Shloka 20
कार्त्तिकेयाभिषेकः — Consecration of Kārttikeya and the Enumeration of His Retinue
अन्वास्ते च नदी देवं गड़ा वै सरितां वरा । दधार पृथिवी चैन बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम्,सरिताओंमें श्रेष्ठ गंगा भी उस दिव्य बालकके पास आ बैठीं। पृथ्वीदेवीने उत्तम रूप धारण करके उसे अपने अंकमें धारण किया
anvāste ca nadī devaṃ gaṅgā vai saritāṃ varā | dadhāra pṛthivī cainaṃ bibhratī rūpam uttamam ||
अन्वास्ते च नदी देवीं गङ्गा वै सरितां वरा । दधार पृथिवी चैनं बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within a war-centered epic, dharma is shown as upheld by a larger cosmic order: sacred forces (Gaṅgā and Earth) actively protect and nurture what is divinely significant, suggesting that righteousness and destiny are supported beyond human power.
Gaṅgā, praised as the greatest of rivers, approaches and sits beside a divine child; then the Earth-goddess takes on a splendid form and lifts the child onto her lap, portraying a moment of divine guardianship and care.