Adhyaya 162
Chapter 162 is framed as Śiva’s instruction to Devī, placing the Aṣṭakuleśvara liṅga within the sacred landscape of Prabhāsa. Its location is given by direction: it lies to the south of the referenced point and to the east of Lakṣmaṇeśa. Śiva extols Aṣṭakuleśvara as the pacifier of all sins (sarva-pāpa-praśamana) and the destroyer of grievous afflictions, including the peril of “great poison” (mahā-viṣa). Its sanctity is affirmed by the worship of siddhas and gandharvas, and it is said to grant desired aims (vāñchitārtha-prada). A specific observance is prescribed: worship on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī according to the proper rite (vidhānataḥ). The phalaśruti promises release from grave transgressions and honor in Nāga-loka, a distinct post-mortem merit tied to this vow and shrine.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि तस्माद्दक्षिणतः स्थितम् । लक्ष्मणेशाच्च पूर्वस्मिंल्लिंगमष्टकुलेश्वरम्
Īśvara said: Then, O Great Goddess, one should proceed to the liṅga named Aṣṭakuleśvara, situated to the south of that place and to the east of Lakṣmaṇeśa.
Verse 2
सर्वपापप्रशमनं महाविषप्रणाशनम् । पूजितं सिद्धगन्धर्वैर्वाञ्छितार्थप्रदायकम्
(Aṣṭakuleśvara) pacifies all sins, destroys deadly poison, is worshipped by Siddhas and Gandharvas, and grants the desired aims.
Verse 3
यस्तं पूजयते मर्त्यः कृष्णाष्टम्यां विधानतः । स मुक्तः पातकैर्घोरैर्नागलोके महीयते
Any mortal who worships Him properly on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī is freed from dreadful sins and is honored in the realm of the Nāgas.
Verse 162
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखंडे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्येऽष्टकुलेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम द्विषष्ट्युत्तर शततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends Chapter 162, entitled “The Description of the Greatness of Aṣṭakuleśvara,” in the Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa, within the Prabhāsa Kṣetra Māhātmya, of the venerable Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the Saṃhitā of eighty-one thousand verses.