The Skanda Purana

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

This page describes Greatness of Karnotpala Tirtha which is chapter 127 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 twenty-seventh chapter of the Tirtha-mahatmya of the Nagara-khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 127 - Greatness of Karṇotpalā Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1. The lady named Karṇotpalā was mentioned by you. She had gone to some water-pond and engaged herself in penance. Do tell us everything connected with her and also the details of her penance.

Sūta said:

2. She resorted to the feet of Gaurī and was endowed with great faith. Girijā, the beloved wife of Śaṅkara, became pleased.

3. Then she said: “Dear daughter, I have become pleased with you. Say what is desired by you, so that I can grant it to you even if it is extremely difficult to get.”

Karṇotpalā said:

4. O goddess, my father had been very miserable in seeking a husband for me. He ceased to be a king, lost his happiness and had no kinsmen.

5. He became disgusted and detached, so performed a penance. I have become old, yet I continue to be a confirmed virgin.

6. Hence, O goddess of Suras, with your favour, let someone be my husbanḍ—someone who is most handsome among all the Devas and human beings.

7. Further, let me regain youth and beauty, with your favour, so that even as a sage my father should be happy.

The Devī said:

8. On the third lunar day in the month of Māgha, when the splendid day of Saturn coincides with the constellation Dhaniṣṭhā, you shall meditate upon beauty and youthful form.

9. Then you should take your holy bath in this meritorious water-pond. Thereby you will attain a divine physical form as well as the prime of youth. There is no doubt about it. It is the truth that is spoken by me.

10. O highly esteemed lady, any other woman who takes her bath on that day, shall also become endowed with beauty.

11. After saying thus, the goddess disappeared. She too began her quest for the third lunar day coinciding with a Saturday.

12. She wanted eagerly that day to coincide with the constellation Dhaniṣṭhā. She continued her meditation on the goddess, the bestower of all desires.

13. After a few days the third lunar day had such a combination as mentioned by the goddess earlier, O Brāhmaṇas.

14. Then she meditated upon exquisite beauty, prime of youth and a desirable husband. She entered the pond at midnight.

15. Thereby she attained the prime of youth as well as a divine physical form. She came out of water causing surprise unto all the people.

16-18. In the meantime, Lord Kāma who was enlightened in this respect by the words of Gaurī came there joyously to claim her as his wife. He said: “O highly esteemed lady, I am Kāma himself present before you. Hence, as commanded by Pārvatī, be my wife. Do not delay. O Lady of splendid nature, since I came near you with great Prīti (pleasure), you shall become my wife well-known by the name Prīti.”

Karṇotpalā said:

19. If this be so, O Smara, go to my father and request him yourself since no girl can act independently as she pleases.

20. Yonder, not very far away, is seen a beautiful palace. My father is engaged in penance within it.

21. I shall go there before you and stand by my father. You will come there later and request him for me.

22-24. When Kāma said “So be it”, she went (ahead) near her father. After bowing down to him, she said: “Dear father, fortunately exquisite prime of youth has been regained by me after propitiating the beloved of Hara. So perform my marriage and be satisfied in your heart. A very handsome husband has been sent by the goddess for my sake. The Flower-bowed One (god of Love) himself has come to you, dear father."

25-26. On seeing his daughter blessed with youthful form, extremely pleased in the company of her lover, he said: “Dear daughter, now my penance has become fruitful. O splendid lady, my life is blessed, since you have regained prime of youth and a covetable husband, the mind-born Kāma himself, bestowed, by the goddess.”

27-28. In the meantime, Kāma came quickly to his presence and said: “O king, give me your daughter of beautiful smiles. O excellent king, I have been ordered by Gaurī herself in regard to this lady. I am well known as Kāmadeva by whom the three worlds have been enchanted.”

29. Then, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, at the instance of Brāhmaṇas, the king offered his daughter to him keeping the Fire-god as witness.

30. Since the splendid-eyed lady became the object of his love, being second only to Rati, the auspicious fair lady became Prīti by name.

31. Since the lady had performed her penance in that holy pond, it became well-known all over the earth after her name.

32. A woman who performs holy ablution during the whole of the month of Māgha, or a man who gets up early in the morning and takes his bath, shall attain the benefit of (bath in) Prayāga.

33. In every birth he will be handsome and expert and efficient in everyting. Never will he be separated from his kinsmen.

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