The Eighteen Puranas and Upapuranas, and the Fruit of Gifting the Purana

Verse 1 (skanda.7.2.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। कथाया लक्षणं ब्रूहि गुणदोषान्सविस्तरान्। आर्षेयपौरुषेयाणां काव्यचिह्नपरीक्षणम्। कथं ज्ञेयं महाबुद्धे श्रोतुमिच्छामहे वयम्

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| kathāyā lakṣaṇaṁ brūhi guṇadoṣānsavistarān| ārṣeyapauruṣeyāṇāṁ kāvyacihnaparīkṣaṇam| kathaṁ jñeyaṁ mahābuddhe śrotumicchāmahe vayam

The sages said: O highly wise one, tell us in detail the characteristics of a narrative, together with its merits and faults. We wish to hear how the marks distinguishing works of sage-given and human authorship are to be known.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.2.2)

सूत उवाच। अथ संक्षेपतो वक्ष्ये पुराणानामनुक्रमम्। लक्षणं चैव संख्यां च उक्तभेदांस्तथैव च

sūta uvāca| atha saṁkṣepato vakṣye purāṇānāmanukramam| lakṣaṇaṁ caiva saṁkhyāṁ ca uktabhedāṁstathaiva ca

Suta said: Now I shall briefly tell the order of the Puranas, their characteristics, their number, and their stated divisions.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.2.3)

पुरा तपश्चचारोग्रममराणां पितामहः। आविर्भूतास्ततो वेदाः सषडंगपदक्रमाः

purā tapaścacārogramamarāṇāṁ pitāmahaḥ| āvirbhūtāstato vedāḥ saṣaḍaṁgapadakramāḥ

Long ago the grandfather of the gods performed intense austerity; from him the Vedas, together with their six auxiliary limbs and their pada-krama recitation, came forth.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.2.4)

ततः पुराणमखिलं सर्वशास्त्रमयं ध्रुवम्। नित्यशब्दमयं पुण्यं शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम्

tataḥ purāṇamakhilaṁ sarvaśāstramayaṁ dhruvam| nityaśabdamayaṁ puṇyaṁ śatakoṭipravistaram

Thereafter came the entire Purana — complete, embodying all scriptures, eternal, made of unchanging sound, sacred, and extending to a hundred crore verses.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.2.5)

निर्गतं ब्रह्मणो वक्त्राद्ब्राह्मं वैष्णवमेव च। शैवं भागवतं चैव भविष्यं नारदीयकम्

nirgataṁ brahmaṇo vaktrādbrāhmaṁ vaiṣṇavameva ca| śaivaṁ bhāgavataṁ caiva bhaviṣyaṁ nāradīyakam

From Brahma's mouth issued the Brahma, Vaishnava, Shaiva, Bhagavata, Bhavishya, and Naradiya Puranas.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.2.6)

मार्कण्डेयमथाग्नेयं ब्रह्मवैवर्तमेव च। लैङ्गं तथा च वाराहं स्कांदं वामनमेव च

mārkaṇḍeyamathāgneyaṁ brahmavaivartameva ca| laiṅgaṁ tathā ca vārāhaṁ skāṁdaṁ vāmanameva ca

So too the Markandeya, Agneya, Brahmavaivarta, Linga, Varaha, Skanda, and Vamana Puranas.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.2.7)

कौर्म्यं मात्स्यं गारुडं च वायवीयमनन्तरम्। अष्टादशं समुद्दिष्टं सर्वपातकनाशनम्

kaurmyaṁ mātsyaṁ gāruḍaṁ ca vāyavīyamanaṁtaram| aṣṭādaśaṁ samuddiṣṭaṁ sarvapātakanāśanam

The Kaurma, Matsya, Garuda, and next the Vayaviya — thus eighteen Puranas are enumerated, destroyers of all sin.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.2.8)

एकमेव पुरा ह्यासीद्ब्रह्माण्डं शतकोटिधा

ekameva purā hyāsīdbrahmāṇḍaṁ śatakoṭidhā

In ancient times there was but a single Purana, the Brahmanda, extending to a hundred crore verses.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.2.9)

ततोऽष्टादशधा कृत्वा वेदव्यासो युगेयुगे। प्रख्यापयति लोकेऽस्मिन्साक्षान्नारायणांशजः

tato'ṣṭādaśadhā kṛtvā vedavyāso yugeyuge| prakhyāpayati loke'sminsākṣānnārāyaṇāṁśajaḥ

Thereafter, Vedavyasa — born of a portion of Narayana himself — divides it into eighteen parts in every age and proclaims it in this world.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.2.10)

अन्यान्युपपुराणानि मुनिना कथितानि तु। तानि वः कथयिष्यामि संक्षेपादवधार्यताम्

anyānyupapurāṇāni muninā kathitāni tu| tāni vaḥ kathayiṣyāmi saṁkṣepādavadhāryatām

I shall also tell you, in brief, of the other Upapuranas spoken by the sage; give heed to them.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.2.11)

आद्यं सनत्कुमारोक्तं नारसिंहमतः परम्। तृतीयं स्कान्दमुद्दिष्टं कुमारेणानुभाषितम्

ādyaṁ sanatkumāroktaṁ nārasiṁhamataḥ param| tṛtīyaṁ skāndamuddiṣṭaṁ kumāreṇānubhāṣitam

The first was spoken by Sanatkumara; next the Narasimha; the third, designated the Skanda, was narrated by Kumara.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.2.12)

चतुर्थं शिवधर्माख्यं साक्षान्नन्दीशभाषितम्। दुर्वाससोक्तमाश्चर्य्यं नारदोक्तमतः परम्

caturthaṁ śivadharmākhyaṁ sākṣānnandīśabhāṣitam| durvāsasoktamāścaryaṁ nāradoktamataḥ param

The fourth, called Shivadharma, spoken directly by Nandishvara; the astonishing one told by Durvasa; and next the one told by Narada.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.2.13)

कापिलं मानवं चैव तथैवोशनसेरितम्। ब्रह्माण्डं वारुणं चान्यत्कालिकाह्वयमेव च

kāpilaṁ mānavaṁ caiva tathaivośanaseritam| brahmāṇḍaṁ vāruṇaṁ cānyatkālikāhvayameva ca

The Kapila, the Manava, and likewise the one uttered by Ushanas; the Brahmanda, the Varuna, and another called the Kalika.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.2.14)

माहेश्वरं तथा सांबं सौरं सर्वार्थसंचयम्। पराशरोक्तं परमं मारीचं भार्गवाह्वयम्

māheśvaraṁ tathā sāṁbaṁ sauraṁ sarvārthasaṁcayam| parāśaroktaṁ paramaṁ mārīcaṁ bhārgavāhvayam

