The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Greatness of Yayatishvara (Yayati-ishvara) which is chapter 39 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 thirty-ninth chapter of the Tirtha-mahatmya of the Nagara-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 39 - Greatness of Yayātīśvara (Yayāti-īśvara)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Sūta said:
1-2. There is an excellent Liṅga installed by King Yayāti to the north of Dhundhumāreśvara. There is another Liṅga installed by Devayānī and Śarmiṣṭhā, his wives. It is the bestower of all cherished desires.
3. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, when he was completely satisfied with all worldly pleasures, he entrusted his son[1] (Pūru)with the kingdom and gave back his youthful form.
4. He took back the old age of his physical form. Accompanied by his two wives, he went to the excellent Sage Mārkaṇḍa and requested him humbly:
5. “O holy Sir, describe unto us the most important and holiest of all the Tīrthas and holy spots.”
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:
6. It appears to us that the holy spot of Camatkārapura which is adorned by all the Tīrthas is the most important of all holy spots.
7. O excellent king, Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā, the destroyer of the sins of all creatures, and the gods including Hara, are themselves present there.
8. O excellent king, similarly all other Tīrthas stationed on the earth are present there permanently.
9. For the delight of Brāhmaṇas, a big rocky slab fifty-two Hastas in extent has been left there by Pitāmaha.
10-11. Whereas an auspicious rite performed elsewhere yields fruit (benefit) in the course of a year, O Lord of the earth, the same does there in a single day.
So, O Lord of the earth, go there quickly and perform a penance there in the company of your wives. By it you will attain the worlds cherished in your heart.
12. On healing his words, the king, the son of Nahuṣa, went to the holy place of Camatkārapura accompanied by both of his wives.
13. He installed the Liṅga of the Trident-bearing Lord of Devas and propitiated it well with the utmost faith.
14. Then, by its power, the king accompanied by his wives went to heaven riding in an excellent aerial chariot.
15. Kinnaras sang about him and Cāraṇas eulogized him. Emulating Devas he had the lustre of twelve Ādityas.