killed his father when he was in meditation and
not in a condition to retaliate. This is how one bearing weapons
arrived in the community/society of Brahmanas.
14. To avenge the killing of his father he thus got enraged
with the Ksatriyas and undertook penance to kill them. Blessed
to be invincible he thus made the offering of blood of twenty-
one Ksatriyas to his forefathers.
15. He (i.e., ParaSurama) made offering of water to his
forefathers due to the sole purpose of making the Earth free of
Ksatriyas. From all this that the eminence of this place of
pilgrimage has arisen.
16. Hence with all efforts towards compliance with the
procedure, one must observe Sraddha here. This place has
168 SkandaPurana
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to Koti Tirtha which is a destroyer of
all sins. Among the centres of pilgrimage, the king, the birth of
Koti was not preceded by any special effort or by undertaking
any specific perseverance.
2. The king, when the difficult Kali Yuga came on earth,
most of the people became mean and most of the places of
pilgrimage began to lose vigour and shake with agitation.
3. There were about three and a half crore places of pilgrim
age on Earth. From them about one crore places of pilgrimage
were situated on the Arbuda mountain.
4. There were one crore in Puskara followed by another one
crore in Kuruksetra. There were about half a crore in Varanasi.
Such is the figures of centres of pilgrimage as sung by the gods
themselves. О king! all gods together used to protect them.
5. Whenever they (i.e. the places of pilgrimage) got seized
with the fear of pollution by the touch of meanness, they be
gan to shift and got stationed here (i.e., at Koti) in greater num
ber.
6. There are three and a half crore centres of pilgrimage on
this Earth which take away all sins.
7. Hence with due endeavour one needs to follow the reli
gious ritual of having a bath there especially on the thirteenth
day of the waning period of Moon in the month of Bhadrapada
(i.e., September).
8. О king! it is beyond doubt that activities such as taking a
bath here or taking the name of God repeatedly or conduct of
vii.UI. 51.1-11 169
P u lastya said:
fear for gods themselves. To pacify him, the gods then granted
him the worshipable position of a planet and established him
as such. I am afraid as he has promised to devour me on the
Full Moon day. Out of fear of him, the best of gods, I have
made this pit in the peak of this mountain through digging into
it. Being deeper in shape, this pit is the best place, the God, for
pursuit of penance. Hence do grace me and kill him.”
12-17. The God said, “He is very strong and tough, cannot
be killed by gods and is non-contestable. It is certain that, taken
over by anger, Rahu will take you, in custody. However, for
the upholding of your image, I shall devise some alternative.
Whenever your eclipse (i.e., Lunar eclipse) occurs, people in
the World will observe fittingly and desirably the religious
activities of taking bath as well as making charities etc. As a
result, there won’t be the slightest degree of grieving on your
part. All such activities of them (i.e., the people) will lead to
good deeds which cannot perish. My words will fructify beyond
any doubt during the time of Lunar eclipse. There will be nothing
different here due to the sole purpose of your undergoing
penance on the peak of the mountain here. The Moon pierces
out to bloom (i.e., Candroudbheda)—by this name, this centre
of pilgrimage will be famous in the world. Those who will
observe the ritual of taking a bath here on the day of your
eclipse will never have rebirth in this world. It is certain that
those who, after talcing a bath here on Monday, take a look of
the Moon, will earn a place of residence in the world of Moon.
18. Having said like this the God Нага (i.e., Siva) disappeared
from sight. The Moon also, the virtuous king, getting assured
and pleased left for his own place.
vii.HI. 52.1-9 171
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, proceed to the commanding peak
of the mountain. Here Gaurl had undergone penance and
earned her well-being. This is how it has been heard of in the
world.
2. A man becomes free from all sins by just having a look of
it. He also attains fortune of the highest order surpassing a span
of seven rebirths.
Yayati said:
3. О chief of the Sages! when did the Goddess undergo severe
penance there? What for and what is the significance of this ? I
have a curiosity. Please speak out.
Pulastya said:
4. О king! listen to the god-given and wonderful story of
this as heard of in the world. By merely listening to this one
gets relieved of all sins.
5. In olden times, after learning about Siva’s intense
attachment with Gaurl, all gods taken over with fear, sat down
in a group and began to consult one another.
