Skanda Purana 22 (AITM)

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SKANDA PURANA

Book VII: Prabhasakhanda


Section III: Arbuda Khanda

CHAPTER ONE

A Hollow Near the


Hermitage of Vasistha

Obeisance to gracious Ganesa. Now the third section o f


Prabhasa Khanda entitled Arbuda Khanda starts.

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.

The Sages said:


2-3. О Suta! You have already described the Lunar and Solar
races in a detailed manner. You have also described all the
Ages of Manu and the different types of creations. Now, we
want to hear about the greatness of the principal places of
pilgrim age. О Suta of great intelligence! which are the
auspicious places of pilgrimage on this earth?

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

5-7. Different regions, rivers, mountains and large rivers have


attained distinguished and exalted position through the
austerities and heroic acts of sages. Among these is a place of
pilgrimage named Arbuda which is free from sins, destroyer of
all sins and exempted from the touch of vices of the Age of
Kali through the influence of Sage Vasistha. All places of
pilgrimage purify by means of offering of free gifts and bathing.
But all the sins of humans get destroyed by a mere sight of
Arbuda from a distance.

The sages said:


8-9. What are the dimensions of this Arbuda mountain?
Where is it situated? How could it get the fame by the greatness of
Vasistha? Which are the main places of pilgrimage on this Arbuda?
Please explain in details. We have a great curiosity to know.

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

33. Himalaya said: “O great Sage! how does that hollow


measure? I will send a mountain after considering the size equal
to the same measurement.”
34. V asistha said: “Its breadth and length measure
respectively 2000 and 3000. I cannot tell its depth.”
35. Himalaya said: “What could be the cause for the formation
of a hollow of such measurement. I have a great curiosity.
Describe this in greater details.”
CHAPTER TWO

The Acts of Uttanka,


a Disciple of Gautama

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.

* The text has Ahilya.


vii.111. 2. 7-22 5
7-11. Seeing one of his hair stuck to the wood Uttanka
became very sad and worried. He began to think, “My life is
ruined and has become a matter of reproach! What use has it
been left with! As a person devoid of intelligence, I have not
got married even. Cursed have I become to waste my life and
with my thoughtless action my lineage will come to an end.”
Ahalya, the wife of the teacher noticed that Uttanka was very
unhappy. As she informed the great Sage Gautama about
Uttanka’s pain, with a soft voice the Sage said, “O Son! go
home and together with your wife perform Agnlhotra (offering
oblation to fire) etc. as prescribed and without any hesitation.”
12-13. After the teacher said like this Uttanka said, “Tell me
the fee which I will definitely give.” Gautama said, “O dear
son! You have already served me in a big way and my fee has
been paid through the same. There is no doubt in this.” Uttanka
said, “Of course, you have to take something by which I will
have my satisfaction. О best Sage! I have already become
proficient in studies with your grace.”
14-16. Gautama said, “O son! I have nothing to take. I am
pleased with your service and I have no desire for your wealth.
Go back to your own house with all happiness.” After the
utterance of words ‘Service to teacher’ Uttanka told the wife of
the teacher, “O Mother! I have to make an offering by which I
will have my satisfaction.”
17-18. The wife of the teacher said, “O son! you go to
Saudasa and follow my orders fast. His wife is renowned as
Madayantl. О pupil! get the earrings of MadayantT fast. I will
curse you if you do not turn up by the fifth day.”
19-20. Uttanka left and reached Saudasa’s house as soon as
the teacher’s wife said so. He saw Saudasa having the face of
tiger. Having seen this Brahmana, Saudasa said, “You have
arrived for my food. О Brahmana! I will undoubtedly eat you
up.”
21-22. Uttanka said, “O King! you, of course, eat me up but
before that listen to these words of mine. You give me both of
your earrings. After giving them to the teacher, I will come
back and then you can eat me up.”
6 Skanda Purana

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

again. О King! I was settled in whichever way in my own work.


But I have curiosity to know as to the reason for which welfare
or well-being cannot be possible and one is driven towards
misfortune.

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

Vasistha’s Order to Nandivardhana


to Fill Up the Cleft

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

11-12. Resolving like this he told Nandlvardhana, “O Son,


go to Vasistha’s hermitage obeying my words. There is a
frightening cleft there. Fill it up fast. Take along Arbuda, and
the Naga best among your beloved living beings.

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

27. Possessed of heavenly trees, rivers, fountains, deer and


full of the melodious sounds of birds, Arbuda stayed on top of
the fissure as per the words of the sage. All of these arrived
there and the great soul Arbuda, left all in the fissure. Sage
Vasistha became satisfied with the fissure filled up. He told
Arbuda mountain to ask for a boon saying he was fully pleased
with his actions.

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

your hum ility and good-heartedness, I am giving you


whichever object that is difficult to obtain.”

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

10. Obeisance to you, О ruler of KaSI and the God of


mountains! Homage to you, О great Lord! О creator of this world!
11. Homage to you, О husband of Gaun, О one of the image
of well-being! I bow to you, О bearer of the image of Visnu
and Brahma and the Three-eyed one.
12. Homage to you, О Great Soul! О bearer of the image of
universe and holiness! I bow down to you, О bearer of all images
including images of gods.

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.

The gracious God Siva said:


16. I will have my appearance in this Linga from today
onwards. О best Brahmana! everything true happens as per
your words.
17. Everything true will happen whenever any human sings
this hymn with faith on the fourteenth day of the waning period
of the moon in the month of Asvina (i.e. September-October).
18. О best of Sages! to please me, Indra, the King of gods
has sent the famous river MandakinI here, which makes the
three worlds holier.
19. As a reservoir holding water it will always remain on the
northern side of the Linga. That human who after taking a bath
in it has a look at the Linga everyday will obtain the ultimate
place becoming free from old age and death.
viUII. 4. 20-24 — 5. 1-3 15

20. Having pierced this immobile mountain, my Linga has


come up. Hence it will be renowned in the world by the name
AcaleSvara.
21. The greatness of this (Acale$vara) Linga will never
dwindle. Even its greatness will not loosen up till the time of
final destruction of this world.

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

Greatness of Naga Tirtha

The Sages said:


1. О Suta! describe to us in detail the greatness of Arbuda.
We have a great curiosity. Please tell us this auspicious tale.

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

4. There is a renowned mountain by name Arbuda on the


surface of this earth. О best one of the Brahmanas! please narrate
the sequence of visits to this mountain and their fruits.
5. Undertaking pilgrimages has been your principal object.
Please describe all in details. Please tell me so that I can
undertake pilgrimage in a befitting manner.

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

enjoined with all traits of pregnancy. Driven by the idea to kill


herself she kindled fire. At the sametime bodiless voice arose.
17-19. It said: “O GautamI! do not enter into the fire of this
worry. There is no fault of yours. Your pregnancy is due to the
influence of pilgrimage. Standing in this water whatever any
human desires (in mind), all those women or men obtain all
those desires without any doubt. Having seen the Nay aka’s
child, you had nurtured the desire for a child in your heart.
Hence О daughter! a son which has come in your womb will
be bom.
20-22. Hence, stop worrying. There will be your welfare. О
you! having fidelity to your husband, you are blameless.”
О king! then the virtuous GautamI restrained herself from
death. Having heard this statem ent from the heavenly
announcement made by a divine messenger and having seen
the pregnancy without husband she said, “The unusual effect
of this place of pilgrimage never occurred in my mind where
women can bear foetus without semen and Rajas (menstrual
fluid) getting mixed.
23. I shall not go anywhere else leaving this best centre of
pilgrimage.”
Having said so the virtuous lady GautamI settled there
forever.
24-25. She gave birth to a son endowed with all traits. О
king Yayati! ‘the lineage’ of people who perform the Sraddha
(ceremony connected with memory of the dead relatives in a
family) at Arbuda during the waning period of the moon in the
month of Asvina (September) never gets destroyed.
26. No one in their family becomes a Preta (ghost). The man
who takes a bath and performs Sraddha there without any desire
obtains the eternal world.
27-28. A woman who immerses fruits and flowers in this
place of pilgrimage is blessed with a son. She obtains the celestial
world of the gods difficult to attain even without a desire for
the same. Hence, one must perform pilgrimage to this place
with all efforts.
18 Skanda Purana

CHAPTER SIX

Greatness of Vasis^ha’s Hermitage

Sage Pulastya said:


1-3. О best king ! thus humans need to go hear Vasistha—
the storehouse of austerities—a sight of whom enables humans
to attain their objects. There is a pond full of water there which
takes away sins of humans. The great soul Vasistha had brought
the river GautamI in this pond through perseverance. Humans
become completely free from their sins with a bath in this pond.
4. An individual performing Sraddha here with Rsi dhanya
(coarse grain used by Rsis) will be free from the bondage of
the ancestors on both maternal and paternal sides.
5-6. The great soul Narada had sung fully the glory of this
place. A bath in the auspicious water followed by a sight of the
best Sage Vasistha is much more meritorious than the Sraddha,
perform ed by offerings made and yajna conducted with
extensive details at Gaya. О King! the human being who
conducts Sraddha on coming to this hermitage of Vasistha
suitably ensures the cross-over of his ancestors along with his
ownself.
7-13. Objects of all desires are obtained through the special
worship of virtuous Arundhatl after coming near Vasistha here.
All wrongdoings of individuals committed during childhood,
youth and old age get wiped out instantly by the sight of sage
Vasistha. One who, becoming aware, lights an earthen lamp
before Vasistha attains happiness and good fortune and becomes
a bright man. One observing fasting and having a sojourn for a
night here, reaches the ultimate place of the Seven Sages. One
who observes fasting carefully for three nights before Vasistha
attains Mahaloka getting exempted from old age and death.
Emancipation is obtained by one who observes the ritual of
fasting for a month before Vasistha. He does not return to the
river of worldly existence. One who propitiates Sage Vasistha
vii.III. 6. 14-17— 7. 1-5 19

on the full-moon day of Sravana (July-August) goes to


Brahma’s world.
14-15. All the sins of a human being get destroyed
instantaneously when he recites the Gayatri mantra eight
hundred times before Vasistha. О king! one who performs the
ritual offering to fire with regard for Vamadeva obtains the
fruits of the ‘Agnistoma Yajna’.
16-17. Hence, the ultimate position is obtainable by all those
who have a sight of this great sage with all sorts of efforts and
with purity and faith. Hence, О King! with a wholehearted
devotion, worship Vamadeva here.
CHAPTER SEVEN

Influence of Acalesvara

The sage Pulastya said:


1. О king! after this one needs to go to the good giving
Acalesvara, a look of which with faith accrues accomplishment.
2. Any human who performs Sraddha (i.e., ceremony
connected with death of family members) of his paternal ancestors
near the Acalesvara on the fourteenth day of the waning period
of moon in the month of Asvina (i.e., September) or in Phalguna
(i.e., February-March) attains the ultimate passage.
3. The fruits of Asvamedha Yajna accrue to the human who,
while remaining in the Southern direction performs the worship
with fruits, flowers and leaves and with due faith.
4. The human who propitiates his forefathers with the
presentation of mixture containing equal quantities of milk,
curd, ghee, honey and sugar, gets closer to the World of 6iva
and obtains it.
5. The human who after taking a round of this pays his
homage, all his sins get destroyed on each of his step involving
the right turn or clockwise turn.
20 Skanda Purana

6. О intelligent king! listen to a wonderful thing which had


happened here earlier. I had heard that Narada happened to tell
it to Indra in Heaven.
7. A parrot happened to have made its nest on a tree there
before and while moving to and fro to its nest, it used to take a
clockwise turn around the nest.
8. О king! it had no devotion due to being bom in the species
of birds and it was obtained to death as time had approached.
9. Later, it became renowned as King Venu among the royal
families. Having memory of his own clan, he achieved victory
over all his enemies.
10. Remembering that his influence could have arisen from
taking a round of the Acalesvara, he began to take a clockwise
turn of Acalesvara by going near it.
1 1 .0 king! day and night, he did not do anything other than
this. Neither did he make any special effort as a measure of
austerity. He did also not make any offering of edible things to
gods.
12. He did not make any offering of flowers or incenses. He
was only engrossed in taking the round. Sages came there after
sometime.
13-19. Narada, Saunaka, Harlta, Devala, Galava, Kapila,
Nanda, Suhotra, Kasyapa and many kings were getting the
Linga of Siva on that mountain bathed with faith. Apart from
them other people were engaged in many kinds of worships
and in recounting repeatedly names of gods in their minds. О
King! some were dancing while some others were singing.
Some were presenting the sacrifice in the form of food while
some others were singing praises to god. They were surprised
to see Venu taking rounds. Filled with curiosity they said,
“While doing this act of taking round we must know the reasons
behind this act.” The sages said, “O king Venu! why are you
taking the clockwise turn of this God specially? Please tell us
the truth.”
20. They continued, “You are not offering water onto this
beautiful Linga of Siva. You are neither lighting earthen lamps
nor incense nor are you reading out hymns in praise of God. О
vii.III. 7.21-27— 8. 1 21

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

Greatness of Three-eyed in the


Pond of Bhadrakarna

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

2. There is the Linga of Siva on the Western side of that


Bhadrakarna pond by seeing which a human being becomes
like the Three-eyed One.
3. There was one by name Bhadrakarna in olden times who
was counted among those dear to Siva. He had founded this
Linga and constructed this pond.
4. At some point of time, he had gone along with many
others to fight the demons counted as dear to Siva.
5. Being frightened, they all left. Skandha fled away from
the scene when other solders got killed. Virabhadra lost out
and the final victory appeared imminent.
6. The demon Namuci by name and stronger among the
demons ran towards Samkaiji with sword and spear in hands.
7. Seeing the demon coming from the front, Bhadrakarna
told him ‘Stay where you are.’
8. This stronger one cut his spear and sword by his own
sword. О king! then the demon got wounded under the influence
of anger.
9. The wounded demon then entered the dense darkness
(i.e. became unconscious) and fell down on the ground like an
axed tree.
10. Then coming near Lord Siva the hurt demon stood up.
God Siva got pleased to see that the demon was still remaining
steadfast on the observance of religious and moral duties.

The benevolent God said:


1 1 .0 demon! I am satisfied with your power and especially
your adherence to moral and religious duties. You can ask for
that specific boon in your mind.

