Sage Vaiśampāyana recounts the investiture of Skanda (Kārtikeya), son of Agni, as commander of the celestial army. Thousands of divine “mothers,” fierce and radiant beings of supernatural form and origin, accompany him as protectors. The gods honor Skanda with powerful gifts—Indra gives a blazing dart and banner, Śiva grants an invincible army, Viṣṇu offers a triumphal garland, and others bestow sacred items and animal companions. With his divine retinue and weapons, Skanda sets out to destroy the Daityas, terrifying the three worlds with his energy and resolve.
Skanda slays mighty demons like Tāraka, Mahisha, and Hradodara, and famously splits Mount Krauncha to destroy Vāli’s son Vāna and his army. His dart unleashes meteors, thunder, and fire, reducing countless foes to ash. Rejoiced and relieved, the gods shower Skanda with praise, calling him the son of Agni, Śiva, or even Sanatkumāra. The site of his victory becomes a sacred tīrtha, second only to heaven. Skanda, glorified as the savior of the gods, is established as their eternal general and divine protector.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
शृणु मातृगणान् राजन् कुमारानुचरानिमान्।
कीर्त्यमानान् मया वीरं सपत्नगणसूदनान् ॥ १ ॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca
śṛṇu mātṛgaṇān rājan kumārānucarānimān|
kīrtyamānān mayā vīraṃ sapatnagaṇasūdanān || 1 ||
Vaishampayana said Listen now to the numbers of the mothers, those destroyers of foes, O hero that became the companions of Kumara, as I name them.
यशस्विनीनां मातॄणां शृणु नामानि भारत ।
याभिर्व्याप्तास्त्रयो लोका: कल्याणीभिश्च भागशः ॥ २ ॥
yaśasvinīnāṃ mātṝṇāṃ śṛṇu nāmāni bhārata |
yābhirvyāptāstrayo lokā: kalyāṇībhiśca bhāgaśaḥ || 2 ||
Listen, O, Bharata, to the names of those illustrious mothers. The mobile and immobile universe is permeated by those auspicious ones.
प्रभावती विशालाक्षी पालिता गोस्तनी तथा ।
श्रीमती बहुला चैव तथैव बहुपुत्रिका ॥ ३ ॥
अप्सु जाता च गोपाली बृहदम्बालिका तथा ।
जयावती मालतिका ध्रुवरत्ना भयंकरी ॥ ४ ॥
वसुदामा च दामा च विशोका नन्दिनी तथा ।
एकचूडा महाचूडा चक्रनेमिश्च भारत ॥ ५ ॥
उत्तेजनी जयत्सेना कमलाक्ष्यश्च शोभना ।
शत्रुञ्जया तथा चैव क्रोधना शलभी खरी ॥ ६ ॥
माधवी शुभवक्त्रा च तीर्थनेमिश्च भारत ।
गीतप्रिया च कल्याणी रुद्ररोमामिताशना ।। ७ ॥
मेघस्वना भोगवती सुभ्रुश्च कनकावती ।
अलाताक्षी वीर्यवती विद्युजिह्वा च भारत ॥ ८ ॥
पद्मावती 'सुनक्षत्रा कन्दरा वहुयोजना |
संतानिका च कौरव्य कमला च महाबला ॥ ९ ॥
सुदामा बहुदामा च सुप्रभा च यशस्विनी ।
नृत्यप्रिया च राजेन्द्र शतोलूखलमेखला ॥ १० ॥
शतघण्टा शतानन्दा भगनन्दा च भाविनी।
वपुष्मती चन्द्रशीता भद्रकाली च भारत ।। ११ ।
