Scripture contents · ग्रंथ सूची

Skanda Purana

The largest of the 18 Mahapuranas (~81,000 verses, 7 Khandas), narrated by Skanda (Kartikeya) to sage Agastya. The supreme tirtha-mahatmya text. Mahesvara Khanda: Shiva as triguṇātmā nirañjana; Tripura-daha (single arrow of pure awareness destroys three bodies simultaneously). Kashi Khanda: liberation guaranteed to all who die in Varanasi — Shiva personally whispers the Taraka mantra (Ram-nama) into every dying ear; saptanadi mantra (all seven sacred rivers are one water). Avantya Khanda: Mahakaleshvara at Ujjain — Shiva as kālasya kālakaḥ (the time of time itself). Prabhasa Khanda: Somnath jyotirlinga — darśanāt sparśanāt (liberation by seeing and touching); the light cannot be permanently destroyed. Core teaching: pilgrimage is the systematic dismantling of the habitual self through contact with consecrated space.