Skanda Purana

Skanda Purana is the largest Mahapuran. It can be considered to be the collection of 18 hindu religious texts. They mainly pertain to Lord Karthikeya (Skanda), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This purana was recited by Sage Vyasa. This also narrates a lot of legends of Shiva and holy places associated with him. This describes “Hemakuta” regions near Vijayanagar. In Kashi Khanda we come across Shaiva tradition around Varanasi. This purana is considered as Tamas purana. In uttarakhanda there is complete “Purushottam Mahatreya”. This purana has seven Khandas

1. Maheshwara Khanda (138 chapters)
1. Kedar Khanda (35 chapters)
2. Kaumarika Khanda (66 chapters)
3. Arunachala Mahima
1. Purvardha (13 chapters)
2. Uttarardha (24 chapters)
2. Vishnu Khanda (Vaishanava Khanda) (221 chapters)
1. Venkatachala Mahatmya (40 chapters)
2. Purushottam Kshetra Mahatmya (49 chapters)
3. Badrikaashram Mahatmya (8 chapters)
4. Kartikmasa Mahtamya (36 chapters)
5. Margashirshamasa Mahtamya (17 chapters)
6. Bhagwat Mahatmya (4 chapters)
7. Vaishakhamasa Mahatmya (25 chapters)
8. Ayodhya Mahima (10 chapters)
9. Vasudeva Mahima (32 chapters)
3. Brahma Khanda (114 chapters)
1. Setu mahatmya (52 chapters)
2. Dharmaranya Khanda (40 chapters)
3. Uttara Khanda or Bramhottara Khanda (22 chapters)
4. Kasi Khanda (100 chapters)
1. Purvardha (50 chapters)
2. Uttarardha (50 chapters)
5. Avantya Khanda (387 chapters)
1. Avantikshetra Mahatmya (71 chapters)
2. Chaturashitilinga Mahatmya (84 chapters)
3. Reva Khanda (232 Chapters)
6. Nagara Khanda (279 chapters)
1. Tirtha mahatmya
7. Prabhasa Khanda (491 chapters)
1. Prabhasakshetra Mahatmya (365 chapters)
2. Vastrapathakshetra Mahatmya (19 chapters)
3. Arvuda Khanda (63 chapters)
4. Dvaraka Mahatmya (44 chapters)

In another form of this purana the division is by Samhitas. According to this division there are six samhitas.

1. Sanatkumar Samhita
2. Suta Samhita
3. Shankari Samhita
4. Vaishnavi Samhita
5. Brahmi Samhita
6. Saura Samhita

Some highlights of this puran are:

1. Churning of ocean and emergence of amrit
2. Pradosha vrat details
3. Demon Tarakasura vadha by Karthikeya
4. Ashtottara namavali and phalasruti of Karthikeya
5. Explanation of “Daan” and its benefits
6. “Shatarudra” details
7. Procedure of “Shiva puja”
8. How “Mahisagara Sangam Kshetra” became “Gupt Kshetra”
9. Eight folded approach to Venkateshwara
10. Details of Setu Teertha
11. Chaaturmas Mahatmya and “Shodashopachar”
12. Details about Shiva Mantra, Shiva Ratri, Shiva Pradosh Vrat and Shiva Kavach
13. Description of celestial worlds
14. Narmada’s origin and Narmada Mahatmya
15. Details about significant Shiva Kshetras
16. Kedar Kshetra and its importance
17. Birth of Vishwamitra and his curse to Saraswati

It will be impossible to summarize all the details into one article. To understand importance of Skanda Purana one has to read himself or herself. Skanda Purana can be found online at following locations

1. www.kamakoti.org
2. www.astrojyoti.com > Scriptures > The puranas
3. www.gita-society.com > Scriptures > All 18 major puranas

In all these sites most of the puranas are available.

Shiva Purana

This puran was told by Lord Shiva himself and it explains the “Shiva Mahima” and hence it is known as Shiv Purana or Shaiva Purana. This puran was told by Lord Shiva in 1 lakh shlokas and 12 samhitas. Sage Vyasa converted it into 24000 shlokas and 7 samhitas. This puran is categorized as tamas puran. Several versions of this puran exist with variation in number of samhitas. The most recent and popular versions are published by venkateshwara press and Pandita Pustakalaya.

