Vamana Purana — Skanda Slays Taraka & Mahisha, Shloka 29

Skanda’s Svastyayana and the Slaying of Taraka and Mahisha

Devanagari script

ततः सुदीर्घमध्वानं गत्वा स्कन्दो ऽब्रवीद् गणान् भूम्यां तूर्णं महावीर्याः कुरुध्वमवतारणम्

Transliteration

tataḥ sudīrghamadhvānaṃ gatvā skando 'bravīd gaṇān bhūmyāṃ tūrṇaṃ mahāvīryāḥ kurudhvamavatāraṇam

Translation

随后，行经漫长路途之后，斯坎达（Skanda）对诸伽那说道：“诸位大勇力者，速速降下到大地之上。”

Speakers

• Skanda addressing the Gaṇas.

Primary Deities

• Skanda (Kārttikeya)
• Gaṇas (Śiva’s attendants)

Key Themes

• Divine command structure
• Descent motif (avatāraṇa)
• Mobilization of Śiva’s hosts
• Mythic warfare

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "raudra", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What are the Gaṇas in Purāṇic usage?

Gaṇas are Śiva’s attendant hosts—semi-divine beings who function as his retinue and military force. In Skanda-led episodes, they act as organized troops executing commands in battle.

Does “avatāraṇam” here mean an ‘avatāra’ in the Viṣṇu sense?

No. Here avatāraṇa means ‘descent’ or ‘landing’ (a tactical movement). It is not the technical doctrine of Viṣṇu’s avatāras, but a straightforward verb-noun of coming down to earth.

Why emphasize ‘a very long journey’ (sudīrgham adhvānam)?

It heightens the epic scale and suggests movement from a celestial/otherworldly staging area to the terrestrial battlefield, reinforcing the cosmic reach of the conflict.