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

The gracious God said:


13-14. There will be my closeness to this Linga and pond on
the fourteenth day of the waning period of moon in the month
of Pausa i.e. January. One who takes a bath in this Bhadrakama
pond and follows it up with a look of Samkara diligently, will
certainly attain that eternal place.
15. Hence, with all efforts one needs to have a bath there. The
man who worships this Linga of 3iva goes to the abode of Siva.
CHAPTER NINE

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

8. People used to live happily and without any difficulty


with such a king on earth.
9. There used to be adequate rains resulting in flow of crops.
Cows used to give milk in abundance with such a king around.
10. Now the God-like sage Vasistha came to his house
sometime in connection with pilgrimage.
11. Seeing him, the king got up from seat, welcomed him
after paying due homage as per the prescribed rituals in Sastras,
and offered him all goods as necessary adjuctants of the activity
of worship.
12. Pleased with the homage offered with highest faith, the
good mannered Vasistha sat down to take rest. Then he started
to speak out the stories of all royal as well as divine sages.
13. After the completion of speech of the Sage, the well-
disposed king with all humility and in some context asked the
sage as to what could be the well-settled practice of religious
activity in connection with undertaking of austerity.

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.

The King said:


17. What could be that deed of mine as a result of which this
kingdom of mine is running in the best possible manner without
any difficulty and with all actions getting accomplished with
results?
18. О great Sage! neither there are the poor, the pitiables,
the unhappy souls nor are there souls affected with diseases in
this kingdom of mine.
vii.111. 9. 19-30 25

19. This virtuous wife of mine is more important to me than


even the life-giving breath. I accept that her mind is with me
and her life is dependent on me. О Brahmana! please tell me in
details all that she has thought about me.
20. О Sage! are these due to the influence of my giving
gifts, or conduct of Yajna, or perseverance or due to the
observance of rules connected with performance of religious
austerities?
21. I have a curiosity that all these may be due to the good
work done in my previous birth. О best Brahmana! kindly speak
out to explain me.

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

31. In the meantime, the reverberating sounds of best


Brahmanas reading out the Veda and the Puranas reached out
to your ears.
32. Hearing that you became alert and got up. Carrying the
lotuses, you went to the Siva temple along with your wife.
33. A prostitute by name Nagavatl engrossed in devotion
towards Siva was sitting awake there in the Kedara temple
throughout the night.
34. Then О king! you asked the maid putting up beside the
temple as to what for such religious activity of staying awake
in front of this God is being performed.
35. She said: “This beautiful prostitute Nagavatl is performing
the religious activity of staying up for the night with faith and
devotion to comply with the stipulations required for the ritual
conducted in honour of Siva on the fourteenth day of the waning
period of the moon in the month of Chaitra, i.e., March.
36. Any individual who performs the religious activity of
keeping awake in the night and worships Siva with faith and
devotion attains that ultimate position.
37. One who observing the religious ritual of keeping awake
in the night worships the three-eyed Siva obtains the service of
divine beauties and attains that world o f Siva representing His
lower image.
38. Obtainance of desires even of those difficult for gods do
materialise. Hence you give me the lotuses in exchange of three
grams of gold. Protect your life taking this much as value for
the lotuses.
39. Then while accepting the value in the form df gold, your
wife said, ‘O Lord! do not accept the value for these.
40. ‘In any case, with scarcity of grains, there has been
fasting for both of us under compulsion. Today, both of us will
worship Siva with these lotuses with all certainty.
41. ‘It is our duty today to worship Siva. Hence foresake the
value offered in terms o f gold.’ After hearing the words o f
wife, Siva was worshipped with lotuses.
42. О king! along with wife, you performed the religious
activity of staying up for the night with faith before Siva in the
Siva temple.
vii.III. 9. 43-53 27

43. So О great king! having got up after hearing the Puranas


you the well-behaved in the earthly world worshipped 6iva
with lotuses on the fourteenth day of the waning period of moon
in the month of Chaitra (i.e., March).
44. О king! with the mind centered and with faith, you
performed the religious activity of keeping awake throughout
the night in front of God at Kedara.
45. Then when the morning set in О king! you, after begging,
had food along with wife before Siva.
46. Then with the passage of time death obtained you. Your
wife as representing your other half entered into the fire along
with you.
47. Then you got birth as son of king of Dasama, and became
the best king of the city of Vaideha.
48. Becoming dear to all living beings you became renowned
by the name of Ajapala on earth.
49. It is due to this reason that your wife has been born
dearer to you more than your own life. Hence, what has
happened, is solely due to you which you are asking me.
50. Hence, О king! it is due to the greatness of the God
Kedara that people are happy in your kingdom and it has been
divested of all difficulties.
51. You have got this kingdom out of pleasure of the great
God Kedara and it is due to this that despite having no soldier
you have become the full-fledged protector of this region on
earth.

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

54. The king went to the Arbuda mountain after handing


over the kingdom to son. Then along with wife, he obtained
salvation.
55. О king! I have described all this with regard to the
greatness of Kedara. It is an agent of goodness for all and the
destroyer of sins.
56. The religious ritual undertaken on the fourteenth day in
between the period of Magha and Chaitra (i.e., February and
March) is well-known on earth.
57. О king! You thus need to observe visiting Kedara by all
means on that day. You must worship Kedara in the best possible
way and manner.
58. By observing the ritual of staying up the night on the
fourteenth day of the waning period of the moon in the month
of Magha (i.e., February) and by fasting, О king! you can attain
the world of Siva.
59. Those who after taking a bath in the wish-fulfilling
confluence of Ganga and Sarasvatl take a look of Kedara obtain
the ultimate passage.
60. Those who drink the clear water of the pond named
Kedara, fix the cross-over of seven ancestral generations before
and after them.
61. О king! one who hears this story with supreme faith
becomes free from all sins. This is the impact of the great God
Kedara.
vii.HI. 10.1-9 29

CHAPTER TEN

Pilgrimages in the Arbuda region


during Kali Yuga

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

43-44. ‘Perceiving (Thinking) that I have become


accomplished he began to dance.’ With him continuing in that
condition, the entire world both mobile and immobile as well
as the seas got excited. The seas began to sprinkle water out.
Everyone ceased to attend to his household duties and remained
astonished.
45. О best king! with his dancing like this everyone in the
world too began to dance influenced by the truthful and best of
sages on earth.
46. Then all gods went near Saiiikara and said, “O Great
God! please do something so that he does not dance.”
47. Then assuming an image of Brahmana, Siva told that
best of Brahmanas, ‘Why are you dancing while pursuing the
highest perseverance?’

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

54. Whatever you exhibited before me cannot be possible


under anyone else’s influence. О Samkara! be kind and rescue
me.

The great God said:


55. О Brahmana! You have recognized me correctly and
there is no doubt about it. Let there be your welfare. Ask for a
boon as you have already danced excessively.

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.

Sri Mahadeva said:


57. Those who take a bath in this Sarasvatl with undivided
attention will obtain that ultimate position becoming free from
old age and death.
58. О Brahmana! those who perform the religious ceremony
in this confluence of the Ganga and Sarasvatl in this world in
remembrance of their family ancestors, will attain that ultimate
passage.
59. Those who donate gold to the good Brahmana as per
their abilities will attain that ultimate passage getting free from
all sins.
60. О king! having said in this manner, Mahadeva—the God
of all gods disappeared from sight.
vii.III. 11. 1-11 35

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.

The gracious Mahadeva said:


1 1 .0 Sages! I am pleased with your highest faith. Now each
one of you can have boon from me.
36 Skanda Purana

The sages said:


12. We all wish for a single boon in our minds that the good
fruit be received by all of us taking a look of yours together.

The gracious Mahadeva said:


13. A look of mine never goes in vain for a Brahmana in
particular. The fruit of pilgrimage is obtainable for those who
have a look of mine.

The sages said:


14-15. О Samkara! if it is definite that you have to give us a
boon please make crores of Lingas like this worshipable in the
form of stones and by taking a look of which people will get
the fruits of crores of Lingas worshipped. О Samkara! we desire
such a type of boon.

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

Greatness of Rupa Tirtha

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.

The woman said:


10.1 am a woman having thirty husbands and hence fearless.
Having come here with the aim of fruits, I have fallen into the
fountain in the mountain.
11. I have got this beautiful and good appearance by dint of
a bath here. You, yourself is even difficult to obtain for gods.
So what to speak of the mortals subject to repeated births and
deaths?
12. Having all gods under your control what for are you
desiring me? As the Lord of gods, you can have a share of
mine according to your desire like my thirty husbands.

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.”

The woman said:


15. Let all the gods be pleased by any man or woman taking
bath here with faith on the third day of the rising period of the
moon in the month of Pausa (i.e., January).
16. Let the unattainable beauty of gods be obtainable for
them. О King of gods! please take me along to the Heaven.
v illiI. 12. 17-29 39

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

30. A touch of that water throws instantly away the afflictions


in the form of ghosts, satans etc. and all bad deeds get mined.
31. Even worms, flies, satans, birds, deer etc. will attain the
ultimate passage instantaneously by touch of this water.

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.

The gracious God said:


24. There is no other devotee like you the king. О son! I am
fully satisfied with you. Let there be your welfare. You can ask
for the most difficult thing as a boon.

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:

30. Then God KeSava, i.e., Visnu appropriately narrated the


Kriya Yoga to the king.
31-33. Pleased within heart having listened to the same king
Ambarisa said: “If God Madhava! You are satisfied with me—
the king, let there always be the proximity of the King of Gods
with my hermitage. There, I shall be worshipping the idol of
yours according to established rules and procedure. People all
over the world will be worshipping you— the bearer of conch,
discus and the mace.”

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

41. The fruits of the sacrificial activity of offering of horses


to fire, i.e., of the Asvamedha Yajna are obtained by having a
look of Visnu on the specific day demarcated for him either in
the rising or waning period of moon in a month.
42. Hence with all efforts there should be worship of Visnu
and with due procedure. One who adheres to the vowed
observance of religious austerities for four months and worship
God Visnu, does not get rebirth.
43. О virtuous king! only one pilgrimage of this kind fulfills
all pilgrimages undertaken. A look at Visnu assembles together
the vowed observance of religious austerities of four-month
period.
44. Some people gift everything to Brahmanas. Some others
worship God Visnu carefully during the vowed religious
observance for four months.
45. Some make a gift of one thousand unmarried girls as per
established rules and practices. Still others serve Visnu with all
sincerity during the period of four months of vowed observance
of religious austerities.
46. Some make the offering of best of all gifts on the occasion
of solar eclipse at Kuruksetra. Others serve Visnu with all
eagerness during the four-month period of vowed observance
of religious austerities.
47. Some worship God Visnu through the Agnistoma Yajna*
followed up with offering of presents to Brahmanas at the end
of the sacrificial rite. Some others worship Visnu with all
eagerness during the four-month period of vowed observance
of religious austerities (i.e., the Caturmasya).
48. Someone, after going to the Himalaya, gives up his body.
Another individual serves God Visnu with care during the four-
month period of vowed observance of religious austerities.
49. Some leave their bodies aside falling at the feet of Sage
Bhrgu in the Uttana pilgrimage. Other men remain engrossed
in the service of Visnu during the four-month period of vowed
observance of religious austerities.
50. Someone gives up life through continuous fasting for
days together. Someone else remains engaged in the service of
46 Skanda Purana

Visnu during the vowed observance of religious austerities in


the four-month period.
51. One man proficient in knowledge listens to the factual
reports related to the Supreme Being while another takes a look
of Visnu with care during the four-month period of vowed
observance of religious austerities.
52. О king! some perform the religious rite connected with
remembrance of their ancestors during the period meant for
paternal side, i.e., Pitru Paksa while some others bringing all
forces of their minds together within do service of Visnu.
53. Some undergo (crores of) the vowed observance of the
religious austerity of Candrayana as per established rules. Some
others do service to Visnu during the four-month period of
vowed observance of religious austerities.
54. Some remain adherents to the vowed observance of
religious austerities for thousands of years while some others
visualize the opportunity of service to Visnu during the four-
month period of vowed observance of religious austerities.
55. Some Brahmanas read the four Vedas as per rule. Others
serve Visnu during the four-month period of vowed observance
of religious austerities.
56. О king! there is no need for more description here. Hence
listen in brief. There are all these things of the world on one
side'while on the other there is vision.
57. Hence everyone, with efforts must remain close to Visnu.
All sins get destroyed by residing in this place of Ambarisa.
58. On one side there is Visnu. On the other side there is the
line of ‘action/work’. О king! taking shelter under Him is the
best.
59. О king! even one going nearer to Visnu even after
committing great sins becomes free immediately by a sight of
Visnu.
60. One who places one piece of flower on God Visnu, attains
all good fortune in this world as well as in the next.
61. One who massages the idol of God Visnu with scented
oil and with faith, goes to that ultimate place becoming relieved
of old age and death.
vii.111.13. 62-67—14.1-3 47

62. Leaving behind every thing, one who entreats Him


rem aining engrossed and with an undivided mind, gets
liberation immediately by a sight of Him.
63-64. О good king! one who lights earthen lamps before
Visnu in connection with the vowed observance of the religious
austerities meant solely for Lord Visnu (i.e., Pravodhini Vrata)
on the eleventh day of the rising period of moon in the month
of Kartika (i.e., October), happens to witness sins committed
in previous birth and as one after the other sin comes before
his eyes, all his sins get effaced from the body at that time.
65. One who employs the mixture containing equal parts of
five contents, viz., milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey in the
worship of Visnu or worship with curd or milk, does not get
rebirth.
66. It is due to this that Visnu must be worshipped with all
efforts. О King! man attains freedom from the worldly bondage
through this.
67. It is the duty ever to specially worship Visnu.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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

4-5. The great God Mahadeva in the form of King said: “I


have come to this earth to give you a boon. You can ask for
any auspicious boon in your mind. As I am pleased, I shall
grant you the same even if that may be difficult to attain”.

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.”

The woman said:


10. О my husband! I am that wife of yours. By the power of
this centre of pilgrimage, I have got this celestial appearance
which is even difficult for gods.
52 Skanda Purana

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.

The sages said:


16. You have got the wonderful appearance which is even
difficult for gods to get. So, О beautiful woman! Why are you
following this sinful man?

The woman said:


17-19. О great Brahmanas! I am a devoted wife always
engaged in the service of my husband. What shall I do with the
beautiful appearance without my husband? Ugly or beautiful,
poor or wealthy, whatever one may be, there, is no other way
than this singular aspect of having a husband for women in the
three worlds. О eminent sages! this boy of mine has come to
you as resort. Joined as I am with my husband, I will enter the
funeral fire.

