The Skanda Purana

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

This page describes Greatness of the Deity Suparna which is chapter 83 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.

Chapter 83 - Greatness of the Deity Suparṇa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1-3. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, I shall narrate to you a miracle that occurred there formerly. It has been cited in the Purāṇa.

Formerly there was a king of the Solar dynasty named Veṇu. He was a person of vicious mind, always afflicted by lust and engaged in committing sins.

Royal charters and grants awarded to noble-souled Brāhmaṇas by other leading kings formerly were forfeited by him.

4. Many women and widows in particular were ruined by him. So also beautiful virgins as well as those belonging to his own family.

5. That sinful king never allowed anyone to propitiate deities or adore them. Neither Yajña, nor Homa, nor Vedic Studies (Svādhyāya) were permitted by him.

6-7. He used to tell all the people: “Worship me always. There is no one superior to me, whether a Deva or a Brāhmaṇa. If I am pleased, everything that all of you cherish in your hearts whether good or bad, shall become realized in this world undoubtedly.”

8. Unarmed persons with implicit faith in him, were killed by him. Those who sought refuge in him were forsaken. All persons became overcome with fright

9. On seeing the groups of enemies assembled for a great

fight, he forsook the duty of a Kṣatriya and he used to flee to save his own life.

10. Persons other than thieves were held captive by him and thieves were given protection. Good people were always subjected to torture and their wealth and property were confiscated.

11. He did not observe any Vrata with a mind sanctified by faith. He did not offer anything to Brāhmaṇas nor did he perform any Yajña at any time.

12. Thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, while the king continued to be engaged in sinful activities, a severe fell disease of leprosy attacked him resulting in the ruin of the family itself.

13. As he was assailed by the disease and as he had no son or grandson, the cousins suddenly attacked him and seized his kingdom.

14. He became isolated and abandoned by all the groups of friends. Then they banished him from the kingdom. He was forced to go out on foot.

15. He was abandoned thus by all due to his sinful activity, even by his wives and close relatives, remembering his past (mis) deeds.

16. Caught in this grievous plight he wandered alone and ultimately weary with hunger and thirst, he reached this place in the holy spot.

17. He came near the palace (shrine) of the deity (called Suparṇa) and in that state of starvation itself he ceased to live.

18. Thereupon he assumed a divine body. Seated in an excellent aerial chariot, he went to the world of Śiva that is rarely attained even by righteous persons.

19. Attended upon by celestial damsels, eulogized by Kinnaras and sung about by Gandharvas, he got stay near Śiva.

20. On seeing him very near, Gaurī asked respectfully: “Who is this meritorious person, O Lord, who has come to your palace? What excellent deed has he performed that he has come here in all glory with holy ash smeared over?”

Śrī Bhagavān said:

21. This is a king named Veṇu who had been committing sins on the earth. He was afflicted by the fell disease of leprosy.

22. Abandoned by his wives and all close relatives, he was attacked by groups of his enemies. Wandering everywhere he ultimately came to the palace of the deity Suparṇākhya (Suparṇa by name).

23. Exhausted by starvation, he reached the shrine sanctified by my presence. Ultimately he breathed his last in that auspicious shrine.

24-26. He reached this place on account of that. What I say is the truth. O lady of excellent complexion, anyone else who observes fast and gives up his life there shall attain a glory and prosperity superior to everything else.

You see here, O goddess, all these Gaṇas of mine standing at my sides. All these had performed Prāyopaveśana there. Even worms and moths, animals, birds and beasts, liberated from their vital airs, come near me.

Sūta said:

27. On hearing the statement made by Lord Śaṃbhu, Pārvatī was overwhelmed by wonder in her heart. She said, “Excellent! Excellent!”

28-30. Ever since then all the persons on the earth desirous of salvation came there from far-off countries and gave up their life there by means of Prāyopaveśa.

Endowed with great faith, they attain the greatest Siddhi, although they might have been sinners.

Thus everything regarding the greatness of Suparṇākhya has been narrated to you. It was heard by me from my father. It is destructive of all sins.

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