Skand Puran – Introduction Continued: Deepening Understanding

After that, there is description of the narration of the previous birth as told to King Indradyumn by Lomesh rishi and the glory of the worship of Shiv and Mahisagar sangam (confluence).

After that, describing the glory of the names of the eighteen rivers it is said that men earn happiness and luck by chanting it. These holy rivers are as follows:

Iravati

Daatridaatri

Mahasindhu

Kshitijanma

Mahiparna

Rajnadi

Ganga

Shubha

Tamra

Rasya

Mahishringa

Nadnadi

Payovaha

Shasyamala

Prithustuta

Indradyumn kanya

Pitrapritiprada

Pashchimvahini

Subsequently, establishing the glory of Shatarudriya by Bhatriyajna muni, the worship of Shivling, made of different metals and installed by gods, demons, kings, nags (snake), rishis and munis, has been described.

The installation of three Shivlings by Lord Skand Kumar (Kartikeya) and different mysteries of the worship of Shivling, 108 names of Skand Kumar, mythological geographical system, the system of the nine planets, the detailed description of seven loks, hells, kaalman, and India ('Bharat') and the story of Kumarika, the daughter of King Shatshring are the educative distinctions of this section (khand). Several curiosities related with shraadh (post-funeral rites) have been clarified through the dialogue between Mahakaal and Karandham.

After that, there are described Kaliyug and different royal dynasties, expression of good conduct, establishing lord Sun (Suryadev) by the name of Mahaditya by Devarshi Narad and hymning him with 108 names, the signs of body by Kamadh, position of jeev at and after death, the marriage of Ghatotkach, and the story of the birth of Barbreek.

Describing the glory of Arunachal, Lord Shiv installed in the form of stable Ling, the glory of various Shiv pilgrim spots, and the forms in which Lord Shiv is placed there with Goddess Parwati, are detailed.

The two famous mythological episodes of Bhagwati Durga described in Durga-Saptshati - the story of the execution of the demons Mahishasur and Shumbh and Nishumbh - have been described in detail in this section.

Finally this section (khand) comes to an end explaining the birth of Khadagteerth by Vindhyavasini, the story of Kaladhar, and the glory of the worship of Arunachaleshwar by Vajrangad.