Shloka 44
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
बल॑ चातिबलं चैव महावक्त्रौ महाबलौ
balaṁ cātibalaṁ caiva mahāvaktrau mahābalau | rudravasubhirādityairaśvibhyāṁ ca vṛtaḥ prabhuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The Lord—mighty and surpassingly mighty, of vast countenance and great strength—stood surrounded by the Rudras, the Vasus, the Ādityas, and the two Aśvins. Thus the radiant hosts of the gods gathered around Kumāra Kārttikeya, honoring his power and station amid the war-torn world, as if to affirm that divine order and protection still stand behind rightful leadership and disciplined valor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes divine sanction and the upholding of cosmic order: the great powers (Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, Aśvins) gather around the Lord/commander figure, suggesting that disciplined strength and rightful authority are supported by higher principles even amid war.
Vaiśampāyana describes a majestic scene in which a supremely powerful figure is encircled and attended by groups of gods—Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, and the twin Aśvins—forming an honor-guard around Kumāra Kārttikeya (as indicated by the contextual prose).