Vamana Purana — Skanda Slays Taraka & Mahisha, Shloka 12
Skanda’s Svastyayana and the Slaying of Taraka and Mahisha
कृताञ्जलिपुटं स्कन्दं भगवान् भूतभावनः कृत्वा स्वस्त्ययनं देवो ह्यनुज्ञां प्रददौ ततः
kṛtāñjalipuṭaṃ skandaṃ bhagavān bhūtabhāvanaḥ kṛtvā svastyayanaṃ devo hyanujñāṃ pradadau tataḥ
Then the blessed Lord, the Benefactor of beings, having performed the auspicious svastyayana rite for Skanda—who stood with hands joined in reverence—thereupon granted him permission to proceed.
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FAQs
Svastyayana denotes an auspicious benediction—often a formal rite or recitation invoking ‘svasti’ (well-being)—performed to secure success, protection, and favorable omens before a major undertaking (here, Skanda’s campaign).
In Purāṇic narrative logic, a divine mission is not merely martial; it is ritually sanctioned. The granting of anujñā marks the transition from preparation (rite/blessing) to authorized action, underscoring cosmic legitimacy for the forthcoming battle.
Bhūtabhāvana is a standard epithet of Śiva (‘one who sustains beings/spirits’). The immediate setting with Skanda (Śiva’s son and general of the devas) strongly supports Śiva as the referent.