The Maheshvara, the Samba, the Saura which gathers all meanings, the supreme one told by Parashara, the Maricha, and the one called Bhargava.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.2.15)

एतान्युपपुराणानि कथितानि द्विजोत्तमाः

etānyupapurāṇāni kathitāni dvijottamāḥ

O foremost of the twice-born, these are the Upapuranas that have been enumerated.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.2.16)

ऋषय ऊचुः। पुराणसंख्यामाचक्ष्व सूत विस्तरशः क्रमात्। दानधर्ममशेषज्ञ यथावदनुपूर्वशः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| purāṇasaṁkhyāmācakṣva sūta vistaraśaḥ kramāt| dānadharmamaśeṣajña yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ

The sages said: O Suta, O knower of all things, tell us in full and proper order the number of the Puranas and the merit of gifting them.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.2.17)

सूत उवाच। इदमेव पुराणेऽस्मिन्पुराणपुरुषस्तदा। यदुक्तवान्स विश्वात्मा मनवे तन्निबोधत

sūta uvāca| idameva purāṇe'sminpurāṇapuruṣastadā| yaduktavānsa viśvātmā manave tannibodhata

Suta said: Listen now to what the Purana-Purusha, the Soul of the universe, once declared to Manu in this very Purana.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.2.18)

पुराणं सर्वशास्त्राणां ब्रह्माण्डं प्रथमं स्मृतम्। अनन्तरं च वक्त्रेभ्यो वेदास्तस्य विनिर्गताः

purāṇaṁ sarvaśāstrāṇāṁ brahmāṇḍaṁ prathamaṁ smṛtam| anaṁtaraṁ ca vaktrebhyo vedāstasya vinirgatāḥ

Among all scriptures, the Brahmanda is remembered as the first Purana; and thereafter the Vedas issued from its mouths.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.2.19)

पुराणमेकमेवासीत्तस्मिन्कल्पान्तरे तथा। त्रिवर्गसाधनं पुण्यं शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम्

purāṇamekamevāsīttasminkalpāṁtare tathā| trivargasādhanaṁ puṇyaṁ śatakoṭipravistaram

In that other kalpa too there was but a single Purana, the means of attaining the threefold aim of life, meritorious, and extending to a hundred crore verses.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.2.20)

विनिर्दग्धेषु लोकेषु कृष्णेनानन्तरूपिणा। साङ्गांश्च चतुरो वेदान्पुराणन्यायविस्तरम्

vinirdagdheṣu lokeṣu kṛṣṇenānaṁtarūpiṇā| sāṅgāṁśca caturo vedānpurāṇanyāyavistaram

When all the worlds had been consumed by fire, Krishna, of infinite forms, took up the four Vedas together with their limbs, the Purana, and the extensive science of logic —

Verse 21 (skanda.7.2.21)

मीमांसां धर्मशास्त्रं च परिगृह्यात्मसात्कृतम्। मत्स्यरूपेण च पुनः कल्पादावुदकार्णवे

mīmāṁsāṁ dharmaśāstraṁ ca parigṛhyātmasātkṛtam| matsyarūpeṇa ca punaḥ kalpādāvudakārṇave

— along with Mimamsa and Dharmashastra, and made them his own; and then, at the start of the kalpa, in the waters of the cosmic ocean, taking the form of a fish,

Verse 22 (skanda.7.2.22)

अशेषमेव कथितं ब्रह्मणे दिव्यचक्षुषे। ब्रह्मा जगाद च मुनींस्त्रिकालज्ञानदर्शनः

aśeṣameva kathitaṁ brahmaṇe divyacakṣuṣe| brahmā jagāda ca munīṁstrikālajñānadarśanaḥ

he told it all to Brahma of the divine eye; and Brahma, seer of the three times, in turn declared it to the sages.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.2.23)

प्रवृत्तिः सर्वशास्त्राणां पुराणस्याभवत्ततः

pravṛttiḥ sarvaśāstrāṇāṁ purāṇasyābhavattataḥ

Thus arose the tradition of all the scriptures and of the Purana.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.2.24)

ततः कालक्रमेणासौ व्यासरूपधरो हरिः। अष्टादशपुराणानि संक्षेप्स्यति युगेयुगे

tataḥ kālakrameṇāsau vyāsarūpadharo hariḥ| aṣṭādaśapurāṇāni saṁkṣepsyati yugeyuge

Then, in the course of time, Hari, taking the form of Vyasa, condenses the eighteen Puranas in every age.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.2.25)

चतुर्लक्षप्रमाणानि द्वापरे द्वापरे सदा। तदाष्टादशधा कृष्णा भूर्लोकेऽस्मिन्प्रभाषते

caturlakṣapramāṇāni dvāpare dvāpare sadā| tadāṣṭādaśadhā kṛṣṇā bhūrloke'sminprabhāṣate

In every Dvapara age, to the measure of four hundred thousand verses, Krishna proclaims it in this earthly world in eighteen divisions.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.2.26)

अद्याऽपि देवलोके तु शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम्। तदर्थोऽत्र चतुर्लक्षः संक्षेपेण निवेशितः

adyā'pi devaloke tu śatakoṭipravistaram| tadartho'tra caturlakṣaḥ saṁkṣepeṇa niveśitaḥ

Even today, in the world of the gods, it extends to a hundred crore verses; here its meaning has been condensed into four hundred thousand.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.2.27)

पुराणानि दशाष्टौ च सांप्रतं तदिहोच्यते। नामतस्तानि वक्ष्यामि संख्यां च मुनिसत्तमाः

purāṇāni daśāṣṭau ca sāṁprataṁ tadihocyate| nāmatastāni vakṣyāmi saṁkhyāṁ ca munisattamāḥ

Now the eighteen Puranas are to be told here; O best of sages, I shall tell you their names and their number of verses.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.2.28)

ब्रह्मणाऽभिहितं पूर्वं यावन्मात्रं मरीचये। ब्राह्मं तद्दशसाहस्रं पुराणं तदिहोच्यते

brahmaṇā'bhihitaṁ pūrvaṁ yāvanmātraṁ marīcaye| brāhmaṁ taddaśasāhasraṁ purāṇaṁ tadihocyate

What Brahma first declared to Marichi, to that extent, is here called the Brahma Purana, of ten thousand verses.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.2.29)

लिखित्वा तच्च यो दद्याज्जलधेनुसमन्वितम्। वैशाख्यां पौर्णमास्यां च ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

likhitvā tacca yo dadyājjaladhenusamanvitam| vaiśākhyāṁ paurṇamāsyāṁ ca brahmaloke mahīyate

