Adhyaya 71
This adhyāya points out a liṅga within the sacred landscape of Prabhāsa-kṣetra, situated south of Varuṇeśa at a distance of three bow-lengths. It is said to have been established by Uṣā, the wife of Varuṇa, who performed exceedingly fierce austerities, distressed by sorrow connected with her husband. The installed liṅga is named Uṣeśvara and is praised as the bestower of all spiritual attainments (siddhis), revered by those who seek such fulfillment. The phalāśruti declares that devoted worship destroys sin and can lead even heavily burdened persons to the supreme goal. A further merit is emphasized for women in particular: it grants auspicious marital fortune (saubhāgya) and removes suffering and misfortune.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि लिंगं तत्रैव संस्थितम् । दक्षिणे वरुणेशस्य धनुषां त्रितये स्थितम्
Then, O great Goddess, one should proceed to the liṅga situated there itself—located to the south of Varuṇeśvara, at a distance of three bow-lengths.
Verse 2
भार्यया वरुणस्यैव उषा नाम्न्या वरानने । कृत्वा तपो महाघोरं भर्तृदुःखपरीतया
O fair-faced lady, Uṣā—Varuṇa’s own wife—overwhelmed by sorrow for her husband, performed exceedingly fierce austerities.
Verse 3
स्थापितं तु महल्लिंगं सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम् । उषेश्वरेति विख्यातं सर्वसिद्धिप्रपूजितम्
Indeed, a great Liṅga—bestowing all siddhis—was established there. It became renowned as “Uṣeśvara,” and is worshipped for the attainment of every siddhi.
Verse 4
यस्तत्पूजयते भक्त्या लिंगं पापप्रणाशनम् । महापापौघयुक्तोऽपि स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम्
Whoever worships that sin-destroying Liṅga with devotion—even if burdened with a flood of grievous sins—attains the supreme state.
Verse 5
स्त्रीणां सौभाग्यफलदं दुःखदौर्भाग्यना शनम्
For women, it bestows the fruit of auspicious marital fortune and destroys sorrow and ill-luck.
Verse 71
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखण्डे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य उषेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनं नामैकसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the revered Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the Saṃhitā of eighty-one thousand verses, in the seventh—Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa—within the first Prabhāsa-kṣetra Māhātmya, ends the seventy-first chapter entitled “The Description of the Greatness of Uṣeśvara.”