6-7. Sitting in separate groups they told themselves that “if
the semen of the Three-eyed, i.e., of Lord Siva fell in the region
of Gaun, definitely ours as well as of the entire world’s downfall
would happen. Hence, let all of us step out on the mission of
killing the offsprings.”
8. Discussing amongst themselves like this, all gods then
reached the Kailasa mountain. But there Nandi stopped them
from moving ahead without losing any time.
9. Nandi said, “The God is spending time with Gaun in seclusion.
Hence all of you please return to your respective abodes.”
172 Skanda Purana
37. Having said all this, the gods then left for their respective
abodes. The God (i.e., Siva) also left for the Kailasa mountain
along with the Goddess (i.e. Gauii).
CHAPTER FIFTY THREE
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to visit the centre of pilgrimage where
Brahma was stated to have put his foot, i.e., the Brahmapada
Tirtha. This is heard of in the three worlds. Brahma, the Creator
of the world had placed his foot here initially.
2. Once in the past, Brahma came along with other gods to
the beautiful Arbuda mountain to meet the Sages, who were
spotless in their disposition/dealings.
3-6. The king! after their, i.e., the Gods’ pilgrimage to the
stationary worshipable Linga there with due devotion, the Sages
got influenced and in turn began to ask the grandfather god,
i.e., Brahma, “With full compliance of the rules and procedures,
we have been daily performing the sacrificial fire, observing
the ritual connected with fulfilment of our mental resolve, the
religious ritual of bathing and fasting. But when shall we be
liberated from all these, О Brahma? О Lord of gods! provide
us with the suitably higher instruction in this regard if any, by
which we can successfully be able to swim across this fortress
of worldly ocean. Suggest us the way to the attainment of
Heaven other than the very difficult means of recounting the
name of any God repeatedly in the mind or the performance of
sacrificial fire or invocation or the ritual connected with
fulfilment of a resolve of the mind or making offering of
gifts etc.”
7. After hearing those words of them, the God then got an
inclination towards becoming gracious. He began to deliberate
vii.III. 53. 8-16 175
Brahma said:
9-14. The Sages! this beautiful Arbuda mountain has a high
position as the destroyer of all sins. All of you will attain the
divine passage by coming in touch of this. There is no need for
observance of the ritual of taking a bath (in religious places) or
of making offerings of gifts or for that matter of observance of
ritual connected with execution of a mental resolve or of
sacrificial fire or of recounting the name of any particular God
repeatedly in the mind of one’s self. I have placed my
auspicious foot here for the welfare of the entire world. The
insignia of my foot here is itself an indication for thousands of
people to attain that ultimate passage. You, the Sages as well
as all the gods even can attain the same by a touch of this (i.e.,
the foot). There is the need of only one duty here, i.e., of ardent
faith without any deviation. One attended with reverence here
will attain the ultimate position, the distinguished Sages. Those
who worship here with water, fruits, varieties of garlands with
scented flowers, and apply the perfumed smear followed up
with feeding sweets to the Brahmanas as per affordability, on
the specific Full Moon day in the month of Kartika (i.e.,
November) will obtain the world of mine which, as it is, is
difficult to attain without any doubt.
Pulastya said:
15. After that, all the Sages by worshipping the Foot there
attended with complete faith, proceeded to the world of Brahma.
16. Hence the king, the Foot is worshipable with all efforts.
The worship of the Foot of the grandfather God, i.e., Brahma
with full faith is a giver of Heaven.
176 Skanda Purana
Eminence of Tri-Puskara
P u lastya said:
1. Then go to the place having confluence of the three
Puskaras, a celebrated place of pilgrimage which materialized
as per the wish of Brahma. It is understood that Brahma had
brought them over here to the Arbuda mountain in its honour.
2. The king! in olden times, Brahma as well as other best
gods had together come to the summit of the mountain in the
context of Vasistha’s conducting of a sacrificial session (i.e., a
Yajna).
