Gadayuddha Parva — The companions of Kartikeya

Vaishampayana said "Collecting all articles sanctioned by Shastras for the ceremony of investiture. Brihaspati duly poured libations of the burning fire.

Himavat gave a seat which was set with many costly gems. Kartikeya was made a site on that sacred and best of seats set with excellent gems.

The gods collected there all sorts of sacred articles, with due rites and mantras, that were necessary for the ceremony.

The various gods, viz., Indra, Vishnu, Surya, Chandramas, Dhatri, Vidhatri, Vayu, Agni, Pushan, Bhaga, Aryaman, Ansha, Vivasvat, Rudra, of great intelligence, Mitra, the eleven Rudras, the eight Vasus, the twelve Adityas, the twin Ashvins, the Vishvedevas, the Maruts, the Saddhyas, the Pitris, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Yakshas, the Rakshasas, the Pannagas, innumerable celestial Rishis, the Vaikhanasas, the Valakhilyas, those others among Rishis that live only on air and those that live on the rays of the Sun, the descendants of Bhrigu and Angiras, many great Yatis, all the Vidyadharas, all those that were crowned with ascetic success, the Grandfather, Pulastya, the great ascetic Pulaha, Angiras, Kashyapa, Atri, Marichi, Bhrigu, Kratu, Hara, Prachetas, Manu, Daksha, the Seasons, the Planets and all the luminaries, O monarch, all the rivers in their embodied forms, the eternal Vedas, the Seas, the Lakes, the various Tirthas, the Earth, the Sky, the Cardinal and Subsidiary points of the compass, all the Trees, Aditi the mother of the gods, Hri, Shri, Svaha, Sarasvati, Uma, Shachi, Sinivali, Anumati, Kuhu, the Day of the new Moon, the Day of the full Moon, the wives of the celestials, Himavat, Vindhya, Meru of many summits, Airavata with all his followers, the divisions of time called Kala, Kashtha, Fortnight, the Seasons, Night and Day O king, Uchchaishravas the king of horses, Vasuki the king of the Serpents, Aruna, Garuda, the Trees, the deciduous herbs and the worshipful god Dharma, all came there in a body. And there came also Kala, Yama, Mrityu and the followers of Yama.

I do not mention the various other gods that came there lest the list be a heavy one. All of them came to that ceremony for investing Kartikeya with the dignity of generalissimo.

All the celestials, O king brought there every thing necessary for the ceremony and every sacred article.

Gladly the celestials made that great youth, that terror of the Asuras, the generalissimo of the celestial hosts, after pouring upon his head the sacred and excellent water of the Sarasvati from golden jars that contained other sacred articles necessary for the purpose.

The Grandfather of the words, viz., Brahman and Kashyapa of great energy and all others, all poured water upon Skanda even as, O king, the gods had poured water on the head of Varuna, the lord of waters, when placing him in this dominion.

The lord Brahman then, with a pleased heart, gave to Skanda four powerful companions, gifted with speed of the wind, crowned with ascetic success and gifted with energy which they could increase at will.

They named Nandisena and Lohitaksha and Ghantakarna and Kumudamalin.

The lord Sthanu, O king, gave to Skanda a companion possessed of great impetuosity, capable of producing a hundred illusions and gifted with might and energy that he could increase at will. And he was the great destroyer if Asuras.

In the great battle between the gods and the Asuras, this companion that Sthanu gave, worked up with ire killed with his hands alone, fourteen millions of Daityas of terrible deeds. were

The god then made over to Skanda he celestial host, invincible containing many celestial troops, capable of destroying the enemies of the gods and of forms like that of Vishnu.

The gods then, with Vasava at their head and the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Rakshasas, the Munis and the Pitris, all exclaimed-"Victory of Skanda.'

Then Yama gave him two companions, both of whom resembled Death, viz., Unmatha and Pramatha, endued with great energy and splendour.

Endued with great prowess, Surya, gladly gave Kartikeya two of his followers named Subhraja and Bhasvara.

Soma also gave him two companions, viz., Mani and Sumani, both of whom looked like summits of tea Kailasa mountain and always used white garlands and white unguents.

Agni gave him two heroic companions, grinders of hostile armies, who were named Jvalajihva and Jyoti.

Ansha gave the intelligent Skanda five companions, Parigha and Vata and Bhima of great strength and Dahati and Dahana both of whom were highly dreadful and energetic.

Vasava, that destroyer of hostile heroes, gave Agni's son two companions, viz., Utkrosha and Panchaka who were armed respectively with thunderbolt and club. These had in battle killed many enemies of Indra.

The illustrious Vishnu gave Skanda three companions, viz., Chakra and Vikrama and Shankarma of great power.

The Ashvins, O foremost of Bharatas gladly, gave Skanda two companions, viz., Vardhana and Nandana, masters of all sciences.

The illustrious Dhatri gave that high-souled one five companions, viz., Kunda, Kushuma, Kumuda, Dambara and Adambara.

