Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 4
नास्ति सेनापतिः कश्चिद्देवानां सुरसत्तम । नीयन्ते दानवैर्घोरैः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः
nāsti senāpatiḥ kaściddevānāṃ surasattama | nīyante dānavairghoraiḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ
ஓ சுரசிறந்தவரே! தேவர்களுக்கு எந்தச் சேனாதிபதியும் இல்லை; அச்சமூட்டும் தானவர்கள் இந்திரனுடன் கூடிய எல்லாத் தேவர்களையும் வென்று விரட்டுகின்றனர்.
Mārkaṇḍeya (narrating)
Listener: Yudhiṣṭhira
Scene: The gods, led by Indra, appear harried and displaced, pursued by grim Dānavas; the absence of a commander is felt as disarray—foreshadowing Skanda’s appointment.
FAQs
Without rightful leadership and dharmic strength, even divine powers can be shaken—hence the need for a protector who restores order.
None directly; this is narrative groundwork leading to Skanda’s manifestation and related tīrtha greatness.
None.