Shloka 154
Umā’s Austerity, Kauśikī’s Manifestation, and Skanda’s Birth Leading to Tāraka’s Defeat
स्तोत्रेणानेन वरदं षण्मुखं मुख्यशः सुराः । देवा ऊचुः । नमः कुमाराय महाप्रभाय स्कंदाय चास्कंदितदानवाय
stotreṇānena varadaṃ ṣaṇmukhaṃ mukhyaśaḥ surāḥ | devā ūcuḥ | namaḥ kumārāya mahāprabhāya skaṃdāya cāskaṃditadānavāya
بهذا النشيد سبّح أكابرُ الآلهة ربَّ الوجوه الستة، واهبَ النِّعَم. وقالت الدِّيفات: «سلامٌ لك يا كُمَارا، يا عظيمَ الجلال؛ سلامٌ لك يا سْكاندا، يا من لم يتراجع قطّ أمام الدانافا.»
The Devas (gods)
Concept: Divine protection is invoked through stuti; steadfast courage against adharma is itself a sacred quality worthy of worship.
Application: When facing intimidation or moral pressure, cultivate ‘askandita’ steadiness—act without recoiling, while grounding the mind in prayer before action.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a luminous celestial court, the foremost devas stand with folded hands, offering a synchronized hymn to the boon-giving Ṣaṇmukha. Skanda appears as a radiant warrior-youth, six-faced and calm yet battle-ready, his presence making even the proud gods bow in reverence.","primary_figures":["Ṣaṇmukha/Skanda (Kumāra)","Indra","Agni","Vāyu","Bṛhaspati","other devas"],"setting":"Celestial assembly hall with cloud-thrones, jeweled pillars, and a distant suggestion of cosmic oceans; banners and divine weapons rest in ceremonial order.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","vermillion red","pearl white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Ṣaṇmukha enthroned as deva-senāpati with six serene faces and jeweled crown, devas in symmetrical rows offering namaskāra, heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermillion and emerald garments, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch with yali motifs, sacred weapons and peacock insignia rendered with embossed gold.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical deva-sabhā on soft clouds, delicate linework on devas with refined faces, Skanda youthful and radiant at center, cool blues and greens with touches of coral, subtle floral borders, distant Himalayan-like peaks stylized as cosmic mountains, gentle gradations suggesting dawn in heaven.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Skanda with six faces and large expressive eyes, devas in disciplined formation, flat yet vibrant fields of red/yellow/green, stylized jewelry and crowns, temple-wall aesthetic with lotus medallions and geometric borders, peacock emblem hinted behind the deity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central radiant deity framed by lotus motifs and ornate floral borders, deep indigo background with gold highlights, attendant devas as smaller figures in devotional posture, peacock-feather patterns woven into the border, intricate textile-like detailing and symmetrical composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","distant war-drums","resonant silence between namas","celestial chimes"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्तोत्रेणानेन = स्तोत्रेण + अनेन (स्वर-सन्धि); देवा ऊचुः = देवाः + ऊचुः (विसर्ग-लोप); चास्कंदितदानवाय = च + अस्कंदितदानवाय (स्वर-सन्धि)
FAQs
The verse praises Kumāra/Skanda (Kārttikeya). He is called Ṣaṇmukha, “six-faced,” an epithet highlighting his divine form and all-seeing martial leadership in Purāṇic tradition.
It means “one who does not retreat or falter before the Dānavas.” The epithet portrays steadfast courage and unwavering resolve in confronting destructive forces.
It teaches that divine strength is paired with steadiness: facing adversity without wavering. It also models devotion through praise (stotra) as a means of seeking protection and blessings.