Greatness of Maya Kshetra

Kedara Khanda: Greatness of Maya Kshetra:

(Skanda Purana - Kedara Khanda - 103 to 105)

Daksha Yagna

• Meditation: I meditate on the Maya Kshetra of Kedara Khanda.

• Daksha performing Yagna: In earlier times, Prajapati Daksha became famous among all the Prajapatis and was skilled in the Shastras. He originated from the right thumb of Lord Brahma. He had many daughters. Once he performed a Yagna. In that Yagna, all the Devas, Asuras and Manusyas came. Great sages like Vasishtha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Angira and others came there. Vishwedevas, Adityas, Maruts, Yakshas, Kinnaras, Sadhyas, Siddhas, Indra, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Chandra, Brihaspati and other Devas came there. There, the Gandharvas and Kinnaras sang. The Apsaras danced. Various musical instruments were played. Flowers were showered from the sky. Daksha was shining among them. The Munis started the Yagna. All the daughters of Daksha came there (except Devi Sati) adorned with various ornaments.

• Devi Sati attending the Yagna: Devi Sati came to know of the Yagna from the various Devas going through the sky to attend the Yagna. Devi Sati went to Lord Shiva to get the permission to attend the Yagna. Lord Shiva tried to desist Devi Sati saying that one should not go there uninvited, to the one filled with pride, and this will result in insult. Devi Sati insisted by saying that Lord Shiva will not understand since He does not have any friends and relatives and is beyond Maya. Lord Shiva finally gave the permission. After going there, Devi Sati saw all the Sages, Devas and others. She saw the shares of Yagna for all of them, but did not see the share of Lord Shiva. Devi Sati asked his father why Lord Shiva was not invited and why his share of Yagna is not kept. Daksha replied that Lord Shiva is inauspicious since he has Bhutas, Vetalas, Pishacas as his associates; he looks terrible; he wears the hide of Elephant (Gaja) and Serpents (Sarpas) are his ornaments. His consumes food in a skull; he wears skulls; he rides a Bull and holds a Trident (Trishul); he keeps the Moon (Chandrama) on his head; he stays in the cremation ground and smears Ash (Bhashma). Such a inauspicious person cannot be invited in this Yagna which is an auspicious event. It is by ill-fate that she got married to such a person.

• Devi Sati giving up Her life: Hearing the censure of Her husband, Devi Sati became red with anger, and at the same time tears flowed down her eyes. Before the view of all, and meditating on the feet of her husband, She jumped inside the fire. Everyone was stunned.

• Lord Shiva coming to the Yagna: Hearing about the fall of Devi Sati in fire, Lord Shiva in great rage came to that Yagna accompanied by his ganas. Several of them had strange forms. The ganas like Nandi, Bhringi, Bhringariti, Pretasya, Vajranamak, Kubalasya, Ashwakarna, Nrimunda, Mastakaruna, Pushpadanta, Brihadbhanu, Amitasya, Ashwavahana, Dundika, Dunduka, Kalanama, Asurata, Janahlada, Hladakayamika, Chandaka, Antakakara, Chandraraja, Nishakara and others came there. The earth started trembling. Lord Shiva was in a terrible form with eyes emitting fire and the serpents emitting poison. Lord Shiva suddenly created a great person from the earth. He has thousand arms and his body touched the sky. He had a terrible form and asked for the command of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva commanded him to destroy the Yagna and kill Daksha. He peformed pradkashina of Lord Shiva and them bowing down proceeded towards the Yagna with the Pramathas. Seeing that terrible person, Daksha asked the Devas to prepare for the battle. A fierce battle ensued between the Devas and the Pramathas. At times the Devas defeated the Pramathas and at times the Pramathas defeated the Devas. The person created by Lord Shiva infused strength and courage to the Pramathas. They destroyed the Yagna. Maniman (a gana) bound Bhrigu, Virabhadra captured Daksha, Chandisha captured Pusha and Nandishwar captured Bhaga. Maniman removed the beard and moustache of Bhrigu, Nandishwar removed the eyes of Bhaga. Chandisha broke the teeth of Pusha. Virabhadra tore the head of Daksha. Lord Shiva threw the head of Daksha in the fire and returned to his abode.

• Daksha eulogizing Lord Shiva and origin of Maya Kshetra: The Devas were defeated by the Pramathas. In great distress they went to Kailasha along with Lord Brahma to seek protection from Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma eulogized Lord Shiva. Then the Munis and the Devas eulogized Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva became pleased and told them to ask for a boon. He also told them not to repeat such improper acts in future. The Devas asked the boon that Daksha become alive, all the deformed Devas become healthy and the Yagna becomes complete. Lord Shiva restored Daksha with the head of a goat and healed the deformed Devas. The Devas invited Lord Shiva and together went towards the Yagna Sthala. The pride of Daksha was destroyed and he became pure. He eulogized Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva told him to ask for a boon. Daksha asked the boon that he remain devoted to Lord Shiva in every birth; that this Kshetra becomes the remover of great sins; and Lord Shiva always abide there; that Devi get back Her body and marry Him. Lord Shiva granted the boon and said that since all the events had taken place due to Maya (Devi), the kshetra will be known as Maya Kshetra. He will abide there with the name of Daksheshwar. Devi will take rebirth in the Himalayas and then He will marry Her. Then Lord Shiva took the body of Devi Sati and returned to Kailasha. Where the body of Maya Sati laid, the Kshetra around that became known as Maya Kshetra.

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