The Skanda Purana

by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words

This page describes The Greatness of the Name Padmavati which is chapter 44 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 forty-fourth chapter of the Avantikshetra-mahatmya of the Avantya-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 44 - The Greatness of the Name Padmāvatī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: As verses 32-34 explain, this city became the permanent residence of Padmā at Mahākālavana. Hence the city came to be known as Padmāvatī. The story of Amṛta-Manthana is used here to show that the distribution of gems from the sea (and Amṛta) took place at this place.

Sanatkumāra said:

1. Henceforth I shall explain how it (Ujjayinī) became Padmāvatī. Listen with respect, O Vyāsa, to the highly meritorious story.

2-13. Once there was a great loss of precious gems due to wicked souls. There was loss of and obstruction to (the practice of) righteousness due to (the activities of) wicked Dānavas.

Then the ocean was churned by the Suras and Asuras who worked in collaboration. Meru (Mandara?) became the central shaft, the ocean the vessel and the serpent Vāsuki the churning cord.

They placed the main plant of activity on the back of the (divine) tortoise and churned out the precious gems. Lakṣmī came out at the outset and was handed over to Kṛṣṇa (Viṣṇu).

On account of this there was much disappointment among the Devas and Dānavas. In the meantime, there came Nārada, the divine visionary.

The quarrel of the Devas and the Daityas was restrained by him. “Let that Padmā born of the ocean be in the Mahākālavana. There are different kinds of gems. I shall gather them together and hand over to you all. Let the ocean be churned quickly. No hesitation should be herein.”

The Suras and Asuras made further effort for the sake of Amṛta (nectar).

As the ocean was being churned by them, the Kaustubha gem was acquired, the divine Pārijāta tree thereafter and Surā (liquor) emerged thereafter.

Then Dhanvantari rose up. Then the moon came up. Thereafter Kāmadhenu was born and the jewel of an elephant afterwards.

The most excellent one among horses viz. Uccaiśśravas; then Sudhā and Raṃbhā thereafter. Afterwards the bow Sāraṅga (Śārṅga?) arising from all missiles.

Then the conch Pāñcajanya which remains in the hand of the enemy of Mura. Then this treasure Mahāpadma; then the poison Halāhala.[1]

All the fourteen precious jewels were acquired. They took all these with them and went to Maheśvara Vana.

14-15. After going there, they sat together and had consultation with one another. They were overwhelmed by the desire to be the first claimant.

A chaotic noise arose. Nāraḍa came again on the scene. On seeing their unhealthy quarrel, he began to propitiate Viṣṇu.

16-19. Hari assumed the fascinating form of a woman and came there. She was an extremely beautiful young lady. On seeing her the great Asuras became the target of the arrows of Kama (god of Love). Their entire bodies, and limbs became excited. In the meantime, Sureśvara (Indra) gave them the Surā (liquor). With a sleight of hand he gave the Amṛta to the Devas. In the meantime O Vyāsa, Rāhu assumed the form of one of the gods, went in their midst and drank the excellent Amṛta. On knowing it, Viṣṇu quickly cut off his head with his discus.

20-24. Due to the contact with Amṛta the Asura did not die then. O excellent sage, in this holy place, Rāhu and Ketu are also well-known.

Plenty of blood arising from the body of Rāhu flowed out. In that holy spot it turned out to be a great Tīrtha that destroys all defects.

If persons who take their bath there, become pure and visit Rāhu they are never harassed by Rāhu at any time. The devotee attains the desired objective and obtains the benefit of the gift of a thousand cows.

The Suras then shared those precious gems (among themselves) and became enjoyers of excellent jewels. Nārada gave the (Kaustubha) jewel, Padmā (Lakṣmī), the Śārṅga bow and the Pāñcajanya conch to Viṣṇu.

25-28. To the Sun-god, he gave the seven-faced horse, the horse that arose from the ocean. He gave over Airāvata, the excellent elephant, to Vāsava (Indra). He gave Pīyūṣa (Amṛta) to the groups of heaven-dwellers and the Moon to Śaṃbhu. He placed Pārijāta, the excellent tree, and Raṃbhā, the excellent woman, in Nandana, the beautiful pleasure park of Indra. He gave the cow Kāmadhenu to the sages for the sake of the fulfilment of the (requisites of) Yajñas. Thus treasure Mahāpadma went to the abode of Kubera. What is named as Halāhala poison was not respected (sought after) by any one.

29-31. Wherever it (Halāhala) spread, the creatures began to die there. With a desire for the welfare of all the worlds, Śaṃbhu took in that poison. Ever since then Mahādeva is remembered as Nīlakaṇṭha. If a person takes his holy bath in the Ratnakuṇḍa and visits Nīlagrīva, he shall be rid of all sins and shall become an enjoyer of all jewels. After obtaining the merit of performing a hundred horse-sacrifices, he shall go to Śivapura.

32-34. After taking it, all the Suras with Brahmā and Viṣṇu as their leaders, became much delighted in their minds, O Vyāsa, and said thus: “After approaching Ujjayinī, we had become enjoyers of jewels. Due to the residence of Padmā, we enjoy all happiness. Hence let Padmā stay here permanently for all times. From today this city is (to be) remembered as Padmāvatī.

35-36. Those blessed ones who perform holy ablution, Dāna, adoration, libation to gods and Pitṛs, will never incur any sin or disaster or poverty. They will redeem from hell a hundred families.

37-39. One who seeks wealth, one who seeks a son, one who seeks learning, one desirous of plentifulness (or love) must remember Padmāvatī, wherever he may happen to be present physically. He shall obtain all desires. That man shall directly become Śiva. O Vyāsa, this is the benefit of the name. What then (will he not acquire) by serving it for a long time?

Those who listen to the meritorious story and those who recite it daily, shall never have any sin. They may obtain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The order of emergence of these “jewels” is different in the Mbh and other Purānas.

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