Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 4
नास्ति सेनापतिः कश्चिद्देवानां सुरसत्तम । नीयन्ते दानवैर्घोरैः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः
nāsti senāpatiḥ kaściddevānāṃ surasattama | nīyante dānavairghoraiḥ sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ
اے سُروں میں افضل! دیوتاؤں کا کوئی سپہ سالار نہیں؛ اسی لیے اندرا سمیت سب دیوتا ہولناک دانَووں کے ہاتھوں مغلوب ہو کر پسپا کیے جا رہے ہیں۔
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.