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
Assim como a noite sem lua e o dia sem sol não resplandecem nem por um instante, do mesmo modo um exército sem líder não pode prosperar.
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.