Vamana Purana — Birth of Skanda (Kartikeya), Shloka 60

The Birth and Consecration of Skanda (Kartikeya) at Kurukshetra

Devanagari script

ततो ऽभिषिक्तास्य हरः सेनापत्ये गुहस्य तु प्रमथांश्चतुरः प्रदाच्छक्रतुल्यपराक्रमान्

Transliteration

tato 'bhiṣiktāsya haraḥ senāpatye guhasya tu pramathāṃścaturaḥ pradācchakratulyaparākramān

Translation

Ensuite, après que (Skanda) eut été consacré, Hara (Śiva), pour le commandement suprême de Guhā (Skanda), accorda quatre Pramathas, dont la vaillance égalait celle d’Indra.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (ततः), ‘thereupon/from that’

• abhiṣiktasya: of the anointed one
• abhiṣiktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-√sic (धातु) + kta (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kta-participle used adjectivally; Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; ‘of the anointed (one)’

• haraḥ: Hara (Śiva)
• haraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• senāpatye: in the commandership
• senāpatye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: senāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; ‘in/for the office of commander’

• guhasya: of Guha (Skanda)
• guhasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• pramathān: Pramathas (Śiva’s attendants)
• pramathān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramatha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• caturaḥ: four
• caturaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; numeral adjective qualifying ‘pramathān’

• pradāt: bestowed
• pradāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√dā (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada; ‘he gave/bestowed’

• śakra-tulya-parākramān: having valor equal to Indra’s
• śakra-tulya-parākramān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakra + tulya + parākrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; karmadhāraya: ‘śakrasya tulyaḥ parākramaḥ yeṣām’ used as adjective to ‘pramathān’

Speakers

• Narrator (Purāṇic voice) describing Śiva’s administrative act following the consecration.

Primary Deities

• Śiva (Hara)
• Kārttikeya (Guhā/Skanda)
• Pramathas (Śiva-gaṇas)
• Indra (Śakra, as benchmark of valor)

Key Themes

• Senāpati institution (divine military command)
• Śaiva gaṇa hierarchy and delegation
• Legitimation of Skanda’s martial role
• Indra as standard of kṣātra-valor

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does Śiva ‘give’ Pramathas to Skanda’s generalship?

In Purāṇic polity, office is supported by personnel. By assigning Pramathas—Śiva’s own formidable attendants—Śiva equips Skanda’s command with an established corps, signaling transfer of operational authority while maintaining Śaiva institutional continuity.

What are Pramathas in Śaiva mythology?

Pramathas are fierce, often liminal attendants of Śiva (a class within the gaṇa retinue). They function as enforcers and battlefield agents, making them appropriate aides for Skanda’s senāpati role.

What does ‘śakratulya-parākramān’ imply about these four Pramathas?

It sets their martial capacity at the highest divine benchmark—Indra (Śakra), the paradigmatic warrior-king—thereby emphasizing that Skanda’s command is backed by near-sovereign-level force.