Whoever writes it out and gives it as a gift, together with a water-cow, on the full moon of Vaishakha, is honored in the world of Brahma.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.2.30)

एतदेव यदा पद्ममभूद्धैरण्मयं जगत्। तद्वृत्तांताश्रयांतं तत्पाद्ममित्युच्यते बुधैः

etadeva yadā padmamabhūddhairaṇmayaṁ jagat| tadvṛttāṁtāśrayāṁtaṁ tatpādmamityucyate budhaiḥ

When this very world became a golden lotus, the Purana resting on that account is called, by the wise, the Padma.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.2.31)

पाद्मं तत्पञ्चपञ्चाशत्सहस्राणीह पठ्यते। तत्पुराणं च यो दद्यात्सुवर्णकमलान्वितम्। ज्येष्ठे मासि तिलैर्युक्तं सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

pādmaṁ tatpañcapañcāśatsahasrāṇīha paṭhyate| tatpurāṇaṁ ca yo dadyātsuvarṇakamalānvitam| jyeṣṭhe māsi tilairyuktaṁ so'śvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

The Padma is recited as fifty-five thousand verses; whoever gives this Purana together with a golden lotus and sesame seeds in the month of Jyeshtha obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.2.32)

वाराहकल्पवृत्तान्तमधिकृत्य परात्परः। यत्राह धर्मानखिलांस्तदुक्तं वैष्णवं विदुः

vārāhakalpavṛttāntamadhikṛtya parātparaḥ| yatrāha dharmānakhilāṁstaduktaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ viduḥ

That in which the Supreme Beyond the Supreme spoke of all the dharmas, taking as its basis the story of the Varaha kalpa, is known as the Vaishnava Purana.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.2.33)

चरितैरञ्चितं विष्णोस्तल्लोके वैष्णवं विदुः। त्रयोविंशतिसाहस्रं पुराणं तत्प्रकीर्तितम्

caritairañcitaṁ viṣṇostalloke vaiṣṇavaṁ viduḥ| trayoviṁśatisāhasraṁ purāṇaṁ tatprakīrtitam

Adorned with the deeds of Vishnu, it is known in the world as the Vaishnava; this Purana is proclaimed to be of twenty-three thousand verses.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.2.34)

तदाषाढे च यो दद्याद्घृतधेनुसमन्वितम्। पौर्णमास्यां विशुद्धायां सं पदं याति वैष्णवम्

tadāṣāḍhe ca yo dadyādghṛtadhenusamanvitam| paurṇamāsyāṁ viśuddhāyāṁ saṁ padaṁ yāti vaiṣṇavam

Whoever gives it, together with a ghee-cow, on the pure full moon day of Ashadha, attains the abode of Vishnu.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.2.35)

श्रुतकल्पप्रसङ्गेन धर्मान्वायुरथाब्रवीत्। यत्र तद्वायवीयं स्याद्रुद्रमाहात्म्यसंयुतम्

śrutakalpaprasaṅgena dharmānvāyurathābravīt| yatra tadvāyavīyaṁ syādrudramāhātmyasaṁyutam

That in which Vayu spoke of the dharmas in connection with the Shruta kalpa, joined with the glory of Rudra, is the Vayaviya.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.2.36)

चतुर्विंशतिसाहस्रं नाना वृत्तान्तसंयुतम्। धर्मार्थकाममोक्षैश्च साधुवृत्तसमन्वितम्

caturviṁśatisāhasraṁ nānā vṛttāntasaṁyutam| dharmārthakāmamokṣaiśca sādhuvṛttasamanvitam

It comprises twenty-four thousand verses, is filled with various narratives, and is joined with dharma, artha, kama, and moksha, together with accounts of righteous conduct.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.2.37)

श्रावण्यां श्रावणे मासि गुडधेनुसमन्वितम्। यो दद्याद्दधिसंयुक्तं ब्राह्मणाय कुटुम्बिने। शिवलोके स पूतात्मा कल्पमेकं वसेन्नरः

śrāvaṇyāṁ śrāvaṇe māsi guḍadhenusamanvitam| yo dadyāddadhisaṁyuktaṁ brāhmaṇāya kuṭuṁbine| śivaloke sa pūtātmā kalpamekaṁ vasennaraḥ

Whoever, on the Shravani full moon day of the month of Shravana, gives it to a householder brahmin together with a jaggery-cow and curds, becomes purified in soul and dwells in Shiva's world for one whole kalpa.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.2.38)

पुनः संजायते मर्त्यो ब्राह्मणो वेदवित्तमः। वेदविद्यार्थतत्त्वज्ञो व्याख्यातत्त्वार्थवित्तमः

punaḥ saṁjāyate martyo brāhmaṇo vedavittamaḥ| vedavidyārthatattvajño vyākhyātattvārthavittamaḥ

He is then born again as a mortal, as a brahmin foremost in knowledge of the Vedas, knowing the true meaning of Vedic learning, and the very best interpreter of its inner truths.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.2.39)

यत्राधिकृत्य गायत्रीं वर्ण्यते धर्मविस्तरः। वृत्रासुरवधोपेतं तद्भागवतमुच्यते

yatrādhikṛtya gāyatrīṁ varṇyate dharmavistaraḥ| vṛtrāsuravadhopetaṁ tadbhāgavatamucyate

That in which the expanse of dharma is described taking the Gayatri as its basis, and which contains the slaying of the demon Vritra, is called the Bhagavata.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.2.40)

सारस्वतस्य कल्पस्य मध्ये ये स्युर्नरामराः। तद्वृत्तान्तोद्भवं पुण्यं पुण्योद्वाहसमन्वितम्

sārasvatasya kalpasya madhye ye syurnarāmarāḥ| tadvṛttāntodbhavaṁ puṇyaṁ puṇyodvāhasamanvitam

Meritorious, arising from the account of the men and gods who lived in the middle of the Sarasvata kalpa, and containing accounts of sacred marriages,

Verse 41 (skanda.7.2.41)

लिखित्वा तच्च यो दद्याद्धेमसिंहसमन्वितम्। पौर्णमास्यां प्रौष्ठपद्यां स याति परमां गतिम्

likhitvā tacca yo dadyāddhemasiṁhasamanvitam| paurṇamāsyāṁ prauṣṭhapadyāṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

whoever writes it out and gives it, together with a golden lion, on the full moon of Proshthapada, attains the supreme goal.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.2.42)

अष्टादशसहस्राणि पुराणं तत्प्रकीर्तितम्

aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇi purāṇaṁ tatprakīrtitam

This Purana is proclaimed to be of eighteen thousand verses.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.2.43)

