Adhyaya 57
The chapter is cast as a dialogue opening with Nārada’s words. It tells how Nārada and the brāhmaṇas, having propitiated Maheśvara (Śiva), establish Śaṅkara at the holy Mahīnagaraka for the welfare of the worlds, and point out an excellent Kedāra-liṅga north of Atrīśa, praised as a destroyer of great sins. A ritual order is taught: bathe at Atrikuṇḍa, perform śrāddha according to rule, salute Atrīśa, and then take darśana of Kedāra; one who does so is said to become a “share-holder in liberation” (mukti-bhāg). The narrative then connects Nārada with Rudra’s presence as Nīlakaṇṭha, adding place-specific observances: bathe at Koṭitīrtha and behold Nīlakaṇṭha, then salute Jayāditya, which leads to Rudraloka. Jayāditya is also worshiped by eminent people after bathing in a well, with a protective assurance that through his grace their lineage will not be destroyed. The chapter ends with a phalaśruti: hearing the full account of Mahīnagaraka frees one from all sins.
Shlokas
Verse 1
नारद उवाच । ततो विप्रा नारदश्च समाराध्य महेश्वरम् । महीनगरके पुण्ये स्थापयामास शंकरम्
Nārada said: Then the brāhmaṇas—and Nārada as well—having duly worshipped Maheśvara, established Śaṅkara in the holy place called Mahīnagara.
Verse 2
लोकानां च हितार्थाय केदारं लिंगमुत्तमम् । अत्रीशादुत्तरे भागे महापातकनाशनम्
For the welfare of all worlds there is the supreme Kedāra Liṅga; it is situated to the north of Atrīśa, and it destroys the gravest sins.
Verse 3
अत्रिकुण्डे नरः स्नात्वा श्राद्धं कृत्वा यथाविधि । अत्रीशं च नमस्कृत्य केदारं यः प्रपश्यति
Whoever bathes in Atrikuṇḍa, performs śrāddha according to the rite, bows in reverence to Atrīśa, and then beholds Kedāra—attains the promised merit.
Verse 4
मातुः स्तन्यं पुनर्नैव स पिबेन्मुक्तिभाग्भवेत् । ततो रुद्रो नीलकंठं नारदाय महात्मने
He will never again drink his mother’s milk—he becomes a sharer in liberation. Then Rudra spoke of Nīlakaṇṭha to the great-souled Nārada.
Verse 5
स्वयं दत्त्वा स्वयं तस्थौ महीनगरके शुभे । कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा नीलकंठं प्रपश्यति
Having granted the boon himself, he himself remained in the auspicious Mahīnagaraka. Whoever bathes at Koṭitīrtha beholds Nīlakaṇṭha.
Verse 6
जयादित्यं नमस्कृत्य रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात् । जयादित्यं पूजयंति कूपे स्नात्वा नरोत्तमाः
Having bowed to Jayāditya, one attains Rudra’s world. The best of men, after bathing in the well, worship Jayāditya.
Verse 7
न तेषां वंशनाशोऽस्ति जयादित्यप्रसादतः । इदं ते कथितं पार्थ महीनगरकस्य च
By the grace of Jayāditya there is no destruction of their lineage. Thus, O Pārtha, this has been told to you regarding Mahīnagaraka as well.
Verse 8
आख्यानं सकलं श्रुत्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
By hearing this sacred account in its entirety, one is freed from all sins.
Verse 57
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां प्रथमे माहेश्वरखण्डे कौमारिकाखंडे नीलकंठमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम सप्तपञ्चाशत्तमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the fifty-seventh chapter, entitled “The Description of the Greatness of Nīlakaṇṭha,” in the Kaumārikā Khaṇḍa of the first Māheśvara Khaṇḍa of the Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, within the Ekāśīti-sāhasrī Saṃhitā.