Vamana Purana — Skanda Slays Taraka & Mahisha, Shloka 10
Skanda’s Svastyayana and the Slaying of Taraka and Mahisha
केवलं त्विह मां देवस्त्वत्पिता प्राह शङ्करः नान्यः परतरो ऽस्माद्धि वयमन्ये च देहिनः
kevalaṃ tviha māṃ devastvatpitā prāha śaṅkaraḥ nānyaḥ parataro 'smāddhi vayamanye ca dehinaḥ
«Здесь воистину твой отец Шанкара (Śaṅkara) сказал мне: “Лишь этот Дэва есть Высочайший; нет никого выше Него. Мы и прочие воплощённые существа все подчинены.”»
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FAQs
Within this chapter’s framing, Śaṅkara is presented as affirming a single unsurpassed Supreme (para-deva). The surrounding verses (notably 32.11 naming Janārdana/Acyuta) strongly suggest that the Supreme intended is Viṣṇu. Purāṇic redactions often use such statements to promote concord: Śiva himself directs devotees toward the Highest refuge.
Dehin can include any being with embodiment, including devas when they are treated as finite agents within cosmic administration. The verse’s contrast is between the unexcelled Supreme and all conditioned entities, whether divine or mortal.
Narratively, it functions as transmitted authority: Pārvatī reports Śiva’s teaching to their son Skanda, motivating Skanda’s subsequent act of reverence toward Janārdana. It also reinforces familial pedagogy—knowledge of the Supreme is passed through trusted lineage.