The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Greatness of Gaurishvara (Gauri-ishvara) which is chapter 69 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 sixty-ninth chapter of the Prabhasa-kshetra-mahatmya of the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 69 - Greatness of Gaurīśvara (Gaurī-īśvara)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Devī said:
1. The Liṅga of great renown that has been mentioned by you as Gaurīśvara is very excellent. Where is that Liṅga situated, which when adored bestows great benefit?
Īśvara said:
2-3. Listen, O goddess, I shall explain the sin-destroying greatness of Lord Gaurīśvara, the bestower of all cherished desires.
This penance-grove of Gaurī is well-known, O goddess, and is highly lustrous. On the whole, it extends to an area of fifty-five Dhanus.
4-5. There, in the middle, is stationed the goddess standing on a single foot as she is engaged in penance. To the north thereof and within four Dhanus distance is stationed the Liṅga that dispels fear from sin.
A man who adores, with devotion, the Liṅga especially on the eighth lunar day of the dark half, shall become rid of sins.
6. Gifting cows to a eminent Brāhmaṇa here is highly commended. So also is gifting gold. Especially, gifting of cooked food (is recommended) for quelling all sins.
7. By visiting that Liṅga, one is rid of all sins whether one is a slayer of cows, murderer of a Brāhmaṇa or perpetrator of evil crimes.