Skanda Purana (AITM Vol. 53)

by G.P. Bhatt (Ed.) and G.V. Tagare (Tr.)

The present volume is one of the series by ‘Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology’.

The purest gems lie hidden at the bottom of the ocean or in the depth of rocks. One has to dive into the ocean or delve into the rocks to find them out. Similarly, truth lies concealed in language which, with the passage of time, has become obsolete. Man has to learn that language before he discovers that truth. But he has neither the means nor the leisure to embark on that course.

This series of Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology in English translation helps him to acquire that knowledge of truth.

The reader will come across a number of interesting legends in this part which comprises the stories: Groups of mothers cursed; Antecedents of Audumbari; Origin of Yaksma, Sankhaditya, Sankhatirtha, Sraddha, Matsyendranatha and eleven Rudras; Greataness of Savitri eight Nagara families, Gautamesvara, Ahalyesvara, Satanandesvara, Ratnaditya, and of many others; Description of tirthas; story of the daughter of Chandogya; The expiation of Paravasu; Purification of Nagara; Importance of Gaya Sraddha, Balamandana; Efficacy of Kuharavas-Sambaditya; Procedure of Ganapati worship and innumerable siuch other interesting legends are the attraction of this volume of the Skanda Purana.

About the Translator:

G.V. TAGARE, a former Member of the Maharashtra Education Service, retired as Professor of Education from the Government Secondary Training College, Kohlapur. A versatile scholar, untiring researcher and prolific author, he has written on diverse themes from Indology, linguistics and education. In addition, his published work includes translations of over half-a-dozen Mahapuranas, critical editions of Sanskrit texts, and histories (in Marathi language) of Prakrit, Pali and Assamese literatures. Dr. Tagare is also known for discovering several old, unpublished manuscripts: in both Marathi and Sanskrit.