They contain 7 samhitas (section)

Samhita (section)	Chapters
1. Vidyeshwara Samhita	25
2. Rudra Samhita This is divided into 5 khandas Sristi khanda, Sati khanda, Parvati khanda Kumar khanda Yudha Khanda	197
3. Satarudra Samhita	42
4. Kotirudra Samhita	43
5. Uma Samhita	51
6. Kailasha samhita	23
7. Vajaviya Samhita This is divided into Purva bhaga (35) and Uttara Bhaga (41)	76

Besides these there are other samhitas too - Isana Samhita, Ishvara Samhita, Surya Samhita, Tirthakshetra Samhita and Manav Samhita are also ascribed to this Purana.

It is said that those who worship Lord Shiva by Panchakshari Mantra get all benefits. This puran explains the method of worshipping Parthiv Linga and benefits derived from this worship. This also contains the details of Parvati’s marriage to Lord Shiva. In this puran Lord Shiva also gives an account of importance of Navagraha Pooja.

In Kumara Khanda, we come across story of how Lord Ganesha got elephant head.  It also gives the interesting narrations about Lord Kartikeya. This contains a lot of narration pertaining to stories, we heard in our young days, with proper reference and explanations. After Purva Bhag we come across the Uttara Bhag. This explains incarnations of Lord Shiva, Lord Nandi and their importance (mahima). The importance of Lord Shiva lies in Shiva Linga. Those Lingas which appeared on their own are known as Swyambhu linga. Besides these when Lord Shiva is appears in the form of flame (Jyoti) those are known as Jyotirlinga. There are 12 Jyotirlingas (Somnath in Sourashtra, Mallikarjun at Shri Shail, Mahakaleshwar at Ujjain, Omkareshwar at Amaleshwar, Vaijnath at Parali, Bhimashankar in Sahyadri, Rameshwar in Tamilnadu, Nageshwar at Dwaraka, Kashi Vishweshwar at Varanasi, Tryambakeshwar near Nashik, Kedareshwar in Himalayas, Ghrushneshwar near Daulatabad)

The details of these Jyotirlingas are found in this puran, This puran explains number of details that are followed in day to day worship as well as in the spiritual path.

We will not be able to do justice in explaining any of these purans unless and until we we read and find out the details. This is a feeble attempt to give a short summary so that people may get interested in reading this purana.

Brahma Purana

It is the 1st amongst 18 puranas. It is a major puran. It consists of 2 parts - Purva Bhag and Uttar Bhag. The Purv Bhag narrates the creation of cosmos, Krishna’s and Rama’s charithra, Goutami Mahatmya (glorification of River Godavari). In the 2nd part we have details of Purushottam Tirtha. According to Padma purana this is a Rajas Purana.

In the beginning of universe there was water everywhere and (Lord Vishnu) the divine essence slept on this water. Water is known as nara and ayana means bed. So Vishnu is known as Narayana. In the water there emerged a golden egg (i.e. Anda). Brahma was born inside this egg. Since he created himself, he is called swayambhu, born (Bhu) by himself (swayam). So Brahman is known as swayambhu. He then split egg into two and created heaven and the earth from the two parts of egg. Skies (air), direction, time, language, and senses were created in both heaven and earth.

This puran is about the God “Brahma”. It was told by Brahma himself and hence it got the name “Brahmam”. It contains 10000 shlokas, 243 chapters. Uttara khand contains 105 chapters. It contains “The Gautami mahatmya” which describes the holiness of Godavari.

The three actions in universe are Creation, Maintenance (Paripalan) and Destruction. Brahma is known as creator. Brahma Shrishti is explained in this purana. According to this purana he made it first as eggshaped with his power. It was then split into 2 parts. One above (swarga) and one below. It then formed into 14 Lokas.

This resulted in the creation of

1. Sapta rishis namely :- Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulasthya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vashishtha rishis
2. Ashta vasus namely :- Apa, Dhruva, Soma, Dhara, Salila, Anala, Pratyusha, Prabhasa
3. Eleven rudras namely :- Ajaikpad, Ahirbudhnya, Virupaksh, Raivat, Har, Bahuroop, Trayambak, Savitra, Jayant, Pinaki and Aparajit.
4. 12 Adithyas namely :- Amsha, Dhata, Bhaga, Tvashta, Mitra, Varuna, Aryama, Vivasvana, Savita, Pusha, Amshumana and Vishnu.

According to this puran, from Brahma’s right leg toe, Daksha prajapati appeared and created thousands of Manasputras. They did not follow his wish of participating in creation and went into Gyana marga. Then Dakshaparajapati created women and through them he created living beings. He created Devas, Rakshasas and Human beings. Through Kashyap he created Birds, serpents etc.

