The Skanda Purana

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

This page describes The Finale of the Reva Khanda which is chapter 232 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 two hundred thirty-second chapter of the Reva-khanda of the Avantya-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 232 - The Finale of the Revā Khaṇḍa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1-7. Thus, O Brāhmaṇas, the excellent greatness of Revā has been recounted to you as imparted to the son of Kuntī formerly by Mārkaṇḍeya.

So also the groups of the Tīrthas with special characteristics in some have been recounted by me in the proper order and the due number.

This is unparalleled in sanctity. This is highly destructive of sins. The story of Narmadā and the greatness spoken by the sage is meritorious.

O leading sages, the intelligent son of Mṛkaṇḍa, the Brāhmaṇa who survived seven Kalpas on Narmadā was the most excellent one among those who know the Highest Reality.

Formerly after resorting to all the Tīrthas and all the rivers, he sought refuge in Revā whom he saw as one who remembers many Kalpas, one born of the physical form of Śiva and one about whom Śarva said, “This is my Kalā (digit).” She is a divine river without old age and death, the great destroyer of Daityas. She is endowed with great power, is a destroyer of worldly existence, the very Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā) of Bhava.

He (i.e. Mārkaṇḍeya) had great and excellent devotion towards her and he became free from old age and mortality.

8-18. O excellent ones, sixty crore sixty thousand Tīrthas are established on both the banks together step by step.

All round there are thousands of rivers with Tīrthas therein. But, O leading sages, I think they never come on a par with Revā.

O Brāhmaṇas, thus everything that was asked by you has been recounted to you, which originally the Wind-god told the sages after having himself heard directly from the mouth of Maheśa.

Similarly the son of Mṛkaṇḍa too after seeing the sacred river along with the Tīrthas step by step narrated it to the son of Pāṇḍu.

Thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, the meritorious story of Narmadā, very rare in all the three worlds, has been narrated to you.

Of what avail is the water of the thousands of other rivers, if the water of Revā that destroys sins is resorted to?

A person who resorts to the water of Mekalā attains permanent salvation.

Even as a man resorts to it always with faith or without it and undertakes pilgrimage to the Tīrthas, he will invariably obtain whatever he wishes.

This water of Narmadā is directly Brahmā, Hari and the great Hara. This is the Brahman without form, the Kaivalya (state of being the Absolute).

The Tīrthas and the rivers that bestow pleasing benefits may roar only as long as Revā and the eager service thereto is not remembered by men during Kali Age.

Certainly, for the sake of the welfare of the world, this Revā, a power in the form of a river, has been caused to issue forth from his own body by Śiva.

Yajñās, forests and holy shrines etc., roar much only as long as the glorification of the name of Narmadā is not carried out in the Kali Age.

19-30. The weight of austerities, Dānas, Vratas and other things is reckoned only so long as the river born of Bharga is not resorted to by men on the earth.

Those who stay on the northern bank are the followers of Rudra (and go to Rudra’s region). Those who stay on the southern bank attain the Vaiṣṇava Loka.

They are blessed, they are the excellent ones who reside in the lands where this Narmadā flows continuously, this Narmadā that is capable of destroying Narakas. It is created by Śiva himself.

Those who drink the meritorious water originating from the river of the Consort of Pārvatī, are really meritorious. They never meet with grief.

O Brāhmaṇas, one who listens to or glorifies this unparalleled sacred story of Revā, is rid of all sins.

The benefit thereof is eight times more than the benefit obtained when all the Vedas along with the six Aṅgas recited in the Pada and Krama order are listened to.

By listening once to the story of Revā one obtains that benefit which a performer of Sattra lasting twelve years obtains.

By listening once to the greatness of Revā, one gets the benefit of plunging into all the Tīrthas, Oceans etc. This narrative is conducive to piety. It is most excellent of all scriptures. If it is written (copied) and kept in the house by any person of any caste, in any village, city, rural zone or region of land, that man is Brahmā, that man is Śiva, he is Lord Janārdana himself.

This is the path of piety, wealth, love and salvation, resorted to by Devas. It is the preceptor of preceptors. It is the great scripture causing the achievement of perfection.

31-39. A devotee should always listen to this Purāṇa uttered by the Lord. A Brāhmaṇa shall become well-versed in the Vedas; a Kṣatriya becomes victorious; a Vaiśya becomes wealthy; and a Śūdra becomes pious.

By listening to this a woman obtains conjugal felicity and good progeny and also glory, happiness, heavenly residence and rebirth in a most excellent family.

The following sinners are liberated from sins: a person who discriminates in seating people in rows at the time of meals, the ungrateful, one disloyal to one’s master, one who deceives friends, a slayer of cows, an administerer of poison, one who sells one’s daughters, a Brāhmaṇa-slayer, an imbiber of liquor, a thief, one who lies on the bed of the preceptor. These and other sinners listening to the story of Narmadā and resorting to the river for a year, shall undoubtedly be liberated from all sins.

One who spoils cooked food, one who cooks wastefully, one who censures Devas and Brāhmaṇas, a slanderer of parents, preceptors, good people and king—all these undoubtedly are liberated from sins.

Those persons of purified souls who listen everyday to this sacred narrative pertaining to Narmadā and worship it with flowers, fruits, sandal-paste etc., diverse kinds of food offerings, do get great benefit. If this sacred story is honoured, it is as though Devas and preceptors are honoured.

40-49. This benefit happens here as well as in the other world. No hesitation need be felt in this respect. Hence by means of all efforts one should worship devoutly this sacred book and a person who reads it must be honoured with scents, garments, ornaments, etc., and also the book, Revā-Māhātmya. In regard to the auspicious story of Narmadā, one obtains that benefit which is usually obtained through study of the Vedas and the maintenance of Agnihotras.

By listening to the story of Narmadā one gets that merit entirely which is obtained in Kurukṣetra, Prabhāsa, Puṣkara, Rudrāvarta, Gayā, Varāṇasī in particular, Gaṅgādvāra, Prayāga, the confluence of Gaṅgā and the ocean and other similar Tīrthas. The story of Narmadā is auspicious in the beginning, middle and end. Listen to the great benefit that one who devoutly listens to it gets.

After reaching the shrine of Śiva, he will become an attendant of Rudra. He will be surrounded by virgins of Devas. He will rejoice with Śiva.

This is a narrative of reighteousness. It is meritorious. It is the most excellent of all narratives. O excellent ones, it should be read in the house of anyone of the four castes. I consider his house blessed. The householder and the family are also blessed. If any devotee honours the book about Narmadā, it is as though Narmadā too is honoured and also Lord Maheśvara. If the reader is honoured, Devas and sages too are honoured.

50-55. A man who causes the entire excellent story of Narmadā to be written and gifts it to a Brāhmaṇa obtains the benefit of plunging into Narmadā and all other Tīrthas. There is no doubt about it.

This story is an ornament unto all the scriptures. This Purāṇa is narrated by Rudra. It accords the benefit of great merit, heavenly pleasures and sons. It is conducive to wealth, fame and glory.

It augments piety and longevity. It destroys misery and evil dreams. It bestows all the Siddhis and cherished things on those who read and listen to. If this Purāṇa of great merit gifted by one is read by Brāhmaṇas the devotee stays in Śivaloka for as many years as there are letters in the Purāṇa.

Thus this story of Narmadā has been narrated well by the chief sage Sūta. Originally it was obtained by the Wind-god from the mouth of Śarva and narrated to others. It is worthy of being known by all the three worlds. Sūta narrated this in front of the sages and the Kulapati.

:: The End of Revā Khaṇḍa ::

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