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

22. In the meantime, as desired in their minds a space craft


full of celestial maidens arrived there.
23. So in this way the sages on their own brought the couple
back to life. The couple then offered to the sages their homage
and started for Heaven.
24-25. Then all those sages told that woman Manikarnika,
“O auspicious woman! please ask for boon as we have been
pleased with you. We are pleased with your quality of
devotedness to your husband and especially your truthfulness.
A sight of us never goes in vain.”

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.

The sages said:


28. О one with a beautiful face! let this centre of pilgrimage
be known as having the worshipable Linga after your name.
This pilgrimage centre goes by your name as Manikarnika.

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

this pilgrimage centre according to one’s capacity and offer


libations to godly sages and forefathers.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Greatness of Pangu Tirtha

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:

The God said:


8. О Pangu! Mahadeva is pleased with you and you can ask
for a good boon. I shall grant you all that even if the same may
be difficult to have.
vii.111. 17. 9-14— 18. 1-2 55

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.

The God said:


11-12. This centre of pilgrimage will be named after you О
best of Brahmanas. This pilgrimage will acquire its popularity
by the fame of your religious austerity.There will be my
presence in this place on the fourteenth day of the bright period
of moon in the month of Phalguna (i.e., March).

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

Greatness of Yama Tirtha

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

3. Extremely cruel, wicked, he was a pain-giver to gods and


Brahmanas. He used to embezzle others’ wealth and kidnap
others’ wives.
4. Devoid of truth and honesty and at the same time full of
cunningness and insatiable greed, once, he went to the Arbuda
mountain as addicted he was to hunting.
5. Roaming about here and there, he got agitated with
excessive hunger and thirst. Then he found a lake full of clean
water.
6. It was full of lotuses as well as of crocodiles and turtles.
Full of different kinds of birds it was well spread out and enticing.
7. О virtuous king, as he entered the pool to quench his
thirst, a crocodile caught him and devoured him.
8. Yama had created terrible hells for him. The Messenger
of Yama hurried and took him, the perpetrator of evils, there.
9. However, coming in contact with him, everyone in hell
became happy. With his eyes struck with wonder on seeing
everyone happy in a place like hell, the Messenger described
such state of affairs before Yama, the king of righteousness.

Then Yama said:


10-11 a. The Arbuda mountain is there on this land where
this centre of pilgrimage dear to me is situated. Observance of
religious austerities by me has materialised here. It is certain
that he has met with death there for this reason. As per saying,
truthfulness is only the foundation for death at the region of
Arbuda.

The Messenger said:


lib . But О king! such a lower man has attained death there
by the crocodile catching him.

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

13. О best king! following such words of Yama and his


servant leaving him free, he went to Heaven getting served in
turn by the divine damsels.
14. Hence there is a need of having a bath there enjoined
with devotion. One who does so, goes to that ultimate place
becoming free from old age and death.
15. Therefore, everyone needs to follow the practice of
having a bath there with all efforts. Yama had attained fulfilment
there on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the Moon
in the month of Caitra i.e. March.
16. The human being performing the appropriate religious
ceremony connected with remembrance of his near and dear
ones (Sraddha) there gets blessed with residence in Heaven
along with his paternal ancestors.
CHAPTER NINETEEN

Greatness of Varaha TIrtha

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

The Earth said:


4. О Bearer of Conch, Discus and Mace, if you have to give
me a boon, then always remain in no other body than this in
this place.

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

day of a Lunar month results in attainment of the highest spiritual


status for one.
CHAPTER TWENTY

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

8. As soon as Daksa left, Candra got back to his usual


excessive involvement with Rohinl and continued with rejection
of all those daughters bom of Prajapati.
9. Thus, being unhappy, they all went to Daksa again and
told him that Candra had not fulfilled the words given to him.
10. They said: “We are unfortunate and tormented with
sorrow. It is beyond doubt that death is the only way out for us
than having such a life.”

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

The God said:


19-21. О Candra, the tuberculosis in your body has been
due to the curse of Daksa. Nothing can be done about the curse
of this great soul. Hence, you adopt all those daughters as your
own as per my words. By looking upon them with an equal
mind your disease can be cured. During the waning period of
moon your condition will deteriorate further while the waxing
period will bring an increased aggravation of the same. You
ask for a different boon desired in the mind even if that may be
difficult to attain.

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.

The God said:


24. That will materialise completely for human beings in
exchange for a bath here. As you have obtained radiance here,
so there will arise purity through this centre of pilgrimage.
25. This place of pilgrimage accordingly will earn fame by
the name Prabhasa. The planet Soma will specially be available
here on Monday.
26-27. Those humans who will have a bath here, will attain
the highest status. Similarly, the observance of religious activity
by human beings in memory of their ancestors (i.e., Sraddha)
and the offering of balls of cooked rice (i.e., Pinda) will yield
the same auspiciousness that comes by performing Sraddha at
Gaya. Hence it is the most desirable duty to make presents
here keeping with fitness of the Soma planet.

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

Daksa began to treat all his daughters equally as wives as could


be possible.
CHAPTER TEWNTY ONE

Greatness of Pindodaka Tlrtha

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

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Greatness of Gracious Mother

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

11. Some having the eligibility to cross over were engaged


in the observance of the most painful and arduous religious
vow while others were excessively engaged in having water,
air, foam or heat as food only.
12. Some were doing the religious activity of conducting
the sacrificial fire with repeated pronouncements of names of
gods within their minds, while some, with all intensity, were
engaged in meditation. Some were making sacrifices, giving
presents and offering edible things while others were trying to
please through offering perfumes and incense.
13. О king! they were worshipping the supremely powerful
Goddess to accomplish their own works for by observance of
religious vows and austerities in this way all get free from the
bondage of work.
14. Then, О virtuous king! after completion of a thousand
years the Goddess appeared before them in the manifested form
of an unmarried young girl.
15. О king! earlier (i.e., initially) she was a frightening smoky
statue. Then she became a bright girl draped in a white dress.
Seeing her and becoming pleased, the gods got up with folded
hands out of sheer gratefulness.

The gods said:


16-22. Homage to you, О Goddess! in motion everywhere
and worshipped by everyone. Homage to you, О Goddess!
who is always invoked for fulfilment of all desires. Homage to
you, О giver of resort to all gods. Homage to you, the Supreme
Goddess to whom homage is also offered by all those keeping
association with Brahma. Homage to you, the inhabitant in
less than half a space, in half a space of a letter. Homage to you
having eyes like lotus leaves and the mother of the Universe.
Homage to you, О Goddess, О granter of all boons, О one
being the essence of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Present in distinct
forms of your own, you, the Goddess, represent the traits of the
material world. You are the bearer of intelligence. Side by side
patience is your own nature as part of the disposition of tolerance.
66 S.kanda Purana

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.”

The gods said:


25-27. О Goddess! we have been repeatedly defeated by
the demon Kalinga in wars. His influence has spread out in the
three worlds encompassing both the living and the non-living.
Having usurped our share of Yajna, he has brought it under
the control of the demons. By his occupation of the Heaven all
gods have been ineffective. In no other way can Indra regain
his own position than the murder of the demon. Hence, О highly
fortunate one! do something like this. We desire a boon like
this.

The Goddess said:


28-29. As I have created you, so also this great demon. Hence
there is nothing which I can do specially for both you as well
as the demon, О best gods. Therefore I will prevent those
demons from entering Heaven and make Indra as well as other
gods inhabitants of Heaven again.
Having said so the best Goddess sent for a messenger with a
rider.
vii.Ill. 22. 30-39 67

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.

The Messenger said:


31-32. That Virtuous Mother, all-encompassing, having the
appearance as manifested power, with a pure smile, the mother
of world worshipped by all gods is telling this to you for being
pleased with the gods, “You hurry and get back to your own
place so that Indra can return to Heaven. О best of demons! do
not be excited as you cannot attain godhood”.

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

50. In that army of soldiers there were separate groups of


elephants, cavalry and infantry. There were also thousands of
other fighters seated on chariots.
51. The soldiers of the demon were all brought down by
weapons of such soldiers before the demon himself who became
still to witness this.
52. After the killing of his soldiers, the gods as well as Indra
told the Goddess, “O Goddess! kill this demon for neither can
we live nor can there be our reign in the Heaven with his
remaining alive.”

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

according to the path laid down in Sastras and in no other way,


fulfilment will await him as an evolution from that sight. I shall
be ever present in guise, in the caves of this mountain on the
fourteenth day of the bright period of moon in the month of
Caitra (March). I love this mountain and am not giving it up
out of my own will. However, I am leaving this for all of your
welfare.”

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

Greatness of Sukla Tirtha

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

15. Struck with astonishment as a result, he, carrying along


the clothes, hurried and went to the king and described him the
happening as unfolded there.
16. Then taken by surprise, the king himself went to the
waterfall and threw all clothes both indigo and red in colour
into the water there.
17. It happened so that all those specially turned into white.
Then having a realisation that, this is a supreme place of
pilgrimage, he had a bath there as per laid down procedures.
18. Then giving up his kingdom, the king practised penance
there. As a result, the king attained ultimate fulfilment by the
impact of this centre of pilgrimage.
19. О king! the human being who observes here the religious
act connected with remembrance of his ancestors (i.e., Sraddha)
on the eleventh day of a month, he enables attainment of the
divine place for his forefathers extending over ten generations
before his birth. By a bath here also, all sins go away
instantaneously.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

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

remaining demons who used to be continuously there on earth,


left it and like the wind having no existence in the lower region
of earth, went to the nether world, i.e., Hell out of fear.
15. Then becoming pleased and uttering hymns in praise of
the Goddess of gods, the gods told the Goddess to ask for
whatever boon occupying her mind.

The Goddess said:


16. О good gods! let me always be here in this Arbuda
mountain. As I desire this mountain within, let it be named as
Arbuda.

The gods said:


17. With you present there and after having a look at you,
the mortals will go to heaven. The road to Heaven will be shorter
without the religious conduct of Yajna, i.e., the sacrificial fire
and offering of presents. There is no other reason which can
prevent us to deny this to you.

The Goddess said:


18. О gods! there, I shall be staying inside the charming but
desolate cave. Only a living being miniature in shape can have
access to me there. For the purpose of having a sight of mine,
people need to proceed ahead towards the mountain only.

19. The gods said, “Let it be so as desired by you and let


you, О Goddess with a gentle smile do accordingly. We shall
ever come there to have a look of yours on the eighth day of
the bright fortnight of moon every month.

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

Greatness of Pindaraka Tlrtka

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

safe protection on that camel, got killed which the Brahmana,


witnessed, О king.
8. Then О virtuous king! Manki embracing non-attachment
left for forest giving up his village. He went and began to put
up near some waterfall in the Arbuda mountain.
9. Having a bath three times in a day, he repeatedly recited
the Gayatri Mantra well within mind with the intention that by
doing so he would get rid of sins and have a divine vision
while on earth.
10. In the meantime Lord &aiiikara came along his way. He
had stepped out along with Gaurl for sport in that beautiful
mountain.
11. Then О king! that great soul Pindaraka, i.e., the grazer
of buffaloes, having seen him, instantly paid homage to
Samkara.

Then Samkara said:


12. Having a sight of me does not go in vain. О Brahmana!
I have accepted your homage from a distance. О priest! you
can ask for the thing desired in the mind, even if that may be
difficult to attain.

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.

The God said:


15-16. О good Brahmana! you will remain my follower till
the end of this body of yours. There will be a centre of
pilgrimage by name Pindaraka here. О great mind! I shall be
present here on the eighth day in each month. Those who
undergo the religious activity of having a bath here on the
eighth day of a month, will go to that ultimate place with myself
ever present here on the same day.
vii.III. 25. 1 7 — 20. 1-5 79
Pulastya said:
17. Having said like this, the great God M ahadeva
disappeared then and there. The grazer Manki remained
engrossed day and night in penance there.
18. With passage of time that great soul went to that divine
place giving up body. Becoming His follower, he went and
remained there where God Rudra, i.e., Samkara stays.
19. Therefore with all efforts and with incantation, there should
be the observance of the religious rite of having a bath here.
20. О king! buffaloes need to be presented specially here on
the eighth day of a month so that all desires wished for within,
of this world as well as of the after-world get materialized.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Greatness of Kanakhala Tlrtha

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

6-7. Setting out to have a bath there on the day of Solar


eclipse, he began to look at the region. He, the meritorious one
began to recollect as to how could he never gain back the gold
fallen off his hands in that region.

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

Effect of Cakra Tirtha

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

Greatness of the Manusya Tirtha

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

3. Following a flock of deer, the hunters had spread out in


all directions and they were present everywhere. Frightened,
those deer then entered into middle of the water.
4. But then as soon as they remembered their previous birth,
they instantly attained humanhood. Coinciding this, the hunters,
altogether appeared before them.
5. Bearing bows and arrows in hands, all the hunters
appeared as if they were servants of Yama. Then they asked all
those deer the bearers of human bodies as to how could
humanhood arrive on them.
6. We had come here to get hold of the deer who have taken
resort in the middle of water. By which way could we bring
their end by swiftly killing them for we all have been tired of
hunger and thirst in particular?
The deer in human bodies said:
7. While being deer, all of us have become humans by taking
a resort here. This has been possible as an effect of this place
of pilgrimage. This is the truth beyond any doubt.
Pulastya said:
8. Then having foresaken all their bows and arrows and
having had a bath in the water there, all those earthly beings, О
king! who had come to the mountains, attained fulfilment.
9. Thereafter О king! Indra having seen this place of
pilgrimage as taking away sins of all, embanked this pool with
earth completely and from all sides, so that it does not get polluted.
10. О king! even today, human beings who take a bath here,
never follow the pursuit of animalhood.
11. Through Sraddha accompanied with charities and a bath
here, the results equivalent to that of the sacrificial fire conducted
in memory of one’s forefathers, can be obtained here.
vii.IIl. 29. 1-10 83

CHAPTER TW EN TY N IN E

Greatness of Kapila Tirtha


Pulastya said:
1. Then, О best king! one has to go to the Kapila Tirtha. By
having a bath here, the human being definitely becomes fit to
get rid of all sins.
2. There was a powerful king by name Suprabha in earlier
times. Very fond of deer he used to remain engaged in their
hunting/killing.
3. He had no interest in women or in luxuries or in horses or
in elephants. With such an unusual obsession, he accordingly
became a killer of deer.
4. О best king! given such an indulgence for hunting deer,
once upon a time, he went to the Arbuda. There, in a lower
region of the mountain, he found a doe surrounded with her
babies.
5. With all affection and love, she was feeding milk to her
babies. To kill her, the king immediately took out a weapon.
But then that fell down the mountain.
6. Then the doe saw the earthly being, i.e., the king taking
out another arrow which after fixing on the bow, he struck at
her babies.
7-10. Thus saddened with pain to see the anger on king, she
told him, “Today, the action you are pursuing cannot be
remembered to have ever been followed by a Ksatriya. О king!
it is in vain to kill the doe as well as her babies asleep, suffering
from diseases and clinging onto the nipples inseparably with
fidelity. О very bad king! all those bom of me have met with
death. Your weapon has activated (i.e., actuated) the same
situation for the children without me—the doe-mother. Due to
this, О king! as you have killed me quite unrighteously, you
will, therefore, become a ferocious tiger, here-on this mountain.”
84 Skanda Parana

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.”