यत्राह नारदो धर्मान्बृहत्कल्पाश्रयांस्त्विह। पञ्चविंशत्सहस्राणि नारदीयं तदुच्यते

yatrāha nārado dharmānbṛhatkalpāśrayāṁstviha| pañcaviṁśatsahasrāṇi nāradīyaṁ taducyate

That in which Narada spoke of the dharmas resting on the Brihat kalpa, comprising twenty-five thousand verses, is called the Naradiya.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.2.44)

तदिषे पञ्चदश्यां तु यो दद्याद्धेनुसंयुतम्। उत्तमां सिद्धिमाप्नोति इह लोके परत्र च। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

tadiṣe pañcadaśyāṁ tu yo dadyāddhenusaṁyutam| uttamāṁ siddhimāpnoti iha loke paratra ca| sarvānkāmānavāpnoti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Whoever gives it, together with a cow, on the fifteenth day of the month of Ashvina, attains the highest accomplishment in this world and the next, and obtains all desires — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.2.45)

यत्राधिकृत्य शकुनीन्धर्माधर्मविचारणम्। पुराणं नवसाहस्रं मार्कण्डेयं तदुच्यते

yatrādhikṛtya śakunīndharmādharmavicāraṇam| purāṇaṁ navasāhasraṁ mārkaṇḍeyaṁ taducyate

That Purana of nine thousand verses in which the discernment of dharma and adharma is set forth by way of birds is called the Markandeya.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.2.46)

परिलिख्य च यो दद्यात्सौवर्णकरिसंयुतम्। कार्तिक्यां पौण्डरीकस्य यज्ञस्य फलभाग्भवेत्

parilikhya ca yo dadyātsauvarṇakarisaṁyutam| kārtikyāṁ pauṇḍarīkasya yajñasya phalabhāgbhavet

Whoever writes it out and gives it, together with a golden elephant, in the month of Kartika, becomes entitled to the fruit of the Paundarika sacrifice.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.2.47)

यत्तदीशानकल्पस्य वृत्तान्तमधिकृत्य च। वशिष्ठायाऽग्निना प्रोक्तमाग्नेयं तत्प्रचक्षते

yattadīśānakalpasya vṛttāntamadhikṛtya ca| vaśiṣṭhāyā'gninā proktamāgneyaṁ tatpracakṣate

That which, taking as its basis the account of the Ishana kalpa, was told by Agni to Vashishtha, is called the Agneya.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.2.48)

लिखित्वा तच्च यो दद्याद्धेमपद्मसमन्वितम्। मार्गशीर्षे विधानेन तिलधेनुयुतं तथा। तच्च षोडशसाहस्रं सर्वक्रतुफलप्रदम्

likhitvā tacca yo dadyāddhemapadmasamanvitam| mārgaśīrṣe vidhānena tiladhenuyutaṁ tathā| tacca ṣoḍaśasāhasraṁ sarvakratuphalapradam

Comprising sixteen thousand verses and granting the fruit of every sacrifice, it should be written out and given, together with a golden lotus and a sesame-cow, according to rite, in the month of Margashirsha.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.2.49)

यत्राधिकृत्य माहात्म्यमादित्यस्य चतुर्मुखः। अघोरकल्पवृत्तान्तप्रसंगेन जगत्पतिः। मनवे कथयामास भूतग्रामस्य लक्षणम्

yatrādhikṛtya māhātmyamādityasya caturmukhaḥ| aghorakalpavṛttāntaprasaṁgena jagatpatiḥ| manave kathayāmāsa bhūtagrāmasya lakṣaṇam

That in which the four-faced Lord of the universe, taking the glory of the Sun as its basis in connection with the account of the Aghora kalpa, told Manu the characteristics of all created beings —

Verse 50 (skanda.7.2.50)

चतुर्दशसहस्राणि तथा पञ्चशतानि च। भविष्यचरितप्रायं भविष्यं तदिहोच्यते

caturdaśasahasrāṇi tathā pañcaśatāni ca| bhaviṣyacaritaprāyaṁ bhaviṣyaṁ tadihocyate

— comprising fourteen thousand five hundred verses and consisting mostly of future events, is here called the Bhavishya.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.2.51)

तत्पौषमासि यो दद्यात्पौर्णमास्यां विमत्सरः। गुडकुम्भसमायुक्तमग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत्

tatpauṣamāsi yo dadyātpaurṇamāsyāṁ vimatsaraḥ| guḍakuṁbhasamāyuktamagniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet

Whoever, free from envy, gives it on the full moon of Pausha together with a pot of jaggery, obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.2.52)

रथंतरस्य कल्पस्य वृत्तान्तमधिकृत्य च। सावर्णिना नारदाय कृष्णमाहात्म्यसंयुतम्। प्रोक्तं ब्रह्मवराहस्य चरितं वर्ण्यतेऽत्र च

rathaṁtarasya kalpasya vṛttāntamadhikṛtya ca| sāvarṇinā nāradāya kṛṣṇamāhātmyasaṁyutam| proktaṁ brahmavarāhasya caritaṁ varṇyate'tra ca

That which was told by Savarni to Narada, taking as its basis the account of the Rathantara kalpa, joined with the glory of Krishna, and which also describes the deeds of Brahma-Varaha —

Verse 53 (skanda.7.2.53)

तदष्टादशसाहस्रं ब्रह्मवैवर्तमुच्यते। पुराणं ब्रह्मवैवर्तं यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणोत्तमे। माघमासे पौर्णमास्यां ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

tadaṣṭādaśasāhasraṁ brahmavaivartamucyate| purāṇaṁ brahmavaivartaṁ yo dadyādbrāhmaṇottame| māghamāse paurṇamāsyāṁ brahmaloke mahīyate

— comprising eighteen thousand verses, is called the Brahmavaivarta. Whoever gives this Brahmavaivarta Purana to an excellent brahmin on the full moon of Magha is honored in the world of Brahma.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.2.54)

यत्राग्निलिङ्गमध्यस्थः प्राह देवो महेश्वरः। धर्मार्थकाममोक्षार्थानाग्नेयमधिकृत्य च

yatrāgniliṅgamadhyasthaḥ prāha devo maheśvaraḥ| dharmārthakāmamokṣārthānāgneyamadhikṛtya ca

That in which the god Maheshvara, abiding within the fire-linga, taking the Agneya as basis, spoke of the purposes of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha —

Verse 55 (skanda.7.2.55)

कल्पं तल्लैङ्गमित्युक्तं पुराणं ब्रह्मणा स्वयम्

kalpaṁ tallaiṅgamityuktaṁ purāṇaṁ brahmaṇā svayam

— that kalpa's account, told by Brahma himself, is called the Linga Purana.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.2.56)

