Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 5
यथा निशा विना चन्द्रं दिवसो भास्करं विना । न शोभते मुहूर्तं वै तथा सेना विनायका
yathā niśā vinā candraṃ divaso bhāskaraṃ vinā | na śobhate muhūrtaṃ vai tathā senā vināyakā
Sebagaimana malam tanpa bulan dan siang tanpa matahari tak bersinar walau sesaat, demikian pula bala tentara tanpa pemimpin tak memiliki kemuliaan.
Mārkaṇḍeya (narrating)
Listener: Yudhiṣṭhira (implied)
Scene: A symbolic composition: night sky dim without the moon, day muted without the sun; juxtaposed with an army in disarray lacking a commander—an allegory for leadership as illumination.
FAQs
Right leadership (nāyaka/senāpati) is essential for harmony and success, just as celestial lights are essential for the beauty of time.
None; the verse uses a metaphor within the Skanda-origin narrative.
None.