Shloka 28

अध्याय १०१: हैमवती-तपः, तारकवंश-उत्पातः, स्कन्द-प्रत्याशा, मदनदहनम्

Devanagari script

षडास्यो द्वादशभुजः सेनानीः पावकिः प्रभुः स्वाहेयः कार्तिकेयश् च गाङ्गेयः शरधामजः

Transliteration

ṣaḍāsyo dvādaśabhujaḥ senānīḥ pāvakiḥ prabhuḥ svāheyaḥ kārtikeyaś ca gāṅgeyaḥ śaradhāmajaḥ

Translation

He is the six-faced, twelve-armed Lord—the commander of the divine hosts; born of Fire, mighty and sovereign; the son of Svāhā, called Svāhēya, Kārttikeya; also named Gāṅgeya, and the one born amid the reeds (Śaradhā).

Word by Word

• षडास्यः: six-faced

• द्वादशभुजः: twelve-armed

• सेनानीः: commander-in-chief (of the Devas)

• पावकिः: born of Pāvaka/Agni (Fire)

• प्रभुः: lord, sovereign

• स्वाहेयः: son of Svāhā

• कार्तिकेयः: Kārttikeya (Skanda)

• च: and

• गाङ्गेयः: born of/related to the Gaṅgā

• शरधामजः: born in the abode of reeds (śara), i.e., reed-thickets

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Kartikeya (Skanda)
• Agni
• Svaha
• Ganga

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By listing Skanda’s epithets as Shiva’s divinely empowered commander, the verse frames him as a protective extension of Pati (Shiva) who removes obstacles to Linga-puja and safeguards the devotee (pashu) from pasha-like forces.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though naming Skanda, it reflects Shiva-tattva indirectly: Shiva as Pati manifests sovereign power through his śakti and divine retinue—granting order, protection, and victorious dharma for the bound soul’s path toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific puja-vidhi is stated; the takeaway is protective remembrance (nāma-smaraṇa) of Skanda’s names alongside Shaiva devotion, supporting steadiness in sadhana akin to Pashupata discipline.