The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes The Son of Dharmaraja 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 Tirtha-mahatmya of the Nagara-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 140 - The Son of Dharmarāja
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
The sages said:
1-2. O Sūtaja, it has been mentioned by you that Yama would beget a son in human form. Who was born so?
Sūta said:
A son was born to him in the wife of Pāṇḍu on the earth. He was well-known all over the world as Yudhiṣṭhira. He was a leader of all the Kṣatriyas.
3. After rendering all the kings as the payers of tribute (to him) by means of his valour, he performed Rājasūya Makha with the full complement of monetary gifts.
4. Further, he made a horse wander all over the earth and performed five Aśvamedhas with the full complement of monetary gifts. Afterwards he attained the highest goal.
5. Ṃany sons should be sought after so that at least one of them may go to Gayā. Or one should perform Aśvamedha Yajña or release a blue bull ritualistically.
6. This noble-souled one requested of me that he should be one having a son who will perform great Aśvamedha sacrifices.
7. Thanks to that son, the Lord of Dharma can consider himself contented as having fulfilled his tasks. Of what avail are hundreds of other sons who never redeem the race?
Sūta said:
Thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, everything concerning The birth of the son of Dharmarāja has been narrated to you all. This narrative a great augmenter of virtuousness.