तदेकादशसाहस्रं फाल्गुन्यां यः प्रयच्छति। तिलधेनुसमायुक्तं स याति शिवसात्म्यताम्

tadekādaśasāhasraṁ phālgunyāṁ yaḥ prayacchati| tiladhenusamāyuktaṁ sa yāti śivasātmyatām

It comprises eleven thousand verses; whoever gives it, together with a sesame-cow, in the month of Phalguna, attains identity with Shiva.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.2.57)

महावराहस्य पुनर्माहात्म्यमधिकृत्य च। विष्णुनाऽभिहितं क्षोण्यै तद्वाराहमिहोच्यते

mahāvarāhasya punarmāhātmyamadhikṛtya ca| viṣṇunā'bhihitaṁ kṣoṇyai tadvārāhamihocyate

That which, taking as its basis the glory of the great Boar, was told by Vishnu to the Earth, is here called the Varaha.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.2.58)

मानवस्य प्रसंगेन धन्यस्य मुनिसत्तमाः। चतुर्विंशत्सहस्राणि तत्पुराणमिहोच्यते

mānavasya prasaṁgena dhanyasya munisattamāḥ| caturviṁśatsahasrāṇi tatpurāṇamihocyate

O foremost of sages, connected with the blessed account of Manu, this Purana is said to comprise twenty-four thousand verses.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.2.59)

काञ्चनं गरुडं कृत्वा तिलधेनुसमन्वितम्। पौर्णमास्यामथो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय कुटुम्बिने। वाराहस्यप्रसादेन पदमाप्नोति वैष्णवम्

kāñcanaṁ garuḍaṁ kṛtvā tiladhenusamanvitam| paurṇamāsyāmatho dadyādbrāhmaṇāya kuṭuṁbine| vārāhasyaprasādena padamāpnoti vaiṣṇavam

Whoever fashions a golden Garuda and, together with a sesame-cow, gives it to a householder brahmin on the full moon day, attains, by the Boar's grace, the abode of Vishnu.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.2.60)

यत्र माहेश्वरान्धर्मानधिकृत्य च षण्मुखम्। कल्पे तत्पुरुषे वृत्ते चरितैरुपबृंहितम्

yatra māheśvarāndharmānadhikṛtya ca ṣaṇmukham| kalpe tatpuruṣe vṛtte caritairupabṛṁhitam

That which, taking as its basis the Maheshvara dharmas and Shanmukha, and set during the Purusha kalpa, is amplified with his deeds —

Verse 61 (skanda.7.2.61)

स्कांदं नाम पुराणं तदेकाशीति निगद्यते। सहस्राणि शतं चैकमिति मर्त्येषु पठ्यते

skāṁdaṁ nāma purāṇaṁ tadekāśīti nigadyate| sahasrāṇi śataṁ caikamiti martyeṣu paṭhyate

— is called the Skanda Purana, and is recited among mortals as comprising eighty-one thousand one hundred verses.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.2.62)

परिलेख्य च यो दद्याद्धेमशूलसमन्वितम्। शैवं स पदमाप्नोति मकरोपगमे रवेः

parilekhya ca yo dadyāddhemaśūlasamanvitam| śaivaṁ sa padamāpnoti makaropagame raveḥ

Whoever writes it out and gives it, together with a golden trident, at the sun's entry into Capricorn, attains the abode of Shiva.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.2.63)

त्रिविक्रमस्य माहात्म्यमधिकृत्य चतुर्मुखः। त्रिवर्गमभ्यधात्तत्तु वामनं परिकीर्तितम्

trivikramasya māhātmyamadhikṛtya caturmukhaḥ| trivargamabhyadhāttattu vāmanaṁ parikīrtitam

That in which the four-faced Brahma, taking as its basis the glory of Trivikrama, declared the threefold aim of life, is proclaimed as the Vamana.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.2.64)

पुराणं दशसाहस्रं कौर्मकल्पानुगं शिवम्

purāṇaṁ daśasāhasraṁ kaurmakalpānugaṁ śivam

This Purana, following the Kurma kalpa and auspicious, comprises ten thousand verses.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.2.65)

यः शरद्विषुवे दद्याद्धेमवस्त्रसमन्वितम्। क्षौमावृतं युतं धेन्वा स पदं याति वैष्णवम्

yaḥ śaradviṣuve dadyāddhemavastrasamanvitam| kṣaumāvṛtaṁ yutaṁ dhenvā sa padaṁ yāti vaiṣṇavam

Whoever gives it at the autumnal equinox, wrapped in a golden garment and silk, together with a cow, attains the abode of Vishnu.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.2.66)

यच्च धर्मार्थकामानां मोक्षस्य च रसातले। माहात्म्यं कथयामास कूर्मरूपी जनार्दनः

yacca dharmārthakāmānāṁ mokṣasya ca rasātale| māhātmyaṁ kathayāmāsa kūrmarūpī janārdanaḥ

That which Janardana, taking the form of a Tortoise in the netherworld, declared as the glory of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha —

Verse 67 (skanda.7.2.67)

इन्द्रद्युम्नप्रसंगेन ऋषीणां शक्रसन्निधौ। सप्तदशसहस्राणि लक्ष्मीकल्पानुषङ्गिकम्

indradyumnaprasaṁgena ṛṣīṇāṁ śakrasannidhau| saptadaśasahasrāṇi lakṣmīkalpānuṣaṅgikam

— told, in connection with the account of Indradyumna, to the sages in Indra's presence, and pertaining to the Lakshmi kalpa, comprising seventeen thousand verses,

Verse 68 (skanda.7.2.68)

यो दद्यादयने कौर्मं हेमकूर्मसमन्वितम्। गोसहस्रप्रदानस्य स फलं प्राप्नुयान्नरः

yo dadyādayane kaurmaṁ hemakūrmasamanvitam| gosahasrapradānasya sa phalaṁ prāpnuyānnaraḥ

— whoever gives this Kaurma at the solstice, together with a golden tortoise, obtains the fruit of donating a thousand cows.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.2.69)

श्रुतीनां यत्र कल्पादौ प्रवृत्त्यर्थं जनार्दनः। मत्स्यरूपी च मनवे नरसिंहोपवर्णनम्

śrutīnāṁ yatra kalpādau pravṛttyarthaṁ janārdanaḥ| matsyarūpī ca manave narasiṁhopavarṇanam

That in which Janardana, taking the form of a Fish at the start of the kalpa, for the sake of establishing the Vedic tradition, spoke to Manu — including the account of Narasimha —

Verse 70 (skanda.7.2.70)

