Shloka 38

Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission

Devanagari script

वर्धनं नन्दनं चैव सर्वविद्याविशारदौ । स्कन्दाय ददतु: प्रीतावश्चिनौ भिषजां वरौ

Transliteration

vardhanaṃ nandanaṃ caiva sarvavidyāviśāradau | skandāya dadatuḥ prītāv aśvinau bhiṣajāṃ varau ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: The two Aśvins—foremost among physicians and masters of all branches of knowledge—being pleased, bestowed upon Skanda two attendants named Vardhana and Nandana. The episode shows how divine skill and learning, joined with goodwill, are directed toward service, strengthening the commander through capable support.

Word by Word

• वर्धनम्: Vardhana (name)
• वर्धनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्धन
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नन्दनम्: Nandana (name)
• नन्दनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्दन
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• सर्वविद्याविशारदौ: skilled in all sciences/arts
• सर्वविद्याविशारदौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वविद्याविशारद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• स्कन्दाय: to Skanda
• स्कन्दाय: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्कन्द
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• ददतुः: they two gave
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), Third, Dual

• प्रीतौ: pleased
• प्रीतौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• अश्विनौ: the two Aśvins
• अश्विनौ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• भिषजाम्: of physicians
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिषज्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• वरौ: the best (two)
• वरौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• रुद्रैः: by/with Rudras
• रुद्रैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• वसुभिः: by/with Vasus
• वसुभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसु
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• आदित्यैः: by/with Ādityas
• आदित्यैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदित्य
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अश्विभ्याम्: by/with the two Aśvins
• अश्विभ्याम्: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Dual

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• वृतः: surrounded/encircled
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रभुः: the lord/master
• प्रभुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Aśvinau (the Aśvins)
• Skanda (Kārttikeya)
• Vardhana
• Nandana

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Excellence in knowledge and skill (especially healing) attains its highest value when guided by goodwill and offered in service to a worthy cause; the Aśvins’ expertise culminates in supportive giving rather than mere display of power.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that the divine twin physicians, the Aśvins, pleased with Skanda, present him with two attendants named Vardhana and Nandana—reinforcing Skanda’s stature and support-system among the gods.