Markandeya Samasya Parva — Birth of Skanda

Markandeya said : O ruler of men, Angirasa's wife possessed good behaviour, beauty and accomplishments. That lady, then assuming the disguise went to the fire, That charming lady thus spoke to him, “O Angi, 1 am afflicted with desire, you should satisfy me. If you refused to do it, I shall commit suicide. O Hutasana, I am Angirasa's wife, named Siva. I have come at the advice of others who have sent me to you after due deliberation.

Agni said : How did you know that I was afflicted with desire? How did the others, the beloved wives of the seven Rishis, as you say, know this?

Shiva said: You are always beloved to us, but we are afraid of you. Now knowing your mind by clear signs, they have sent me to you.

O Hutasana, I have come here to satisfy my desire. Kindly gratify me. My sister-in-law are waiting for me; I must soon return.

Markandeya said : Then Agni being exceedingly pleased lived with her; and that lady too joyfully held intercourse with him; and she also held the seed in her hand.

Then she thought that those who would see her in that disguise in the forest would speak ill of the Brahmana women and Agni.

Therefore she should be a 'Garudi' bird and go out of the forest without being seen by anybody.

Then becoming a bird, she went out of the great forest and saw the white mountain covered with the clumps of heath.

That mountain guarded by seven headed serpents with poison in their very looks and frequented by the male and famale, Rakshashas, the Pishachas, the fearful spirits and various kinds of birds and beasts.

Suddenly going up to an inaccessible peak that excellent lady threw the seed into a golden well.

Then assuming successively the forms of the wives of the illustrious seven Rishis, she held intercourse with Agni, But she could not assume the disguise of Arundhuti. On account of her great ascetic merit and her great devoition towards her husband. O foremost of Kurus, the damsel Svaha in the first lunar day threw six times into that (golden) well the seed of Agni.

Thrown there, it produced a greatly powerful male child. As it was considered by the Rishis as cast off, that child came to be called Skanda. The child had six heads, twelve ears, twelve eyes and twelve arms.

One nack and one stomach. It first assumed a form on the second lunar day; and on the third lunar day it grew to be a little child.

The limbs of Guhaka (Skanda) were developed on the fourth day. Being surrounded by a mass of red clouds flashing blazing lightnings, it shone like the sun rising in the midst of a mass of red clouds.

Seizing the fearful great bow used by the destroyer of the Asura Tripura for the destruction of the enemies of the celestials.

That mighty one uttered such a terrible roar that the three worlds with their mobile and immobile divisions became struck with fear. Hearing that sound which seemed like the roarings of big clouds, the great Nagas, Chitra and Airavata, were shaken with fear. Seeing them unsteady, that lad shining with sun like refulgence, held them with both his hands. With a dart in one hand and with a stout, redcentral and big cock fast secured in another, that mighty-armed son of Agni sported about making a fearful noise.

Holding an excellent conch in two of his hands, that mighty one blew it, frightening even the most powerful creatures.

Striking the air with two hands and playing about on the hill-top, the mighty Mahasena of matchless prowess looked as if he were on the point of devouring the three worlds.

He looked like Surya when he rises in heavens. That wonderfully shining and matchlessly powerful one, seated on the top of that hill saw with many directions. He again raised up a loud roar. Hearing his those roars many creatures fell down on the ground in fear. Frightened and anxious, they sought protection.

All those persons of various orders that sought the protection of that god are known as his mighty Brahmana flowers,

Rising from his seat, that mighty deity dispelled the fear of all creature and then drawing his bow, he discharged his arrows towards the great white mountain.

With those arrows, the hill Karaneha the son of Himavat, was rent asunder. Therefore white swans and vultures now migrate to the Meru mountains.

The Krauncha hill, being fearfully wounded, fell down uttering terrible groans. Seeing him fallen, the other hills also began to scream.

That mighty being of matchless prowess, hearing the groans of the afflicted hills, was not at all moved, but uplifting his mace he yelled forth his cry.

That high-souled one then hurled his mace of great lustre. The quickly rent in two the peaks of the great white mountain.

The white mountain being thus pierced by him was greatly afraid of him and disassociating himself from the earth she fled away with the other mountains.

The earth was greatly afflicted and she was bereft off all her ornaments. She went to Skanda and she again became as shining as before.

The mountains also bowed down to Skanda and cane back and stuck into the earth. All creatures then performed the Puja (worship) of Skanda on the fifth day of the lunar month.