अधिकृत्याब्रवीत्सप्तकल्पवृत्तं मुनिव्रताः। तन्मात्स्यमिति जानीध्वं सहस्राणि चतुर्दश

adhikṛtyābravītsaptakalpavṛttaṁ munivratāḥ| tanmātsyamiti jānīdhvaṁ sahasrāṇi caturdaśa

— taking as its basis the account of the seven kalpas, O ye of sagely vows — know that to be the Matsya, comprising fourteen thousand verses.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.2.71)

विषुवे हैममत्स्येन धेन्वा क्षौमयुगान्वितम्। यो दद्यात्पृथिवी तेन दत्ता भवति चाखिला

viṣuve haimamatsyena dhenvā kṣaumayugānvitam| yo dadyātpṛthivī tena dattā bhavati cākhilā

Whoever gives it at the equinox, together with a golden fish, a cow, and a pair of silk garments, is deemed to have given the entire earth.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.2.72)

यदा वा गरुडे कल्पे विश्वाण्डाद्गरुडोऽभवत्। अधिकृत्याब्रवीत्कृष्णो गारुडं तदिहोच्यते

yadā vā garuḍe kalpe viśvāṇḍādgaruḍo'bhavat| adhikṛtyābravītkṛṣṇo gāruḍaṁ tadihocyate

That which Krishna declared, taking as its basis the Garuda kalpa when Garuda arose from the cosmic egg, is here called the Garuda.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.2.73)

तदष्टादश चैकं च सहस्राणीह पठ्यते। स्वर्णहंससमायुक्तं यो दद्यादयने परे। स सिद्धिं लभते मुख्यां शिवलोके च संस्थितिम्

tadaṣṭādaśa caikaṁ ca sahasrāṇīha paṭhyate| svarṇahaṁsasamāyuktaṁ yo dadyādayane pare| sa siddhiṁ labhate mukhyāṁ śivaloke ca saṁsthitim

It is recited as comprising nineteen thousand verses; whoever gives it, together with a golden swan, at the northern solstice, obtains the foremost accomplishment and abode in Shiva's world.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.2.74)

ब्रह्मा ब्रह्माण्डमाहात्म्यमधिकृत्याब्रवीत्पुनः। तच्च द्वादशसाहस्रं ब्रह्माण्डं द्विशताधिकम्

brahmā brahmāṇḍamāhātmyamadhikṛtyābravītpunaḥ| tacca dvādaśasāhasraṁ brahmāṇḍaṁ dviśatādhikam

That which Brahma again declared, taking as its basis the glory of the cosmic egg, is the Brahmanda Purana, comprising twelve thousand two hundred verses.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.2.75)

भविष्याणां च कल्पानां श्रूयते यत्र विस्तरः। तद्ब्रह्माण्डं पुराणं तु ब्रह्मणा समुदाहृतम्

bhaviṣyāṇāṁ ca kalpānāṁ śrūyate yatra vistaraḥ| tadbrahmāṇḍaṁ purāṇaṁ tu brahmaṇā samudāhṛtam

That in which the expanse of future kalpas is heard, this Brahmanda Purana, was declared by Brahma.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.2.76)

यो दद्यात्तु व्यतीपात ऊर्णायुगसमन्वितम्। राजसूयसहस्रस्य फलमाप्नोति मानवः

yo dadyāttu vyatīpāta ūrṇāyugasamanvitam| rājasūyasahasrasya phalamāpnoti mānavaḥ

Whoever gives it during the Vyatipata conjunction, together with a pair of woolen garments, obtains the fruit of a thousand royal Rajasuya sacrifices.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.2.77)

हेमधेन्वायुतं तच्च ब्रह्मलोकफलप्रदम्। चतुर्लक्षमिदं प्रोक्तं व्यासेनाद्भुतकर्मणा

hemadhenvāyutaṁ tacca brahmalokaphalapradam| caturlakṣamidaṁ proktaṁ vyāsenādbhutakarmaṇā

Given together with a golden cow, it grants the fruit of Brahma's world; this, in four hundred thousand verses, was declared by Vyasa of wondrous deeds.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.2.78)

इदं लोकहितार्थाय संक्षिप्तं द्वापरे द्विजाः

idaṁ lokahitārthāya saṁkṣiptaṁ dvāpare dvijāḥ

O brahmins, this was condensed in the Dvapara age for the welfare of the world.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.2.79)

इदमद्यापि देवेषु शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम्। उपभेदान्प्रवक्ष्यामि लोके ये संप्रतिष्ठिताः

idamadyāpi deveṣu śatakoṭipravistaram| upabhedānpravakṣyāmi loke ye saṁpratiṣṭhitāḥ

This still extends, among the gods, to a hundred crore verses today; now I shall tell of the sub-divisions established in the world.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.2.80)

पाद्मे पुराणे यत्प्रोक्तं नारसिंहोपवर्णनम्। तच्चाष्टादशसाहस्रं नारसिंहमिहोच्यते

pādme purāṇe yatproktaṁ nārasiṁhopavarṇanam| taccāṣṭādaśasāhasraṁ nārasiṁhamihocyate

That account of Narasimha spoken within the Padma Purana, comprising eighteen thousand verses, is here called the Narasimha Upapurana.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.2.81)

नन्दिने यत्र माहात्म्यं कार्तिकेयेन वर्णितम्। लोके नन्दिपुराणं वै ख्यातमेतद्द्विजोत्तमाः

nandine yatra māhātmyaṁ kārtikeyena varṇitam| loke nandipurāṇaṁ vai khyātametaddvijottamāḥ

O foremost of the twice-born, that in which Kartikeya described the glory of Nandi is known in the world as the Nandi Purana.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.2.82)

यत्र साम्बं पुरस्कृत्य भविष्यति कथानकम्। प्रोच्यते तत्पुनर्लोके सांबमेव मुनिव्रताः

yatra sāmbaṁ puraskṛtya bhaviṣyati kathānakam| procyate tatpunarloke sāṁbameva munivratāḥ

O sages of holy vows, that in which the narrative concerning the future is told with Samba at its center is called, in the world, the Samba.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.2.83)

एवमादित्यसंज्ञं तु तत्रैव परिपठ्यते। अष्टादशभ्यस्तु पृथक्पुराणं यच्च दृश्यते। विजानीध्वं द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तदेतेभ्यो विनिर्गतम्

evamādityasaṁjñaṁ tu tatraiva paripaṭhyate| aṣṭādaśabhyastu pṛthakpurāṇaṁ yacca dṛśyate| vijānīdhvaṁ dvijaśreṣṭhāstadetebhyo vinirgatam

In the same way, the one called the Aditya is also recited there. O best of brahmins, know that whatever Purana appears distinct from these eighteen has, in truth, issued forth from them.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.2.84)

