Vamana Purana — Skanda Slays Taraka & Mahisha, Shloka 13
Skanda’s Svastyayana and the Slaying of Taraka and Mahisha
नारद उवाच यत्तत् स्वस्त्ययनं पुण्यं कृतवान् गरुडध्वजः शिखिध्वजाय विप्रर्षे तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
nārada uvāca yattat svastyayanaṃ puṇyaṃ kṛtavān garuḍadhvajaḥ śikhidhvajāya viprarṣe tanme vyākhyātumarhasi
ナーラダは言った。「ガルダを旗印とする者（ヴィシュヌ）が、孔雀を旗印とする者（スカンダ）のために行った功徳あるスヴァスティヤーヤナ（svastyayana）について、ああ婆羅門の聖仙よ、私に解き明かしていただきたい。」
{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }
FAQs
The passage signals a layered tradition: the narrative may describe a blessing context involving Śiva/Skanda, while Nārada’s question focuses on a specific svastyayana formula taught or performed by Hari (Viṣṇu). Purāṇas often interweave Shaiva and Vaishnava agencies to emphasize shared cosmic purpose.
Śikhidhvaja (‘peacock-bannered’) is an iconographic identifier of Skanda/Kārttikeya, highlighting his role as divine general. The epithet also functions as a mnemonic marker in oral transmission, ensuring the listener recognizes the deity without ambiguity.
The verb ‘vyākhyātum’ suggests a full exposition: likely the wording (mantra/benediction), its ritual framing, and its intended efficacy (victory, protection), rather than a mere narrative summary.