The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Nimbeshvara and Shakambhari which is chapter 275 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 seventy-fifth chapter of the Tirtha-mahatmya of the Nagara-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 275 - Nimbeśvara and Śākaṃbharī
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Sūta said:
1-4. Duḥśīla thus built the shrine of Śiva after the name of his preceptor i.e. it became well-known as Nimbeśvara. It was in the southern direction.
He did everything with great devotion and always remembered his lotus-like feet.
His wife had the name of Śākaṃbharī. Durgā was installed by her after her own name. After these activities, they had some cash left with them which they gave over to Brāhmaṇas for conducting the worship of the deities. Thereafter, the couple ate and sustained themselves with alms.
5-8. After some time Duḥśīla passed away. Śākaṃbharī took his body and entered the (sacred) fire, O tiger among kings, with unfaltering mind.
They got into an excellent aerial chariot attended upon by excellent celestial damsels, and went to heaven with hair standing on end due to great delight.
He who reads this excellent narrative pertaining to Duḥśīla becomes rid of all sins incurred by deeds unwittingly committed.