Skandapurana 2.1.41

Now, the first [part] in the Vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍa: the Veṅkaṭācalamāhātmya (2.1).

1. In the dialogue between Sūta and Śaunaka: Nārada's vision of Yajñavarāha situated on the summit of Mount Sumeru; then, the description of Svāmipuṣkariṇī's superiority over all sacred fords; the māhātmya of Kumāradhārā; the māhātmya of Tuṃbatīrtha; the māhātmya of Pāṇḍavatīrtha; the māhātmya of Pāpanāśana and Devatīrtha; the hymn of praise to Varāha offered by Dharaṇī; Varāha's return to Śeṣācala together with Dharaṇī; the occasion for hearing the Veṅkaṭācalamāhātmya; the statement of fruits of the chapter. [1]

2. The rite of worship with the mantra of Varāha. [4]

3. Now, the description of the Lord becoming visible to the eyes of all people upon Agastya's prayer; then, the description of the birth of the son named Ākāśarāja to Mitravarman; the manner of the emergence of Padmāvatī from the surface of the earth; the birth of the son named Vasudāna to Ākāśarāja through his wife named Dharaṇī. [4]

4. Nārada's arrival near Padmāvatī, who was staying in the pleasure-garden; the physical marks of Padmāvatī described by Nārada; Padmāvatī's going to the Puppāṭavī forest together with her female companions; Śrīnivāsa's arrival at the Puppāṭavī forest for hunting; and the mutual conversation between the Lord and the maidens. [5]

5. Now, Śrīnivāsa's falling into infatuation upon seeing Padmāvatī; Bakulamālikā's speech to the infatuated Śrīnivāsa; the reasons for the marriage with Padmāvatī stated by Śrīnivāsa; Bakulamālikā's going to the city of Viyadrāja; Bakulamālikā's speech to the companions of Padmāvatī situated in the celestial pleasure-garden. [7]

6. Now, the news of Padmāvatī communicated by the companions to Bakulamālikā; the inquiry made by Viyadrāja to the astrologer concerning Padmāvatī; the sending of brahmins and others to worship the liṅga of Agastya upon the word of the astrologer; the reply of the Pulinda woman to the question asked by Dharaṇī; the characteristics of the Lord and His devotee described by Padmāvatī; the arrival of the companions before Dharaṇī along with Bakulamālikā. [8]

7. The news of Śrīnivāsa communicated by Bakulamālikā to queen Dharaṇī; King Śaṅkha's performance of austerity at Svāmitīrtha on the word of Śrīnivāsa; the decision regarding the marriage made by Dharaṇī and others upon the word of Bakulamālikā; the order of the embellishment of the city and other tasks performed by Viśvakarman; Bakulā's going to the presence of Śrīnivāsa along with Śukra; the account of the marriage with Padmāvatī reported to Śrīnivāsa by Śuka; Padmāvatī's wearing of the garland of Śrīnivāsa given by Śuka. [...]

8. Now, the marriage-adornment of Śrīnivāsa performed by Lakṣmī and others; Śrīnivāsa's going to the city of Viyadrāja together with Brahmā and others; gifts and presents presented by Viyadrāja to the bride and groom; Viyadrāja's attainment of the boon of devotion by the grace of Śrīnivāsa; the departure of Brahmā and the other gods who had arrived for the wedding back to their own abodes.

9. Now, the account of the Niṣāda named Vasu; the speech of the Lord to Vasu who was intent on killing his son; Raṅgadāsa's arrival at Śrīśeṣācala for the service of Śrīnivāsa; the construction of the celestial garden, pavilion, and other structures made by Raṅgadāsa for Śrīnivāsa; Raṅgadāsa's forgetfulness of the Lord's service upon seeing the play of Gandharvas; the word of Śrīnivāsa to Raṅgadāsa, who was ashamed upon reflecting on his true nature; the account of the king named Toṇḍamān; his going to Śrīśeṣācala for hunting; the account of the five-colored parrot in the vicinity of Śrīnivāsa; King Toṇḍamān's going to the vicinity of Śrīnivāsa along with the Niṣāda; Reṇukā's speech to King Toṇḍamān; the hymn of praise to Śrī Lakṣmī made by the gods and others. [...]

10. Now, King Toṇḍamān's acquisition of the kingdom from his father; the news of Varāha communicated to King Toṇḍamān by Vasu; the king's going to Śeṣācala through a subterranean passage on the basis of the Niṣāda's words and a dream; the milk-bath, construction of ramparts, and other works performed by King Toṇḍamān on the word of the Lord; the māhātmya of the Asthisarovara lake; the account of the devotee named Bhīma born in the potter lineage in Kurvadhāman; the devotee named Bhīma of Kurvadhāman attaining Vaikuṇṭha along with his wife; King Toṇḍamān's attainment of similarity of form [with the Lord] by the grace of Śrīnivāsa; the statement of the fruits of reciting and hearing this māhātmya. [...]

