Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Skanda’s Consecration

Devanagari script

जानुभ्यामवनौ स्थित्वा सुरसंघास्तमस्तुवन् स्तोत्रेणानेन वरदं षण्मुखं मुख्यशः सुराः //

Transliteration

jānubhyāmavanau sthitvā surasaṃghāstamastuvan stotreṇānena varadaṃ ṣaṇmukhaṃ mukhyaśaḥ surāḥ //

Translation

Kneeling on the ground, the hosts of gods praised him; with this hymn, the foremost among the devas extolled the boon-giving Six-Faced Lord (Ṣaṇmukha).

Word by Word

• जानुभ्याम् (jānubhyām): with (both) knees

• अवनौ (avanau): on the earth/ground

• स्थित्वा (sthitvā): having stood/being positioned

• सुर-संघाः (sura-saṃghāḥ): groups/hosts of gods

• तम् (tam): him

• अस्तुवन् (astuvan): they praised, extolled

• स्तोत्रेण (stotreṇa): by/with a hymn

• अनेन (anena): this

• वरदम् (varadam): boon-giver, giver of blessings

• षण्मुखम् (ṣaṇmukham): the Six-Faced One (Skanda/Kārttikeya)

• मुख्यशः (mukhyaśaḥ): chiefly, principally, as the foremost

• सुराः (surāḥ): the gods/devas

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the devas’ act of praise)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṣaṇmukha (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• Suras (Devas)

Tags

• Stotra
• Deva worship
• Skanda
• Boon-granting
• Ritual posture

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse is not about pralaya; it depicts a devotional scene where the gods kneel and praise the boon-giving Ṣaṇmukha, emphasizing humility and supplication rather than cosmic dissolution.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It models proper conduct before a worthy deity—humility, reverent posture, and praise—implying that rulers and householders should approach divine power through disciplined devotion rather than pride.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights bodily posture (kneeling on the ground) and stotra-recitation as valid modes of worship—useful for understanding temple-liturgical practice, even though no specific Vastu rule is stated.