Skanda’s Svastyayana and the Slaying of Taraka and Mahisha
कृताञ्जलिपुटं स्कन्दं भगवान् भूतभावनः कृत्वा स्वस्त्ययनं देवो ह्यनुज्ञां प्रददौ ततः
kṛtāñjalipuṭaṃ skandaṃ bhagavān bhūtabhāvanaḥ kṛtvā svastyayanaṃ devo hyanujñāṃ pradadau tataḥ
Então o Senhor bem-aventurado, Benfeitor dos seres, tendo realizado para Skanda—que estava com as mãos unidas em reverência—o auspicioso rito de svastyayana, concedeu-lhe em seguida permissão para prosseguir.
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Svastyayana denotes an auspicious benediction—often a formal rite or recitation invoking ‘svasti’ (well-being)—performed to secure success, protection, and favorable omens before a major undertaking (here, Skanda’s campaign).
In Purāṇic narrative logic, a divine mission is not merely martial; it is ritually sanctioned. The granting of anujñā marks the transition from preparation (rite/blessing) to authorized action, underscoring cosmic legitimacy for the forthcoming battle.
Bhūtabhāvana is a standard epithet of Śiva (‘one who sustains beings/spirits’). The immediate setting with Skanda (Śiva’s son and general of the devas) strongly supports Śiva as the referent.