The doe said:


13. When you will happen to see a milch cow by name Kapila
and then enter into a conversation with her on an equal footing
you shall again get back your natural form.
14. Saying like this, the doe, with unbearable pain of the
wound by the weapon and with her left-over affection for her
offsprings parted with life before the king.
15. Soon after, the earthly king got instantly animated into
that ferocious form. Becoming a tiger with big and ferocious
teeth as well as with sharp nails, he stepped out to harm his
own soldiers by devouring them with him self remaining
unconscious with anger.
16. Then those soldiers who got left out from being killed
by the king got back to their own homes with sorrow and
narrated the things as happened to others in the palace.
17. They described in details and brought it to the notice of
all as to how the king attained tigerhood in the Arbuda mountain
while taking a round of it for hunting with his weapons.
18. After hearing those words of their’s, his son named Asu
and renowned for his great power and strength enthroned himself.
19. О good king! once in the course of time, it so happened
that in a cowshed on the summit of the mountain, some milkmen
along with their womenfolk as well as their flock of cows had
died badly affected with thirst.
20. One cow in the same fleet however, had got waylaid for
grass out of hunger and had proceeded much ahead of the
flock of the cows. She was famous as Kapila.
vii.IU. 29. 21-30 85

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.

The tiger said:


28-29. I cannot believe that after going near your offspring
and after seeing your own kith and kin in the cowshed, you
will come back again. You are speaking like this out of fear of
me. There is nothing that can equal the fear for life. Therefore,
out of fear for life, it is certain that you shall not come back.

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

The tiger said:


31. Proclaim truthfully with a vow again that I shall come
back. Then sensing whether to believe you, I may or may not
let you leave.

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.

The tiger said:


49-51. О good self! please go to the cowshed and come
back again. But never think that acceding to such a request of
yours is any indication of my being deprived. О affectionate
Kapila! go, have a look at your male calf. Feed milk to him
fully and have a smell of his forehead. Meeting your mother,
brothers, partners, own kith and kin and friends, come back
truthfully and do not do anything otherwise.

Pulastya said:

52. This is how, after getting the permission of king of deer


i.e. the tiger, Kapila having deep affection for children, left for
the place where the herds of cows were placed, with tears rolling
down her face and evoking pity for herself.
53. Trembling with fear like an elephant in face of a ferocious
lion and well in the middle of the ocean of sorrow, she entered
the place where the herd of cows were putting up making sounds
repeatedly.
54. Then hearing her voice and becoming aware that it was
his own mother, the calf got incited to hurry up and arrived
before her raising its tail.
55. Seeing her coming in an odd time and that too hearing
her making difficult sounds, the calf became apprehensive and
asked her.
88 Skanda Purana

The calf said:


56. I do not see you in a pleasant mood. You appear to be
depressed. Tell me what for have you come here untimely?

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.

The calf said:


61-66. I shall also follow you along there where you desire
to go for it is beyond doubt that praises will be sung in respect
of my death beside you today. As it is, I have to die all alone
without you. Hence, if it could be that the tiger kills me along
with you. It is certain that I shall also attain that divine passage
which accrues out of devotion for mother. It is due to that I
shall of course, go with you without any doubt. Otherwise you
stay back here and I shall fulfill your vow then. I shall take up
the venture in your place, О mother! if you permit me from
within your mind. Separated from mother, life will no more be
dear to me. There is no one like mother nor can babies sustain
life without milk. There is no one good like mother nor is there
any better way than engagement in mother’s service. The sons,
engaged ceaselessly in the mother’s service attain the ultimate
passage.
vii.III. 29. 67-78 89

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

79. With such a state of affairs going to happen for my child,


please rear him specially and befittingly by feeding him your
own milk like you feed your own.
80. Friends! stop him from grazing in uneven surface or
among other strange species. Also stop him from doing
undesirable activities.
81. О greatly fortunate ones! pardon me. I have to follow
the truth. At present as it is, I have to go to the tiger staying
here for he has left me free for the time being.
82-84. All were taken with sadness after hearing her words.
Possessed with sorrows of the highest order they then said with
overwhelming unhappiness, “O Kapila! you need not go and
there will be no sin on your part by not going for no sins happen
to those who flee away with an eye to life in difficult battles.
The sages known for their observance of righteousness have
already stated one thing in this context since old times. The
saying is that ‘no sin awaits one who fails to adhere to vows at
the stake of life.’

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.

88-89. Her peer friends said: “Kapila! you will command


homage of all including gods and demons as you are giving up
life in the pursuit of the supreme truth even though that is highly
painful. This truth can, of course, never be the cause for your
death. You can proceed if you have to prove the truth and cannot
retreat from the same path. Let there be happiness for you.
vii.IIl. 29. 90-97 91

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:

The tiger said:


91-93. Welcome to you! О good and truthful Kapila. Can
anything inauspicious ever happen to those who always speak
the truth? О Kapila! as per your vow, you had stated to come
back and have come back also. My curiosity is how having
gone once, you could come back again. I left you free because
you could go there, i.e., the cowshed where your son stayed,
who, as it is being dependent on your milk, would otherwise
have been very sad.

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.

The king said:


95. riy your grace, I have got free from the curse which was
equally painful. Tell me fast what is dear to you—the cow, so
that I can do it.

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

Eminence of Agni Tirtha

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.

The King Yayati said:


2. О best of Brahmanas! how could and what for the fire get
completely obsolete? (And if so) how could the fire be brought
back again there? Please tell as I have the curiosity in this regard,
О great Sage.
94 Skanda Parana

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

immediately. With ruination of such activities people specially


became apprehensive.
14. As a result, all gods receded into a state of severe doubt.
Deprived of their share accruing from the conduct of sacrificial
fires, i.e., Yajna, all gods, grouped together began to chalk out
a plan clandestinely amongst themselves.
15. They began to deliberate that with the desertion by fire,
men have gone to a state of ruination in the mortal world. We
are left out awaiting destruction and there is no doubt that we
will be destroyed.
16. Hence let fire be looked for at the moment wherever it
may be. Let a law be worked out by which, it may move about
in the mortal world.

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.

The parrot said:


19. I have seen the great and lustrous fire disappearing only
in this burnt out log of big bamboo lying in the front.
20. With the parrot saying like this the Fire God got argry
and then cursing it saying that ‘You would have a stammering
voice’, he left quickly.
21. Then he entered deep into the middle portion of the
auspicious pipal tree which is usually stated to contain fire deep
within itself. This was brought to the notice of gods by the king
of elephants.
22. Then cursing the elephant that let its tongue turn upside
down, the Fire God entered into the pool in the mountain called
Arbuda.
96 Skanda Parana

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.

The gods said:


28-31. О Fire! you precede others in staying inside all beings.
Without you, everything in the world will get destroyed fast.
You are the giver of happiness to all gods. On you are founded
the worlds. With your giving up the earth, all of us along with
Indra will meet with destruction. Hence you save us. You are
the Brahma. You are also the Visnu, the Mahadeva and the
Sun. You are also the Lord of Moon, wealth and the wind. О
Fire! Indra etc. as well as all other gods are your inheritors.
Why have you placed yourself here leaving the mortal world?
О God! what for do you intend to leave innocents like us?

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

scriptures was instrumental behind spreading the fame of


Ksatriyas. His son Prateepa was a noble soul and was best among
those bearing good nature. (But) with Devapi’s passage to
Heaven, putting aside his eldest son, £antanu, his younger son
began to rule over his kingdom. Due to this reason, I have
expelled rains from his kingdom. However, О Fire! as per your
orders, I will actuate rains there.

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.

Then the gods said:


41. О Fire! as per your wishes rains have been brought into
action i.e. restored. If you have any other work dear to you,
please plead for the same hurriedly.

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.

The gods said:


43. This centre of pilgrimage will acquire fame by your name.
By having a bath here man will proceed to the world of fire.
98 Skanda Purana

44. The fruit of sacrificial fire called Agnistoma Yajfia will


happen to that man who makes the offering of sesame with all
sincere application of mind.

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

5-6. He asked the messenger to go near Sunanda and tell her


that “the king got killed in the war” which as per king’s
commands was a pointer to her bad actions not in commensurate
with the qualities of a devoted wife. If she, the beautiful queen
decides to go for death, save her with all earnest efforts keeping
in view the fact that such words of mine were adequate enough,
i.e., just intended to generate laughter.
7. О virtuous king! after the king (having) said so, the
messenger went immediately to convey the words so told to
the queen.
8. О best of kings! hearing such words of his, the life force
went out of Sunanda—the queen with a beautiful smile, the
devoted wife and the great Safi.
9. As Sunanda endowed with good nature died, the king at
the same time came equally under the burden of sin for that.
10. Then another shadow became visible to the king from
above his body. With that heavy body, the king became
immobile like a tree.
11. О virtuous king! then becoming devoid of lustre, with a
colourless body and emitting foul smell, the king reached home
(palace) and heard of his wife’s death.
12. Submerged in sorrow for causing the annihilation he in
any case had to perform the sacred ritual bound up with death.
He realized to have polluted himself by the killing of a woman
and to have made the sin his own creation.
13. Then after performing the activity of cremating the
corporeal body on fire, he made himself to feel light and
undertook pilgrimage as per the direction of Brahmanas. He
went to Varanasi first and made lot of presents.
14. Kapalamocana, i.e., place of pilgrimage takes away all
sins. The three-eyed, i.e., Lord Siva had made himself free from
the sin of Brahmanicide there in ancient times.
15. О king! the second shadow of that did not get destroyed
there. Then the king proceeded to the Kanakhala TTrtha which
is auspicious and a giver of purity to men.
100 Skanda Ригам

16. After that he visited Puskara and following that he visited


Amarakantaka. After that О virtuous king! he arrived at
Kuruksetra.
17. Then he went to the Prabhasa Tirtha and the centre of
pilgrimage known as Soma. Thereafter, he proceeded to a
barbarous place full of worms. Then he went to the undulating,
auspicious and prime Hamsa Tirtha, О king.
18. Then О great king! after acquiring a great deal of
goodness for himself after visiting Rudrakoti, Virupaksa and
thereafter the five rivers, the king became tired.
19. Then after a lapse of one thousand years, the king reached
the Arbuda mountain where he took a sight of the centres of
pilgrimage and the temples (i.e., visited them).
20. The king made many charities to the communities of
hermits and many types of Brahmanas including those astutes
in the Vedas as per their wishes.
21-22. There in that Arbuda mountain, the king arrived at
that particular place of pilgrimage connected with a continuous
flow of blood, i.e., Raktanubandha. Then after having a bath
there, as the king came out, he saw that second shadow which
had erupted before him following the sin accruing from the
evil of killing of wife. Sighting this, the king then felt light and
relaxed in his entire body.
23. Then the foul smell on the body of the king disappeared
and he came under the influence of bright intelligence.
Witnessing such a happening he made abundant gifts. After
that, inspired by the praises of his followers he left for home.
24. Then О leading King! hardly had the king crossed over
the boundary of Raktanubandha, he got back his previous state
of condition as it was.
25. О virtuous king! the alternate second shadow became
again visible in the body of the king. The same foul smell again
engulfed his body and the brightness also disappeared.
26. Then getting distressed, he got back there immediately.
After arriving at Raktanubandha, he got into that repulsive and
venomous state again.
vii.111. 31. 27-35 101

27. Then realizing the greatness of the place of pilgrimage


as the best option for the virtuous on earth, the king with all
intendon collected pieces of wood and set them on fire. After
that making charities to the foremost Brahmanas, he entered
into the fire to make a sacrificial offering of himself.
28. Then ascending onto the winged vehicle, giving of his
temporal body and endowed with a beautiful garland, the king
went to the world of Siva.
29. With his, i.e., the earthly being’s obtaining the world of Siva,
the divine sages uttered the following statement with great wonder.

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

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

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

10. О king! with thickness in three regions, with four hands,


with red colour in seven portions, with a high head, with five
long limbs and equally with five subtle limbs, the body was
very beautiful.
11-12. О great king! seeing him with a body extending over
the three worlds, Gauri became very astonished and as the
powerful Goddess put life-force into it, he got up instantaneously
and solicited for orders humbly with bowed head.
13. Seeing him having such a miraculous appearance she
said ‘son’ and ‘son’ repeatedly. Then very elated within, she
took him near Sambhu.
14. She told him, “O God! grant a boon to this son bom out
of my body smear so that he can attain the passage to greatness.”

