The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Greatness of Naradeshvara Bhairava which is chapter 152 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 fifty-second chapter of the Prabhasa-kshetra-mahatmya of the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 152 - Greatness of Nāradeśvara Bhairava
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Īśvara said:
1. The third Bhairava has been extolled. Now listen to the efficacy of the fourth Bhairava stationed within a distance of three Dhanus on the western side of Brahmeśa.
2. The deity subdues all sins. He bestows all desired things on men. He is named Nāradeśvara because the idol was installed by Nārada.
3-4. The great exalted sage Nārada was staying in the world of Brahmā. He saw the great divine Vīṇā (Lute) with ten thousand strings. It was left there by Sarasvatī. It was highly refulgent. On seeing it, Nārada became curious and played on it.
5. While the strings were being played seven Brāhmaṇas fell down from there. They were well-known as Svaras (notes), Saḍja etc.
6-7. On seeing them Nārada was dismayed and he let off the lute. He then asked Brahmā: “O Lord, what is this miracle? While the strings were being played these Brāhmaṇas have fallen on the ground. O Lord, who are these Brāhmaṇas? Why do they lie down as though they are dead?”
Brahmā said:
8. O highly esteemed one, these are the seven Svaras who have fallen down unconscious. Because of your ignorance of playing properly, you have committed a great sin.
9. You have committed the sin of the slaughter of seven Brāhmaṇas. Hence, O sage, hasten to the excellent holy spot of Prabhāsa.
10-12. For the riddance of all the sins, ḍo propitiate the Lord of Devas.
On being told thus, Nārada expressed his regret frequently and grieved over this. He came to the holy spot of Prabhāsa. After reaching Brahmakuṇḍa, he assiduously adored Bhairava for a hundred years in accordance with the reckoning of Devas.
O my beloved, he became free from sins and became fully conversant with the art of singing.
13. Ever since then, O goddess, the Liṅga became well-known as Nārādeśvara Bhairava in the world. O great goddess, it is destructive of all sins.
14. One who, out of ignorance, wrongly plays on the Vīṇā and the notes, O Maheśvari (Maheśvarī?), shall go there for redemption from the sin thereof.
15. He who observes fast in the month of Māgha and worships Nāradeśa Bhairava thrice a day, becomes charming unto beautiful damsels of heaven.