The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Greatness of Devamatrigauri (Devamatri-gauri) which is chapter 185 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 eighty-fifth chapter of the Prabhasa-kshetra-mahatmya of the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 185 - Greatness of Devamātṛgaurī (Devamātṛ-gaurī)
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Īśvara said:
1-3. Thereafter, O great goddess, a devotee should go to the shrine of the immutable Devamātṛ (Mother of gods) who has assumed the form of Gaurī. It is on the south-western side of Maṅkīśa. This Devamātṛ is sung about (by) the name of Sarasvatī.
There, Goddess Sarasvatī is stationed on the Pādukāsana (foot rest). In the form of Gaurī, she has the physical form resting on Vaḍavā. (submarine fire).
Devas were protected by her like a mother from the fear of this submarine fire. Therefore, the Devas made her famous by the name Devamātṛ.
4. On the third lunar day in the month of Māgha a devotee, whether man or woman, should worship her. The woman should be a chaste lady with self-control. The devotee shall obtain' all desired objects.
5. He who feeds a couple with milk pudding, sugar etc. shall obtain the benefit of a feast given to a thousand Gaurīs.
6. There, a golden sandal should be gifted to a Brāhmaṇa of good habits.