ऋक्षाम्विका निष्कुटिका वामा चत्वरवासिनी ।
सुमङ्गला स्वस्तिमती बुद्धिकामा जयाप्रिया ॥ १२ ॥
धनदा सुप्रसादा च भवदा च जलेश्वरी ।
एडी भेडी समेडी च वेतालजननी तथा ॥ १३ ॥
कण्डूति: कालिका चैव देवमित्रा च भारत ।
वसुश्री : कोटरा चैव चित्रसेनां तथाचला ॥ १४ ॥
कुक्कुटिका शङ्खलिका तथा शकुनिका नृप ।
कुण्डारिका कौकुलिका कुम्भिकाथ शतोदरी ॥ १५ ॥
उत्क्रार्थिनी जलेलाच महावेगा च कङ्कणा ।
मनोजवा कण्टकिनी प्रघसा पूतना तथा ॥ १६ ॥
केशयन्त्री त्रुटिर्वामाक्रोशनाथ तडित्प्रभा ।
मन्दोदरी च मुण्डी च कोटरा मेघवाहिनी ॥ १७ ॥
सुभगा लम्बनी लम्बा ताम्रचूडा विकाशिनी ।
ऊर्ध्ववेणीधरा चैव पिङ्गाक्षी लोहमेखला ॥ १८ ॥
पृथुवस्त्रा मधुलिका मधुकुम्भा तथैव च।
पक्षालिका मत्कुलिका जरायुर्जर्जरानना ॥ १९ ॥
ख्याता दहदहा चैव तथा धमधमा नृप ।
खण्डखण्डा च राजेन्द्र पूषणा मणिकुट्टिका ॥ २० ॥
अमोघा चैव कौरव्य तथा लम्बपयोधरा ।
वेणुवीणाघरा चैव पिङ्गाक्षी लोहमेखला ॥ २१॥
शशोलूकमुखी कृष्णा खरजङ्घा महाजवा ।
शिशुमारमुखी श्वेता लोहिताक्षी विभीषणा ॥ २२ ॥
जटालिका कामचरी दीर्घजिह्वा बलोत्कटा |
कालेहिका वामनिका मुकुटा चैव भारत ॥ २३॥
लोहिताक्षी महाकाया हरिपिण्डा च भूमिप।
एकत्वचा सुकुसुमा कृष्णकर्णी च भारत ॥ २४ ॥
क्षुरकर्णी चतुष्कर्णी कर्णप्रावरणा तथा ।
चतुष्पथनिकेता च गोकर्णी महिषानना ॥ २५ ॥
खरकर्णी महाकर्णी भेरीस्वनमहास्वना ।
शङ्खकुम्भश्रवाश्चैव भगदा च महाबला ॥ २६ ॥
गणा च सुगणा चैव तथाऽभीत्यथ कामदा ।
चतुष्पथरता चैव भूतितीर्थान्यगोचरी ॥ २७ ॥
पशुदा वित्तदा चैव सुखदा च महायशाः ।
पयोदा गोमहिषदा सुविशाला च भारत । २८ ॥
प्रतिष्ठा सुप्रतिष्ठा च रोचमाना सुरोचना ।
नौकर्णी मुखकर्णी च विशिरा मन्थिनी तथा ॥ २९ ॥
एकचन्द्रा मेघकर्णा मेघमाला विरोचना ।
prabhāvatī viśālākṣī pālitā gostanī tathā |
śrīmatī bahulā caiva tathaiva bahuputrikā || 3 ||
apsu jātā ca gopālī bṛhadambālikā tathā |
jayāvatī mālatikā dhruvaratnā bhayaṃkarī || 4 ||
vasudāmā ca dāmā ca viśokā nandinī tathā |
ekacūḍā mahācūḍā cakranemiśca bhārata || 5 ||
uttejanī jayatsenā kamalākṣyaśca śobhanā |
śatruñjayā tathā caiva krodhanā śalabhī kharī || 6 ||
mādhavī śubhavaktrā ca tīrthanemiśca bhārata |
gītapriyā ca kalyāṇī rudraromāmitāśanā || 7 ||
meghasvanā bhogavatī subhruśca kanakāvatī |
alātākṣī vīryavatī vidyujihvā ca bhārata || 8 ||
padmāvatī 'sunakṣatrā kandarā vahuyojanā |
saṃtānikā ca kauravya kamalā ca mahābalā || 9 ||
sudāmā bahudāmā ca suprabhā ca yaśasvinī |
nṛtyapriyā ca rājendra śatolūkhalamekhalā || 10 ||
śataghaṇṭā śatānandā bhaganandā ca bhāvinī|
vapuṣmatī candraśītā bhadrakālī ca bhārata || 11 |
ṛkṣāmvikā niṣkuṭikā vāmā catvaravāsinī |
sumaṅgalā svastimatī buddhikāmā jayāpriyā || 12 ||
dhanadā suprasādā ca bhavadā ca jaleśvarī |
eḍī bheḍī sameḍī ca vetālajananī tathā || 13 ||
kaṇḍūti: kālikā caiva devamitrā ca bhārata |