When Kashyap’s wife  was pregnant the god of wisdom (Dharma) came in the form of a Sage for bhiksha (alms). Kashyap’s wife came walking slowly to greet the sage as she did not want the fetus to get harmed. The sage got angry at this act of coming slowly and cursed fetus and it died. Kashyap saw all this through his divine vision (Dhyana Drishti) and he made the dead fetus come to live to be born as “Marthanda”. Marthanda created Vaivasvat manu, Yama, Yamuna, Savarni, Sani, Tapti, and Ashwin devatas.

The history of Sun (god), Surya Ashtottaram, Surya Upasana, is explained in this purana. It also contains the creation of 14 manus, the birth of “Samban” by Jhambavati, how Lord Shiva became a Linga, Kashi Mahima, details about Prayag, Meru, Jambhudwip, other Dweeps, mountains, plants etc. It also explains the Ekambara Purushottama Kshetra. It explains about the birth of Sage Akrura and shlokas written by him. It also gives the account of how Subhadra, who was a apsara, was reborn. It contains Shiva Sahasranaaam, life of Sage Kandu, who performed severe penance by which even Indra feared that sage may occupy his seat. It gives an account of Lord Krishna’s birth, history and death. It explains in details varna dharma, ashramas and practice of sadachar.

There is also detailed explanation of Ekasadi Vrat. It explains that if one fasts during Ekadasi while contemplating on the Lord and performs Dwadashi worship how one attains mukti. This is explained in the story.

Vishnu Purana

Vishnu Purana

This purana ranks 3rd in all the 18 puranas. It contains 23000 shlokas in Purva Bhag (1st Part). The last part i.e. Uttar Bhag contains 9033 chapters. This last part is also known as “Vishnu Dharmottaram”. In the 10th part of this puran, the life of Lord Krishna is depicted. The importance of this puran is also highlighted by Adi Shankaracharya. The 1st part is explained as 6 amsas and last part has 3 khandas. In Vishnu Dharmottaram Hansa Gita is explained in 115 chapters. This puran was given as upadesh to Maitreya by Parashar Rishi.

In the 1st amsa it is explained how Brahma appeared from the naval of Lord Vishnu and different avataras of Mahalaxmi and how she was born as the daughter of Bhrigu Rishi. Besides this it also states how Agni appeared from Brahma, story of Prahlad etc are explained .

In 2nd amsa - Bharatvardhan, Bharat, Bharat Dynasty, Swayambhu Manu, Sapta Dweep, Bharatkhanda, Varnashram dharma, about Punyatirthas, Sapta Pada, different kinds of hell, Sapta lokas, the Zodiac, the stars, and how long the union of Sun and Moon on Amavasya takes place are all explained. A very rare narration states that the Sun exists as Rigveda in the morning, as Yajurveda in the afternoon and as Samaveda in the evening. The 2nd amsa ends with the story of Jadabharat of Bharat dynasty.

In the 3rd amsa we come to know about the 14 manus. It is stated that they existed for 1000 yugas which is known as one kalpa. The mathematical calculation of this is also explained. We come to know that God (Lord Vishnu) spreads the “Gyan” as Kapila in Kritayuga, as Sri Rama in Tretayuga, as Vyasa in Dwaparyuga and as Kalki in Kaliyuga. 3rd amsa ends with the details of how four vedas were separated, the people who were given these vedas, about 18 arts and the importance of Namasmaran of Vishnu.

In the 4th amsa we come across the legends about Trishanku and Parikshit raja. At the end of this part it is narrated that at the end of Kaliyuga, Lord Vishnu will be born as Kalki.

In the 5th amsa Shri Krishna avatar is explained in full. In the 6th amsa Vyasa explains to the sages how one can attain great Bhagya by doing small Punya. He explains how you can attain large amount of punya by chanting Bhagwan Vishnu's nama without doing puja or Yagna or Dhyan. This part ends with the description of Kali's greatness.

In the purva bhag and in all places, rather than fables (stories) the explanation is about Devotion, Vairagya and Dnyan.

There are 3 types of Gita – namely

1. Bhagwad Gita
2. Sankara Gita (In this Lord Parameshwara initiates the secrets to Parashara)
3. Hamsa Gita (In this Lord explains all the Dharmas in the form of Swan)

We are able to learn about the secrets by which the paintings at Ajantha and Ellora are preserved.(i.e. Colors that were used etc). It also describes about certain plants, leaves etc which can keep you without hunger, how to have normal pregnancy etc. When we read this Vishnu Puran, we get a feeling whether this book is on Religion or Dhrama or Science.

This puran ends with details of dynasty and names of kings in Kali and how this Kali will end.