3. Then the great king, taking a vow onto himself Brahma
whose birth is unknown, stated that as long as he would remain
in the human world, he would keep giving salutation here, every
evening, with all earnestness in this confluence of the three
Puskaras.
vii.III. 55. 4-10 177
Vasistha said:
5-6. The virtuous God! the time as per the part of your
associated role and actions in this Yajna has arrived. Without
compliance of that specific ritual associated with you, this yajna
cannot be completed in a wholesome way. Hence the Lotus-
bom (i.e., Brahma) bring the confluence of the three Puskaras
here. By this, after enabling yourself to pay the evening
reverences here, you, the Lord of gods, can comply with the
greatness of your Brahmanhood and be kind enough to
discharge the part of your rituals in this sacrificial fire.
7. Soon after Vasistha said so, Brahma, the grandfather of
the world after meditating for a while, brought the three, i.e.,
the largest, the larger and the smallest Puskaras and placed the
confluence of auspicious water-body there.
8. That is how the emergence of the confluence of the three
Puskaras in the Arbuda mountain having such a backdrop to
their foundation has been understood to have happened since
then.
9. One who with utmost sincerity undergoes the religious
ritual of taking a bath here on the Full Moon day in the month
of Kartika (i.e., November) and complies with the activity of
making charities, attains the Eternal World, i.e., the World of
Brahma.
10. There is an uppermost pool called Savitii on the Northern
side of this. Fulfilment of the religious rituals of taking a bath
followed up with making offering of gifts lead one to attain the
path which promotes happiness.
178 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings, visit the auspicious lake, equally a
promoter of happiness which is called Rudra. A bath here
attended with devotion results in a man attaining the chief
position among attendants.
2. In olden times, the God—bearer of the flag on the back of
a bull (i.e., Lord Siva) along with his attendants killed the demon
Andhaka and thereafter took a bath here in the lake. That is
how this lake acquired the formidable name Rudra.
3. The virtues of all the centres of pilgrimage accrue on their
own to a man, the great king, by virtue of his having a bath
here on the fourteenth day of a Month.
CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best king, follow your visit towards the prominent
and Lord of the caves lying hidden. In olden times, people
acknowledged to be accomplished in their objectives, used to
worship the worshipable Linga of Siva placed inside the cave
there.
2. A man who worships here with whatever wish and longing
in the mind, the same goes on getting realized one after another
and in the process, he attains liberation, the king, becoming
free from all desires at the end.
vii.111. 57.1 -6—58.1 179
Pulastya said:
1. Then the virtuous earthly being (i.e., the king), go to the
united and undivided forest region. By taking a look of this, a
man can never be separated from his fondly desired objects
and people.
2. Saci, the wife of Indra had come here grief-stricken when
Nahusa seized the kingdom of the great God Indra.
3. Due to the influence of this, she (i.e., Saci) could again
happen to get back Indra from whom she was incidentally
separated. Thus, she had granted a boon to the forests, О king.
4-5. (The boon is as follows) “Separated from each other, if
a man or a woman spends a single night here in this forest, he
or she will then get back each other’s company as happened to
me.” Thus a single night’s stay (in the forests) can lead to get
back one’s dear ones, the king.
6. The great Brahmanas have already sung the glory of this
centre of pilgrimage in respect of its granting of fruits. Even
the barren women in particular get blessed with offsprings here.
CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT
Majesty of Umamahesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then the king, visit the well-being causing Umamahesvara.
Dhundhumana, with sincere devotion, had established this in
olden times.
180 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then one has to go to that centre of pilgrimage which is a
symbol of great victory and the destroyer of all sins called the
Mahoujasa. The king, conforming to the religious, ritual of a
bath here definitely endows man with brightness. In old time,
Indra, tormented with Brahmicide, had made a very pitiable
situation for himself.
2. Deprived of the splendour, his body began to give a bad
smell. Deserted by all gods, he became very depressed and
began to lament.
3. Then the God Indra desired to ask the best Brahmana
Brhaspati in this regard. He asked him “ О Godly Sage! please
tell me as to how could there be an increase in my lustre so that
I regained my old form completely.”
4. Brhaspati said, “The best of gods, undertake pilgrimage
on the surface of Earth for without this it is certain that there
would be no enhancement in your lustre.”
5. Then the king, Indra moved about several places of
pilgrimage and in course of his journey reached the Arbuda
mountain. There, he came across a water pond. Out of
exhaustion he entered into the ring of water there for a bath
and regained his greater brightness.
