The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes Greatness of Three-eyed in the Pond of Bhadrakarna which is chapter 8 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 eighth chapter of the Arbuda-khanda of the Prabhasa Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 8 - Greatness of Three-eyed in the Pond of Bhadrakarṇa
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Pulastya said:
1. O best of kings! then one needs to visit the great pond known as Bhadrakarṇa where the bearer of the three lustrous eyes is even visible now-a-days in many stones.
2. There is the Liṅga of Śiva on the Western side of that Bhadrakarṇa pond by seeing which a human being becomes like the Three-eyed One.
3. There was one by name Bhadrakarṇa in olden times who was counted among those dear to Śiva. He had founded this Liṅga and constructed this pond.
4. At some point of time, he had gone along with many others to fight the demons counted as dear to Śiva.
5. Being frightened, they all left. Skandha fled away from the scene when other solders got killed. Virabhadra [Vīrabhadra?] lost out and the final victory appeared imminent.
6. The demon Namuci by name and stronger among the demons ran towards Saṃkarji with sword and spear in hands.
7. Seeing the demon coming from the front, Bhadrakarṇa told him ‘Stay where you are.’
8. This stronger one cut his spear and sword by his own sword. O king! then the demon got wounded under the influence of anger.
9. The wounded demon then entered the dense darkness (i.e. became unconscious) and fell down on the ground like an axed tree.
10. Then coming near Lord Śiva the hurt demon stood up. God Śiva got pleased to see that the demon was still remaining steadfast on the observance of religious and moral duties.
The benevolent God said:
11. O demon! I am satisfied with your power and especially your adherence to moral and religious duties. You can ask for that specific boon in your mind.
Bhadrakarṇa said:
12. O great God! let there be your closeness to the Liṅga I have founded on this Arbuda mountain and you remain fixed in this pond.
The gracious God said:
13-14. There will be my closeness to this Liṅga and pond on the fourteenth day of the waning period of moon in the month of Pausa [Pauṣa?] i.e. January. One who takes a bath in this Bhadrakarṇa pond and follows it up with a look of Śaṃkara diligently, will certainly attain that eternal place.
15. Hence, with all efforts one needs to have a bath there. The man who worships this Liṅga of Śiva goes to the abode of Śiva.