Tashtri give Skanda two companions named Chakra and Anuchakra both of whom were very powerful.

The lord Mitra gave the high-souled Kumara two illustrious companions named Suvrata and Satyasandha both of whom were highly learned and endued with ascetic merit, possessed of handsome features, capable of granting boons and well known over the three worlds.

Vidhatri gave Kartikeya two companions, viz., the great Suprabha and Shubhakarman.

Pushan gave him iwo companions, viz., Panitraka and Kalika, both gifted with grcat powers of illusions,

Vayu gave him, O best of the Bharatas, two companions, viz., Vala and Atibala, possessed of great inight and very an large mouths.

The truthful Varuna gave him Ghasa and Atighasa of great might and having a mouth like that of the Timi fish.

Himavat gave Agni's son two companions, O king, viz., Suvarchas and Ativarchas.

Meru, O Bharata, gave him two companions named Kanchana and Meghamalin.

Manu also gave Agni's son two others gifted with great strength and power viz., Sthira and Asthira.

Vindhya gave Angi's son two companions named Uchchhrita and Agnishringa both of whom fought with stones.

Ocean gave himn two powerful companions named Sangraha and Vigraha both armed with mace.

The beautiful Parvati gavc Agni's son Unmada and Pushpadanta and Shankukarna.

Vasuki the king of the serpents, O king, gave the son of Agni two snakes named Jaya and Mahajaya.

Similarly the Saddhyas, the Rudra, the Vasus, the Pitris, the Seas, the Rivers and the Mountains, gave commanders of forces, armed with lances and battle axes and adorned with various kinds or ornaments.

Listen now to the names of those other warriors armed with various weapons and clad in diverse kind of robes and ornaments, that Skanda got.

They Shankukarna, Nikumbha, Padma, Kumuda, Ananta, Dvadashakshuja, Krishna, Upakrishna, Ghranashravas, Kapiskandha, Kanchanaksha, Jalandhama, Akshasantarjana, Kunadia, Tambobhrakrit, Ekaksha, Dvadashaksha, Ekajata, Shashrabahu, Vikata, Vyaghraksha, Kshitikampana, Punyanaman, Sunaman, Suvaktra, Priyadarshana, Parishruta, Kokonada, Priyamalyanưlepana, Ajodara, Gajashiras, Skandahaksha, Shatalochana, Jvalajihbha, Karala, Shitakesha, Jati, Hari, Krishnakesha, Jatadhara, Chaturdanshtra, Ashtajibha, Meghanada, Prithushravas, Vidyutaksha, Dhanurvaktra, Jathara, Marutashana, Udaraksha, Rathaksha, Vajranabha, were Vasuprabha, Samudravega, Shaliakampin, Vrisha, Meshapravaha, Nanda, Upanandaka, Dhumra, Shveta, Kalinga, Siddhartha, Varada, Priyaka, Nanda, Gonanda, Ananda, Pramoda, Svastika, Dhruvaka, Kshemavaha, Suvaha, Siddhaptra, Goveraja, Kanakapida, Gapana, Hasana, Vana, Khadga, Vaitali, Vaitali, Alitali, Kathaka, Vatika, Hansaja, Pakshadigdhanga, Samudroniadana, Ranotkata, Prahasa, Shvetasiddha, Nandaka, Kalakantha, Prabhasa. Kumbhandaka, Kalakaksha, Shita, Bhutalonmathana, Yajnavaha, Pravaha, Devajaji, Somapa, Majjala, Kratha, Kratha. Tuhara, Gtuhara, Shitradeva, Madhura, Suprasada, Kiritin, Vatsala, Madhuvarna, Kalasodara, Dharmada, Manmathakara, Shuchivaktra, Shvetavaktra, Suvaktra, Charuvaktra, Padura, Dandavahu, Suvahu, Rajas, Kokilaka, Achala, Kanakaksha, Valakarakshaka, Sancharaka, Kokananda, Gridharapatra, Jambhuka, Lohajvaktra, Javana, Kumbhavaktra, Kumbhaka, Mundagriva, Krishnaujas, Hansavaktra, Chandrabha, Panikurchas, Shamyuka, Panchavaktra, Shikshaka, Chasavaktra, Jainbuka, Kharavaktra and Kunchaka.

Besides these many other great and powerful companions, practising ascetic austerities and respecting Brahmanas, were given to him by the grandfather,

Some of them were young, some were old and some, O Janamejaya, were green youths. Thousands and thousands of such came to Kartikeya.

They were possessed of various kinds of faces. Listen to me, O Janamejaya, as I describe them. Some had faces like those of tortoises and some like those of cocks. The faces of some were very long, O Bharata. Some again, had faces resembling those of dogs and wolves and hares and owls and asses and camels and hogs. Some had human faces and some had faces like those of sheep and jackals. Some were terrible and had faces like those of Makaras and porpoises. Some had faces like those of cats and some like those of flies; and the faces of some were very long. Some had faces like those of the mongoose, the owl and the crow. Some had faces like those of mice and peacocks and fishes and goats and sheep and buffaloes. Some had faces like those of bears and tigers and leopards and lions. Some had faces like those of elephants and crocodiles.

