The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Greatness of Bhadrakali-Balarka which is chapter 292 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 ninety-second chapter of the Prabhasa-kshetra-mahatmya of the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 292 - Greatness of Bhadrakālī-Bālārka
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Īśvara said:
1-4. O great goddess, Bhadrakālī performed elaborate penance at a place which is towards the north of that holy spot named Kaurava (? misprint for Kaubera) and with great devotion she installed Ravi (Sun-god).
He who adores him devoutly on a day when Sunday coincides with seventh lunar day by means of red flowers and unguents, shall acquire the merit of performing a crore of Yajñas. He is relieved of all ailments arising from disturbed humours of Vāta (Wind) and Pitta (Bile) as well as other virulent diseases.
A horse should be gifted there by those who wish to obtain the merit of a perfect pilgrimage.