The gracious God said:


15-19. As the head remains master of the body, so this head
will have prominence, О daughter of the hills! as told by you
to have been fixed onto the body by Skanda. With his existence
in this body in this manner, he will be the ruler in all speciality.
Due to that his name will be the great Vinayaka. He will also
be the superintendent of the attendant demigods on Siva. With
this boon of mine, he will happen to be the ruler of demigods.
Mortals have to remember this mler of demigods, i.e., Ganesa
on the eve of commencing any fresh work so that there will be
no hurdles before their actions. As the hammer has been given
to him by Skanda for sport, that will remain inseparably dear to
him for ever.
20. Then Gauri gave him a plate full of edible ladoos out of
affection for son. Getting that he began to dance gently.
21. A rat came out of the hole with the flavour of edible
ladoos. It became immortal after eating that and became the
carrier for GaneSa.
104 Skanda Purana

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

sacrificial fire be seated on the deer skin while making the


invocation as per accepted practice and procedure. Then getting
covered with white dress, remain calm facing the East. Keep
reciting the hymns in praise of Ganga, Yamuna and the Puskara
along with the well-spoken hymn in honour of Visnu and the
purifying hymn in the name of Taurus.
45. All hurdles follow the path of destruction by a proper
pronunciation of it. The planets mellow down and all that might
have occurred in the past get destroyed instantly.
46. Mental agonies, all diseases including those tormenting
and persistent get eclipsed fast. So also any havoc having
dimensions of affecting all severely.
47. All these are the details which I have described to you as
you have asked about the greatness, importance and the ways
to appease Vinayaka.
48. О best of kings! one who sings his praise with undivided
attention on the fourth day of a month or even listens to the
same celebrated songs gets all hurdles away from the path of
his actions.
49. One who perseveres through actions according to the
nurtured desires within that regard while keeping him unabatedly
in mind, gets the desired fruits with all certainty by his grace.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

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

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

Greatness of Krsna Tirtha

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

I have only created you in the first place. There is no doubt


about this and I can make thousands like you without any
doubt.”
11. In this way, О king! the two with great brilliance remained
mutually engaged in a verbal duel with each others eyes
reddened with anger.
12. Pulling each other’s arms and clenching fists as well as
bringing nails and teeth as under, the mutual fight between the
two continued for thousands of years.
13. Then О good king! after a thousand years, appeared in
the interval, a great worshipable Linga— celestial, bright and
auspicious.
14-16. Coinciding with the time, a voice came from the
incorporeal saying, “You, i.e., Brahma as well as Visnu, please
disengage from war as per my command. This is the Linga of
Great God. He who, from both of you can make it to its endpoint
will without any doubt be the higher, powerful and the chief
creator here. As per my orders let one of you proceed to the
lower region while the other go to the higher/upward region.”
Hearing this, Brahma took recourse to the pathways of space
swiftly.
17. Tearing apart the Earth, Krsna went down and after
penetrating down he reached the seventh lower region of the
Earth, He— the great soul could see the ferocious fire supposed
to come at the time of final destruction of Creation.
18. With desire to go there, as he speeded up in that direction,
he got burnt up by the fire and his body became black.
19. A fter getting burnt up fast by fire and becoming
unconscious with pain, when Visnu came out, he attained that
ultimate state when his body became devoid of any distinctive
sign/quality.
20. Then О king! taking recourse to that worshipable Linga,
Visnu began to worship it with devotion reciting the series of the
subtle hymns of praise as per the supreme utterances in the Veda.
21. Seated on his bearer Swan, Brahma followed the path in
the sky. But for thousand years, he could not reach his
destination.
по Skanda Purana

22-23. Then after a thousand years, he saw Ketaki coming


before him in the path of sky, who happened to ask him, “O
Brahma! what for have you been roaming about in such a
deserted place? Seeing a wise man like you moving about in a
vacuum, I am having a great curiosity.”

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

Origin of Mamu Lake

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.

The Divine Messenger said:


12. As per Indra’s words there has been enough of your
arrogance. О best of Brahmanas! by virtue of your earning
enough of goodness, follow there as a result.

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.

The Messenger said:


14-24. The qualities of Heaven cannot be counted even in a
hundred years. However, if this is your firm decision, I shall
narrate them in brief. There are very beautiful and excellent
vii.111. 35. 25-27 115

forests in the Heaven which cause happiness in the mind. О


good Brahmana! there are so many incomparable and unique
enjoyments to give contentment in the Heaven. Hunger, thirst,
lethargy and idleness do not prevail there. Divine beauties like
Rambha and chief among divine singers like Tumbura are there.
Songs and dances enchant human beings there. О Sage—the
bearer of wealth of penance! human beings stay in this way in
the Heaven. The moment, goodness declines with them there,
starts their downfall. О Sage! if one fault manifests itself in the
Heaven, that leads to the ferocious downfall of the inmates of
Heaven. О Brahmana! there is never any opportunity to earn
goodness there. О Brahmana! this land is the place for work
while Heaven is to be remembered as the place for enjoyment.
The fruits of good work done here can only be enjoyed there.
Hence look at the breathing beings enjoined with abundance
of righteousness there on the winged vehicle. О good
Brahmana! those with lesser volume of goodness in their favour
remain always in state of sadness repenting in comparison to
those having relatively brighter goodness. He or she keeps
deliberating for not doing plenty of good deeds in the mortal
world. This way seeing his own downfall from the Heaven in
comparison to thousand others, he gets into more sadness within
a faster way. I have narrated to you all these about qualities
and faults and as these evolve. Now О Brahmana, engaged in
the endeavour for attaining Heaven, do as you wish.

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

pleading “О best of Brahmana! please release me so that I can


get back to the heaven. О Brahmana! stay either in the Heaven
or in the mortal world according to your sweet will. All these
efforts of mine have been made keeping in view your, i.e., the
Sage’s welfare. О virtuous! ask for the boon that is always
there in your mind. I shall grant all those to you even if those
may be difficult to attain.”

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

Origin of Eminent Asrama of Candl

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

3. In olden times, in the Divine Age, О king! there was a


demon named Mahisa. By a boon of Brahma he had turned out
to be ferocious for all gods.
4. He had earned victory over Indra as well as thousands of
other gods. With his fear, the gods had moved about hither and
thither for their own welfare.
5. Having subjugated the three worlds, he had become like
Indra.
6. He had put demons forcefully above Visnu, Siva, the semi­
gods, Maruta (the king of solar dynasty) and the Earth.
7. Getting distressed with fear, Fire also then gave up the
company of gods and began to accept the offerings to it by the
demons.
8. The Sun also radiated in accordance with his will. The Rsis
also got affected deprived of their share accruing from the conduct
of Yajnas i.e. the religious ceremony of sacrificial fire.
9. All kings in the world got meddled up in the wheel of his
deeds. The best on earth deprived of their share of offerings
made to sacrificial fire began to live like slaves.
10-11. Then once, all the gods assembled together and
approached Brhaspati, the best among the Brahmanas and
asked him very humbly, “O Godly Self! what shall we do—
destitutes as we have become? Therefore, suggest the way to
destroy the bad soul Mahisa.”
12-17. О king! when the Teacher of gods was so told, giving
hope of life to the residents of heaven, he said, “The demon
has got firmly settled on power after getting a boon from
Brahma. He cannot be killed by all gods together. Only a young
woman can free you from him. Hence, all of you together
proceed to the Arbuda—the foremost of all mountains. By your
observing penance for a considerable time in the lake there
you will make your goal. The goddess Candl will assume the
form of a powerful, yet enthralling beauty. Worship her in a
distinct manner as this world is encompassed by her. She needs
to be pleased for the killing of the bad soul Mahisa. She will
make her endeavour by descending in her incarnation. By her
120 Skanda Purana

hand the wicked-minded will of course, be killed. I shall narrate


you the befitting incantation to invoke her power as a means of
solution. I shall also do so with regard to the procedural worship
by which the auspicious liberation can be availed of.

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

purpose of placing them in the circle as conceived. Then a lustrous


and beautiful girl came alive there. Having a great body, she
was the apparent form of power endowed with all divine qualities.
Indra gave her his thunderbolt. The God of oceans gave her the
net. The Fire God also gave her the power. The Chief of Wealth,
Kubera, gave her the vehicle, i.e., the carrier in the form of lion.
All other gods also gave their weapons with pleasure. О best of
kings! their offering of weapons to her was accompanied with
earnest recounting and recitation of hymns.

The gods said:


31. Homage to you О Goddess of gods! having the golden
resplendence. Homage to you, О Lotus-eyed! and the Mother
of the World. Homage to you through whom the world is
exhibited and homage to you also for whom hymns have been
rendered world-over. In your heart, you are the abode of beauty
and for gods you are like an offering of beverge for the night.
О Goddess! in your different forms, you are the image of
tolerance, prosperity and radiance. You are also the wife of
Fire. You are Savitrl, Kamala, Sati, Gaurl, M ahamaya,
Chamunda and Sarasvatl. You are BhairavT having that ferocious
form and the bearer of Chanda, Munda and the sword. You are
the darling of Siva and having a great body you are greater in
courage than an army of elephants. You are always fond of
meat and wine and always devoted to the protection of your
devotees. You encompass both the living and the non-living in
the three worlds.

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.

The gods said:


37-38. Mahisa—the demon so named among all the demons
has become invincible to all living beings as well as even to
gods by a boon of Brahma. We can only be liberated by a
woman. Hence О Goddess! you therefore kill him.
122 Skanda Purana

The Goddess said:


39-40. О Gods! you go back to your own places happily. I
shall kill him when the appropriate time comes. Having been
said so, all gods then became pleased and went back to their
places.
41. Given such a liability, the Goddess stayed back there in
the mountain with all pleasure. Then in due course of time, the
godly saint Narada came there.
42. As devoted he was to undergo pilgrimage, he, after
having a look of the Goddess there, then followed his way to
Heaven where Mahisa was (forcibly) putting up.
43. Seeing the Sage there, the demon Mahisa got up and
paid homage bowing down with all humility.
44-46. Then he offered him his worship with the mixture
containing equal proportion of five ingredients viz. milk, curd,
ghee, honey and sugar etc. and gifts and then offered him a
seat. Then seeing him receding well into rest after getting
comfortably seated, he made the following statement: “O
virtuous Sage! wherefrom and to gain what have you come
here? I have no sorrow. I have my sons, wife, kingdom and
wealth too. I have also servants attending upon me. But О good
Brahmana! what shall I do with all these! I shall give you
everything and you can have it from me as per your need.

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

50-71. Narada said, “О King of demons! I have seen


something very astonishing on the surface of the earth which I
never saw either among the mobile or immobile in the three
worlds. There is a mountain famous by the name Arbuda on
the earth’s surface which like the Heaven is ornamented with
trees yielding fruits and flowers in all the seasons. Trees like
Bakul, Champak, Mango, Ashok, Kaner, Palm, Date palms,
Banyan, Bhallataka and Dhabala are there in this mountain.
There are also the trees like Saral, Jackfruit, Ninduka, Karveer,
Hibiscus, Parijata, Malaya and Sandalwood in the mountain.
There are also many kinds of flower trees with different types
of fragrance. The mountain is also full of many types of edible
fruits. There is no such tree, creeper and medicinal plant on the
plains, О Primus among the demons! which I did not find on
this mountain. The place is full of the melodious sounds of
birds like Chakor, Peacocks, Chatakas, Cuckoos, Swans and
birds with white feather. With such sounds dropping in the
ears, the sages engaged deeply in meditation get pierced with
the arrow of amorosity. With brooks offering a sight of high
delight to the eyes, the mountain also has rivers with clean
water and is enjoined with pools full of thousands of lotuses.
Men with large eyes like the lotus leaves but with slender waists
and sweet smile intent upon observance of religious vows as
per the scriptures are to be found there. What more do I say
about it? The insects bom out of heat here, the birds, the trees,
the plants, the animals and the human beings on this mountain
are among the best in the world. Having a breadth of ten
Yojanas, two times as much of the same for length and five
Yojanas in height, this mountain is similar to Heaven in the
mortal world. While roaming about here and there in the
mountain out of sheer curiosity, I saw a beautiful and powerful
woman who appeared to be a matter of wonder to me from all
respects. I have never seen nor heard of such a goddess, a
divine lady singer, a demoness, a woman or of any such best
woman. All women even Rati, Preeti, Uma, Laksmi, Savitrl
and Sarasvatl can (only approximate) a fraction of this woman
as far as beauty is concerned. Then after seeing such a beautiful
124 Skanda Purana

woman, I, О prominent demon! got afflicted with desire and


became highly excited. Then after composing the mind, I
resolved that I would never get into any conversation with this
woman. A mere sight of this woman is hightening up desire in
the mind. So, I cannot be sure as to what will happen to me by
getting into a dialogue with her. I have adapted myself to
celibacy in the long and enduring process of pursuit of penance.
Further continuance of mine at this place may nullify my victory
over the sense objects obtained through perseverance. I better
proceed to some other place so that my penance does not go
waste. Brahma has created the woman as a name for
impendiment in the path of penance. She is not only like a lock
on the door to Heaven but is very much a step on the road to
Hell. Forbearance, penance, truth and persistence of family
name remain as long as a woman is not sighted especially in
isolation. Keeping my eyes closed and after repeatedly thinking
like this, I have come here and stayed put without speaking to
that beautiful woman.

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.

The messenger further said:


82-84. Bom of the might of gods and blessed with all boons,
the girl, taking resort to virginity, is practising penance to kill
you. I asked all the ascetics engaged in penance there who
happened to state the same to be true. Now you Great King, do
as you please after hearing this. Her beautiful form appearing
to be an act of weaving cannot be described. О King! the girl
does not speak to anyone there.

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

of the Arbuda mountain where that all-mighty Goddess was


putting up. Then after paying his homage to her, he spoke out
gently: “O Goddess! there is a powerful king named Mahisa
who is quite famous in the three worlds. He is bom in the lineage
of Danu and in appearance, he is as handsome as Kamadeva.
He desires to have you as his wife through all righteous means.
Your welfare lies in this and he will fulfill all your desires as
his wife. If you become his dear wife and he, your handsome
husband, it will fulfill both of yours’ youthhood. There can be
no doubt about this.”
91. After his saying like this, the Goddess got angry and
with movements of her lips said:

The Goddess said:


92-94a. It is universally known that an envoy is not fit to be
killed. Hence in the present situation, I am not turning you into
ashes. You go back and tell the mischievous and stupid demon
Mahisa that no one like him would ever get me. All this strategy
of mine has been to kill him.
94b. After hearing these words of hers, the envoy returned
to Mahisa.
95. Taken aback completely by her beauty as well as
overtaken with great fear, the envoy narrated all his efforts (to
convince h er) to Mahisa. He described the details of his dialogue
with her as well as her unwillingness.
96. As it is, already affected with severe desire (for her), the
King Mahisa after hearing those words of the envoy, called for
the General of his forces and conveyed what the envoy stated
before'him.
97. Mahisa told the General, “Proceed to the Arbuda mountain
with the invincible army and let the forces be fully equipped
with cavalry, elephantry, infantry and charioteers.”
98. Then the General constituted an army with four divisions
having defenders with powerful weapons and decorated with
flag carriers.
vii.lll. 36. 99-1И 127

99. Mounted on elephants, the brave soldiers appeared as


fully prepared. They appeared as if carrying the mountains on
their heads while running hither and thither.
100. The marvellous horses of variegated colour with speed
similar to. the wind, a swollen army comprising thousands of
soldiers with their bodies equipped with defensive guards, was
presenting a scene of vigour and energy.
101. The chariots were designed in the shape of mansions.
Decorated with tinkling bells, banners were fluttering on them.
102. The infantry was strong with erect bodies and equipped
with bows and sharp arrows and with spears.
103. There were one lakh elephants and chariots numbering
three times of the same. There were ten times the horses and
innumerable infantry.
104. Then encircling the Arbuda mountain from a distance
he (i.e. Mahisa) confronted the Goddess along with some of
his close Ministers.
105-108. Beholding the Goddess in a meditative posture,
he, got pierced with the arrow of cupid, but with all humility
said, “O Goddess with a beautiful face! I have come here after
hearing about your glorious beauty. Hence you take me as
your husband as per the Gandharva ritual of marriage. О you,
having a gentle smile, I have sixty thousand wives. Making me
feel proud, you be my mistress. О virgin girl! penance is not fit
for you. Have all enjoyments as per your desire. By sharing
days and nights with me, be the mistress of three worlds.”

