Vamana Purana — Birth of Skanda (Kartikeya), Shloka 55

The Birth and Consecration of Skanda (Kartikeya) at Kurukshetra

Devanagari script

ततो ऽम्बुना सप्तसमुद्रवाहिनीनदीजलेनापि महाफलेन वरौषधीभिश्च सहस्रमूर्त्तिभिस्तदाभ्यषिञ्चन् गुमच्युताद्याः

Transliteration

tato 'mbunā saptasamudravāhinīnadījalenāpi mahāphalena varauṣadhībhiśca sahasramūrttibhistadābhyaṣiñcan gumacyutādyāḥ

Translation

Then they consecrated him with water—(water) brought by rivers that flow into the seven oceans—along with great fruits and excellent medicinal herbs; and at that time, the hosts beginning with the Gaṇas (attendants of Śiva) performed the anointing in manifold forms.

Speakers

• Narrator (Purāṇic voice) describing the rite to the audience (frame not specified in the excerpt).

Primary Deities

• Skanda (Kumāra/Kārttikeya)
• Śiva (implied through Gaṇas)
• Pārvatī (implied in surrounding verses)

Key Themes

• Abhiṣeka (ritual consecration)
• Divine kingship/command (senāpati-bhāva)
• Auspicious substances (water, fruits, herbs)
• Śaiva sacred retinue (Gaṇas)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Why is ‘water of rivers flowing to the seven oceans’ emphasized in the consecration?

It signals a universal, all-directions sanctification: river-water represents the terrestrial sacred network, and ‘seven oceans’ evokes the totality of the world-system. The abhiṣeka thus confers cosmic legitimacy on Skanda’s command.

What is the ritual significance of fruits and medicinal herbs in an abhiṣeka?

Fruits (phala) denote prosperity and auspicious fruition of aims, while herbs (auṣadhi) carry healing and protective potency. Together with water, they form a triad of nourishment, vitality, and sanctity used to empower the consecrated deity/commander.

Who are the ‘Gaṇas’ mentioned here, and why do they perform the rite?

Gaṇas are Śiva’s attendant hosts who execute divine functions. Their role underscores that Skanda’s installation is a Śaiva mandate—an empowerment by Śiva’s own cosmic administration.