The Skanda Purana

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

This page describes Durvasas Curses Samba which is chapter 100 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 hundredth chapter of the Prabhasa-kshetra-mahatmya of the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana.

Chapter 100 - Durvāsas Curses Sāṃba

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the shrine of Sāṃbāditya situated to the north of those two (Daṇḍapāṇi and Cakradhara) and to the north-west of Brahma in the form of a boy.

O most excellent lady among Suras, the deity was installed by Sāṃba. In this Dvīpa, there are three holy places of Lord Bhāskara (the Sun-god). The first one is Mitravana by name. Then the next is called Muṇḍīra and the third one in Prabhāsa Kṣetra is Sāṃbāditya.

4. O great goddess, the city called Sāṃba in that holy spot is the second permanent abode of the Sun-god there.

5-6. Due to his affection for Sāṃba and in order to bless the people, Arka (the Sun-god) stays there with a twelfth part of his self for the purpose of general welfare. He views all the worlds always with a friendly eye. The Lord himself (directly) accepts the adoration duly performed.

The Devī said:

7. Who is this Sāṃba? Whose son is he? Wherefore is the city of Ravi (Sun-god) named after him? Wherefore does this person of meritorious activities get the boon granted by the Thousand-rayed Lord?

Īśvara said:

8-9. There are highly powerful twelve Ādityas (Suns) shining. Among them the Lord named Viṣṇu is well-known in all the worlds. This omnipresent Lord attained the status of being the son of Vasudeva.

10. Sāṃba was born as his powerful son of Jāṃbavatī. Vehemently cursed by his father, he contracted the fell disease of leprosy. The Sun-god was installed by him and a city was built after his own name.

The Devī said:

11. For what reason was the son cursed by the father himself? O Lord, the reason cannot be insignificant because he cursed his own son.

Īśvara said:

12. Listen with attention to the reason for the curse given to him. There is a holy sage named Durvāsas, born of my own part.

13. That holy sage was moving about wandering in the three worlds. Then he came to Dvārāvatī and the people gathered before him.

14-15. Sāṃba who was arrogant due to his handsome features, saw the sage who arrived. The sage was tawny-eyed with matted hairs. He was emaciated, rough and very ugly. By looking at him and touching him, he insulted the sage. The stupid fellow saw his face and made his face appear similar. The most excellent one among the members of Yadu’s family did thus because he was proud of his youthful features.

16. Thereat, the highly refulgent Durvāsas, the most excellent one among sages, became furious. Shaking his face (head) the holy sage spoke to Sāṃba:

17. “After looking at me and finding me ugly you became all the more proud of your handsome features. You showed your haughtiness by imitating my appearance and manner of walking. Therefore, you will be overpowered by the fell disease of leprosy ere long.”

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