The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Index to Kashikhanda which is chapter 100 of the English translation of the Skanda Purana, the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas, preserving the ancient Indian society and Hindu traditions in an encyclopedic format, detailling on topics such as dharma (virtous lifestyle), cosmogony (creation of the universe), mythology (itihasa), genealogy (vamsha) etc. This is the one hundredth chapter of the Uttarardha of the Kashi-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 100 - Index to Kāśīkhanda
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Suta said:
1. I am exceedingly satisfied on hearing this excellent Kāśīkhaṇḍa of the Skanda-Purāṇa. It has been retained in the heart.
2. O Son of Parāśara, narrate the chapter covering the Anukramaṇikā as well as the excellent Māhātmya (greatness of the Kāśīkhaṇḍa) in order to make this like the previous one.
Vyāsa said:
3. O righteous-souled Sūta, O Son of Jātukarṇi, listen. May the Sons Śuka, Vaiśaṃpāyana and others also listen.
4. I shall narrate the chapter of Index and contents as well as the Māhātmya of this Khaṇḍa for the purpose of dispelling sins. It enhances the merit.
5. The conversation of Vindhya and Nārada has been mentioned in the first (chapter). The power and greatness of Satyaloka has been cited in the second (chapter).
6. The arrival of the Devas to the penance-grove of Agastya (chapter third), the conduct of chaste women (chapter 4) and the departure of the Pot-born One (chapter 5).
7. The praise of the Tīrtha (chapter 6), then the seven cities are remembered (chapter 7); the nature of Saṃyaminī (chapter 8), and thereafter the world of Bradhna (Sun-god) (chapter 9).
8. Then Śivaśarman’s arrival at the worlds of Indra and Agni (chapter 10). Then the origin of Agni (chapter 11). Thereafter the origin of Kravyāt (i.e. Nirṛti) and Varuṇa (chapter 12).
9. The origin of the lords of Gandhavatī (Capital of Vāyu) and Alakā (Capital of Kubera) (chapter 13), and the arrival of the Brāhmaṇa Śivaśarman in Candraloka (chapter 14).
10. Then the tale of the stellar world (chapter 15). Then the origin of Śukra (Venus) (chapter 16). Then the description of the worlds of Māheya (Mars), Guru (Jupiter) and Sauri (Saturn) (chapter 17).
11. The world of the Seven Sages (chapter 18), the penance of Dhruva (chapter 19), the arrival of Viṣṇu (chapter 20) and the arrival at the world of Dhruva (chapter 21).
12. Sivaśarman’s vision of Satyaloka (chapter 22), the coronation of the Four-armed Lord (chapter 23), Śivaśarman’s Salvation (chapter 24).
13. The conversation between Skanda and Agastya begins (chapter 25); the origin of Maṇikarṇikā (chapter 26). Then the greatness of Gaṅgā and the hymn of Daśaharā (chapter 27).
14. The efficacy of Gaṅgā (chapter 28), the thousand names of Gaṅgā (chapter 29). Eulogy of Vārāṇasī (chapter 30). The manifestation of Bhairava (chapter 31).
15. The origin of Daṇḍapāṇi (chapter 32), the origin of Jñānavāpī (chapter 33). The anecdote of Kalāvatī (chapter 34), then (rules of) good conduct (chapter 35).
16. Brahmacāriprakaraṇa (Duties of celibate students) (chapter 36), the salient characteristics of women (chapter 37). Prescriptions and prohibitions (chapter 38). Description of Avimukteśa (chapter 39).
17. Then the duties of a householder (chapter 40). Review of Yoga (chapter 41). Kālajṅāna (chapter 42). The story of Divodāsa (chapter 43).
18. Description of Kāśī (chapter 44). Description of Yoginīs (chapter 45). Narration (legend) of Lolārka (chapter 46). The story of Uttarārka (chapter 47).
19. The greatness of Sāṃbāditya (chapter 48); the eulogy of Drupadāditya (chapter 49) as well as Mayūkhāditya. The story of Garuḍa (chapter 50), Aruṇārka etc. (chapter 57) including the Sun-gods, viz. Vṛddha Keśava, Vimala Gaṅgādityas.
20. The Tīrtha of Daśāśvamedha (chapter 52). The arrival of the Gaṇas from Mandara (chapter 53). Legend of Piśācamocana (chapter 54) and deputation of Gaṇeśa (chapter 55).