पञ्चाङ्गानि पुराणस्य चाख्यानमितरत्स्मृतम्। सर्गश्च प्रतिसर्गश्च वंशो मन्वन्तराणि च। वंशानुवंशचरितं पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम्

pañcāṅgāni purāṇasya cākhyānamitaratsmṛtam| sargaśca pratisargaśca vaṁśo manvaṁtarāṇi ca| vaṁśānuvaṁśacaritaṁ purāṇaṁ pañcalakṣaṇam

The five limbs of a Purana, the rest being reckoned as its narrative elaboration, are: primary creation, secondary creation, dynastic lineage, the ages of the Manus, and the deeds of the successive dynasties — thus a Purana has these five characteristics.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.2.85)

ब्रह्मविष्ण्वर्करुद्राणां माहात्म्यं भुवनस्य च। संहारश्च प्रदृश्येत पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम्

brahmaviṣṇvarkarudrāṇāṁ māhātmyaṁ bhuvanasya ca| saṁhāraśca pradṛśyeta purāṇaṁ pañcalakṣaṇam

The glory of Brahma, Vishnu, Surya, and Rudra, along with the description of the world and its dissolution, are likewise seen within this five-featured Purana.

Verse 86 (skanda.7.2.86)

धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च मोक्षश्च परिकीर्त्यते। सर्वेष्वपि पुराणेषु तद्विरूढे च यत्फलम्

dharmaścārthaśca kāmaśca mokṣaśca parikīrtyate| sarveṣvapi purāṇeṣu tadvirūḍhe ca yatphalam

Dharma, artha, kama, and moksha are proclaimed in all the Puranas, along with the fruit that arises once these teachings take firm root.

Verse 87 (skanda.7.2.87)

सात्विकेषु च कल्पेषु माहात्म्यमधिकं हरेः। राजसेषु च माहात्म्यमधिकं ब्रह्मणो विदुः

sātvikeṣu ca kalpeṣu māhātmyamadhikaṁ hareḥ| rājaseṣu ca māhātmyamadhikaṁ brahmaṇo viduḥ

In the sattvic Puranas, the glory of Hari predominates; in the rajasic ones, one should know the glory of Brahma predominates.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.2.88)

तद्वदग्रे च माहात्म्यं तामसेषु शिवस्य हि। संकीर्णे च सरस्वत्याः पितॄणां च निगद्यते

tadvadagre ca māhātmyaṁ tāmaseṣu śivasya hi| saṁkīrṇe ca sarasvatyāḥ pitṝṇāṁ ca nigadyate

Likewise, in the tamasic ones, the glory of Shiva predominates; and in the mixed ones, the glory of Sarasvati and of the ancestors is declared.

Verse 89 (skanda.7.2.89)

चतुर्भिर्भगवान्विष्णुर्द्वाभ्यां ब्रह्मा तथा रविः। अष्टादशपुराणेषु शेषेषु भगवाञ्छिवः

caturbhirbhagavānviṣṇurdvābhyāṁ brahmā tathā raviḥ| aṣṭādaśapurāṇeṣu śeṣeṣu bhagavāñchivaḥ

Of the eighteen Puranas, the Lord Vishnu is glorified in four, Brahma and the Sun each in two, and the Lord Shiva in the remainder.

Verse 90 (skanda.7.2.90)

वेदवन्निश्चलं मन्ये पुराणं वै द्विजोत्तमाः। वेदाः प्रतिष्ठिताः सर्वे पुराणे नात्र संशयः

vedavanniścalaṁ manye purāṇaṁ vai dvijottamāḥ| vedāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ sarve purāṇe nātra saṁśayaḥ

O foremost of the twice-born, I regard the Purana as immovable, just like the Veda; all the Vedas rest upon the Purana — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 91 (skanda.7.2.91)

बिभेत्यल्पश्रुताद्वेदो मामयं चालयिष्यति। इतिहासपुराणैस्तु निश्चलोऽयं कृतः पुरा

bibhetyalpaśrutādvedo māmayaṁ cālayiṣyati| itihāsapurāṇaistu niścalo'yaṁ kṛtaḥ purā

The Veda fears the one of little learning, thinking 'this man will unsettle me' — and so, of old, it was made steadfast through the Itihasas and Puranas.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.2.92)

यन्न दृष्टं हि वेदेषु न दृष्टं स्मृतिषु द्विजाः। उभयोर्यत्र दृष्टं च तत्पुराणेषु गीयते

yanna dṛṣṭaṁ hi vedeṣu na dṛṣṭaṁ smṛtiṣu dvijāḥ| ubhayoryatra dṛṣṭaṁ ca tatpurāṇeṣu gīyate

O brahmins, whatever is not seen in the Vedas, and not seen in the Smritis, and whatever is seen in both — all of it is sung of in the Puranas.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.2.93)

यो वेद चतुरो वेदान्सांगोपनिषदो द्विजः। पुराणं नैव जानाति न च स स्याद्विचक्षणः

yo veda caturo vedānsāṁgopaniṣado dvijaḥ| purāṇaṁ naiva jānāti na ca sa syādvicakṣaṇaḥ

The twice-born who knows the four Vedas together with their limbs and Upanishads, but does not know the Purana, cannot be called truly learned.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.2.94)

अष्टादशपुराणानि कृत्वा सत्यवतीसुतः। भारताख्यानमकरोद्वेदार्थैरुपबृंहितम्

aṣṭādaśapurāṇāni kṛtvā satyavatīsutaḥ| bhāratākhyānamakarodvedārthairupabṛṁhitam

Having composed the eighteen Puranas, the son of Satyavati then composed the narrative called the Bharata, amplified with the meanings of the Vedas.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.2.95)

लक्षेणैकेन तत्प्रोक्तं द्वापरान्ते महात्मना। वाल्मीकिना च यत्प्रोक्तं रामोपाख्यानमुत्तमम्

lakṣeṇaikena tatproktaṁ dvāpārānte mahātmanā| vālmīkinā ca yatproktaṁ rāmopākhyānamuttamam

That great soul told it, at the end of Dvapara, in one hundred thousand verses; and the excellent narrative of Rama that was told by Valmiki —

Verse 96 (skanda.7.2.96)

ब्रह्मणा विहितं यच्च शतकोटिप्रविस्तरम्। आह तन्नारदायैव तेन वाल्मीकये पुनः

brahmaṇā vihitaṁ yacca śatakoṭipravistaram| āha tannāradāyaiva tena vālmīkaye punaḥ

— which Brahma composed, extending to a hundred crore verses, he told to Narada, and Narada in turn told it to Valmiki.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.2.97)