The translation of the puran is available on the net @

1) www.kamakoti.org

2) http://www.gita-society.com/scriptures/ALL18MAJORPURANAS.IGS.pdf

Importance of Asan and Sovala

Scriptures and Guru advise not to sit directly on the ground while performing Japa or Puja. Whats the reason behind this?

When one performs Japa or Puja as per shastra or Guru's instructions, an electric charge is developed on the body of the performer. This positive charge helps regulate flow of oxygen throughout the body to various organs that are in need of oxygen. This flow of oxygen as well as electrical energy helps remove blocks within the body.

However, when one sits directly on the ground the positive charge developed during japa can get discharged. That is why while doing puja or japa they recommend to sit on asan or wooden plank (paat) which is good insulator and prevents discharge caused due to the touch to the earth which is a good conductor of electricity. They also recommend not to touch anybody while doing Japa or Puja. This is not because the other person is inferior, which is usual understanding, but because it may cause discharge as the body is a good conductor of electricity.

Also they recommend to wear sovala (a silk cloth) while performing Japa or Puja. Again the same reason. Silk cloth is an insulator of electricity and helps preserve the charge developed during Japa or Puja.

Sage Vyasa and the Puranas

Hindu Dharma lays high importance on concepts of Punya (Merit) and Papa (Sin). It is the Punya that helps - not only to enjoy all pleasures of life i.e. bhukti, but mainly to achieve the one and only goal of human birth i.e. mukti, meaning getting liberated from cycle of birth and death through 84 lakhs of species. Human birth is the only chance to achieve this goal. And so it is advised that one should adopt a lifestyle that helps reduce and eventually eradicate the measure of Papa (sin) and on the other hand increase the measure of Punya (merit). 

The great sage (Bhagvan) Vyasa wrote 18 Puranas, mainly to help all human beings understand importance of human birth and its goal. He summarized all puranas in two sentences (sanskrit sentences mentioned above) - Helping others is Punya, hurting others is Papa. Content of puranas, in the form of mythological stories, helps to gain knowledge which empowers one to be of help to others as well as helps understand how to avoid hurting others.

This is a very humble & feeble attempt to bring forward a little portion of such a gigantic work of Sage Vyasa. To start with we will understand what it means by Puran and the names and categories of Puranas.

The word Puran means a very old thing. It also means “Though old it is New”. The 18 puranas are namely – 1) Bhavishya Puran 2) Bhagwad Puran 3) Matsya Puran 4) Markandeya Puran 5) Varah Puran 6) Vaman Puran 7) Vaayu Puran 8) Vishnu Puran 9) Bramhanda Puran 10) Bramha Puran 11) Bramha-vaivarta Puran 12) Narad Puran 13) Kurma Puran 14) Linga Puran 15) Padma Puran 16) Agni Puran 17) Skandha Puran and 18) Garud Puran. 

Of these, Garud Puran (18th puran) is generally read during the period of mourning of a person. That is during 10 days after a person departs this world.

Of these 18, 10 puranas are considered as Shaiva Puran namely – 1) Shaiva 2) Bhavishya 3) Markandeya 4) Linga 5) Varah 6) Skandha 7) Kurma 8) Vaman 9) Bramhand & 10) Matsya. 

4 puranas are considered as Vaishnav Puranas namely 1) Vishnu 2) Bhagwad 3) Narad & 4) Garud Puran. 

Bramha Puranas are 1) Bramha & 2) Padma. 

Agni Puran is also known as Agneya Puran. 

Bramha-viavartana Puran is also known as Surya Puran.

Besides these, there are 23 Upa-puranas namely 1) Shiv 2) Narsimha 3) Sanathkumar 4) Bharagav 5) Vashistha 6) Maheshwar 7) Saura 8) Naradiya 9) Parashar 10) Durvasa 11) Kapil 12) Ausanasa 13) Manav 14) Vaarun 15) Sambha 16) Nandi 17) Aditya 18) Tulasi 19) Ganesh 20) Devi 21) Kalika 22) Devibhagvad & 23) Renuka. 

All these are written by the great Sage Vyasa. Sage Vyasa is considered an incarnation of Sriman Narayan (Lord Vishnu) himself born to Parashar rishi in Vidwath dynasty. 

Vyasa is given the credit of collating Vedas in four parts namely Rigveda, Yajurveda, Saamaveda and Atharvana veda and also laying down the principles of Veda known as "Bramhasutras" & making them known to the world. According to the Puranas he poses supreme intelligence, strength to understand and analyze the "Bramhasutras". He is considered equal to the "Trimurtis" namely Shiva, Vishnu & Bramha. And that is why he is considered as the Guru of all. In fact the Guru Poornima, that we celebrate every year, is known as Vyasa Poornima. Even saints, sages and rishi-munis pay their respect to him on that day.