vasuśrī : koṭarā caiva citrasenāṃ tathācalā || 14 ||
kukkuṭikā śaṅkhalikā tathā śakunikā nṛpa |
kuṇḍārikā kaukulikā kumbhikātha śatodarī || 15 ||
utkrārthinī jalelāca mahāvegā ca kaṅkaṇā |
manojavā kaṇṭakinī praghasā pūtanā tathā || 16 ||
keśayantrī truṭirvāmākrośanātha taḍitprabhā |
mandodarī ca muṇḍī ca koṭarā meghavāhinī || 17 ||
subhagā lambanī lambā tāmracūḍā vikāśinī |
ūrdhvaveṇīdharā caiva piṅgākṣī lohamekhalā || 18 ||
pṛthuvastrā madhulikā madhukumbhā tathaiva ca|
pakṣālikā matkulikā jarāyurjarjarānanā || 19 ||
khyātā dahadahā caiva tathā dhamadhamā nṛpa |
khaṇḍakhaṇḍā ca rājendra pūṣaṇā maṇikuṭṭikā || 20 ||
amoghā caiva kauravya tathā lambapayodharā |
veṇuvīṇāgharā caiva piṅgākṣī lohamekhalā || 21||
śaśolūkamukhī kṛṣṇā kharajaṅghā mahājavā |
śiśumāramukhī śvetā lohitākṣī vibhīṣaṇā || 22 ||
jaṭālikā kāmacarī dīrghajihvā balotkaṭā |
kālehikā vāmanikā mukuṭā caiva bhārata || 23||
lohitākṣī mahākāyā haripiṇḍā ca bhūmipa|
ekatvacā sukusumā kṛṣṇakarṇī ca bhārata || 24 ||
kṣurakarṇī catuṣkarṇī karṇaprāvaraṇā tathā |
catuṣpathaniketā ca gokarṇī mahiṣānanā || 25 ||
kharakarṇī mahākarṇī bherīsvanamahāsvanā |
śaṅkhakumbhaśravāścaiva bhagadā ca mahābalā || 26 ||
gaṇā ca sugaṇā caiva tathā’bhītyatha kāmadā |
catuṣpatharatā caiva bhūtitīrthānyagocarī || 27 ||
paśudā vittadā caiva sukhadā ca mahāyaśāḥ |
payodā gomahiṣadā suviśālā ca bhārata | 28 ||
pratiṣṭhā supratiṣṭhā ca rocamānā surocanā |
naukarṇī mukhakarṇī ca viśirā manthinī tathā || 29 ||
ekacandrā meghakarṇā meghamālā virocanā |
They are Prabhāvatī, Viśālākṣī, Pālitā, Gostanī, Śrīmatī, Bahulā, Bahupuṭrikā, Apsujātā, Gopālī, Bṛhadambālikā, Jayāvatī, Mālatikā, Dhruvaratnā, Bhayaṅkarī, Vasudāmā, Dāmā, Viśokā, Nandinī, Ekacūḍā, Mahācūḍā, Cakranemiḥ, Uttejanī, Jayatsenā, Kamalākṣī, Śobhanā, Śatruñjayā, Krodhanā, Śalabhī, Kharī, Mādhavī, Śubhavaktrā, Tīrthanemiḥ, Gītapriyā, Kalyāṇī, Rudraromā, Amitāśanā, Meghasvanā, Bhogavatī, Subhruḥ, Kanakāvatī, Alātākṣī, Vīryavatī, Vidyujiḥvā, Padmāvatī, Sunakṣatrā, Kandarā, Bahuyojanā, Santānikā, Kamala, Mahābalā, Sudāmā, Bahudāmā, Suprabhā, Yaśasvinī, Nṛtyapriyā, Śatolūkhalamekhalā, Śataghantā, Śatānandā, Bhaganandā, Bhāvinī, Vapuṣmatī, Candraśītā, Bhadrakālī, Ṛkṣāmvikā, Niṣkuṭikā, Vāmā, Catvaravāsinī, Sumaṅgalā, Svastimatī, Buddhikāmā, Jayapriyā, Dhanadā, Suprasādā, Bhavadā, Jaleśvarī, Eḍī, Bheḍī, Samedī, Vetālajananī, Kaṇḍūtīḥ, Kālikā, Devamitrā, Vasuśrīḥ, Koṭarā, Citrasenā, Acalā, Kukkuṭikā, Śaṅkhalikā, Śakunīkā, Kuṇḍārikā, Kaukulikā, Kumbhikā, Śatodarī, Utkrārthinī, Jalelā, Mahāvegā, Kaṅkaṇā, Manojavā, Kaṇṭakinī, Praghasā, Pūtanā, Keśayantrī, Tṛṭiḥ, Vāmākrōśanā, Tadiṭprabhā, Mandodarī, Muṇḍī, Koṭarā, Meghavāhinī, Subhagā, Lambanī, Lambā, Tāmracūḍā, Vikāśinī, Ūrdhvaveṇīdharā, Piṅgākṣī, Lohamekhalā, Pṛthuvastrā, Madhulikā, Madhukumbhā, Pakṣālikā, Matkulikā, Jarāyuh, Jarjarānanā, Khyātā, Dahadahā, Dhamadhamā, Khaṇḍakhaṇḍā, Pūṣaṇā, Maṇikuṭṭikā, Amoghā, Lambapayodharā, Veṇuvīnāgharā, Piṅgākṣī, Lohamekhalā, Śaśolūkamukhī, Kṛṣṇā, Kharajaṅghā, Mahājavā, Śiśumāramukhī, Śvetā, Lohitākṣī, Vibhīṣaṇā, Jaṭālikā, Kāmacarī, Dīrghajihvā, Balotkaṭā, Kālehikā, Vāmanikā, Mukuṭā, Lohitākṣī, Mahākāyā, Haripiṇḍā, Ekatvacā, Sukusumā, Kṛṣṇakarṇī, Kṣurakarṇī, Catuṣkarṇī, Karṇaprāvaraṇā, Catuṣpathaniketā, Gokarṇī, Mahiṣānanā, Kharakarṇī, Mahākarṇī, Bherīswanamahāsvanā, Śaṅkhakumbhaśravāḥ, Bhagadā, Mahābalā, Gaṇā, Sugāṇā, Abhitīḥ, Kāmadā, Catuṣpatharatā, Bhūti, Tīrthānyagocarī, Paśudā, Vittadā, Sukhadā, Mahāyaśāḥ, Payodā, Gomahiṣadā, Suviśālā, Pratiṣṭhā, Supratiṣṭhā, Rocamānā, Surocanā, Naukarṇī, Mukhakarṇī, Viśirā, Manthinī, Ekacandrā, Meghakarṇā, Meghamālā, Virocanā.
एताश्चान्याश्च बहवो मातरो भतरर्षभ ॥ ३० ॥
कार्तिकेयानुयायिन्यो नानारूपा सहस्रशः ।
etāścānyāśca bahavo mātaro bhatararṣabha || 30 ||
kārtikeyānuyāyinyo nānārūpā sahasraśaḥ |
These and many other mothers, O foremost of Bharata's race, numbering by thousands, of diverse forms, became the followers of Kartikeya.
दीर्घनख्यो दीर्घदन्त्यो दीर्घतुण्ड्यश्च भारत ।। ३१॥
सबला मधुराचैव यौवनस्थाः स्वलंकृता ।
dīrghanakhyo dīrghadantyo dīrghatuṇḍyaśca bhārata || 31||
sabalā madhurācaiva yauvanasthāḥ svalaṃkṛtā |
Their nails were long, their teeth were large and their lips also, O Bharata, were projecting. Of straight forms and handsome features, all of them, endowed with youth, were adorned with ornaments.
माहात्म्येन च संयुक्ताः कामरूपधरास्तथा ॥ ३२॥
निर्मांसगात्र्यः श्वेताश्च तथा काञ्चनसंनिभाः ।
māhātmyena ca saṃyuktāḥ kāmarūpadharāstathā || 32||
nirmāṃsagātryaḥ śvetāśca tathā kāñcanasaṃnibhāḥ |
Of ascetic merit, they were capable of assuming forms at will. Not having fleshy limbs, they were of fair complexions and endued with the luster of gold.
कृष्णमेघनिभाश्चान्या धूम्राश्च भरतर्षभ ॥ ३३ ॥
अरुणाभा महाभोगा दीर्घकेश्यः सिताम्बराः ।
kṛṣṇameghanibhāścānyā dhūmrāśca bharatarṣabha || 33 ||
aruṇābhā mahābhogā dīrghakeśyaḥ sitāmbarāḥ |
Some amongst them were dark and looked like clouds in hue and some were of the color of smoke, O best of Bharata's race. And some were endued with the effulgence of the morning sun and were highly blessed. Possessed of long tresses, they were clad in what dresses.