वाल्मीकिना च लोके तु धर्मकामार्थसाधकम्

vālmīkinā ca loke tu dharmakāmārthasādhakam

And Valmiki composed it in the world as a means to accomplish dharma, kama, and artha.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.2.98)

एवं सपादाः पञ्चैते लक्षाः पुण्याः प्रकीर्तिताः। पुरातनस्य कल्पस्य पुराणे तु विदुर्बुधाः

evaṁ sapādāḥ pañcaite lakṣāḥ puṇyāḥ prakīrtitāḥ| purātanasya kalpasya purāṇe tu vidurbudhāḥ

Thus these five and a quarter hundred thousand verses are proclaimed as meritorious; the wise know them as belonging to the Purana of the ancient kalpa.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.2.99)

इतिहासपुराणानि भिद्यन्ते काल गौरवात्। स्कान्दं तथा च ब्रह्माण्डं पुराणं लैङ्गमेव च

itihāsapurāṇāni bhidyaṁte kāla gauravāt| skāndaṁ tathā ca brahmāṇḍaṁ purāṇaṁ laiṅgameva ca

The Itihasas and Puranas come to be divided owing to the weight of time — and so too the Skanda, the Brahmanda, and the Linga Puranas.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.2.100)

वाराहकल्पे विप्रेन्द्रास्तेषां भेदः प्रवर्तते। अष्टादशप्रकारेण ब्रह्माण्डं भिन्नमेव हि

vārāhakalpe viprendrāstesāṁ bhedaḥ pravartate| aṣṭādaśaprakāreṇa brahmāṇḍaṁ bhinnameva hi

O foremost of brahmins, their division arises during the Varaha kalpa; the original Brahmanda has become differentiated into eighteen kinds.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.2.101)

अष्टादशपुराणानि तेन जातानि भूतले। लैङ्गमेकादशविधं प्रभिन्नं द्वापरे शुभम्

aṣṭādaśapurāṇāni tena jātāni bhūtale| laiṅgamekādaśavidhaṁ prabhinnaṁ dvāpare śubham

Thus the eighteen Puranas arose upon the earth; the auspicious Linga became differentiated into eleven varieties in the Dvapara age.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.2.102)

स्कान्दं तु सप्तधा भिन्नं वेद व्यासेनधीमता। एकाशीतिसहस्राणि शतं चैकं तु संख्यया

skāndaṁ tu saptadhā bhinnaṁ veda vyāsenadhīmatā| ekāśītisahasrāṇi śataṁ caikaṁ tu saṁkhyayā

The wise Vyasa knew the Skanda to be divided sevenfold; in number it comprises eighty-one thousand one hundred verses.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.2.103)

तस्याऽऽद्यो यो विभागस्तु स्कन्दमाहात्म्यसंयुतः। माहेश्वरः समाख्यातो द्वितीयो वैष्णवः स्मृतः

tasyā'dyo yo vibhāgastu skandamāhātmyasaṁyutaḥ| māheśvaraḥ samākhyāto dvitīyo vaiṣṇavaḥ smṛtaḥ

Its first division, joined with the glory of Skanda, is called the Maheshvara; the second is remembered as the Vaishnava.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.2.104)

तृतीयो ब्रह्मणः प्रोक्तः सृष्टिसंक्षेपसूचकः। काशीमाहात्म्यसंयुक्तश्चतुर्थः परिपठ्यते

tṛtīyo brahmaṇaḥ proktaḥ sṛṣṭisaṁkṣepasūcakaḥ| kāśīmāhātmyasaṁyuktaścaturthaḥ paripaṭhyate

The third is called the Brahma-khanda, indicating the summary of creation; the fourth is recited as joined with the glory of Kashi.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.2.105)

रेवायाः पञ्चमो भागः सोज्जयिन्याः प्रकीर्तितः। षष्ठः कल्पो नागरश्च तीर्थमाहात्म्यसूचकः

revāyāḥ pañcamo bhāgaḥ sojjayinyāḥ prakīrtitaḥ| ṣaṣṭhaḥ kalpo nāgaraśca tīrthamāhātmyasūcakaḥ

The fifth portion belongs to the Reva, proclaimed together with Ujjayini; the sixth is the Nagara kalpa, indicating the glory of the tirthas.

Verse 106 (skanda.7.2.106)

सप्तमो यो विभागोऽयं स्मृतः प्राभासिको द्विजाः। सर्वे द्वादशसाहस्रा विभागाः संप्रकीर्तिताः

saptamo yo vibhāgo'yaṁ smṛtaḥ prābhāsiko dvijāḥ| sarve dvādaśasāhasrā vibhāgāḥ saṁprakīrtitāḥ

O brahmins, this seventh division is remembered as the Prabhasika; each of these divisions is proclaimed to comprise twelve thousand verses.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.2.107)

अस्मिन्प्राभासिकः सर्वो वर्ण्यते क्षेत्रविस्तरः। तीर्थानां चैव माहात्म्यं माहात्म्यं शंकरस्य च

asminprābhāsikaḥ sarvo varṇyate kṣetravistaraḥ| tīrthānāṁ caiva māhātmyaṁ māhātmyaṁ śaṁkarasya ca

In this one, the entire extent of the Prabhasa region is described, together with the glory of the tirthas and the glory of Shankara.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.2.108)

अन्येषां चैव देवानां माहात्म्यं च प्रकीर्त्यते। इति भेदः पुराणानां संक्षेपात्कथितो द्विजाः

anyeṣāṁ caiva devānāṁ māhātmyaṁ ca prakīrtyate| iti bhedaḥ purāṇānāṁ saṁkṣepātkathito dvijāḥ

The glory of other gods too is proclaimed within it. Thus, O brahmins, the division of the Puranas has been told in brief.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.2.109)

इममष्टादशानां तु पुराणानामनुक्रमम्। यः पठेद्धव्यकव्येषु स याति भवनं हरेः

imamaṣṭādaśānāṁ tu purāṇānāmanukramam| yaḥ paṭheddhavyakavyeṣu sa yāti bhavanaṁ hareḥ

Whoever recites this sequence of the eighteen Puranas on occasions of oblations to gods and ancestors goes to the abode of Hari.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.2.110)

इदं पवित्रं हि यशोनिधानमिदं पितॄणामपि वल्लभं च। इदं च देवेष्वमृताय नित्यमिदं महापातकहृच्च पुंसाम्

idaṁ pavitraṁ hi yaśonidhānamidaṁ pitṝṇāmapi vallabhaṁ ca| idaṁ ca deveṣvamṛtāya nityamidaṁ mahāpātakahṛcca puṁsām

This is sacred, a treasury of fame; it is beloved of the ancestors too; it is, for the gods, forever like nectar; and it is that which destroys the great sins of men.