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

112. Then he (i.e., Mahisa) along with his Ministers encircled


her from all sides. Afflicted with the weapon of desire, his aim
was to take her in confinement.
113. Coinciding this, the Supreme Goddess made sounds of
derisive laughter when a number of violent and impenetrable
male figures erupted out.
114. Holding weapons and brimming with anger they were
eager to fight. The Goddess then asked them to strike down
that (demon) of heinous crimes.
115. Then they all together confronting Mahisa from close
angles began to let loose their large number of weapons slowly
and steadily.
116. Then happened the war between the followers of the
Goddess as well as the demons resulting in all the Ministers (of
Mahisa) heading towards the domain of Yama, i.e., the death God.
117. With all his Ministers struck down, Mahisa became
angry and then moved ahead to the mountain along with his
troops of soldiers.
118. Then mounting on the best of his chariots, he directed
his charioteer to take turn towards that particular place in the
mountain where the Goddess had stationed herself.
119. He said, “I shall kill her today and get relieved of my
severe anger.” No sooner did he say so than the charioteer, О
king, had prepared himself fully on the chariot to proceed.
120. He (the charioteer) steered the chariot on the path that
would definitely take to the place where she (the Goddess) was
putting up. In the meantime, disorder of the highest order
happened there.
121. О king, strong and unbearable wind was blowing on
the way, he was taking.
122. Striking the solar system, a large meteor fell onto the
earth. Deer were running on the left side of the road, О king,
the demon Mahisa was following.
123. Either sitting or flying, the birds were excreting plentiful
urine. Sitting on the flag staff of the chariot, the vulture was
making sound.
vii.IIl. 36. 124-137a 129

124. Without taking any note of the severely disorderly scene,


he (Mahisa) proceeded ahead and confronted the Goddess with
anger.
125. Releasing arrows in plenty, he was uttering ‘stay fixed,
stay fixed’ (to his adversaries) and the king! nothing was visible
amidst the rows of arrows.
126. Any one from the group of the opponent troop coming
face to face to check the angry Mahisa, got killed by him and
the entire scenario was converted with the area full of red-dyed
(i.e. soaked with blood) mud.
127-13la. Then approaching the Goddess, О king! he
(Mahisa) said with all pride.
“O coward! it would definitely not be fit for me to fight and
kill you. It is your childishness that you neither gave any
weightage to my heroism, my good fortune and wealth nor did
you pay any heed to my words. With all certainty, I know it
correctly that you—the beautiful woman has become very
proud and haughty. You can follow my words even now and
become my dear wife. After having firmly established myself
in virility, I do not want to kill you—a woman. In any case I
have already earned the fame of victory many a time in wars
with Indra—the King of Gods. О ignorant woman! there is no
man equal to me in the three worlds.”
13lb-137a. When he said like this, the Goddess got possessed
with the highest degree of anger. Then lifting the bow and arrow
in hands, the Goddess said, “I should not commit the sin by
getting into a dialogue with you. It is not in the fitness of things
for a virgin to speak to a lecherous man. Despite this, listen to
what I say, “It is never that you at all won over Indra in a war
by virtue of your own courage. О stupid demon! the gods
consider that the boon of their forefather, i.e., the Brahma is
usually more powerful. Glorified by the power of that boon of
Him that you are reckoning yourself to be quite superior. As
per Brahma, only a beautiful woman arousing libido can make
the world free from your sins. As it is, He has made you
invincible to all men on earth. It is Brahma’s boon which has
brought victory to you here on Earth. If you have any virility
130 Skanda Purana

of your own, show it quickly. I shall send you to the Abode of


Yama (i.e., God of death), by sharp weapon.”
137b-139. Saying like this, the Goddess released a cluster
of eight arrows. With four arrows, she immobilised the four
horses pulling the chariot and the severed head of the charioteer
by another arrow of hers got thrown up to a distance. One
arrow tore apart the banner on the chariot while with the other,
his (Mahisa’s) chest got wounded. With pain due to his body
being so pierced, he took support of the flag staff on the chariot.
140. Then О king! being unconscious for a while, he remained
still with his face downward. However, after sometime, he
regained consciousness and released arrows towards the Goddess.
141. The Goddess as well as her companions got every
region of their bodies thrashed (as a result). Then releasing her
sharp-edged best weapon, she broke open his bow and arrow
into two pieces.
142. When his bow and arrow got broken, the demon took
up spear and shield in hand instantaneously and proceeding
towards the Goddess shouted ‘wait’ and ‘wait’.
143. Then the Goddess cut down his sword swiftly with her
weapon. She also made his shield immobile with the other half
of her arrow.
144. Then the ignorant demon, О king, devoid as it is of
weapons and chariot, began to remember various arms and
weapons.
145. Then taking a stick of grass in hand and invoking the
Brahmastra (i.e., the weapon given by Brahma) in mind, he
released the same towards the Goddess for his own rescue.
However, as soon as he released it, the same appeared like a
darkened blown off wick of an earthem lamp.
146. All gods along with Brahma were taken over with
extreme fear at this time to see her courage.
147. Then the king! the Goddess after concentrating for a
while, cut off that Brahmastra swiftly and the same became
defunct evidently.
vii.III. 36.148-161 131

148. When the Brahmastra became a failure, the best of


demons got infuriated and released the weapon of fire which
the Goddess also defused with a water cannon.
149. In this way he (i.e., Mahisa) employed different kinds
of weapons, all of which, running into thousands were defused
by the circular weapon in the hand of the Goddess.
150. Thus all the weapons of the strong demon got exhausted.
Then he employed the highly divine, yet magical weapon on
the Goddess of Gods.
151. Then assuming the form of a buffalo with long and
incisive horn and tooth, he appeared like one having a huge
body like that of a mountain and came before the Goddess.
152. Mounting herself on the lion, the Goddess then severed
his head with her sharp spear.
153. As the Goddess pierced the back of Mahisa with spear,
then a huge masculine body emerged out of his body.
154. Holding onto the shield and sword, the ferocious Mahisa
shouted ‘wait’ and ‘wait’ when the Goddess of gods held onto
his hair in her hand.
155. Then with the sharp sword, the Goddess struck the
demon which took away the life-force from his body. When
this happened О king! the lion beside the Goddess tore apart
the body of the demon into two pieces.
156-159. After that, assuming the appearance as if seated
on excessive anger, the Goddess struck down the remaining
demons who out of fear for life ran for and entered the
impregnable region beneath the earth. Then all Gods including
M aruta, AswinI, ViSwadeva, Sadhya, Riidra, Guhwaka,
Kinnara, Aditya appeared making offering of beautiful flowers
to the Goddess. They recited several hymns paying their
respectful homage to the Goddess with intense admiration.
160-161. They said, “O Parvatl! you have done the befitting
job by rooting out the severity of sins. You have exquisitely
destroyed the sins pervading the three worlds. You have got
Indra back his kingdom again encompassing the three worlds.
Let there be your welfare for such act of redemption. You please
132 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.”

The Goddess said:


162-163. If the gods are indeed pleased and desire to grant
me a boon, let goodness accrue to this hermitage of mine here
and let its fame spread with such an enjoinder. О gods, I shall
remain for ever in this prominent mountain.

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.

Agni (i.e. Fire God) said:


173. A man doing Sraddha here with all purity and in terms
with his financial capability will accordingly derive the fruits
of the same Yajna.

Yama said:
174. Untimely death will never occur to those who after
taking (the ritual of) bath here offer sesame to Brahmanas.

The demons said:


175. О Goddess! the human beings who observe the ritual of
offering of cooked balls of rice to their forefathers in your
hermitage here will never be affected by the fear of rising of ghosts.

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.

The Giver o f Wealth (i.e., Kubera) said:


178. Those who donate wealth to Brahmanas here in
commensurate with their capacity will never be deprived of
wealth in society.

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.

Aswirii Kumar said:


182. Those who offer sweets to Brahmanas here with utmost
regards will be bestowed with the supreme and undying love.

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.

The Sage said:


186. One observes the ritual of fasting here for three nights
will attain the fruits equivalent to a thousand Candrayana Vrata
(i.e., the Yajna accompanied by reduction in intake of food
vii.111. 36.187-194 135

progressively on each successive day culminating in no food


on the New Moon Day).

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

105. О king he who visits Arbuda mountain and takes a


look of Candl, his forefathers get elated and dance, while his
great grandfathers get into an uproarious mood.
196. The son (of an individual) who performs Sraddha (i.e.,
the religious ritual performed in memory of one’s forefathers)
in this hermitage here with all sincerity, besides his forefathers,
he enables all of us to successfully cross over this worldly life.
197. О king! one obtains a kingdom from a maiden visit
here while the second and third visits enable attainment of the
Heaven and Liberation respectively.
198. Therefore, with all sincere efforts, one needs to
undertake a pilgrimage here in this Arbuda mountain—the best
of the mountains and the best among centres of pilgrimage for
results of goodness and welfare.
199. The great Sage Narada had sung the glory of this
hermitage after taking a bath here and in an assembly of
Brahmanas.
200. It is of course beyond doubt that the act of taking a
bath followed up with making offering of gifts in other centres
of pilgrimage give results. But with a look of the Arbuda, all
sins fade away.
201. One who listens to its proclaimed greatness with all
faith, that human soul attains excellence with all desires nurtured
in his mind getting fulfilled.
202. In all homes where the text on the greatness of Arbuda
is preserved О king! all desires of the inmates not only get
fulfilled but also it begets wealth and prosperity for them.
203. О king! even a human being who reads this with faith,
that best of men obtains fruits of pilgrimage and attains
prominence.
vii.lll. 37. 1-9 137

CH APTER TH IRTY SEV EN

Origin of Eminent Naga TIrtha

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

10. Digging up the earth on the mountain they made their


own extended pathway in the form of a hole.
11. Then making a resolution in mind and with sincere
devotion they began to dwell there engaged in the worship of
the Goddess.
12. Observing the ritual of making offerings to the Fire God,
muttering the name of Goddess repeatedly in a befitting manner
and either having food once in a day or observing fast or simply
subsisting on air, they began to put up there for good.
13. For some of them, the mere mastication of teeth was
agreeable as having taken food, while for some grated stone
was acceptable as food. Some were subsisting on the offerings
made to five fires set up for performance of yajna while some
remained occupied with only washing themselves.
14. Seeing the incomparable devotion of those good snakes,
the gods got pleased and began to sing accompanied with
musical instruments in their kingdom.
15. Then the Goddess, herself becoming very pleased made
this statement:
16. The Goddess said, “I am pleased, my dear children. What
for are you all doing such arduous penance? You can ask for
the desired boon in your mind.”
17-18. The Nagas said, “O Goddess! distressed with the curse
on our mother, we have become destitutes for having no support.
Directed by the King of Nagas we have come here and taken
refuge under you. You can only rescue her (i.e., our mother)
from the fear of the fire of sin engulfing her. Due to some reason
our mother has been cursed in some time in the past as per
which the fire from the yajna of Pariksit will swallow her up.”
19-23. The Goddess said, “You all stay here, near me till his
Yajna finishes. Without any fear, have full enjoyment of the
adequate amenities here. As the Yajna gets over, you proceed
to your own abode for you have already made a hole inside the
cave of this mountain. This place on earth will be known as
Naga Lake pilgrim centre and men complying with the religious
practice of taking bath here with sincere faith on the fifth day
vii.lll. 38. 24-28 139

during Sravana (i.e., July-August) every year will never be


taken over by the fear of Nagas. Following it up with the
performance of Sraddha (i.e., the religious activity connected
with remembrance of one’s forefathers) will help their forefathers
to swim across (the worldly existence). All those enjoyments
which are renowned both on the Earth as well as in the Heaven
will always be attainable for human beings without any doubt.”

