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Kashi Khand from Skand Puran
Kashi, Naimish, Kuruksheira, Ayodhya, Mathura, Gangadwar, Amarawati, Kanchi, Gangasagar, Sindhusangh, Dwarika, Godawari, Tatkalanjar, Prabhas, Badrikashram, Pushkar, Gaya etc. and several pilgrim spots have been described in this khand. Describing the glory of Kashi, it is said that Kashi is the king of all pilgrim spots. Devotees discover here all the endurances namely dharma, arth, kaam, and moksha. The pilgrim spot of Gaya is said to be providing freedom to forefathers.
Truth, forgiveness, contentment, control on senses, holiness, compassion, donation, and observance of celibacy have been termed as the pilgrimage of mind (manas teerth) in this khand. Speaking sweet, striving for learning, and patience have also been said to be the main pilgrimage of mind (manas teerth). The purity of mind has been said as the main manas teerth. It is said that man can live in several pilgrim'spots but until he does not purge himself with the water of knowledge of manas teerth he cannot get the punya (the holy reward). Which means by keeping senses in control, and repudiating the lascivious pleasures, envy, ignorance and cunningness from mind and following generosity, compassion, contentment and patience etc. and then residing in the pilgrim spots only can fetch man the punya.
After glorification of pilgrim spots, the glory of Gayatri, rise of Vishwamitra from the position of Rajarshi to Brahmarshi with the blessing of Goddess Gayatri, and the main names of Lord Sun (Suryadev) and his mantra have been described. In this context, it is said that Lord Sun remains present in all the ten directions. He is worshipped with Gayatri mantra. The men who bow to Suryadev, become as radiant as him. The men who perform yajna after taking bath at the dawn on the day of Sunday in the month of Paush become free from lust, anger, and attachment. Those who perform shraadh (post- funeral rite) related with forefathers and feast Brahmins on this day secure the supreme position. Those who make worship of Sun during the period of Sankranti never face adversity.
When the Sun is eclipsed by Rahu, all the water becomes like the water of Ganga, Brahmins become like Brahma, and all the things offered as donation become like gold. All the religious rituals during solar eclipse, be it donation, chanting of hymns, haw an, taking bath etc., become the means to realize Brahm.
After the glory of the sun, the glory of Manikarnika region and the related mythological episodes have been described. It is said about Manikarnika that the holy reward (punya) obtained by taking bath in the entire set of the pilgrims collectively can be obtained singularly by taking bath in Manikarnika just once. One should methodically take a bath in the Manikarnika region and should offer water with reverence. The man who has conquered his senses should first take bath in silence and then should visit lord Vishwanath. He can easily secure the punya of his all the vrats by doing so.
After that, the mythological story of turning the sons of Sagar into ashes by Kapil muni and descent of Ganga on the earth by Bhagirath has been described. In this context it is said that the man, who uses the water of river Ganga, masters all the disciplines of yoga. Ganga is the only means of salvation in Kaliyug. Man gains the knowledge of Vedanta by living at the holy bank of Ganga.
Once Lord Shiv had said to Shri Hari, "Holy Ganga provides reward to devotees according to their inner perception. Yajna, donation, tapa, yoga etc. do not provide as superior rewards as can be secured merely by praying Ganga. Ganga is means of all - atmagyan (the knowledge of soul), Brahmgyan, and self-salvation. The real Parbrahm can be realized by praying Ganga. Ganga is a form of the core of fire of my radiance and is the manifestation of my semen. She burns all the evils and destroys all the sins. Therefore devotees must pray and worship Ganga."
Forefathers feel satiated by flowing the material made of ghee, jaggery, and sesame in Ganga during shraadh (post- funeral rites). Taking bath in the water of Ganga irrespective of the conduciveness of Nakshatra or date etc. removes sins.
After the detailed description of the glory of Ganga and establishing the glory of Varanasi, it has been said that Kashi (Varanasi) is very dear to Lord Mahadev. All the persons reside in this city in the devotional mood by the influence of Shiv. Man departs to heaven from here after realizing Mahalakshmi. If Vaikunth be placed on the one pan of a balance and Kashi on the other, then the Kashi would weigh more. According to Purans the inhabitants of Kashi have been said to be the councillors of Lord Shiv.
After that, the mythological stories related with Gyanod teerth, Kapaalmochan teerth, Matsyodari teerth etc. and taking bath and making donations there on the special dates have been described. Related with Lord Shiv, all these pilgrim spots are situated at Varanasi.
The glory of the bank (ghat) of Yogakhyan Dashashwamedh, description of the emergence of Trilochan, and Vyas pillar (bhujstambh) are the important distinctions of this khand. In the context of Dashashwamedh ghat, arrival of Brahmaji in Kashi in the disguise of a Brahmin, organization of Ashwamedh yajna by King of Kashi Divodas, and installation of a Shivling named Dashashwamedh by Brahmaji have been narrated. Finally this khand has been concluded narrating the glory of Lord Shiv by means of the discourse by Maharshi Vedvyas
astroshastra.
