Adhyaya 245
This adhyāya is framed as a divine instruction: Īśvara speaks to Devī and directs her (and thereby pilgrims) to proceed to a particular shrine within the same sacred region. The site is on the bank of the Sarasvatī, described by relative markers—near/above, and to the west of a landmark associated with Pārṇāditya. There a renowned liṅga is identified, established in ancient times by Brahmā and named Brahmeśvara. Its glory is stated plainly: it destroys all sins (sarva-pātaka-nāśana). On the second lunar day, dvitīyā, one should bathe there, observe fasting (upavāsa), restrain the senses (jitendriya), and worship the Lord of the gods by the name “Brahmeśvara.” The teaching also includes duty to the ancestors: offer tarpaṇa and perform śrāddha for the pitṛ, with the declared aim of attaining an enduring, eternal state or abode (śāśvataṃ padam).
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि तत्रैवोपरिसंस्थितम् । सरस्वत्यास्तटे देवि पर्णादित्यस्य पश्चिमे
Īśvara said: “Then, O great Goddess, one should go to that holy spot situated right there nearby above—on the bank of the Sarasvatī, O Goddess, to the west of Parṇāditya.”
Verse 2
तत्रास्ते सुमहल्लिंगं स्थापितं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । ब्रह्मेश्वरेति विख्यातं सर्वपातकनाशनम्
There stands a very great liṅga, established long ago by Brahmā. It is renowned as “Brahmeśvara,” the destroyer of all sins.
Verse 3
तत्र स्नात्वा द्वितीयायां सोपवासो जितेंद्रियः । अर्चयेद्देवदेवेशं नाम्ना ब्रह्मेश्वरं शुभम् । तर्पयेच्च पितॄञ्छ्राद्धे यदीच्छेच्छाश्वतं पदम्
Having bathed there on the Dvitīyā (the second lunar day), fasting and self-controlled, one should worship the Lord of gods by the auspicious name “Brahmeśvara.” One should also satisfy the Pitṛs with śrāddha-offerings, if one desires the everlasting state.
Verse 245
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रमास खण्डे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये ब्रह्मेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम पञ्चचत्वारिंशदुत्तरद्विशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the venerable Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the Saṃhitā of eighty-one thousand verses, within the seventh Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa—within the first part, the Prabhāsa Kṣetra Māhātmya—ends the chapter entitled “Description of the Greatness of Brahmeśvara,” being Chapter 245.