ऊर्ध्ववेणीधराचैव पिङ्गाक्ष्यो लम्बमेखलाः ॥ ३४ ॥
लम्बोदर्यो लम्बकर्णास्तथा लम्बपयोधराः ।
ūrdhvaveṇīdharācaiva piṅgākṣyo lambamekhalāḥ || 34 ||
lambodaryo lambakarṇāstathā lambapayodharāḥ |
The braids of some were tied upwards and the eyes of some were tawny and some had long girdles. Some had long stomachs, some had long ears and some had long breasts.
ताप्राक्ष्यस्ताम्रवर्णाश्च हर्यक्ष्यश्च तथा पराः ॥ ३५॥
वरदाः कामचारिण्यो नित्यं प्रमुदितास्तथा ।
tāprākṣyastāmravarṇāśca haryakṣyaśca tathā parāḥ || 35||
varadāḥ kāmacāriṇyo nityaṃ pramuditāstathā |
Some had coppery eyes and coppery appearance and the eyes of some were green. Capable of granting boons and of walking at will, they were always cheerful.
याम्या रौद्रास्तथा सौम्याः कौवेर्योऽथ महाबलाः ॥ ३६ ॥
वारुण्योऽथ च माहेन्द्र्यऽस्तथाऽऽग्नेय्यः परंतप ।
yāmyā raudrāstathā saumyāḥ kauveryo’tha mahābalāḥ || 36 ||
vāruṇyo’tha ca māhendrya’stathā’’gneyyaḥ paraṃtapa |
Possessed of great strength, some amongst them partook of the nature of Yama, some of Rudra, some of Soma, some of Kuvera, some of Varuna, some of Indra, and some of Agni, O destroyer of foes.
वायव्यश्चाथ कौमार्यो ब्राह्मयश्च भरतर्षभ ॥ ३७॥
वैष्णव्यश्च तथा सौर्यो वाराह्यश्च महाबलाः ।
vāyavyaścātha kaumāryo brāhmayaśca bharatarṣabha || 37||
vaiṣṇavyaśca tathā sauryo vārāhyaśca mahābalāḥ |
Some were of the nature of Vayu, some of Kumara, some of Brahman, and O foremost of Bharatas’ race, some of Vishnu, some of Surya, and some of Varaha.
रूपेणाप्सरसां तुल्या मनोहार्यो मनोरमाः ॥ ३८ ॥
परपुष्टपमा वाक्ये तथय धनदोपमाः ।
rūpeṇāpsarasāṃ tulyā manohāryo manoramāḥ || 38 ||
parapuṣṭapamā vākye tathaya dhanadopamāḥ |
They had handsome and delightful features, and they were beautiful like the Apsaras. In voice, they resembled the kokila and ir wealth, Kuvera.
शक्रवीर्योपमा युद्धे दीप्तया वह्निनास्तथा ॥ ३९॥
शत्रूणां विग्रहे नित्यं भयदास्ता भवन्त्युत ।
śakravīryopamā yuddhe dīptayā vahnināstathā || 39||
śatrūṇāṃ vigrahe nityaṃ bhayadāstā bhavantyuta |
In battle, their energy resembled that of Shakra. In lustre they resembled fire. In battle, they always struck terror to their enemies.
कामरूपधराचैव जवे वायुसम या ॥ ४० ॥
अचिन्तबलवीर्याश्च तथाचिन्त्यपराक्रमाः ।
kāmarūpadharācaiva jave vāyusama yā ॥ 40 ॥
acintabalavīryāśca tathācintyaparākramāḥ |
Capable of assuming any form at will, in fleetness they resembled the very wind. Of inconceivable power and great energy, their prowess also was inconceivable.
वृक्षचत्वरवासिन्यश्चतुष्पथनिकेतनाः ॥ ४१ ॥
गुहाश्मशानवासिन्यः शैलप्रस्त्रवणालयाः ।
vṛkṣacatvaravāsinyaścatuṣpathaniketanāḥ ॥ 41 ॥
guhāśmaśānavāsinyaḥ śailaprastravaṇālayāḥ |
They live in trees and open spots and crossings of four roads. They live also in caves and crematoriums, mountains, and springs.
