The Skanda Purana

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

This page describes The Greatness of Nandahrada Tirtha which is chapter 140 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 hundred fortieth chapter of the Reva-khanda of the Avantya-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 140 - The Greatness of Nandāhrada Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-6. Thereafter, O great king, a devotee should go to the excellent Nandāhrada where the glorious Goddess Nandādevī, bestower of boons, became a Siddha.

Formerly there was a notorious Dānava Mahiṣāsura with a huge body in Kṛta Yuga. He caused terror unto the Devas. He was killed by the Trident-wielding Goddess. His body was pierced with the spear.

It was this powerful Asura who, in Kṛta Yuga, defeated eleven Rudras, (twelve) Ādityas, along with the group of (forty-nine) Maruts, (eight) Vasus along with Moon-god and Sun-god. He defeated Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara.

When the terror of the Devas was thus killed in a fierce battle, Goddess Nandā of wide eyes, after the terrible slaughter, took her bath in the Hrada (pool). Hence it is remembered as Nandāhrada.

He who takes his holy bath there in that Tīrtha and offers gifts to Brāhmaṇas with Goddess Nandā in view, shall attain the merit of performing an Aśvamedha.

7-11. Bhairava, Kedāra, Mahālaya Rudra and the fourth one Nandāhrada (are the excellent shrines). A fifth one is very rare to find.

Many who are overwhelmed by Kāma and Rāga do not know that Hrada in Narmadā which is meritorious and destructive of all sins.

If a person takes his holy bath there, in that Tīrtha, and worships Goddess Nandā, of what avail is the departure unto Himālaya to him?

Those who are ignorant of reality, wander here and there as they are enveloped in Tamas. One experiences only tiresomeness in associating with them.

O son of Kuntī, by taking the holy bath in Nandāhrada, O king, one attains that merit which is mentioned as the merit of taking holy bath and offering Dāna everywhere on the earth encircled by the oceans.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: