Essence Of Skanda Purana

Narada sets up the Idols of Vasudeva and Bhattaditya (Surya Deva)

Sage Narada felt that at the Sacred Place of Mahi Sagar Tirtha, the Presence of Purushottama and Bhattaditya should be established too to add further significance. He worshipped Vishnu for hundred years and as He was pleased with His appearance finally. Narada requested Bhagavan to establish Himself in the Tirtha as Vasudeva.

Since then a beautiful Idol came to be woshipped by devotees on Kartika Shukla Ekadasi by observing fasting, Japa of the Mantra of Om Namo Narayanaya, perform Jaagaran with singing of hymns, group dances and bhajans in praise of Vasudeva and on the next morning execute worship again and offer charities. The Virtuous Brahmana Aitreya excelled in his constant Japa of Dwadashakshara Mantra ‘Om Namo Bhagavatey Vasudevaya’ right from his childhood and never heeded his parents or relatives and neighbours, who had all thought that he was dumb. His mother was terribly upset, as her husband Manduki Muni married again and Aitreya’s brothers were not abnormal. One day, the mother threatened to kill herself as her son was always spending time in the temple; Aitraya smiled and explained to her at length about the futility of normal life with the routine matters like marriage, family, earning livelihood, begetting children, getting old, diseases and death. He also told her that he had the knowledge of his earlier birth as a Sudra and he approached a kind and Dharmatma Brahmana who taught him the Dwadasakshara Mantra and the awareness of Bhagavan Vishnu; that was why he looked to be a stupid and dumb person. In the course of the discussion, Vasudava appeared in full glory with four hands along with ornaments and arms like Shankham (Conchshell), Chakram (Wheel), Gada (Mace) etc.before Atreya who was dumbfounded and confounded and having gradually recovered his senses made endless eulogies and asked for ‘Moksha’. Vasudeva replied that as he worshipped Him relenlessly, sincerely and selflessly at this Vasudeva Mandir of Mahi Sagara Kshetra, it would be called ‘Aghanaashan’ and asked him to continue the daily worship as in the past till his end and reach Vaikuntha after his normal death. His mother was proud of her son and his father joined the Aswamedha Yagna after the Darshan of Vasudeva. Aitreya explained to his parents:
Namasthasmai Bhagavatey Vishnuvetkunthamedhasey,
Yanmayaamohitadhayo bhramanah Karma saagare/
(I salute Bhagavan Vishnu, as our minds are illusioned with ‘Maya Moha’ (obsession) and are aimless in this vast Ocean of Samsara).’
Sage Narada also performed the ‘Pratishtha’ (Consecration) of Bhattaditya (Sun God) who is ‘Prathyaksha saakshi’ or ready-evidence on the Skies who is all pervasive and omniscient. He is the holder of the Universe.Those who do not recognise His magnitude and prominence are blind and who do not worship Him or highly unintelligent; one could see Him, feel Him and recognise Him on a daily basis but not pray to Him and wirship Him may be truly termed as ‘Atmadrohis’ or self-deceitful. Narada performed severe Tapasya for hundred years and requested Him to retain one of His ‘Amsas’ (Features) in the Bhattadithya Idol and bless those who worship Him especially on Sundays and recite the following one hunred eight names to Surya Deva:
‘Saptasatmi,
Achintyathmikathma,
Mahakaarunyatotthama,
Sanjjevana,
Jaya,
Jeeva,
Jeevanadha,
Jagatpati,
Kaalashraya,
Kaalakarta,
Mahayogi,
Mahamati,
Bhutaanthahkarana,
Deva,
Kamalaanandanandana,
Sahasrapaad,
Varada,
Diyamandalamandita,
Dharmapriya,
Aarchitatma,
Savita,
Vayuvaahana,
Adithya,
Akrodhana,
Surya,
Rashmimaali,
Vibhavasu,
Dinakruta,
Dinahnuta,
Moun,
Suradha,
Raashimpathi,
Swarnaretha,
Pusha,
Twashtha,
Divakara,
Aakkashatilaka,
Dhatha,
Samvibhagi,
Manohara,
Praajna,
Prajaapati,
Dhanya,
Vishnu,
Shreesha,
Bhishagvara,
Alokakrut,
Lokanatha,
 Viditashaya,
Sunaya,
Mahatma,
Bhaktavatsala,
Kirthi,
Kirthikara,
Nithya,
Rochishnu,
Kalmashapaha,
Jitananda,
Mahaveerya,
Hamsa,
Samharakaaraka,
Krithakrithya,
Asanga,
Bahujna,
Vachasaampati,
Vishvapujya,
Mrityuhaari,
Ghruni,
Dharakaarana,
Pranatatrihara,
Aroga,
Aayushmaan,
Sukhada,
Sukhi,
Mangala,
Pundarikaksha,
Vrati,
Vrataphalaprada,
Suchi,
Purna,
Mokshamarga,
Daata,
Bhokta,
Dhanvanthari,
Priyabhasa,
Dhunurvedavith,
Ekarat,
Jagatpitha,
Dhumrakethu,
Vidhut,
Dwaanthaha,
Guru,
Gopathi,
Kritathitthya,
Shubhaachaar,
Shuchipriya,
Saamapriya,
Lokabandhu,
Naikarupa,
Yugakrith,
Dharmasethu,
Lokasakshi,
Kheta,
Arka,
Sarvada and
Prabhu.