Shloka 145
Umā’s Austerity, Kauśikī’s Manifestation, and Skanda’s Birth Leading to Tāraka’s Defeat
स्कंदो विशाखः षड्वक्त्रः कार्तिकेयश्च विश्रुतः । पक्षे चैत्रस्य बहुले पंचदश्यां महाबलौ
skaṃdo viśākhaḥ ṣaḍvaktraḥ kārtikeyaśca viśrutaḥ | pakṣe caitrasya bahule paṃcadaśyāṃ mahābalau
അവൻ സ്കന്ദൻ, വിശാഖൻ, ഷഡ്വക്ത്രൻ, കാർത്തികേയൻ എന്നിങ്ങനെ പ്രസിദ്ധൻ; ചൈത്രമാസത്തിലെ കൃഷ്ണപക്ഷ പൗർണ്ണമിയിൽ അവൻ മഹാബലവാനാകുന്നു.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Padma Purāṇa; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Divine reality is approached through multiple names and forms; sacred time (tithi) is a vessel of śakti.
Application: Honor sacred time: mark lunar observances with restraint, prayer, and remembrance; cultivate ‘mahābala’ as inner strength—discipline, courage, and protection of dharma.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A youthful warrior-deity stands poised with spear and peacock emblem, while around him float his many names as glowing Sanskrit syllables—Skanda, Viśākha, Ṣaḍvaktra, Kārttikeya—forming a protective ring. Above, the night sky shows the dark fortnight of Caitra culminating in a full-moon disc, suggesting hidden power ripening into manifest might.","primary_figures":["Skanda/Kārttikeya (Ṣaḍvaktra)","peacock (vāhana)","celestial scribes or gandharvas (optional)"],"setting":"Celestial battlefield-terrace or temple courtyard under a dramatic lunar sky; banners and incense smoke hint at ritual honor.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver white","vermillion red","antique gold","peacock green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kārttikeya as Ṣaḍvaktra with vel (spear) and peacock, surrounded by gold-leaf calligraphic nāma-halo; heavy jeweled crown, rich red-green textiles, embossed gold background, moon disc rendered in silver-gold sheen, traditional South Indian ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant youthful Skanda with refined features, spear held lightly; cool moonlit palette with delicate clouds; Sanskrit name-bands like ribbons in the air; distant hills and a quiet grove, lyrical naturalism and fine detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; Ṣaḍvaktra faces arranged in a fan, spear and peacock stylized; lunar disc prominent; red-yellow-green palette with black contouring, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Skanda medallion framed by floral borders; peacock feathers forming a radial pattern; moon and tithi symbols in corners; deep indigo cloth with gold highlights and intricate motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","mridanga pulse","temple bells","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्कंदो = स्कन्दः; कार्तिकेयश्च = कार्तिकेयः + च; पञ्चदश्यां = पञ्चदशी + आम् (सप्तमी एकवचन); महाबलौ = महा + बलौ (कर्मधारय)
FAQs
The verse describes Skanda (Kārtikeya), listing several of his well-known epithets: Skanda, Viśākha, Ṣaḍvaktra (six-faced), and Kārtikeya.
It specifies the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) of Caitra and the fifteenth lunar day (pañcadaśī). Such calendrical markers are commonly used in Purāṇic literature to situate observances, sacred narratives, or the timing of particular religious merits.
Multiple names highlight different aspects of the same deity—identity, fame, iconography (six faces), and lineage/tradition—helping devotees recognize the deity across regional or textual variations while affirming a unified divine figure.