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

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

Origin of Eminent Siva Ganga Pool

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

10. Zeroing on one way by which togetherness with Ganga


could be possible in that lake, he then ordered his followers
viz., Nandi, Bhrungi, the Ganga and other fountains.
11-12. He told them, “I have a feeling that by taking resort
to water, performance of the religious activity of penance can
be possible. Hence all of you go and try to make a proper pool
there in the interior region of the mountain. There, I shall put
myself in the middle of the pool to observe the religious penance
which can not be possible without water.” Hearing this, the
group of his attendants hurried up towards the mountain region
to make a good number of pools, which they finally made.
13. There was clean water in those pools where one could
swim well. Taking a bath there was good enough to give
pleasure. Then with the desire for company of Ganga, he sought
due permission of GaurT.
14. Then with a view to observing the religious ritual
associated with giving effect to his mental resolve, the God
entered into the water and began to meditate on Ganga—the
purifier of the three worlds with its flow of water.
15. With his earnestly holding Ganga within mind, Ganga
im m ediately appeared to give company to Siva. As per
Pulastya’s words, the God has been uninterruptedly making
his entreaties to Ganga there.
16. О king! Gauri could not fully make out the purpose behind
Siva’s persistently observing the religious ritual connected with
giving effect to his mental resolve. In the course of time, the
Gods’ Sage Narada happened to come there at a certain juncture
while he was moving about here and there in the pursuit of
Kaivalya Yajna.
17. He was taken aback to see Mahadeva in penance in the
midst of water and his life-force to be completely taken over
by desire.
18. How could the performer of Vrata (i.e., the religious
activity connected with fulfilment of a mental resolve) be
afflicted with desire as Siva’s eyes evinced? How could it be
possible? Thinking like this the Sage (i.e., Narada) began to
ponder.
142 Skanda Purana

19. Visualizing that Maheswara’s (i.e., diva’s) enamourment


of Ganga was only through meditation which could be due to
fear of Gauri, he (i.e., Narada) got surprised.
20. Then he narrated all efforts of Нага, i.e., Siva and the
intention behind it to Gaun.
21. Then the Goddess hurried to the place where MaheSwara
was. Her eyes were red and so also her body trembling with
anger.
22. Seeing Maheswari (i.e., Siva’s better half) coming towards
the place where Siva was, with anger, Ganga with her devout
mind could understand everything and with fear spoke out.
23. She said, “With the Goddess being told about our being
together by Narada, she seemed to have come here with anger.
Hence, you please do whatever you consider fit in the
meantime.”
24-25. The gracious Mahadeva said, “O Jahnavl! (i.e.,
Ganga) the best action will be to go to my own abode in the
mountain i.e. the Himalaya and bring the sensitive lady (i.e.,
Parvatl) under control by propitiating her. Her loyalty to husband
will be evoked by such action instantly. Otherwise, along with
me, she will give a curse to you also.”
26. О virtuous king! as Rudra (an epithet of Siva) said so,
Jahnavl came out of the pool and then proceeding towards
Gauri, appeared before her.
27-31. Ashamed of herself and with folded hands, Ganga
bowed down before her to pay homage and then spoke these
golden words, “In olden time, when I fell off onto the Earth,
your beloved upheld me on his head. You must be aware of
this. As a result, he had a developed affection for the name
Bhagiratha. It was solely due to fear of you that our togetherness
was not possible. Now, О Goddess of gods! either as per your
words or as per the good and pure wishes of Rudra, i.e., Siva
that I have been called for here. It is as per the directions of the
Lord of the three worlds that I have come out before you to
bare open the truth.”
vii.IIl. 38. 32-41 143

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

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

Importance of Offering Barley to the


Worshipable Liiiga of Siva
Yayati said:
1-3. О bearer of spiritual knowledge! on the sidelines of
narrating the glory of this (the centre of pilgrimage) you had
stated in the very beginning that as a matter of obliging the
satisfaction of gods, Mahesvara founded his worshipable Linga
here permanently. The great soul Valakhilya had uprooted the
worshipable Linga at some juncture of time. But then how and
when Mahesvara again came back there? I have a great curiosity
in this regard. Accordingly, you the Great Sage, please speak
out appropriately. What goodness awaits upon men by a visit
there and by having a look of it?

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

10. The group of same women began to em brace the


worshipable Linga following it up with kissing and repeated
touching.
11. Yet, he is the detached supreme Sage and God Sambhu.
Pervading the entire world, he remains present in all living
beings with their bodies serving as his dwelling unit.
12. He, the Lord Sambhu therefore, was taking them ahead
with himself remaining in the front and all those women were
simply following his steps afflicted as it was with being
enamoured by him.
13. The Sage saw change in the women manifesting all the
possibility of their going wayward. Unaware as he was, the
great soul simply got enraged with Mahadeva.
14. Heated up with distress, he (i.e., the Sage) therefore, to
save his wives took out his curse on the worshipable Linga of
Siva saying ‘let this worshipable Linga fall down for having
caused such evils/sins’.
15. A mere sight of the worshipable Linga which is reason
enough for causing deceit among women is an immediate
enemy of the body. Hence, there should be a downfall for this
and let this Linga fall down.
16. With the omnipotent, i.e., unchangeable words of the
royal Sage, the Earth then began to shudder. The peaks on the
mountains began to crumble and with their submersion under
water, the land gave a terrible sight.
17. Then considering that the prevailing situation is adequate
enough for an untimely annihilation of the three worlds, all the
gods, О king! got frightened enough.
18-19. Then going to their grandfather, i.e., Brahma, all gods
said, “O supreme God! signs of final destruction are visible. О
best of gods and our Lord! we do not know what is this for”?
After hearing such words of theirs, Brahma receded into his
usual state of contemplation.

Then he (i.e., Brahma) said:


20-22a. All these difficulties and chaos having portents of
giving rise to fear, have been solely due to Valakhilya bringing
146 Skanda Purana

down the worshipable Linga of Pinaki (an epithet of Siva).


Hence, all of you gods accompany me there. The purpose of
our journey there is to restore the worshipable Linga to its pre­
designed place. Until that is done, the possibility of final
destruction of the world will continue.
22b-23. Speaking to one another like this, all of them i.e. the
gods reached the Arbuda mountain. The fallen worshipable
Linga was lying there in the hermitage of Valakhilya. To please
it the gods began to recite the varied hymns of the Veda.

The gods said:


24-29. Our homage to you О God among gods and the giver
of fearlessness to the faithful followers. Homage to you who
dwell in all and a reflection of all yajnas. Homage to you, О
God of all gods as well as the Supreme Light. Homage to you
О Creator! fit to be comprehensible either in the broadest or
subtlest way. О Trayamvaka, О Bhima, О the Bearer of the
best bow and arrow or the Trident in hand, all these are like
pearls tied up in a thread (of yours). Either the manifest
diversities in the world in their best forms including the mobile
as well as the immobile or hardly there is anything coarse or
subtle in the three worlds which is not encompassed by you.
The creation ranging from its evolution to dissolution can have
no other causal agent behind it except you, О Lord £aiiikara.
The world with its attendant difficulties and sorrows is but a
device as per your will. It will merge into your body subsequent
to its dissolution. Hence О God of gods! replant your
worshipable Liftga in the same region of the mountain where it
was there already for the welfare of subjects. Till that
materialises, damages will continue to accrue for the subjects.

The God said:


30-34. It is out of sheer indifference that Valakhilya has
uprooted this worshipable Linga of mine. How can I accept it
any further without its necessary purification. I can punish
Valakhilya appropriately as per my sweet will. But I consider
vii.lll. 39. 35-41 147

Brahmanas worthy of respect, О virtuous gods. My worshipable


Linga here is unmovable. This is the only fixed place for it and
I cannot think of any other way out. О Brahma! if you have
worshipped this worshipable linga previously, then all gods
followed by Brahmanas in due course will worship it here, as it
is. As a result, peace will return to the world encompassing the
mobile as well as the immobile.

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.

The gods said:


39-40. О God of gods! let the hurdles for all those evil-doer
humans on their road to Heaven be destroyed by a simple touch
of the worshipable Linga of yours here. О Lord and King of
the gods! let you wish so that Indra’s sword of thunderbolt acts
as a protective shield to this beneficial worshipable Linga of
yours.

The God (Siva) said:


41. О God bom of the lotus (i.e., Brahma)! suclT a wish has
been equally gaining ground in my mind. Let Indra—the King
of gods do so in the interest of growth and development of all
religions.
148 Skanda Purana

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

5 L ! h e results, of all these (given above) cannot even equal


a sixteenth part of the effect that accrues to one by obtaining
proxim ity of Mahegwara on that particularly auspicious
fourteenth day of the waning period of Moon in the month of
Phalguna (i.e., February).
52. О king! listen to an amazing incident which happened
there in olden time. Once upon a time, a man due to some sin
on his part got down with leprosy as a result of which his body
became frail and feeble.
53. For the sake of seeking alms, he came there joining a
crowd of people. Then there 0_king! he earned twelve ahjali*
barley as alms.
54. But due to pain in his body because of the disease, he
could not eat it. His body as it is was quite hot. So without
devotion he entered the water there for a bath and as the night
descended, he went up to sleep, keeping the barley beside his
head.
55. A dog came there when he was asleep and pulled it (i.e.
the carry-bag containing the barley) away and began to eat it
along with other hungry dogs.
56. But then О king! it is a matter of great wonder that he got
reminded of his belonging to the lineage of king of Vidarbha
and got bom in the same king’s home.
57. He was the best of kings by name of Bhima and was the
father of Damayantl. He was already aware of the effect of
barley there in that mountain.
58. Every year on the fourteenth day of the month of
Phalguna (i.e., February), he used to go there and observing
fasting and remaining awake throughout the night he used to
make invocation to the God.
59. He used to make offering of (plenty of) barley as well as
of gold to Brahmanas there nearer to the abode of unmovable
God. He also used to feed the same to animals including deer
as well as birds.

* 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.

The King told them:


63-64. In the form of dog, I had previously stolen barley
without faith. As a consequence of that I have got this life, О
best of Brahmanas. Now I am making the offering of barley
here with due faith. I do not know what fruits shall be reaped
out of this. (But) I am offering barley here out of this reason. I
am only doing this here in this centre of pilgrimage with the
sole purpose of regaining my faith.”

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

8. What more to mention about so many places of pilgrimage.


On his way to the countless centres of pilgrimage, the God saw
Kamadeva following from behind.
9. So О king! wherever the God went out of fear of
Kamadeva, he saw Kamadeva with his bow and arrow on his
(i.e. God’s) heels behind him.
10. As time moved on he (i.e., the God) reached the Arbuda
mountain again. There also he saw Kamadeva with his bow
and arrow pulled up in hand and intent for a fight. With his
focus fixed and himself following one path single-mindedly,
he (i.e., Kamadeva) seemingly emerged as an impediment, О
best of kings.
11. (As it is) the God was distressed for his beloved and his
peace of mind was disturbed. So seeing him (i.e., Kamadeva)
the God became angry in particular.
12. Then О king! due to excessive anger, fire emitted out of
the third eye of the Lord in which Kamadeva got burnt out
completely and turned up into ashes.
13. Then the king, with the extermination of Kamadeva, along
with his bow and arrow, the anger of Samkara subsided and
happiness again dawned on him.
14. Then evoking reverence of all gods, Samkara went to
the best of the mountains— the Kailasa. But Rati, the devoted
wife (of Kamadeva) got tormented within and remained
immersed in pitiable fear due to sorrow resulting from loss of
her husband.
15. Then the depressed woman after preparing the funeral
pyre for her husband ascended onto it to get herself dissolved
in the radiant fire for she was so distressed (by the loss of her
husband, О King). But as she stepped out to do so, a voice
echoed from above for the reputed lady.
16. The voice exhorted, “O daughter, do not get into any
such misadventure. Rather you, the beauty, get into arduous
penance by which you can appease Samkara and get back
Kama, your husband.”
vii.III. 41. 17-25 153

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

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Markandeya: the origin of his


place of hermitage

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

It is due to this reason that I laughed. I never pretended to act


as if I am on a stage with my enemies.”

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.”

The Sages said:


26-28. We were taking a round of the Earth in the context of
undergoing pilgrimage. In the course of our journey, we reached
the various centres of pilgrimage on the mountainous region
of Arbuda. When we reached here, this boy hurried up, came
before us and began to worship us. We blessed him saying
repeatedly ‘let you have long life’. But the God, on the fifth
day from now, death will occur to him. So let all of us including
you, the Four-faced Brahma, be not liars. О God! therefore
devise some way out.
29. Then with all pleasure Brahma looked at the sages, the
boy and said, “With my grace, this boy will attain life-time of
an era.”
30. Then all the sages with pleasure within paid their
reverence to the Four-faced God (i.e., Brahma) and returned
from Brahma’s kingdom taking the boy along towards his
abode.
31. Back at home, his father, the virtuous sage Mrukundo
highly distressed was weeping along with wife.
viUH. 42. 32-41 157

He i.e. Mrukundo said to himself:


32-33. О son! a great lover of religion, how could you
proceed on the great path of death leaving us behind. How can
you surrender to death without fully complying with and
completing the worldly duties? I can never live without you,
my son.
34. When the boy was on his return-path to home, his parents
stay put in their abode in the kingdom weeping continuously,
О virtuous king.
35. Very happy within, the boy returned back and seeing
him on the road back home, his father became very happy.
36. Then taking the boy onto his lap, the father asked him
the reason behind getting back so late. Then the boy began
narrating to him all the efforts of the sages, his taking a look of
the kingdom of Brahma and the Lotus-handed God, i.e.,
Brahma’s boon.
37-38. The boy said, “The Creator (i.e., Brahma) himself
has made me ageless and immortal. This is a fact. Thus the
fever of fear will end from your mind now. Henceforth, I shall
also worship the Four-faced God, i.e., Brahma in a similar way
(i.e. the way the sages did in the kingdom of Brahma). I shall
make this seat of hermitage of mine quite attractive in this good-
giver Arbuda mountain.”
39. Fully pleased hearing those nectar-like words from the
son’s mouth, the Brahmana Mrukando started to speak to him
like this.
40. He said, “I shall also hurry up and go there to the beautiful
mountain of Arbuda.” Thus Markandeya went up there to the
m ountain and kept him self engaged and engrossed in
meticulously meditating on the Forefather of gods, i.e., Brahma.
41. О king! fruits equivalent to the Pitrumedha Yajna (i.e.
the religious activity of making offerings to fire in connection
with remembrance of one’s forefathers) accrue to one by
observing the ritual of offering of water to one’s forefathers
here especially on the full moon day in the month of Sravana,
(i.e., during July-August).
158 Skanda Purana

42. О king! one who observes the ritual of offering water


here to Brahmanas by the particular method whereby Rusiyoga
(i.e., the yajna completed the same day) is performed, achieves
permanent abode for himself/herself in the kingdom of Brahma.
43. The fear of short life to anyone in his/her lineage will
never happen to him/her, who undergoes the religious ritual of
taking a bath here with usual faith.
CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

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

2. An auspicious pool full of clean water is there where


observance of the ritual of bath by man relieves him generally
of the crime of Brahmicide.
3. О king! if a man nurturing any desire in the mind goes
there to meditate on the same and after that observes the ritual
of taking a bath there, he not only attains the fulfilment of his
desires, but the sincerity of his faith enables him attain the
supreme passage.
CHAPTER FOURTY FOUR

Effect of Gaja Tirtha

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

Origin of eminent Devakhata

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

2. О king! one who observes the Sraddha ceremony here


especially on the New Moon day when the Sun is believed to
take its transit along four zodiac signs, attains that supreme
position. His forefathers falling victims to their respective bad
deeds are also facilitated to tide over the same.
CHAPTER FOURTY SIX

Eminence of Vyasa Tirtha

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

Greatness of the Hermitage of Gautama

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

4. In coincidence with the same, an incorporeal voice was


heard from the above saying, “As a result of your devoted
worship the big worshipable Liiiga has come into presence.
You may ask for the conducive boon that is persisting in your
mind.”
5~6. Gautama said, “Let it be one of your volitions Sambhu,
the Lord of the World, to remain always close to this hermitage,
if you are pleased with my devotion, О Lord. May those who
look at you here with all truthfulness of devotion, go to the
world of Brahma.”
7. The voice from above said, “One coming here to take a
look of me on the fourteenth day in the waning period of Moon
in the month of Magha (i.e., January) will obtain the ultimate
passage, the best of Brahmanas.”
8. О king! having said like this, the voice went into abeyance
i.e. stopped and the pool there got filled with sacred water. By
fulfilling the religious ritual of taking a bath there, a man always
facilitates the members of his entire clan cross over the worldly
river.
9. If one performs the religious ceremony of Sraddha here
especially in the waning period of Moon, one is sure to attain
the same fruits successfully as that of Sraddha performed at
Gaya.
10. The Sages have sung the glory of making offer of sesame
here. The king, it is said that a man is entitled to a stay of
equivalent number of years in the heaven matching the number
of the sesame made in the offering.
11. Jupiter remains on transit in the Zodiac sign of Leo on
the New Moon day falling specially on Monday during the
pilgrim age of the herm itage of Gautama. A vailing the
opportunity of a bath here especially on that Monday results in
obtaining the same result as that of the twelfth bath in the river
Godavari.
12. The outcome of the ritual performance of taking bath in
the Bhaglrath river for sixty thousand years gets accomplished
by a single bath here in Godavari river on the day when Jupiter
transits in the Zodiac sign of Leo.
162 Skanda Purana

CHAPTER FOURTY EIGHT

Eminence of Kulasantavana Tfrtha

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.

