Skandapurana 6.3.58

Chapter 58

Uttānapāda said: / “Now then, O Lord of the gods of gods, what did Bhānumatī do? / This is my doubt, O God; speak out of your grace.”

Īśvara said: / “Having reflected for a muhūrta, she went near the pool; / seeing the māhātmya of the pool, the queen was filled with joy.

Having summoned many brahmins, she worshipped them at that very moment; / having given gifts in accordance with the rules to the brahmins, O prince,

and making a supreme resolution, she remained with a tranquil mind. / Then, having duly worshipped the ancestors and the gods, O king,

and spending one fortnight of the spring month, she remained. / Then on the new-moon day the queen went near the mountain.

Ascending the peak of the mountain, joining her hands in reverence, / she addressed all the brahmins and spoke these words:

‘My mother, father, brother, and whoever else are friends and kinsmen— / asking forgiveness from all of them, let my message be told:

“Your daughter, having performed austerity at Śūlabheda according to her power, / and casting off herself, went to heaven at that sacred ford.”’

The brahmins said: / ‘We will deliver the message spoken by you, O woman of virtuous vows, / to your mother and father, O fair-hipped lady; let there be no doubt of yours in this regard.’

Then, dismissing those people, she stood on top of the mountain, / tying herself tightly again and again with half of her upper garment.

Then with single-minded focus she threw herself down, O lord of men; / no sooner had she fallen halfway down the mountain than celestial women were seen:

‘O child, highly fortunate Bhānumatī, eminent in austerity! / Mounting a celestial aerial chariot, proceed towards Kailāsa!’

Then, as those people watched, she went to heaven.”

Mārkaṇḍeya said: / “Thus the entire account of Śūlabheda has been told to you, / which was heard previously from Śaṅkara at the gathering of seers and gods.

Whoever recites this with devotion at a sacred ford or in a temple / is freed from great sin, even if earned in a hundred births.

The killer of a brahmin, the drinker of liquor, the thief, the violator of the Guru's bed, / the cow-killer, the killer of a woman, the stealer of property belonging to the gods or brahmins,

the betrayer of a master, the killer of a friend, and likewise the violator of trust, / the stealer of another's trust-deposit, the violator of another's bailment,

the adulterator of liquids, the tamperer with scales, and the usurer, / one who causes obstacles to a maiden, and likewise one who sells [her],

one who has intercourse with another's wife, a brother's wife, a cow, a daughter-in-law, or an unmarried girl, / one who hates others, and likewise one who corrupts dharma—

all of these indeed are liberated through the power of Śūlabheda.

Whoever causes this to be heard at a śrāddha while brahmins are dining, O king, / his ancestors, exceedingly delighted, attain joy in every way.”

And whatever self-controlled man should hear this recited with devotion / is freed from all sins and becomes an heir to every blessing.

This brings renown and long life; this is supreme purification, / increasing the lifespan and glory of people who read and hear it.

Thus has been declared to you the merit of Śūlabheda, its greatness never heard by sinful men, / situated on the southern bank of the river of the enemy of Madana, like a spade to eradicate the root of powerful evils.

Thus ends the fifty-eighth chapter, named 'The Description of the Greatness of the Śūlabheda Sacred Ford', in the Revākhaṇḍa of the fifth [section], the Āvantyakhaṇḍa, in the great Purāṇa of eighty-one thousand verses, the glorious Skandapurāṇa.

The greatness of Śūlabheda is completed.