नानाभरणधारिण्यो नानामाल्याम्बरास्तथा ॥ ४२ ॥
नानाविचित्रवेषाश्च नानाभाषास्तथैव च ।
nānābharaṇadhāriṇyo nānāmālyāmbarāstathā || 42 ||
nānāvicitraveṣāśca nānābhāṣāstathaiva ca |
Bedecked with various kinds of ornaments, they wear various kinds of dresses and speak different languages.
एते चान्ये च बहवो गणाः शत्रुभयंकराः ॥ ४३ ॥
अनुजग्मुर्महात्मानं त्रिदशेन्द्रस्य सम्मते ।
ete cānye ca bahavo gaṇāḥ śatrubhayaṃkarāḥ || 43 ||
anujagmurmahātmānaṃ tridaśendrasya sammate |
These and many other fairs (of the mothers), all capable of terrorizing the enemies, followed, the great Kartikeya, at the command of the king of gods.
ततः शक्त्यस्त्रमददद् भगवान् पाकशासनः ॥ ४४ ॥
हाय राजशार्दूल विनाशाय सुरद्विषाम् ।
tataḥ śaktyastramadadad bhagavān pākaśāsanaḥ || 44 ||
hāya rājaśārdūla vināśāya suradviṣām |
The worship chastiser of Paka, O foremost of kings, conferred on Kartikeya, a dart for the destruction of the enemies of the celestials.
महास्वनां महाघण्टां द्योतमानां सितप्रभाम् ॥ ४५ ॥
अरुणादित्यवर्णां च पताकां भतरर्षभ ।
mahāsvanāṃ mahāghaṇṭāṃ dyotamānāṃ sitaprabhām || 45 ||
aruṇādityavarṇāṃ ca patākāṃ bhatararṣabha |
That dart produces a loud sound and is adorned with many large bells. Possessed of great luster, it seemed to blaze with light. And Indra also gave him a banner effulgent as the morning sun.
ददौ पशुपतिस्तस्मै सर्वभूतमहाचमूम् ॥ ४६ ॥
उग्रां नानाप्रहरणां तपोवीर्यबलान्विताम् ।
dadau paśupatistasmai sarvabhūtamahācamūm || 46 ||
ugrāṃ nānāpraharaṇāṃ tapovīryabalānvitām |
Shiva gave him a large army, highly dreadful and armed with various kinds of weapons and endued with great energy of ascetic penances.
अजेयां स्वगणैर्युक्तां नाम्ना सेनां धनंजयाम् ॥ ४७ ॥
रुद्रतुल्यबलैर्युक्तां योधानामयुतैस्त्रिभिः ।
ajeyāṃ svagaṇairyuktāṃ nāmnā senāṃ dhanaṃjayām || 47 ||
rudratulyabalairyuktāṃ yodhānāmayutaistribhiḥ |
Invincible and possessing all the qualities of a good army that force was known by the name of Dhananjaya. It was protected by thirty thousand warriors each of whom was powerful like Rudra himself. That force knew not how to fly from battle.
न सा विजानाति रणात् कदाचिद् विनिवर्तितुम् ॥ ४८ ॥
विष्णुर्ददौ वैजयन्ती मालां बलविवर्धिनीम् ।
na sā vijānāti raṇāt kadācid vinivartitum || 48 ||
viṣṇurdadau vaijayantī mālāṃ balavivardhinīm |
Vishnu Gave him a triumphal garland that increases the power of the wearer. Uma gave him two pieces of cloth, effulgent like the sun.
उमा ददौ विरजसी वाससी रविसप्रभे ॥ ४९ ॥
गङ्गा कमण्डलुं दिव्यममृतोद्भवमुत्तमम् ।
umā dadau virajasī vāsasī ravisaprabhe || 49 ||
gaṅgā kamaṇḍaluṃ divyamamṛtodbhavamuttamam |
With great pleasure, Ganga gave Kumara a celestial water pot, begotten of ambrosia and Brihaspati gave him a sacred stick.
ददौ प्रीत्या कुमाराय दण्डं चैव बृहस्पतिः ॥ ५० ॥
गरुडो दयितं पुत्रं मयूरं चित्रबर्हिणम् ।
dadau prītyā kumārāya daṇḍaṃ caiva bṛhaspatiḥ || 50 ||
garuḍo dayitaṃ putraṃ mayūraṃ citrabarhiṇam |
Garuda gave him his favorite son, a peacock of beautiful feathers.