11. Now, the destruction of great sin of Kāśyapa through bathing in the Svāmipuṣkariṇī; the exposition of duty spoken by Śākalya. [17]

12. Deliverance from hells such as Tāmisra through bathing in the Svāmipuṣkariṇī; the attainment of great hell for those who lack faith in the greatness of Svāmitīrtha. [19.1]

13. Now, the description of the deeds of Dharmagupta; the cessation of madness for Dharmagupta who bathed in Svāmitīrtha by the instruction of Jaimini. [20.1]

14. The account of the twice-born named Sumati; now, the acquisition of a grave sin by the twice-born named Sumati due to association with a Kirāta woman; the means of release from the sin of killing a brahmin spoken by Durvāsas to Sumati; Sumati's release from the sin of killing a brahmin by bathing in the Svāmipuṣkariṇī. [21.2]

15. Now, the māhātmya of Rāmakṛṣṇatīrtha; the manifestation of the Lord, pleased by the austerity of the great seer named Rāmakṛṣṇa. [22.2]

16. Now, the praise of the gift of water on Mount Veṅkaṭa; Hemāṅga's recollection of past births through drinking the water that washed the feet of Śrutadeva; Hemāṅga's release from the condition of being a lizard through the merit given by Śrutadeva. [23.1]

17. Now, the description of the sacred field of Veṅkaṭācala and other topics. [24.1]

18. Now, the description of the glory of Lord Veṅkaṭeśvara. [24.2]

19. Now, the description of Brahmā and others dwelling constantly on Mount Veṅkaṭa; the proper method of meditation at the time of ascending Mount Veṅkaṭa; the māhātmya of the sacred ford called Pāpavināśana; the account of the Śūdra named Dṛḍhamati; the order of performance of religious duties revealed to Dṛḍhamati by the brahmin named Sumati; the misery experienced by Sumati due to instructing a Śūdra in Vedic rituals; then, Sumati's going to Mount Veṅkaṭa for the dispelling of his misery on the word of Agastya; the dispelling of Sumati's misery through bathing in Pāpanāśana; the dispelling of the misery incurred by Dṛḍhamati, the performer of Vedic rituals. [25.2]

20. Now the description of the māhātmya of Pāpavināśana tīrtha: the account of the poor twice-born named Bhadramati; the encouragement to go to Mount Veṅkaṭa given to Bhadramati by his beloved wife; the praise of the gift of land spoken by the wife; Sughoṣa's attainment of a good realm through the gift of land to Bhadramati; Bhadramati's journey to Mount Veṅkaṭa for receiving the gift of land on the bank of Pāpanāśana; the direct vision of the Lord attained by Bhadramati through the power of the gift of land. 27 1

21. Now the account of the twice-born named Rāmānuja: the manifestation of the Lord pleased by the austerity of Rāmānuja on the bank of Ākāśagaṅgā; the praise of the Lord made by the vipra named Rāmānuja; the prayer to the Lord made by the vipra named Rāmānuja; the time for bathing in Ākāśagaṅgā tīrtha described by the Lord; the characteristics of a devotee of Bhagavān described by the Lord. 29 1

22. The determination of the worthy recipient fit for gifts; the māhātmya of Ākāśagaṅgā; Puṇyaśīla's acquisition of a donkey's face due to inviting the husband of a barren woman; the statement of the unfitness of the husband of a barren woman for invitation to a śrāddha; the cessation of Puṇyaśīla's deformity through bathing in Ākāśagaṅgā. 30

23. Now the māhātmya of Cakra tīrtha: the manner of austerity performed by the twice-born named Padmanābha; the manifestation of the Lord pleased by the austerity performed by the twice-born Padmanābha at Cakra tīrtha; the praise of Śrīnivāsa made by the twice-born named Padmanābha; the Lord's instruction to Padmanābha to reside perpetually at Cakra tīrtha; the dispatch of the discus by the Lord to slay the asura intent on killing Padmanābha; the slaying of the asura by the discus dispatched by the Lord; the granting of boons and other blessings by the discus upon the prayer of the twice-born. 31

24. Now the introduction to the attainment and removal of the state of a rākṣasa by the gandharva named Sundara; the means for removing the state of a rākṣasa spoken by Vasiṣṭha to the one named Sundara; Sundara's attainment of his own true form preceded by liberation from the state of a rākṣasa. 32 2

25. Now the description of the māhātmya of Jābāli tīrtha: the account of the twice-born named Durācāra residing on the bank of the Kāverī; the removal of the great sins and other defilements of Durācāra and the vetāla through bathing in Jābāli tīrtha; the declaration by Jābāli of the fault of not performing the pārvaṇa-śrāddha. 33 2

26. Now the māhātmya of Tumbaru (Ghoṇa) tīrtha: the description of the great fault of those averse to bathing in Ghoṇa tīrtha; the description of bathing in Ghoṇa as removing all sins; the life of the gandharva named Tumbaru; the method for the rites of the Mādhava bath instructed by Tumbaru to his wife; the curse given by Tumbaru to his wife and the manner of deliverance from it; the cessation of the frog-state of Tumbaru's wife through the sight of Agastya at Ghoṇa tīrtha; the duties of a devoted wife spoken by Agastya; the attainment of various fruits by those who bathe in Ghoṇa tīrtha. 34 2

