Word

Skanda Purana

Sanskrit

स्कन्द पुराण

IAST

skanda purāṇa

In General

Skanda Purana is the largest of 18 Maha Puranas and is only second to Mahabharatha in number of slokas. This Puran contains 88100 verses and is divided into seven parts as Maheshwar, Vaishnava, Brahma, Kashi, Avanti, Nagar and Prabhasa Khanda. Skanda Purana got its name from Skanda (Kartikeya) the son of Lord Siva whose mission to kill the demon Tarkasura form the main story of the Purana. Skanda Purana contains a number of legends about Lord Siva and the holy places associated with him.

The origin of Skanda Purana is right from Lord Shiva himself as he had first revealed the contents of Skanda puran to Parvati at Kailash Mountain. Sri Parvati narrated this tale to her Son Skanda. Then Skanda in his turn narrated to Nandi and Nandi to sages like Sanakadi Rishis and finally Sanaka narrated it to Veda Vyasa. Vyasa taught this purana to his disciples and Sage Romaharsha, the deciple well versed in Purana published this purana to the congregation of Rishis at Naimisharanya. He spoke about the various incidents related to Maheswara, Vishnu and Brahma as well as the significance of Maha Kshetras like Kasi, Avanthya and Prabhasa.

Skanda Purana describes the Shaiva tradition in various places including the Hemakuta region (near Vijayanagar) of Karnataka, Varanasi, and in Purusottamakshetra (near Puri). It gives history and geography of India beyond Vindhya and up to Sinhala (Sri Lanka). The dialogue between Sage Markandeya and Yudhistir on Rajneethi is a part usually quote from Skanda Purana.

Purana

Contents of Skanda Purana

Description of Lord Shiva’s glory. Glory of Linga and perjury of Brahma Installation of Shiva linga in Kashi and Avanti (Ujjain). Description of the life and plays of Lord Vishnu. the Kedara Khanda. the Kaumarika Khanda . The yajna (sacrifice) of Prajapati Daksha. Devi Sati’s self-immolation and Daksha Yagna destroyed. Significance of Siva Puja- Similarity of Three Murtis. Danavas defeat Devas, churning of Ocean and Emergence of ‘Amrit’. Devas regain Swarga, Indra commits dissolves sin and reinstated. Vritrasura vs. Indra and Sage Dadhichi’s illustrious sacrifice.. Ravanas worship of Lord Siva. Zodiac description. Tharakasur getting boon. The birth of Goddess Parvati. Siva test parvati's devotion. T Lord Shiva getting married with Parvathi. The birth of Kartikeya The killing of the demon Tarakasura by Kartikeya. Kartikeya's remose. Killing of Pralamb. Kaalbhiti’s austere penance. King Karandham and Mahakal. Execution of Shumbh, Nishumb and Mahishasur. Parvati receive Arunachaleswar’s grace.

Venkaṭacalamahatmya Tales related to Lord Vishnu’s life and plays.Narada tells virtues of vishnu. Manifestion of Padmavati. Padmavati become lord Hari's consort. King Parekshith. Krishna Tirth. Anjana’s penance at Akashganga Teerth. Purusottamaksetramahatmya Description of holy places of pilgrimage at Purushottam Tirth (Jagannath Puri). Lord Vishnu advises Lord Brahma to go to Purushotam Kshetra.Markandeya Eulogizes Vishnu. Vidyapati eulogizes Lord Neelmadhav. Indradyumna leaves Purushotam Kshetra. Indradyumna reaches Ekamrachetra. Indradyumna eulogizes Neelmadhav. Nadad installs idol of Narashimha. Indradyumna performs Aswamedha Yaga. Jagannath Idol is carved out. Consecration of the Idols. Rath Yatra Kartikamasa mahatmya Benefits of fasting. Glorious effects of ritual bathing in Kartik, Margasirsamasamahatmya. Vaishakamasamahatmya. Description of subjects like knowledge, asceticism, devotion, moral conduct, cleanliness, Varnashrama (four phases of life), Pativrat, Yagya, donation, expiation, glory of observing Sivaratri and Fast. AUM defined. Symbolic representation of 52 letters.

Setumahatmya sethu bandha at Rameswaram. Rameshwar Linga. Dharmaranya Kshatra. Loss of moral values in Kaliyuga. Significance of Chaturmasa vrat. Importance of abstinence during chaturmas. Rituals pertaining to shodash upachar. The tale of Hayagreeva.. Significance of ‘Daan’ (Charity)-Its Profile and Fruits. Narada seeks replies to a questionnaire and bestows Brahma’s Charity to Kalaap Village’. Holi theertha at Prayag and Manikarnika ghat in Kasi. Significance of well at Gyaanwapik. Details of Pranayama. King Indradyumna and his ‘Satsang’ Group. The famed ‘Shata Rudreeyam’. Skanda’s ‘Vijaya Sthambh’ (Tower of Victory) and ‘Siddha Saptaka’. Mahakaal blesses Kumari, Kalabhiti and Karandhama. Procedure of Siva Puja. Shraddh (offering to the dead ancestors). Description of various places of pilgrimage. Ayodhyamahatmya. vasudevamahatmya . Vindyachal obstruct the path of Surya. Agastya orders Vindyachal to diminish its size. Kasi the sacrosanct place of worship. Lord Kartikeya describe the majestic Kashi. Origin of Kasi.

Avanti Kshetra Mahatmya. The grandeur of Avantipuri. The decent of Narmada. Narmada’s Origin, significant events ascribed to the River and her Mahatmya. Narmada marries Purukutsu. Manu receives a boon from Narmada. Jamadagni receives Kamadenu. Description of Hell. Description of Avanti( Ujjain) where both Ganga and Yamuna pass through.Viswamitra sends mortal Trishanku to Swarga. Shankha Tirtha, Achaleswara / Siddheswara Lingas. Most Significant ‘Siva Kshetras’ as identified by Maha Deva. Origin of Kedar Kshetra and its importance.

Origin of Agni and jouny to great centre Mahakal. Sage Sanatkumars intellectual discussion with Vyas. Story of Jamadagni’s son Parasuram. The killing of Pralambasura. The queries of Karamdham. The killing of the demons Shumbh, Nishimbh and Mahishasura. Dharmaranya Mahatmya-Sadachari Brahmanas, SandhaVandana, Do’s & Dont’s. Kamadhenu creates Vaishyas to safeguard and assist Brahmanas. Siva Mantra, Siva Ratri, Siva Puja, Siva Pradosha Vrata and Siva Kavacha. Pride of Vindhyachal suppressed by Sage Agastya. Caturasithilinga mahatmya and glory of Nag theertha and Avanti. Reva Khanda Markandeyas answers to questions raised by Youdishtira.. The story of Satyanarayana.

Trisanku cursed by sons of Vasista. Description of Purana and Upapurana. Prabhas tirth. Somanath Linga. Different names of Somanath. Siddeshwar Linga and Siddha Linga. Chandra deva Eulogizes Siva. Significance of getting ones head tonsured.The emergence of saraswati in Prabhas Kshetra. The abode of trinity Godesses. Dwaraka Matmya. Sages queries to Prahalad. The sanctity of Dwarakapuri. Tirthamahatmya. Importance of river Narmada. Life of Kubera. Birth of Ravans eldest son Meghanatha. Discussion between Ravan and his wife Mandodari. Various holy spot. A description of Navadurgas. Birth of Viswamitra, cause of his rivalry with Vasishtha and his curse to Saraswati.. Ashtottara Namavali of Kartikeya and Phala Sruti.