The largest Purana

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!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

 

It is the largest of all the 18 Puranas.

It contains 'Eighty eight thousand and one hundred' Shlokas (stanzas).

It has seven parts - Maheshwar, Vaishnava, Brahma, Kashi, Avanti, Nagar and Prabhasa.

This Purana derives its name from Skanda (Kartikeya) the son of Lord Shiva. Birth of Skand; its reason and effects constitute the main theme. Kartikeya was the commander of the gods’ army and had killed the demon Tarkasura.

 

It is well known as - "Skanda Purana".

 

Skanda Puran begins with the eulogy of Lord Shiva-- YASYAGYA JAGAT SRISHTA VIRANCHIH PALKO HARIH;SANHARTA KAALRUDRAKHYO NAMASTASMAI PINAKINE.(Meaning)--- Salutations to Lord Shankar who has entrusted the job of creation to Lord Brahma--Who has instructed Lord Vishnu to nurture the world and who himself acts as the supreme annihilator. During ancient times, once, Sage Shaunak had performed a grand 'yagya' at his hermitage in Naimisharanya forest. Many sages had thronged Naimisharanya to attend it. One of them was Sage Lomesh.After the yagya was over, all the assembled Sages requested Sage Lomesh to narrate the divine tales of Lord Shiva.

This is how this Mega Purana begins.

 

 

KARTIKEYA'S SORROW (From Skanda Purana..)While the deities hailed the glory of Kartikeya for having killed Tarakasur, Kartikeya himself was saddened by his act. He told the deities--'I regret for having killed Tarakasur because he was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Is there any way to atone for my sin?'Lord Vishnu consoled him---'Killing a wicked person, who nourishes himself on the blood of innocent people, is not a sinful deed. But, still, if you feel guilty then there is no better way to atone for your sin than worshipping Lord Shiva. Install Shivalingas and worship them with deep devotion.'Kartikeya instructed Vishwakarma to make three divine Shivalingas. Later on Kartikeya installed these Shivalingas at three different places and worshipped them with appropriate rituals. In course of time these three holy places came to be known as Pratigyeshwar, Kapaleshwar and Kumareshwar. Kartikeya, while worshipping at Kapaleshwar sprinkled holy water on the Shivalinga and prayed so that Tarakasura's soul rested in peace.

This is one of the best teachings of this great composition.

 

 

'Glory to the divine son of Parvati & Shankara - Hara Haro Hara Hara !'

Born with 6 faces, he is the beloved son of six krithikas (a stellar community) - known as 'Karthikeya' & supremely guided by the motherhood of Devi Ganga to be known as 'Gangeyan'.

 

 

Hare Krishna

Hare Rama