In some of the next articles we will try to get insight into Puranas.

Importance of Japa and how to do it

This article is based on the lectures of great saints like Sankaracharya and Swami Chinmayanda......

The thoughts that emanate in our mind are difficult to control. This is much more experienced when we sit for contemplation (or meditation or prayer). During these acts, the mind starts wandering. Japa, that is chanting the Name of the Lord again and again, helps in controlling this wandering mind to a very great extent. 

Dhyana is nothing but seamless Japa i.e. chanting the name of Lord, also called as Namasmaran, with unwavering mind. One needs a great degree of control to perform Dhyana.

When we start our journey in Bhakti Marga, the best way to begin this journey is to start with performing Japa. We can call Japa as the stepping stone of spiritual path. Once we are able to control our mind by Japa, the path towards meditation becomes easy.

It is the long association and interaction between individuals that creates mutual love and affection among individuals. So is true when creating love and affection for God. By reciting God's Name and centering our thoughts on Him, we can have long association and interaction with Him which will eventually create mutual love and affection between us and God. Hence Japa can be considered as an act of preparing for the love of God.

Practice of Japa leads to Dhyana where one masters the art of controlling the mind at will. Hence Japa is considered to be the guide which leads to Dhyana Marga. It does not mean that the Japa is inferior to meditation or contemplation. This is explained in Bhagwad Gita.

Now we come to the common question - how to perform Japa? 

The right moment for starting the Japa is the time you start feeling that you want to do it. Choose a place (in your house or anywhere) where you can sit alone without any disturbance. Select a picture or idol of the God or saint whom you adore. Hang it in front of the place where you propose to sit, in such a way that the feet of the idol or the picture is at your eye level.

You sit, with leg crossed, on an "aasan" (seat) preferably a blanket or wool or a mat. Take a Japa Maal (garland) of 108 beads.

First start observing the feet of God and then slowly raise your eye till you reach the eye of the picture or idol of God. Then you start concentrating on the face till you come to a stage where you can look at the face without blinking. It may take few days to reach this stage. Now you start imagining that the God is on the right side of the heart. When you have reached this stage it means you are fit for starting the Namasmaran (Japa).

To count the beads hold the Japa Maala in right hand between the thumb and the ring finger. Choose the Naam or Mantra you want to recite and then roll the beads one after the other. When you come to the last bead (108th) known as Meru you have completed one Maala. Don’t cross the Meru bead but reverse the Japa Maala and start all over again. Starting from 1 or 2 Maala twice a day, go on increasing in stages till you reach 20 Maalas per day. In this manner you can perform the Japa. This can be achieved only after constant and regular practice. It is better to start by doing 1 or 2 Maalas a day and then slowly increase the count, rather than jumping to the higher count right at the beginning.

Also, we should stick to the time while performing Japa i.e. there should be strict discipline. 

There are two types of Mantras which are generally used in Namasmaran - namely Vedanta Mantra and Religious Mantra.

Some Vedanta Mantras are 

1. Tat-tatvamassi
2. Aham Brahmhassmi
3. Iyyam Aatma Brahman

Etc.

The religious chants are 

1. OM Namo Narayana
2. Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram
3. OM Namah Shivay

Etc....

Generally these chants are given by a Guru so that they attain more power. Still, anyone can start doing the Japa on his own.

For a Mantra to kindle the fire (thought) of spiritualism, a Guru is essential. Because of his powers, Guru gives life to Mantra and ignites the flame of spiritualism which is buried in shishya. Hence it is also advisable to get the Upadesh from Guru. As Mantra helps in dhyana, upasana i.e. worship also helps in dhyana. This can be considered as idol worship (also known as Bhakti-marga). It is not important whether it is an idol or a picture but the importance lies in the thought which should be centered on the GOD.

When we perform Japa or Upasana we must pray with love, compassion and affection. At the same time mind should not wander away. The Mantra or Naam should be recited in such a way that it becomes an offering to the GOD. 

While doing meditation or Japa or dhyan, we may come across some obstacles.

1. We may feel sleepy
2. We may feel annoyed or angry for no reason against anyone we come across after completing the Japa or dhyan

It is necessary to guard against these obstacles.We should strive to lose the feeling of “I” or “Me” in our thoughts and actions.

In one of the next articles I will explain about which Maala to use and also the importance of seating on aasan and wearing sovala (sacred silk cloth).