अरुणस्ताम्रचूडं च प्रददौ चरणायुधम् ॥ ५१ ॥
नागं तु वरुणो राजा बलवीर्यसमन्वितम् ।
aruṇastāmracūḍaṃ ca pradadau caraṇāyudham || 51 ||
nāgaṃ tu varuṇo rājā balavīryasamanvitam |
Aruna gave him a cock of sharp talons, The royal Varuna gave him a powerful shake.
कृष्णाजिनं ततो ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मण्याय ददौ प्रभुः ॥ ५२ ॥
समरेषु जयं चैव प्रददौ लोकभावनः ।
kṛṣṇājinaṃ tato brahmā brahmaṇyāya dadau prabhuḥ || 52 ||
samareṣu jayaṃ caiva pradadau lokabhāvanaḥ |
The lord Brahma gave him, his devout devotee, a black deer-skin. And the Creator of all the worlds also gave him Victory in all battles.
सैनापत्यमनुप्राप्य स्कन्दो देवगणस्य ह ॥ ५३॥
शुशुभे ज्वलितोऽर्चिष्मान् द्वितीय इव पावकः ।
saināpatyamanuprāpya skando devagaṇasya ha || 53||
śuśubhe jvalito’rciṣmān dvitīya iva pāvakaḥ |
Having obtained the command of the celestial forces, Skanda shone like a blazing fire of bright flames.
ततः पारिषदैश्चैव मातृभिश्च समन्वितः ॥ ५४ ॥
यौ दैत्यविनाशाय ह्लादयन् सुरपुङ्गवान्।
tataḥ pāriṣadaiścaiva mātṛbhiśca samanvitaḥ || 54 ||
yau daityavināśāya hlādayan surapuṅgavān|
Accompanied by those companions and the mothers, he set out for the destruction of the demons, cheering up all the foremost of the celestials.
सा सेना नैर्ऋती भीमा सघण्टोच्छ्रितकेतना ॥ ५५ ॥
सभेरीशङ्खमुरजा सायुधा सपताकिनी ।
शारदी द्यौरिवाभाति ज्योतिर्भिरिव शोभिता ॥ ५६ ॥
sā senā nairṛtī bhīmā saghaṇṭocchritaketanā || 55 ||
sabherīśaṅkhamurajā sāyudhā sapatākinī |
śāradī dyaurivābhāti jyotirbhiriva śobhitā || 56 ||
That terrible army of celestials, furnished with standards adorned with bells and equipt with drums and conchs and cymbals and armed with weapons and decked with many banners, shone like the autumnal sky, bespangled with planets and stars.
ततो देवनिकायास्ते नानाभूतगणास्तथा ।
वादयामासुरव्यग्रा भेरी: शङ्खांश्च पुष्कलान्।। ५७॥
tato devanikāyāste nānābhūtagaṇāstathā |
vādayāmāsuravyagrā bherī: śaṅkhāṃśca puṣkalān|| 57||
Then that vast host of celestials and various other creatures began cheerfully to beat their drums and blow their conchs numbering in thousands.
पटहाञ्झर्झरांश्चैव क्रकचान् गोविषाणकान् ।
आडम्बरान् गोमुखांश्च डिण्डिमांश्च महास्वनान् ॥ ५८ ॥
paṭahāñjharjharāṃścaiva krakacān goviṣāṇakān |
āḍambarān gomukhāṃśca ḍiṇḍimāṃśca mahāsvanān || 58 ||
And they also played on their Patahas and Jharjharas and Krikachas and cow-horns and Adambaras and Gomukhas and Dindimas of loud sound.
तुष्टुवुस्कुमारं तु सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ।
जगुश्च देवगन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः ॥ ५९ ॥
tuṣṭuvuskumāraṃ tu sarve devāḥ savāsavāḥ |
jaguśca devagandharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ || 59 ||
All the gods, with Vasava at their head, lauded Kumara. The celestials and the Gandharvas sang and the Apsaras danced.
ततः प्रीतो महासेनस्त्रिदशेभ्यो वरं ददौ ।
रिपून् हन्तास्मि समरे ये वो वधचिकीर्षवः ॥ ६० ॥
tataḥ prīto mahāsenastridaśebhyo varaṃ dadau |
ripūn hantāsmi samare ye vo vadhacikīrṣavaḥ || 60 ||
Well pleased (with these attentions) Skanda granted a boon to all the celestials, saying -I shall kill all your enemies, that wish to kill you.
