The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes The Greatness of Shakreshvara (shakra-ishvara-tirtha) which is chapter 61 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-first chapter of the Reva-khanda of the Avantya-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 61 - The Greatness of Śakreśvara (śakra-īśvara-tīrtha)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:
1-10. Thereafter one should go to the well-known meritorious Sakratīrtha on the southern bank of Narmadā. It is destructive of all sins.
Formerly a very severe penance was started by Śakra at that Tīrtha itself. With great devotion he performed penance with Lord Maheśvara in view.
Propitiated thereby, O king, the Lord, the Consort of Umā, granted him the over-lordship of Devas, the excellent kingdom and the destruction of Dānavas.
It (the boon) was acquired by Śakra, O king, by the power of Narmadā Tīrtha. Thereafter the Tīrtha became the most meritorious one on the earth.
By observing fast on the thirteenth lunar day in the dark half of the month of Kārttika with devotion, one is rid of all sins.
O dear son of Pāṇḍu, the devotee is released from the sins (evil effects) caused by inauspicious dreams, ill omens, malefic Planets and Śākinī (a kind of evil spirit).
O great king, there is no doubt that congenital sins of those who devoutly visit Śakreśvara, perish. Undoubtedly sins accrued due to a sexual approach to a woman who should not be so approached, marrying one who should not be married and killing one’s master or a friend, perish. The auspicious gift of a cow should be made to a leading Brāhmaṇa. Or a yokable bullock beautiful in every limb should be given, O king. This should be given with great devotion by one who desires residence in heaven. Thus the entire benefit of Śakreśvara has been recounted to you, O king.