Bibliography of Sanskrit sources for Arunachala Shiva
 

Sanskrit:

Skanda Purana Part 3 – Mahesvarakhanda – i.e. Arunachala Mahatmyam

Part One – Purvardha – thirteen chapters

Part Two – Uttarardha – twenty-four chapters

The Skanda Mahapurana (one of the 18 great Puranas) consists of 100,000 verses, each of thirty two syllables. They are distributed among six Samhitas of which Rudra (Sankara) Samhita alone has 30,000 verses. The Maheswara Khanda is one of the twelve Khandas (divisions) of this Samhita. The third Kaanda (Part) of this Maheswara Khanda treats of Arunachala Mahima.

Whereas The first part of this Arunachala Mahatmyam consists of a dialogue between Brahma and Sanaka the dialogue of the second part is between Nandikesvara and Markandeya. Although there is a duplication of topics in the parts, they are treated as different as recorded in the Narada Purana.

The stories narrated  in the Skanda Purana are as follows: The greatness of the sacred spot, the contest between Brahma and Vishnu, the destruction of Daksha’s sacrifice by an angry emanation from Siva, the wedding of Siva and Parvati, Her playful sport and Her praayaschitta penace, the destruction of Mahishasura, the merger of Parvati in Siva’s left half, the greatness of pradakshina of the Hill, the Grace accorded to Kings Vajraangada Pandya, Ballaala Chera and Pradatta.

Siva Rahasyam 9th amsa – Upamanya Sivabhakti Vilasam – Arunachala Mahima  

Siva Rahasya, an ithasa nearly as long as the Mahabharata and containing twelve amsas (parts). The sixth amsa contains the Ribhu Gita and the ninth amsa contains references to the Saint Jnanasambandha’s hearing of the greatness of Arunachala and the glory of the Hill.

The Vidyeswara Samhita of Siva Mahapurana refers to the signficance of worshipping Siva alone as linga, in addition to the vigraha (idol) worship by which all gods are extolled. There are references to lingodbhava, and the five krityas – activities – of Sadasiva, viz., Creation, Maintenace, Destruction, Delusion and Grace.

The Vidyaasaara Samhita of Siva Mahapurana has a reference to the immense efficacy of feeding the poor in Arunachala.

The Kshetra of Skanda Upapurana (a minor Purana), speaks of the incomparable benefits of observing vows during the month of Kartigai, and the attainment of Mukti by any one who has a glimpse of the Holy Deepam on that day.

Tamil:

The Mahesvarakhanda of the Skanda Purana, rendered into Tamil verse by Saiva Ellapa Naavalar during the reign of the Tanjore Nayaks, forms nearly the first half of Arunachala Purana and runs to 649 verses. The latter portion of this Tamil Purana is translated from  the Linga Purana and is thought to excel the original in many a place