Adhyaya 299
Īśvara describes a Mādhava shrine situated slightly to the south within the sacred precinct of Prabhāsa, identifying the deity’s form as the bearer of conch, discus, and mace (śaṅkha-cakra-gadā). The chapter lays down a disciplined observance for the bright fortnight’s ekādaśī: one who fasts (upavāsa), restrains the senses (jitendriya), and worships with sandal and fragrances, flowers, and unguents is said to attain the “supreme abode,” defined as freedom from rebirth (apunarbhava). A confirming gāthā attributed to Brahmā links the rite to Viṣṇukuṇḍa, declaring that bathing there and worshiping Mādhava leads directly to the realm where Hari abides “by himself,” as the ultimate refuge. The discourse ends with a concise phala statement: this Vaiṣṇava māhātmya grants all aims and destroys all sins, serving as both theological sanction and ritual guide.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । तस्यैव दक्षिणे भागे नातिदूरे व्यवस्थितम् । शंखचक्रगदाधारी माधवस्तत्र संस्थितः
Īśvara said: To the south of that very place, not far away, stands Mādhava, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, established there.
Verse 2
एकादश्यां सिते पक्षे सोपवासो जितेन्द्रियः । यस्तं पूजयते भक्त्या गंधपुष्पानुलेपनैः । स याति परमं स्थानमपुनर्भवदायकम्
On the eleventh lunar day in the bright fortnight, fasting and self-controlled, whoever worships Him with devotion—using perfumes, flowers, and unguents—attains the supreme state that grants freedom from rebirth.
Verse 3
अत्र गाथा पुरा गीता ब्रह्मणा लोककर्तृणा । विष्णुकुण्डे नरः स्नात्वा यो वै माधवमर्चयेत् । स यास्यति परं स्थानं यत्र देवो हरिः स्वयम्
Here a verse was once sung by Brahmā, the creator of the worlds: having bathed in Viṣṇukuṇḍa, the man who worships Mādhava indeed goes to that supreme realm where Lord Hari Himself abides.
Verse 4
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं माहात्म्यं विष्णुदैवतम् । सर्वकामप्रदं नृणां सर्वपातकनाशनम्
All this has been explained to you—the sacred greatness of Viṣṇu’s divine presence: it grants all desired aims to people and destroys every sin.
Verse 299
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखंडे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये माधवमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम नवनवत्युत्तरद्वि शततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends Chapter 299, entitled “The Description of the Greatness of Mādhava,” in the Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa, within the first Prabhāsakṣetra-māhātmya, of the Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the Ekāśīti-sāhasrī Saṃhitā.