His Forefathers said:


7-9. Following good dealings, we have always remained
intent followers of religious righteousness. Inclined to make
offering through charities, performance of Yajfia and penance,
we uninterruptedly observe the principle of generosity. By our
own deeds we have got the Heavenly Kingdom. But the same
is getting shattered by you as a black sheep. As a bad son, you
are giving effect to the advent of Hell for us. Hence, you must
at least perform something good and adorable. Otherwise all
vii.lll. 48. 10-20 163

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

21. The king asked, “O best of Brahmanas! please describe


with all clarity as to how one’s forefathers already in the Hell
can successfully cross it over to reach Heaven by fitting deeds
as a good son.”
22. The Brahmanas said, “O king! with the performance of
Pitrumedha Yajna (i.e., the Sraddha ceremony connected with
remembrance of one’s forefathers) as per due religious
procedure (by a son) forefathers, even of those committing
sins, obtain the passage to Heaven.”
23. The king said, “O Brahmanas! (please) give me the
necessary instructions by which I can fulfill the resolve taken
up in mind for the same. Whatever duties that may be required
on my part for that purpose and to be followed serially, please
speak out.”
24. As the king said like this to the Brahmanas—the adherents
of truth, they explained to him the necessary details and about
the rituals of yajnas in totality.
25-29. (They, i.e., the Brahmanas said): The best of kings,
first of all, you need to acquaint yourself with the lessons (of
Veda) in this regard and have to adopt yourself to the same
completely. By this your body will be purified and become
desirably fit for the same. You, the king, have embraced evil
deeds since childhood and have committed innumerable sins.
Hence, you engage yourself in pilgrimages. With the sprinkling
of water on yourself through a bath in all centres of pilgrimage
and the attended repentance, you, the king can be virtuous and
fit to perform yajna. There is no other way than this. You go to
all centres of pilgrimage including the one by name Prabhasa
on the surface of Earth. After visiting all such places of
pilgrimage, have a bath everywhere with good faith. With heart
within visit the centres of pilgrimage accompanied with making
offering of gifts/presents there. W hatever bad deeds, get
destroyed by this with the arousal of the perception of Brahma
within. О king! without the observance of ritual of taking a
bath through pilgrimage, no fruit accruing to bad deeds of men
can be destroyed.
villll. 48. 30-39 165

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

Eminence of Rama TIrtha

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

6-10. With a gentle smile on him, he, the Bearer of a flag,


post on the back of a bull (i.e., Lord Siva) told him (i.e.
Parsurama) ‘O son of Jamadagni! listen to these powerful words
of mine. When you carry this weapon, you will remain invincible
to anybody corporeal. This will happen out of my grace О
Bhargava. There can be no doubt about this. This waterpool
will bring about welfare of both the mobile and immobile in
the three worlds out of my grace. It will be famous as ‘Rama
tirtha’. The fruits of Pitrumedha Yajna will accrue to one who
performs the ‘Sraddha’ ceremony here with mind and body
together especially on the Full Moon day in the Month of
Kartika, i.e., November having conjoining of the Krutika Star.
All enemies of a king will get destroyed with him having
unfading years of stay in the Heaven.”

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

significance specially in fulfilling the goal of destruction of the


Ksatriyas.
CHAPTER FIFTY

Impact of Koti Tirtha

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

sacrificial fire here yield three crore times the results/fruits in


comparison to other places of pilgrimage.
CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

Greatness of Candroudbheda Tlrtha

P u lastya said:

1. Then the best of kings, follow up your pilgrimage by a


visit to that place where the Moon pierces out to bloom. Brought
into being by the Lord of the night (i.e., Moon) this centre of
pilgrimage takes away sins of humans.
2. О king! after Lord Visnu severed the head of Rahu, he
out of enemity had taken the vow on himself to eat away the
Moon and the Sun to cause eclipse.
3. Then visualising that the demon (i.e., Rahu) was on a
venture to drink the unobtainable nectar, the Moon was taken
over by fear and he headed towards the interior region of the
Arbuda mountain.
4. Then piercing the surface of the mountain he made a well-
entrenched burrow and remaining inside the pit he kept himself
engaged in austere penance.
5. Then in the course of all-mighty time Mahesvara became
pleased to appear before him and said that he might put forward
the boon wished for in mind towards his welfare.
6-11. The Moon said, “O the best of gods! Rahu has taken
the vow to devour me. He is very strong and as a son of lioness
he is indomitable by nature. The virtuous God, he has at present
drunk the nectar and has taken hold of me who, as it is
unaccessible. Earlier, when he failed in the race for nectar
among the gods, he tried his best and entered the same race in
the guise of assuming the form of God onto himself. However,
as he, the rogue, managed to have the nectar for himself, he
became free from death. That is how he became a source of
170 Skanda Purana

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

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

The Commanding Peak of the Mountain

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

10. Without reacting to the attendant, the gods left quickly.


But they sent ‘air’ in disguise there asking him to tell (Lord
Siva).
11. They told, “Air, go near Siva and ask him not to produce
offsprings for the gods themselves are pleading for the same
out of fear.”
12. Then ‘Air’ hurried to the place where MaheSvara was
there for the time being and told him the words aloud as desired
of him by the gods.
13. The God (i.e., Siva) then became very ashamed of
himself. He immediately left the company of Gauri, got up and
proceeded ahead saying it would be like that.
14. Gaurl then became too unhappy to curse the gods.
15-16. Gaurl said: “Like the gods having come here, have
deprived me of offspring, similarly they would also be deprived
of children. As Air has come to this place which is prohibited
for people, he will thus remain without body forever.”
17. After saying like this, the Goddess who was full of anger,
took a deep breath, left her husband behind and headed for the
meritorious Arbuda mountain.
18-20. With her body and mind together, she engaged herself
in penance there for a son. Then after a passage of thousand
years, MaheSvara along with Indra and other gods came before
her. Indra told her with all humility, “The God 6iva out of his
own feeling of shame desisted from getting intimate with you.
Now he has come back. You evince your greatness by making
him your own gracefully.”
21. The Goddess said, “The King of gods, my husband left
my side as per your words which was conveyed to me in the
flow of time. Only after getting a son that I shall again come
near him.”
22. Apprised of her determination in this manner, the God
(i.e., Siva) himself came before her and asked her with a gentle
smile to be kind towards him.
23-27. (The God said): О beautiful-faced Parvati! the all­
round welfare of gods has always remained my pursuit either
(be it) as a gift of vision on my part or as my words. I have only
vii.lll. 52. 28-36 173

prevented you from having an untimely son. О Goddess of


gods! your efforts at our physical union were only in the
direction of having a son. Darling, a son will be bom out of
your own body. Without any doubt, it is going to materialize
on the fourth day (from now) by virtue of my grace. The
Goddess of gods, putting together the dirt collected from
different parts of your body, you can give shape of a form and
appearance as per your sweet will. Assuming many forms, he
will be the cause of fulfilment of all gods and especially of the
demons as also of the mortals.
28. After the Three-eyed God’s (i.e., diva’s) saying like this,
the Goddess of gods (i.e., Gaun) became satisfied and began
getting into rounds of conversation with her husband in an
effective manner.
29. Then the king, as the fourth day approached Parvatl taking
the body smear with all curiosity in her hand, gave shape to
Four-handed Vinayaka as per the words of Нага (i.e., Siva).
30. The given shape got life coincidentally as per the words of
Нага. Then the great king, the same turned out and became the
leader of all mortals on earth. That is how its fame began to spread.
31. Glorified as Vinayaka, he became an object of worship
of the inhabitants of three worlds. From the mouths of all gods,
he was named ‘Vinayaka’.
32-36. Then all gods got themselves engrossed in
performance of activities dear to the Goddess. Then the king,
to bless the Goddess with a boon they said, “This son of yours,
the Goddess, will always remain in the forefront of us. After
complying with his worship at the first instance that all gods
will be fit for acceptance of their respective worship. The very
act of worship here in this pleasing summit of the mountain is
auspicious. Taking a look of it takes away all sins of humans.
Those who take a bath here in the good and welfare-causing
water of the pool will attain the ultimate place, devoid of old
age and death. A bath here, backed with all sincerity and
earnestness on the third day of the waxing period of Moon in
the month of Magha (i.e., January) will be like welcoming
happiness beyond the span of seven rebirths.”
174 Skattda Parana

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

Origin of Centre of Pilgrimage with Brahma’s foot

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

on it for a little longer while retaining a bit of smile on his


person at the same time.
8. Then leaving his own appointed place Brahma came to
the pleasing interior of the mountain. Then as Brahma began
to speak to all the Sages, the characteristic definition with all
associate attributes followed.

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

17. О king! there is another highly unusual thing about the


Foot here after listening to which people get very surprised.
18. О king! despite the opportunity for expansion in the epoch
of Krta, the numerical growth of the white-complexioned
among the human race could not be ascertained (who might
have paid their homage to Brahma’s Foot here).
19. As the epoch of Treta approached then humans with
brown complexion could be visible. About them it is well-stated
that most of them and in good number used to pay their homage
to the Brahma’s Foot here.
20. In the epoch of Dvapara it (i.e., the worshipable Foot)
became light bearing a reddish tinge while in the epoch of Kali
this became very small with a black colour in this pleasing
interior of the mountain.
CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

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

4. After this as the Lotus-born, i.e., Brahma began to take


steps towards Puskara, Vasistha then began to tell him.

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

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

Greatness of Rudra Lake

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

Greatness of the Lord of Caves

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

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

Greatness of the Undivided Region

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

2. О king! those who worship the matrimonial relations here


with utter faith and belief will never have misfortune to affect
them beyond the span of seven rebirths.
CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

Impact of the Mahoujasa Tirtha

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

The impact of Jambu Tfrtha

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

6. The earthly being! hearing that, the king Nimi became


mentally very upset, as he, on his part, had never taken a dip
before in the pools of water at centres of pilgrimage.
7. Then he asked the best of Brahmanas to suggest him a
way out with regard to any particular centre of pilgrimage which
would yield him the results equivalent to all centres of
pilgrimage.
8-10. Lomasa said, “A sense of mercy for you has got onto
me, for as I look at you the king, I understand you to be
excessively sad. I shall do all that dear to you to help you on
pilgrimage. Through the power of invocation, I can bring forth
all places of pilgrimage here on this island of Jambu without
any doubt. О king! have a bath here in this conjunction of all
centres of pilgrimage. It is a fact that a bath in the pool of water
here in this island beckons welfare.”
11. Having said so the Brahmana Sage got engrossed in the
cycle of meditation. Then all the centres of pilgrimage instantly
became evident there.
12. The manifest Jambu tree there strengthened the faith of
the king in the Royal Sage’s efforts. Then becoming convinced
that the place has a confluence of all centres of pilgrimage, the
king took bath there.
13. After completing the religious ritual of having a bath
there, the king then could be able to proceed to Heaven along
with his body in fact. Since then this place of pilgrimage has
been remembered as the Jambu Tlrtha.
14. The fruits of the Sraddha, i.e., ceremony conducted in
connection with remembrance of one’s forefathers by a man
here on that particular day of Sun transiting in the Zodiac sign
of Virgo has been described to be of same importance as that
of fruits accruing to the same ceremony at Gaya by the Great
Sages.
vii.III. 61.1-3—62.1-3 183

CHAPTER SIXTY ONE

Eminence of Gangadhara Tirtha

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

4. After saying so, Gauri then hurried up and went to the


mountain in search of the worshipable Linga (of 6iva). After
making efforts for a long time in this regard, she could finally
get hold of one.
5. That is after coming across a hollow space in the beautiful
mountain resembling the shape and size of the hollow space in
the human body above the hip bones, the king, Gauri thought
that the same would serve her purpose of a worshipable Linga
of Siva and she began to worship it for a month.
6. Then seeing her earnest love Mahesvara became pleased
and appeared in person before her asking her to put forward
the boon sought by her, to him.
7-10. Gauri said, “O God, out of jealousy for a rival wife, I
perceived this hollow space in the mountain similar as a
worshipable Linga and then prepared myself to worship it.
Hence let this be worthy of worship in the world as KateSvara.
Let any woman either deserted by her husband or very distressed
for having a rival counterpart of hers in matrimony be freed
from torment soon after her visit here and having a look of
this. Blessed with the fortune of a son, let her son be as dear to
her as her husband. The God! you had already granted a similar
boon consequent to Ganga’s worship. Hence, let the two
worshipable Lingas here deserve a look of the rulers of men,
i.e., the kings equally. Let it, in particular, kill the weak point
of any woman regarding a rival wife in matrimonial relations.
Always a giver of happiness and good fortune, let this confer
wish fulfilment on all men.”
vii.Hl. 63.1-9 185

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE

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.

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