27. Now the description of Mount Veṅkaṭa as the foundation of all holy tīrthas; the determination of the times for bathing in the six tīrthas beginning with Svāmipuṣkariṇī; the description of the preeminent excellence of listening to a Purāṇa; the description of the narrator of a Purāṇa as worthy of worship by all. 36 2

28. The māhātmya of Kaṭāha tīrtha: the attainment of a great hell by people devoid of faith in the greatness of Kaṭāha tīrtha; the procedure for drinking from Kaṭāha tīrtha; the account of the twice-born named Keśava; the process of the twice-born Keśava, who was addicted to a courtesan, contracting the murder of a brahmin; the speech of the guilt of killing a brahmin to Padmanābha as he engaged in protecting his son; the means of deliverance from the murder of a brahmin spoken by Bhāradvāja to Padmanābha; the deliverance of Keśava from the murder of a brahmin through drinking from Kaṭāha tīrtha according to the word of Bhāradvāja; the Lord's speech to Padmanābha together with his son delivered from the murder of a brahmin. 38 1

29. Now the introduction to Arjuna's pilgrimage to sacred fords: Arjuna's journey to the Suvarṇamukharī preceded by bathing in the Gaṅgā and other tīrthas. 40 1

30. Now the description of the Suvarṇamukharī: Arjuna's attainment of service to Kālahastīśvara and others situated on the bank of the Suvarṇamukharī; Arjuna's journey to the hermitage of Bharadvāja on the bank of the Svarṇamukharī; the manner of honor rendered to Bharadvāja by Arjuna; the hospitable reception accorded to Arjuna by Bharadvāja. 41 1

31. Now Arjuna's inquiry of Bharadvāja out of a desire to hear the power of the Svarṇamukharī; the story of Śaṃkara's marriage related by Bharadvāja; Agastya's journey from the Himālayas to the southern direction in order to balance the earth. 42 1

32. Now the incorporeal voice to Agastya for producing a river; the prayer of the great seers to Agastya for bringing forth the Suvarṇamukharī; the manner of austerity performed by Agastya for the manifestation of the Suvarṇamukharī; the arrival of the Four-faced One at the hermitage of Agastya; the urging of the Gaṅgā by the Four-faced One upon Agastya's prayer; Gaṅgā's consent given before Agastya to manifest as a river by a portion of herself. 42 2

33. The hymn of praise to the Suvarṇamukharī by Śakra and the others; the derivation of the name Suvarṇamukharī spoken by Vāyu; the recount of the greatness of the Suvarṇamukharī brought by Agastya; the māhātmya of the Suvarṇamukharī described by Bhāradvāja; the procedure for giving an image of Agastya. 44 1

34. Now the power of Agastya tīrtha and Agastyeśvara; the determination of the time for bathing in the Suvarṇamukharī; the māhātmya of the Devarṣipitṛ tīrtha; the description of the confluence of the Veṇā and the Suvarṇamukharī; the confluence of the Suvarṇamukharī with the river named Vyāghrapadā; the description of Śaṅkha tīrtha. 45 2

35. Now the confluence of the Suvarṇamukharī with the Kalpā river; the description of Mount Śrīveṅkaṭa situated on the bank of the Suvarṇamukharī; the description of the glory of the Lord dwelling on Mount Veṅkaṭa; the description of the creation of beings and other acts performed by the Lord. 46

36. The manner of the uplift of the earth performed by the Boar; the description of the incarnation of the White Boar preceded by an account of the cosmic age. 48 1

37. The account of the king named Śaṅkha; the arrival of King Śaṅkha at Mount Śrīveṅkaṭa according to the Lord's word; the arrival of Agastya at Mount Śrīveṅkaṭa to obtain darśana of the Lord; the speech of the Guru, the Vasus, and others to Agastya; the viewing of delightful sights on Mount Śrīveṅkaṭa by Agastya and others. 49 2

38 The manifestation of the Lord, pleased with the austerity of Agastya, Śaṅkha, and others; the manner in which the Lord assumed a gentle form at the request of Brahmā and others; the river Svarṇamukharī attaining preeminence granted by the Lord at the request of Agastya; the Lord's disappearance after granting boons to King Śaṅkha; the setting forth of the Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya described by Bharadvāja. 50 2

39 The manner of the austerity performed by Añjanā for the sake of a son. 52 1

40 Determination of the proper time for ritual ablution in the Ākāśagaṅgā as spoken by Vyāsa; praise of the gifts to be made on Śrī Veṅkaṭācala as spoken by Vyāsa. 53 1.

Thus ends the first [sub-section], the Veṅkaṭācalamāhātmya, in the Vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍa. (2-1)