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights
Kashi, Naimish, Kuruksheira, Ayodhya, Mathura, Gangadwar, Amarawati, Kanchi, Gangasagar, Sindhusangh, Dwarika, Godawari, Tatkalanjar, Prabhas, Badrikashram, Pushkar, Gaya etc. and several pilgrim spots have been described in this khand. Describing the glory of Kashi, it is said that Kashi is the king of all pilgrim spots. Devotees discover here all the endurances namely dharma, arth, kaam, and moksha. The pilgrim spot of Gaya is said to be providing freedom to forefathers.
Truth, forgiveness, contentment, control on senses, holiness, compassion, donation, and observance of celibacy have been termed as the pilgrimage of mind (manas teerth) in this khand. Speaking sweet, striving for learning, and patience have also been said to be the main pilgrimage of mind (manas teerth). The purity of mind has been said as the main manas teerth. It is said that man can live in several pilgrim'spots but until he does not purge himself with the water of knowledge of manas teerth he cannot get the punya (the holy reward). Which means by keeping senses in control, and repudiating the lascivious pleasures, envy, ignorance and cunningness from mind and following generosity, compassion, contentment and patience etc. and then residing in the pilgrim spots only can fetch man the punya.
After glorification of pilgrim spots, the glory of Gayatri, rise of Vishwamitra from the position of Rajarshi to Brahmarshi with the blessing of Goddess Gayatri, and the main names of Lord Sun (Suryadev) and his mantra have been described. In this context, it is said that Lord Sun remains present in all the ten directions. He is worshipped with Gayatri mantra. The men who bow to Suryadev, become as radiant as him. The men who perform yajna after taking bath at the dawn on the day of Sunday in the month of Paush become free from lust, anger, and attachment. Those who perform shraadh (post- funeral rite) related with forefathers and feast Brahmins on this day secure the supreme position. Those who make worship of Sun during the period of Sankranti never face adversity.
When the Sun is eclipsed by Rahu, all the water becomes like the water of Ganga, Brahmins become like Brahma, and all the things offered as donation become like gold. All the religious rituals during solar eclipse, be it donation, chanting of hymns, haw an, taking bath etc., become the means to realize Brahm.
After the glory of the sun, the glory of Manikarnika region and the related mythological episodes have been described. It is said about Manikarnika that the holy reward (punya) obtained by taking bath in the entire set of the pilgrims collectively can be obtained singularly by taking bath in Manikarnika just once. One should methodically take a bath in the Manikarnika region and should offer water with reverence. The man who has conquered his senses should first take bath in silence and then should visit lord Vishwanath. He can easily secure the punya of his all the vrats by doing so.
After that, the mythological story of turning the sons of Sagar into ashes by Kapil muni and descent of Ganga on the earth by Bhagirath has been described. In this context it is said that the man, who uses the water of river Ganga, masters all the disciplines of yoga. Ganga is the only means of salvation in Kaliyug. Man gains the knowledge of Vedanta by living at the holy bank of Ganga.
Once Lord Shiv had said to Shri Hari, "Holy Ganga provides reward to devotees according to their inner perception. Yajna, donation, tapa, yoga etc. do not provide as superior rewards as can be secured merely by praying Ganga. Ganga is means of all - atmagyan (the knowledge of soul), Brahmgyan, and self-salvation. The real Parbrahm can be realized by praying Ganga. Ganga is a form of the core of fire of my radiance and is the manifestation of my semen. She burns all the evils and destroys all the sins. Therefore devotees must pray and worship Ganga."
Forefathers feel satiated by flowing the material made of ghee, jaggery, and sesame in Ganga during shraadh (post- funeral rites). Taking bath in the water of Ganga irrespective of the conduciveness of Nakshatra or date etc. removes sins.
After the detailed description of the glory of Ganga and establishing the glory of Varanasi, it has been said that Kashi (Varanasi) is very dear to Lord Mahadev. All the persons reside in this city in the devotional mood by the influence of Shiv. Man departs to heaven from here after realizing Mahalakshmi. If Vaikunth be placed on the one pan of a balance and Kashi on the other, then the Kashi would weigh more. According to Purans the inhabitants of Kashi have been said to be the councillors of Lord Shiv.
After that, the mythological stories related with Gyanod teerth, Kapaalmochan teerth, Matsyodari teerth etc. and taking bath and making donations there on the special dates have been described. Related with Lord Shiv, all these pilgrim spots are situated at Varanasi.
The glory of the bank (ghat) of Yogakhyan Dashashwamedh, description of the emergence of Trilochan, and Vyas pillar (bhujstambh) are the important distinctions of this khand. In the context of Dashashwamedh ghat, arrival of Brahmaji in Kashi in the disguise of a Brahmin, organization of Ashwamedh yajna by King of Kashi Divodas, and installation of a Shivling named Dashashwamedh by Brahmaji have been narrated. Finally this khand has been concluded narrating the glory of Lord Shiv by means of the discourse by Maharshi Vedvyas
astroshastra.
This post is for sharing knowledge only, no intention to violate any copy rights