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Sanatan Dharma

सनातन धर्म — Hindu Scripture Knowledge Base

Skanda Purana

The Skanda Purana is the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas, dedicated to Skanda (Karthikeya), the son of Shiva. It contains about 81,000 verses.

Tamas Purana·Primary Deity: Shiva·Shaiva tradition·~81,100 verses · 6000 chapters·Narrated by Sage Romaharshana / various sages
  • Skanda Purana is the largest of all 18 Mahapuranas with approximately 81,100 verses.
  • Named after Skanda (Kartikeya), the son of Shiva, though it covers all major deities.
  • Classified as a Tamas Purana with focus on Lord Shiva and Skanda.
  • Divided into Samhitas, Khandas, and numerous sub-sections covering entire sacred India.
  • Contains stories of virtually every major tirtha (pilgrimage site) in India.
  • The Kashikhanda section glorifies Varanasi (Kashi) in great detail.
  • Contains the Kedara Khanda, Avantya Khanda, and many regional Mahatmyas.
  • An encyclopedic text that served as the basis for many regional temple traditions.

Structural Organization

Samhita / KhandaMajor sectionAdhyayaChapterShlokaVerse

Example: Skanda Purana, Kashi Khanda, Chapter 1

Key Topics Covered

Kashi (Varanasi)
Glory of the most sacred city
Skanda / Kartikeya
Birth and exploits of Shiva's son
Pilgrimage Sites
Mahatmyas of hundreds of tirthas
Regional Traditions
Local deity and temple stories
Shiva Worship
Rituals, worship methods, and festivals
Taraka Vadha
Skanda's slaying of demon Tarakasura

Important Deities

Skanda / Kartikeya
Primary deity, son of Shiva
Shiva
Supreme deity
Parvati
Mother of Skanda
Ganesha
Brother of Skanda
Vishnu
Extensively covered in Vaishnava sections

Famous Stories & Episodes

Skanda's Birth
Birth of Kartikeya to defeat demon Tarakasura
Taraka Vadha
Skanda kills the demon Taraka
Kashi Mahatmya
Glory and liberation power of Varanasi
Tirtha Mahatmyas
Stories and merits of hundreds of pilgrimage sites

Featured Shlokas

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Revakhanda (GRETIL) Chapter 1 - Verse 1

Skanda Purana: Revakhanda (GRETIL) · Chapter 1 · Verse 1

स्नानैः सिद्धाङ्गनानां कुचयुगविगलत्कुङ्कुमासङ्गपिङ्गम।।

snānaiḥ siddhāṅganānāṃ kucayugavigalatkuṅkumāsaṅgapiṅgam||

Translation not available.

Praise of Skanda — Lord of Spiritual Armies

Skanda Purana · Chapter 1 · Verse 1.1

स्कन्दं षण्मुखमीशानं शक्तिहस्तं महाबलम्। देवसेनापतिं देवं वन्दे गुहं षडाननम्॥

skandaṁ ṣaṇ-mukham īśānaṁ śakti-hastaṁ mahābalam deva-senāpatiṁ devaṁ vande guhaṁ ṣaḍānanam

I bow to Skanda, the six‑faced Lord, holder of the shakti‑spear, of mighty strength, commander of the divine hosts — Guha of six faces.

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Revakhanda (GRETIL) Chapter 1 - Verse 2

Skanda Purana: Revakhanda (GRETIL) · Chapter 1 · Verse 2

पायाद्वो नर्मदाम्भः करिकरभकराक्रान्तरहस्तरङ्गम।।

pāyādvo narmadāmbhaḥ karikarabhakarākrāntarahastaraṅgam||

Translation not available.

Revakhanda (GRETIL) Chapter 1 - Verse 3

Skanda Purana: Revakhanda (GRETIL) · Chapter 1 · Verse 3

यक्षविद्याधराकीर्णे नानागणसमन्विते।।

yakṣavidyādharākīrṇe nānāgaṇasamanvite||

Translation not available.