Adhyaya 5
This chapter is framed as Īśvara’s instruction to Devī on a westward pilgrimage from the earlier landmark “Maṅgala.” He directs the pilgrim to the sacred stream called Gaṅgā-srota and to a liṅga to be worshipped there, with a special mention of Surārka. Its core is the prescribed procedure for gaining the fruit of pilgrimage (yātrā-phala): one should approach these holy places according to proper vidhi, perform purifying bathing (snāna), complete piṇḍa offerings, and then give generously—feeding Brāhmaṇas (anna-dāna) along with dakṣiṇā. The phalaśruti conclusion declares these tīrtha-glories auspicious and capable of destroying the accumulated sins of the Kali age (kali-pāpa-augha); reading or reciting the account is also said to remove aggregates of sin. A protective note follows: it should not be given to the ill-disposed (durbuddhi) and must be heard in accordance with right injunction, emphasizing guarded transmission and correct reception.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि मंगलात्पश्चिमे स्थितम् । गंगास्रोतस्तथा लिंगं सुरार्कं च विशेषतः
Īśvara said: Then, O Great Goddess, one should go to what lies west of Maṅgala—especially to the Gaṅgā-stream and to the liṅga known as Surārka.
Verse 2
तान्गच्छेद्विधिवद्देवि यदि यात्राफलेप्सुता । स्नात्वा पिण्डप्रदानं च कुर्यात्तत्र यथार्थतः । ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तथा देयमन्नं भूरि सदक्षिणम्
O Goddess, if one seeks the full fruit of pilgrimage, one should visit those places in the prescribed manner. Having bathed there, one should duly offer piṇḍas (ancestral oblations). One should also give abundant food to brāhmaṇas, together with proper gifts (dakṣiṇā).
Verse 3
इति ते कथितं मया प्रिये कलिपापौघविनाशनं शुभम् । निखिलं तीर्थमहोदयोदयं पठितं सद्विनिहंति पापसंहतिम्
Thus, O beloved, I have told you this auspicious account that destroys the flood of sins of the Kali age. This entire exaltation of the rise of the holy places—when read—surely annihilates accumulated sin.
Verse 4
इदं न देयं दुर्बुद्धेः सुतरां पापनाशनम् । श्रोतव्यं विधिना तद्वद्भविष्योक्तविधानतः
This teaching should not be given to one of wicked understanding, for it is supremely sin-destroying. It should be heard in the proper manner, according to the prescribed rule as declared in authoritative tradition.
Verse 5
इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमे प्रभासखंडे प्रथमे प्रभासक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये गंगेश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम पंचमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the fifth chapter, called “The Description of the Greatness of Gaṅgeśvara”, in the Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the eighty-one-thousand-verse compendium, in the seventh book, the Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa—within the Prabhāsa-kṣetra Māhātmya.