Markandeya Samasya Parva — Birth of Skanda

Markandey said : When that powerful, mighty and high-souled one (Mahasena) was born, various kinds of fearful evil omens appeared.

The nature of male and female, of heat and cold and of such other pairs of contraies was reversed. The planets, the cardinal points and the firmaments became radient with light and the earth began to roar.

The Rishis who always sought the welfare of the world, seeing these fearful omens on all sides, began with anxious hearts to restore tranquility in the universe.

Those men who lived in that Chaitraratha forest said, “All this disasters have fallen on us in consequence of Agni holding intercourse with the six wives of the seven Rishis."

Others who saw her (Svaha) as a bird said, “This has been brought about by a bird.” None ever thought that Svaha was the cause of all this mischief.

Having heard that the child was hers, Svaha slowly went to Skanda and told him, “I am your mother.”

The seven Rishis, hearing that a greatly powerful son was born (to them), abandoned their six wives except the adorable lady Arundhuti.

Because all the dwellers of that forest said that those six women were the cause of the birth of that child. O king, Svaha also said again and again to the seven Rishis, "O Rishis, this child is mine. Your wives are not its mother."

The great Rishi Vishwamitra, after performing the sacrifice of the seven Rishis, had followed unseen Agni when he had been afflicted with desire and therefore he knew all as then happened.

Vishwamitra was first to seek the protection of Kumara. He offered excellent prayers in honour of Mahasena.

All the thirteen auspicious rites of childhood such as the birth and other ceremonies were all performed by the great Rishi in respect of that child.

For the good of the world, he promulgated the virtues of the six-faced Skanda and performed ceremonies in hour of the cock, the goddess Shakti and the first followers of Skanda. For this reason Vishwamitra became a great favourite of Kumara.

That great Rishi told the seven Rishis all about the transformation of Svaha (as their wives) and also told them that their wives are perfectly innocent. (Even) having heard this, the seven Rihsis abandoned their wives,

Hearing of Skanda, the celestial then all spoke thus to Vasava (Indra), "O Shakra, soon kill Skanda, for his prowess is unbearable. If you do not destroy him, he will conquer us with all the three worlds. Vanquishing you, he will become the mighty lord of the celestial.

Thus spoke Indra to those who were afflicted, 'This child possesses great prowess. He can himself destroy (even) the creator of universe in battle with his prowess. I therefore do not dare to destory him.' Thus said Shakra again and again.

They (the celestial) said, “You have no heroism in you, therefore you speak thus. Let the mothers of the universe go today to Skanda. They can muster at will any power they like. Let them kill this child. Saying, “So be it,” they (mothers) went away.

But seeing him matchlessly powerful, they became dispirited. Considering him to be invincible, they sought his protection and said to him, "O greatly powerful one, become our son.

We are full of affection for you. We are desirous of giving you our breasts (to be sucked). The milk oozes out from our breasts." Having heard these words, the mighty Mahasena desired to suck their breasts. He received them with due respect and complied with their request. Then that mightiest of mighty ones saw that his father Agni was coming towards him.

That Sive (the doer of good) was duly honoured by his son; and he with the mothers stayed there near Mahasena to tend him.

That lady amongstst the mothers who was born of anger kept watch over Skanda with a spike in hand as a mother guards her own child.

That irascible daughter of blood who lived in blood embraced Mahasena in her breast and nursed him like a mother. And Agni, transforming himself as a teacher with a goat's mouth and followed by numerous children, began to gratify that child with toys on his that mountain abode.