Some had faces like those of Garuda and the rhinoceros and the wolf. Some had faces like those of cows and mules and camels and cats. Having, large stomachs large legs and limbs, the eyes of some were like stars. The faces of some were like those of pigeons and bulls. Others had faces like those of kolilas and hawks and Tittiris and lizards. Some were clad in white dresses. Some had faces like those of snakes. The faces of some were like those of porcupines. Some had frightful and some very handsome faces; some were clad in snakes. The faces as also the nose of some were like those of cows,

Some had large and protruding stomachs but other limbs very lean; some had large limbs but lean stomachs. The necks of some were very short and the ears of some were very Jarge. Some had various kinds of snakes for their ornaments. Some were clad in skins of large elephants. And some in black deer-skins. The mouths of some were on their shoulders. Some had mouths on their stomachs, some on their backs, some on their cheeks, some on their calves and some on their flanks and the mouths of many were placed on other parts of their bodies. The faces of some amongst those combatants were like those of insects and worms. The mouths of some amongst them were like those of various beasts of prey. Some had many arms and some many heads.

The arms of some resembled trees and the heads of some were on their lions. The faces of some were tapering like the bodies of snakes. Many amongst them lived in various kinds of plants and herbs. Some were clad in rags, some in various kinds of bones, some were diversely clad and some wore various sorts of garlands and diverse kinds of unguents. Dressed variously, some had skins or their robes. Some had head-gears; the brow of some were furrowed into lines the necks of some bore marks like those on conch-shells; some were highly effulgent. Some had diadems, some had five tufts of hair on their heads and the hair of some were very hard. Some had two tufts, some three and some seven.

Some had feathers on their heads, some had crowns, some had heads that were perfectly bald and some had matted locks, Some were bedecked with beautiful garlands and the faces of some were covered with hairs. They took great delight only in battle and all of them were invincible by even the foremost ones amongst the gods. Many amongst them were dressed in various kinds of celestial robes. All were fond of battle. Some were of dark colour and the faces of some had no flesh on them. Some had very long backs and some had no stomachs. The backs of some were very large while those of some were very short. Some had long stomachs and some had long limbs. Some had long arms and others had short ones. Some were dwarfs. Some were haunch-backed. Some had short hips. The ears and heads of some were like those of elephants.

Some had noses like those of eleepeHeesnts esnd tortoise, some, like those of wolves. Some had long lips, some had long hips and some were terrific, having their faces downwards. Some had very large teeth, some had very short teeth and some had only four teeth. Thousands among them, O king, were highly terrific in appearance, looking like huge infuriate elephants. Some were of symmetrical limbs, possessed of great lustre and adorned with ornaments. Some had yellow eyes, some had ears like arrows, some had noses like gavials, OBharata.

Some had broad teeth, some had broad lips and some had green hair. Possessed of various sorts of feet and lips and teeth, they had various kinds of arms and heads. Clad in various kinds of skins, they spoke different languages, O Bharata. Skilled in all provincial dialecis, those powerful ones talked with one another. Those powerful companions, filled with joy, moved about (around Kartikeya). Some were long-necked, some long-nailed, some long-legged. Some amongst them were large-headed and some large-armed. The eyes of some were yellow, the throats of some were blue and the ears of some were long, O Bharata. The stomachs of some were like masses of antimony. The eyes of soine were while, the necks of some were red and some had eyes of a twany hue. Many were dark in color and many, O king, were of various colors, O Bharata. Many were bedecked with ornainents that looked like yak-tails. Some bore white marks on their bodies and some bore red marks. Some were of various colors and some were gold-hued and some looked splendid like peacocks.

I shall describe to you the weapons that were taken by those that came last to Kartikcya. Listen to me. Some had noses of their uplifted arms. Their faces were like those of tigers and asses. Their eyes were on their backs, their throats were blue and their arms resembled spiked clubs. Some were armed with Shataghnis and discs and some had heavy and short clubs. Some had swords and mallets and some were armed with bludgeons, O Bharata.

Some, huge-bodied and powerful combatants, were armed with lances and scimitars. Some were armed with maces and Bhushundis and some had spears on their hands. The powerful, noble and energetic and quick-coursing companions had various kinds of terrible weapons in their arins.

Beholding the investiture of Kartikeya, those mighty and energetic followers, taking delight in battle and wearing on their persons rows of tinkling bells, danced round him joyfully.

These and many other powerful companions, O king, came to the great and illustrious Kartikeya.

Some belonged to the celestial regions, some to the acrial and some to the Earth, All of them were gifted with speed of the wind. Commanded by the gods, those brave and powerful ones became the companions of Kartikeya.

Thousands and thousands, millions and millions, of such beings came there at the investiture of the great Kartikeya and stood encircling him."