Adhyaya 150
This chapter is cast as Īśvara’s instruction on a Śaiva shrine called Brahmeśvara, located south of the previously established Brahma-kuṇḍa. It proclaims the shrine’s fame across the three worlds and its guardianship by Śiva’s gaṇas, thereby affirming its authority within the Prabhāsa pilgrimage landscape. A precise ritual order is then given: the pilgrim should approach Brahmeśvara, bathe at the spot—especially on caturdaśī and most especially on amāvāsyā—perform śrāddha according to proper procedure, and thereafter worship Brahmeśvara. The dāna element follows, recommending the gift of gold to brāhmaṇas as an act pleasing to Śaṅkara. The concluding phala statement links these observances to the “fruit of birth” (janma-phala), the spread of great renown (vipulā kīrti), and a rejoicing associated with Brahmā’s favor, uniting rite, ethical giving, and promised outcomes in one teaching.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । ततो ब्रह्मेश्वरं गच्छेत्तस्य दक्षिणतः स्थितम् । ब्रह्मणा स्थापितं पूर्वं ब्रह्मकुण्डसमीपतः । त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातं रक्ष्यमाणं गणैर्मम
Īśvara said: “Then one should go to Brahmeśvara, situated to the south of that place. Formerly established by Brahmā near Brahmakūṇḍa, it is renowned in the three worlds and is protected by my gaṇas.”
Verse 2
तत्र स्नात्वा चतुर्दश्याममावास्यां विशेषतः । श्राद्धं च विधिवत्कृत्वा ब्रह्मेशं पूजयेत्ततः
Having bathed there—especially on the fourteenth day and on the new-moon day—having duly performed śrāddha, one should then worship Brahmeśa (Brahmeśvara).
Verse 3
विप्रेभ्यः कांचनं दद्यात्प्रीतये शंकरस्य च
One should also give gold to the brāhmaṇas, for the pleasure of Śaṅkara.
Verse 4
एवं कृत्वा नरो देवि लभते जन्मनः फलम् । विपुलां कीर्तिमायाति मोदते ब्रह्मणा प्रिये
Having done so, O Goddess, a man gains the true fruit of his birth. He attains abundant fame and rejoices, O beloved, together with Brahmā.
Verse 150
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखंडे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये ब्रह्मकुंडमाहात्म्ये ब्रह्मेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम पंचाशदु त्तरशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the one-hundred-and-fiftieth chapter, called “The Description of the Glory of Brahmeśvara,” in the Brahmakūṇḍa Māhātmya within the Prabhāsa-kṣetra Māhātmya, in the seventh book of the Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the Ekāśīti-sāhasrī Saṃhitā.