Adhyaya 136
This chapter is cast as Īśvara’s instruction to Devī, directing her—and thereby pilgrims—to proceed to the eminent shrine of Lomaśeśvara. It lies east of the place known as Duḥkhāntakāriṇī, within a sacred cluster described as a “sevenfold bow-range.” The sage Lomaśa is said to have performed exceedingly difficult austerities and, within a cave, established a great liṅga. A cosmic motif of longevity follows: the number of Indras is likened to the hairs on the body, and as Indras perish one after another, corresponding hair-fall occurs; by Īśvara’s grace Lomaśa attains extraordinary long life, enduring across the lifespans of many Brahmās. The chapter ends with a devotional assurance: whoever worships with bhakti the liṅga honored by Lomaśa gains long life, freedom from illness, and abides in comfort and happiness.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि लोमशेश्वरमुत्तमम् । दुःखान्तकारिणीपूर्वे धनुषां सप्तके स्थितम्
Īśvara said: Then, O Great Goddess, one should go to the excellent Lomaśeśvara, situated to the east of Duḥkhāntakāriṇī at a distance of seven bow-lengths.
Verse 2
स्थापितं तत्र देवेशि लोमशेन महर्षिणा । गुहामध्ये महालिंगं तपः कृत्वा सुदुश्चरम्
There, O Goddess of the gods, the great sage Lomaśa—having performed exceedingly difficult austerities—installed a great Liṅga within a cave.
Verse 3
कोटीनां त्रितयं सार्धमिंद्राद्याः स्वर्भुजः प्रिये । यदा नाशं गमिष्यंति तदा तस्य क्षयो ध्रुवम्
Beloved, Indra and the other enjoyers of heaven endure for three and a half crores; when they pass into destruction, the decline of that order is certain.
Verse 4
यावंति देहरोमाणि इन्द्रास्तावन्त एव च । क्रमादिन्द्रे विनष्टे तु तल्लोमपतनं भवेत्
As many as the hairs upon the body, so many Indras there are. And when each Indra perishes in due order, a corresponding hair falls away.
Verse 5
एवमीशप्रसादेन चिरायुर्लोमशोऽभवत् । ब्रह्माणः षड्विनश्यन्ति समग्रायुषि लोमशे
Thus, by the grace of Īśa (Śiva), Lomaśa became long-lived. Within the full span of Lomaśa’s life, six Brahmās pass away.
Verse 6
य एवं पूजयेद्भक्त्या तल्लिंगं लोमशार्चितम् । सोऽपि दीर्घायुराप्नोति निर्व्याधिर्नीरुजः सुखी
Whoever, with devotion, worships that Liṅga adored by Lomaśa—he too attains long life, free from disease and pain, and lives happily.
Verse 136
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखण्डे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये लोमशेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम षट्त्रिंशदुत्तरशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the one-hundred-and-thirty-sixth chapter, called “The Description of the Greatness of Lomaśeśvara,” in the first part, the Prabhāsa-kṣetra-māhātmya, of the seventh book, the Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa, of the venerable Skanda Mahāpurāṇa (the Saṃhitā of eighty-one thousand verses).