Adhyaya 320
In a theological dialogue from Īśvara to Devī, this chapter identifies a highly meritorious pair of liṅgas situated in the southeastern vicinity of the sacred region. Their establishment is attributed to Viśvakarmā, and their presence is linked to Tvaṣṭṛ’s arrival for city-building: after Mahādeva is installed, a city is constructed, and the liṅga(s) are (re-)established, highlighting the mutual bond between civic order and sacred iconography. The chapter then turns from origin-legend to practical rite, prescribing worship of the liṅga pair at the beginning and end of undertakings (karmādau/karmānte), especially for journeys and marriage-processions, as a worship that yields immediate efficacy. It concludes by setting standards for offerings—fragrant substances, amṛta-like liquids, and varied naivedya—framed as an ethical discipline of careful, intentional devotion rather than mere formality.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । तस्माच्च पूर्वदिग्भागे किञ्चिदाग्नेयसंस्थितम् । लिंगद्वयं महापुण्यं विश्वकर्मप्रतिष्ठितम्
Īśvara said: “To the east of that place, slightly toward the southeast, there are two supremely holy Liṅgas, established by Viśvakarman.”
Verse 2
यदा वै नगरं कर्तुं त्वष्टा तत्र समागतः । प्रतिष्ठाप्य महादेवं नगरं कृतवांस्ततः
When Tvaṣṭṛ came there to build the city, he first installed Mahādeva, and only then did he construct the city.
Verse 3
कृत्वा च नगरं रम्यं लिंगस्यास्य प्रभावतः । पुनः प्रतिष्ठितं र्लिगं तेन वै विश्वकर्मणा
By the power of this Liṅga, he fashioned a beautiful city; and that very Liṅga was then re-established again by Viśvakarman.
Verse 4
कर्मादौ कर्मणश्चान्ते यात्रोद्वाहगृहादिके । लिंगद्वयं पूजयित्वा सिद्धिमाप्नोति तत्क्षणात्
At the start of an undertaking and at its completion—during pilgrimage, weddings, house-building, and such rites—one who worships the pair of Liṅgas attains success immediately.
Verse 5
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन गंधामृतरसोदकैः । नैवेद्यै विविधैर्देवि लिंगयुग्मं प्रपूजयेत्
Therefore, O Goddess, with every effort one should duly worship the pair of Liṅgas with fragrant offerings, sweet nectarean liquids and water, and with many kinds of naivedya (food offerings).
Verse 320
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखण्डे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य उन्नतस्थानमाहात्म्ये लिंगद्वयमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम विंशोत्तरत्रिशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the Saṃhitā of eighty-one thousand verses, in the seventh part—the Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa—within the first Prabhāsa-kṣetra Māhātmya, in the Māhātmya of Unnata-sthāna, concludes the three-hundred-and-twentieth chapter entitled “Narration of the Greatness of the Twin Liṅgas.”