Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
गणेशविवाहोत्सवः तथा सिद्धि-बुद्धि-सन्तानवर्णनम् | Gaṇeśa’s Wedding Festival and the Progeny of Siddhi & Buddhi
कार्तिक्यां च सदा देवा ऋषयश्च सतीर्थकाः । दर्शनार्थं कुमारस्य गच्छंति च मुनीश्वराः
kārtikyāṃ ca sadā devā ṛṣayaśca satīrthakāḥ | darśanārthaṃ kumārasya gacchaṃti ca munīśvarāḥ
اور کارتّکی کے موقع پر دیوتا اور رشی—تیर्थوں سمیت—ہمیشہ کُمار (سکند) کے درشن کے لیے جاتے ہیں؛ اور بڑے بڑے منی بھی اس کے درشن کو روانہ ہوتے ہیں۔
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Kārttikī darśana of Kumāra is presented as a recurring sacred occasion drawing devas/ṛṣis and even ‘tīrthas’ personified—implying heightened merit for pilgrimage and darśana during that time.
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva principle that darśana of the Lord’s divine manifestation—here Kumāra, the son of Shiva—purifies and elevates beings; even devas and ṛṣis seek that sanctifying vision, showing that grace (anugraha) is central to spiritual progress.
Kumāra is a saguna expression within Shiva’s cosmic family and purpose; honoring him aligns the devotee with Shiva’s will (icchā-śakti) and protection of dharma, complementing Linga worship by deepening devotion to Shiva’s manifest forms and their sacred presence.
Undertake a Kārtika observance with tīrtha-mindedness: seek darśana at a Shiva/Skanda shrine, offer lamps and water, and repeat Shiva’s mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a devotional focus on receiving grace through darśana.