Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 30
कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्
Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue
संध्योवाच । अधुना कृत्तिकानां च वनं तम्पोष्य पुत्रकम् । तन्नाम चक्रुस्ताः प्रेम्णा कार्त्तिकश्चेति कौतुकात्
saṃdhyovāca | adhunā kṛttikānāṃ ca vanaṃ tampoṣya putrakam | tannāma cakrustāḥ premṇā kārttikaśceti kautukāt
Sandhyā said: “Now, having nourished that boy in the forest of the Kṛttikās, those loving mothers, out of playful affection, gave him the name ‘Kārttika.’”
Sandhyā
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights divine nurture and affectionate devotion: the Kṛttikās lovingly raise the child who manifests as Shiva’s son (Skanda), showing how sacred relationships and care become part of Shiva’s līlā and the unfolding of dharma.
Skanda/Kārttika is presented within Saguna Shiva’s sacred family narrative—devotees approach Shiva not only as the transcendent Pati but also through his compassionate, manifest līlā where divine grace appears in relatable forms and names.
The verse chiefly suggests nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance of the divine name): devotees may meditate on and chant the name “Kārttika/Skanda” alongside Shiva-bhakti (e.g., with “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as an aid to devotion and inner steadiness.