Skanda Purana

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

This page describes The Greatness of Naga Tirtha which is chapter 65 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 sixty-fifth chapter of the Avantikshetra-mahatmya of the Avantya-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 65 - The Greatness of Nāga Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vyāsa said:

1-2. O holy Sir, earlier the Nāga Tīrtha was referred to by your renowned good self. I wish to hear further the greatness of that Tīrtha also from you, O most excellent one among those who know Brahman. At what time did this excessively glorious Tīrtha come into existence. Tell me in detail.

Sanatkumāra said:

3-4a. Listen, O Brāhmaṇa, I shall recount to you the most meritorious story of Nāga Tīrtha. It is highly destructive of sins. Merely by listening to it, a man shall be liberated from curses.

4b-5. Formerly serpents were cursed by their mother, and they slipped down. They were burnt by Janamejaya but were rescued by Āstika. Then, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, they asked the son of Jaratkāru:

Nāgas said:

6-7. O Brāhmaṇa, with your favour we have been saved from fire in this Yajña of Janamejaya in the presence of the king of Devas. O scorcher of enemies, desirous of our prosperity (mention some place) for our residence where it shall be free from fear.

Āstika said:

8-15. O excellent maternal uncles, listen to what is in your best interest. There is a holy spot known as Kuśasthalī in the beautiful Mahākālavana. To the south thereof is an eternal ancient Tīrtha. It is said that earlier it was the abode of Nāgas where Hari is present. That eternal Brahman, Hari, has resorted to Yoganidrā and lies down there. He is well-known as Śeṣaśāyī (‘one who sleeps on Śeṣa’) and is praised with hymns in all the worlds.

The defects of the Kalpa do not bother the people there. Sage Bakadālbhya performed penance there observing great Vratas. Lomaśa of excessive splendour and the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya who attained longevity are stationed there alone.

Due to the power of Mahākāla, Kālacakra does not function there. In that excellent Tīrtha, Kapila has attained Siddhi. From the despicable Cāṇḍāla state, Hariścandra became liberated. The excellent seven great sages attained salvation there. For this reason, may ye all take rest there forever. The defect due to your mother’s curse will not harass you there.

16-18. On hearing these words of Āstika, a great sage, those excellent serpents quickly went to that place for residing there. They were Elāpatra, Kaṃbala, Karkoṭaka, Dhanañjaya, Vāsuki the most excellent one among serpents, Takṣaka, Nīla, Padmaka, and Arbuda. All these serpents came here and made their own respective abodes. For a long time, they continued their Vratas.

19. O excellent one, great and beautiful Tīrthas sprang up there. They made new Kuṇḍas that became Tīrthas.

20-21. They say that these Tīrthas are destructive of great sins. They bestow great merits. There Siddhas, Gandharvas and sages of esteemed Vratas, are always served by groups of celestial damsels. Śeṣa, the great Nāga, mentioned earlier by the sage, is also present there.

22. Where the lotus-eyed Lord Viṣṇu is stationed, is lying on Śeṣa, there all the Tīrthas are always present on the earth.

23. That is well-known as Śvetadvīpa where the ground is paved with jewels and where the trees all-round are meritorious and in full bloom.

24. Birds of various kinds such as swans, Kāraṇḍas, crows, cuckoos, Sārasas (cranes) and peacocks dance about among the lotus ponds.

25. The splendid Nidhi (treasure) Mahāpadma is rendered fragrant by the wind wafting the sweet scent of blue lotuses. It is reverberating with the songs sung by Kinnaras.

26. Sura women of great culture and sophistication sport about there. It is a place adorned by beautiful Nāga girls. It is extremely wonderful.

27-28. By taking his holy bath there, a man goes to the splendid abode of Vaikuṇṭha. Where Hari, the consort of Ramā lies, there is a Tīrtha named Ramāsaras. It is extremely splendid. By taking his holy bath there a man becomes glorious. Not otherwise.

29-33. Thus, O Vyāsa, is that spot destructive of all sins. Here itself is the great Tīrtha and Āśrama (hermitage) of Bali. It is wonderful. Hari is present there. Snāna etc. should be performed there. Immediately a man becomes rid of all sins and purified in the soul. Those who make a gift of land of any size there attain eternal worlds and imperishable prosperity for as many years as there are hairs (on one’s body).

The worship of Nāgas is to be performed on a Monday, or on the fifth day or a new-moon day in the month of Śrāvaṇa. Śrāddha is performed on a new-moon day. The Śrāddha has everlasting benefit. All desired things will be attained.

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