21. Māyāgaṇapati described (chapter 56). The manifestation of Ḍhuṇḍhi (chapter 57). The series of Viṣṇu’s Māyā and Divodāsa being sent to Kailāsa (chapter 58).
22. The origin of Pañcanada (chapter 59); the origin of Bindumādhava (chapter 60). Then the greatness of Vaiṣṇava Tīrthas (chapter 61).
23. Departure of the bull-emblemed, trident-bearing Lord of Kāśī from Mandara (chapter 62). The dialogue of Jaigīṣavya and Maheśa at the Jyeṣṭha Sthāna (chapter 63).
24. Then the narration of the secret of the holy spot which destroys sins (chapter 64). The origin of Kandukeśa and Vyāghreśa (chapter 65).
25. Then is the story of Śaileśvara (chapter 66); the vision of Ratneśa (chapter 67); the origin of Kṛttivāsas (chapter 69).
26. The Adhiṣṭhāna of the deities (chapter 70); the exploits of Durga (Demon) (chapter 71); Victory of Durgā (Goddess) (chapter 72). Then the description of Oṃkāra (chapter 73).
27. Further description of the greatness of Oṃkāra (chapter 74). The origin of Trilocana (chapter 75). The power of Trilocana (chapter 76). Narration of Kedāra (chapter 77).
28. The greatness of Dharmeśa (chapter 78). The story of the birds (chapter 79). The narration of Viśvabhuja (chapter 80). Then the story of Durdama (chapter 81).
29. Then the narration of Vīreśvara (chapter 82). Further greatness of Vīreśa (chapter 83). Gaṅgā in combination with the Tīrthas (chapter 84). Then the greatness of Kāmeśa (chapter 85).
30. The greatness of Viśvakarmeśa (chapter 86); the beginning of the Yajña of Dakṣa (chapter 87); Satī casts off her body (chapter 88); then the origin of Dakṣeśvara (chapter 89).
31. Then the glorification of Pārvatīśa (chapter 90); then the greatness of Gaṅgeśa (chapter 91); the origin of Narmadeśa (chapter 92).
32. The origin of Satīśvara (chapter 93); the description of Amṛteśa etc. (chapter 94), Vyāsa’s arm benumbed (chapter 95). Redemption of Vyāsa’s curse (chapter 96).
33. The groups of holy spots and Tīrthas (chapter 97). A detailed narration of Muktimaṇḍapa (chapter 98). The manifestation of Viśveśa (chapter. 99). Then the Yātrā Parikrama (order in the pilgrimage) (chapter 100).
34. Thus the hundred narrations have been enumerated in due order. On hearing this alone the benefit of the entire Khaṇḍa is acquired. In this chapter covering the contents, there is Yātrā Parikrama.
Sūta said:
35. Narrate the Yātrāparikrama, O excellent son of Satyavatī, with a desire for the welfare of the people desirous of the respective Siddhis.
Vyāsa said:
36-40. Listen, O highly intelligent Lomaharṣaṇa. I shall tell you how the pilgrimage is to be joyously performed first by Pilgrims. [2]
[IV. Bath and Darśana of 14 Liṅgas]
[Pilgrimages of Gaṇeśas, Bhairava etc.]
100. These Yātrās should be performed by the residents of the holy spot with great faith. During the days of great festivals especially, the Yātrās should be performed.
101. The Kṛtin (one who wishes to be blessed) should never make the day deficient in Yātrās. Two Yātrās should be assiduously performed everyday.
102-104. Certainly it is bath in the celestial river at the outset and then (visit to) Viśveśa. If while staying in Kāśī, the day has been spent in vain, the Pitṛs become disappointed on the very same day. He is indeed bitten by the serpent of Kāla (death, time). He is seen by death to be sure. He is robbed, if he does not visit Viśveśa on that day. He who bathes in Maṇikarṇikā and visits Viśveśa, has bathed in all the Tīrthas.
105. Truth! Truth! Again it is the truth, truth, truth again and again! Viśveśvara should be seen everyday and Maṇikarṇikā should be bathed in.
[Phalaśruti (Fruit of hearing etc.) of the Kāśī Khaṇḍa]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
VV 36-40 describe the first (shortest) Pañca-Tīrthikā Yātrā. It is limited to five Tīrthas only.
[2]:
VV 53-54 delimit the sacred-most part of Vārāṇasī.