Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
तासां शृंगाण्यजायन्त यस्या यादृड़मनोगतम् । नानावर्णा: शृंगवन्त्यस्ता व्यरोचन्त पुत्रक
tāsāṃ śṛṅgāṇy ajāyanta yasyā yādṛg manogatam | nānāvarṇāḥ śṛṅgavatyās tā vyarocanta putraka ||
व्यास उवाच— तासां गवां शृङ्गाण्यजायन्त, यस्या यदृशं मनोगतं रूपं, तदनुरूपाणि। नानावर्णानि शृङ्गाणि धारयन्त्यस्ताः शोभया व्यरोचन्त, पुत्रक॥
व्यास उवाच
The verse highlights the potency of inner intention and mental conception (manogatam): what is held in the mind can manifest outwardly, suggesting an ethical emphasis on disciplining thought as a foundation for right action and dharmic conduct.
Vyāsa describes a marvel: among a group of cows, horns arise matching each cow’s own mental conception, and these horns appear in many colors, making the cows look radiant.