6. Then becoming free from the bad smell on his body, he
turned back towards the gods and told them in a jocular manner
О gods, listen to me.
vii.111. 59. 7 -6 0 .1 -5 181
7. (He said): “Those who take bath here on the eve of day of
the festival observed in honour of Indra (i.e., on the twelfth
day of the bright period of Moon in the month of Kartika i.e.
October-November) will attain the ultimate passage on the last
day of the rising period of moon (i.e., on the Full Moon day) in
the same month. They will also be blessed with beautiful bodies
for ever in the cycle of repeated births.”
CHAPTER SIXTY
Pulastya said:
1. Then the best of kings follow up your journey with a visit
to the centre of pilgrimage called Jambu. A bath there enables
a man to give effect to the earnest desires of mind. The upliftment
accruable through Jambu TIrtha is equivalent to all pilgrim
centres, the virtuous king.
2. There was a Ksatriya by name Nimi hailing from the Surya
dynasty in olden times. Under the aftermath of age (i.e., at old
age) he proceeded to the Arbuda mountain.
3. Making a seat for himself there he stayed put there with
all sincerity. (In course of time) like the flow of wind, thousands
of sages came near him.
4. They used to distuss recurrently the good religious
discourses of the royal sages amongst them selves. The
discourses also included those of the godly sages, from the
Puranas as well as those stated by other great minds.
5. At some juncture during the course of summing up
discussions, a sage named Loma§a present amidst them began
to present the account of glorified greatness rising out of all
centres of pilgrimage.
182 Skanda Purana
Pulastya said:
1. Then go to the place of pilgrimage holding the clean water
of Ganga known as the place bearing Ganga or Gangadhara.
Here, the king! Ganga has been held up before its descending
down to the earth’s surface.
2. After invoking Ganga, the God among gods, i.e., Siva
after assuming the stationary form of a mountain had held her
forcibly under captivity which has already been narrated before.
3. Conforming to the ritual of taking a bath here with all
sincerity and earnestness on the eighth day of Month accrues
one that supreme and ultimate place which is even difficult for
gods.
CHAPTER SIXTY TWO
Eminence of Katesvara-Gangesvara
Pulastya said:
1. Then go to the pilgrim centre known as Katesvara where
Gauri herself had built up the worshipable Linga of Siva. And
Gangesvara (i.e., an epithet of Siva) was made by Ganga herself.
2. In olden time, there was a conflict between Gaurf and
Uma. The king, their mutual clash was only in respect of
reclaiming each one’s fortune. In this regard Gauri happened
to put forward a condition.
3. Gauri said, “In our mutual contest through the platform of
worship she, before whom Sambhu, i.e., Siva appears in person,
will be certainly considered very fortunate.”
184 Skanda Purana
Eminence of fruits of
Arbuda as heard of
Pulastya said:
1. This is all that I have summarised to you about the
eminence o f Arbuda which has been proclaimed and which
you were asking for.
2. Describing about them including their number will take
hundreds of years. There are numerous centres of pilgrimage
as well as sacred places in the mountain of Arbuda. Step by
step one can come across hermitages put up by prominent
Sages.
3. The king! there is no such place of pilgrimage, no such
place endowing one with perfection, no such force, river or
God in the world, which cannot be found out there in the Arbuda
mountain.
4. The king! those who definitely put up here in this beautiful
Arbuda mountain by virtue of their good deeds, do not have
any visible inclination even for Heaven.
5. W hat utility can be in his rem aining alive, in his
accumulation of wealth or in his continuous muttering of God’s
name within himself, the king, if he does not subdue his intellect
and take a look of the Arbuda which is complete in itself.
6-7. О king! whether they are insects or flies, or are animals
or birds or deer or are bom out of heat or eggs or plants or from
the womb, when they die on this Arbuda mountain either with
desire or without desire, they attain proximity of Siva becoming
free from old age and death.
8. The king, one who listens to this Purana everyday attended
with due faith will attain the same fruits of pilgrimage to Arbuda.
9. Hence with all care and efforts, one needs to undertake
pilgrimage there (i.e., to Arbuda). By such desire, the self attains
spiritual fulfilment in this as well as the other world.