प्रतिगृह्य वरं देवास्तस्माद् विबुधसत्तमात्।
प्रीतात्मानो महात्मानो मेनिरे निहतान् रिपुन ॥ ६१ ॥
pratigṛhya varaṃ devāstasmād vibudhasattamāt|
prītātmāno mahātmāno menire nihatān ripuna || 61 ||
Having got this boon from that best of celestials, the illustrious gods considered their enemies as already killed.
सर्वेषां भूतसंघानां हर्षान्नादः समुत्थितः ।
अपूरयत लोकांस्त्रीन् वरे दत्ते महात्मना ॥ ६२ ॥
sarveṣāṃ bhūtasaṃghānāṃ harṣānnādaḥ samutthitaḥ |
apūrayata lokāṃstrīn vare datte mahātmanā || 62 ||
After Skanda had granted that boon a tremendous sound arose from all those creatures full of joy, filling the three worlds.
स निर्ययौ महासेनो महत्या सेनया वृतः ।
वधाय युधि दैत्यानां रक्षार्थं च दिवौकसाम् ॥ ६३ ॥
sa niryayau mahāseno mahatyā senayā vṛtaḥ |
vadhāya yudhi daityānāṃ rakṣārthaṃ ca divaukasām || 63 ||
Accompanied by that vast army, Skanda then started the destruction of the Daityas and the protection of the celestial beings.
व्यवसायो जयो धर्मः सिद्धिर्लक्ष्मीर्धृतिः स्मृतिः ।
महासेनस्य सैन्यानामग्रे जग्मुर्नराधिप ॥ ६४ ॥
vyavasāyo jayo dharmaḥ siddhirlakṣmīrdhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ |
mahāsenasya sainyānāmagre jagmurnarādhipa || 64 ||
Exertion and Victory and Righteousness and Success and Prosperity and Courage and the Scriptures, (in their embodied forms) followed Kartikeya's army, O king.
स तया भीमया देवः शूलमुद्गरहस्तया ।
ज्वलितालातधारिण्या चित्राभरणवर्मया ॥ ६५ ॥
गदामुसलनाराचशक्तितोमरहस्तया ।
दृप्तसिंहनिनादिन्या विनद्य प्रययौ गुहः ॥ ६६ ॥
sa tayā bhīmayā devaḥ śūlamudgarahastayā |
jvalitālātadhāriṇyā citrābharaṇavarmayā || 65 ||
gadāmusalanārācaśaktitomarahastayā |
dṛptasiṃhaninādinyā vinadya prayayau guhaḥ || 66 ||
With that awe-inspiring force, armed with lances and mallets and blazing hands and maces and heavy clubs and arrows and darts and spears and bedecked with beautiful ornaments and armor, the divine Guha set out with leonine roars.
तं दृष्ट्वा सर्वदैतेया राक्षसा: दानवास्तथा ।
व्यद्रवन्त दिशः सर्वा भयोद्विग्नाः समन्ततः ॥ ६७॥
taṃ dṛṣṭvā sarvadaiteyā rākṣasā: dānavāstathā |
vyadravanta diśaḥ sarvā bhayodvignāḥ samantataḥ || 67||
Beholding him, all the Daityas and Rakshasas and Danavas, overcome with fear, dispersed in all directions.
अभ्यद्रवन्त देवास्तान् विविधायुधपाणयः ।
दृष्ट्वा च स ततः क्रुद्धः स्कन्दस्तेजोबलान्वितः ॥ ६८॥
abhyadravanta devāstān vividhāyudhapāṇayaḥ |
dṛṣṭvā ca sa tataḥ kruddhaḥ skandastejobalānvitaḥ || 68||
Armed with various weapons, the gods pursued them. Seeing the enemy flying away, the energetic and powerful Skanda, became swollen with anger.
शक्त्यस्त्रं भगवान् भीमं पुनः पुनरवाकिरत्।
आदधचात्मनस्तेजो हविषेद्ध इवानलः ॥ ६९ ॥
śaktyastraṃ bhagavān bhīmaṃ punaḥ punaravākirat|
ādadhacātmanastejo haviṣeddha ivānalaḥ || 69 ||
He repeatedly hurled his terrible weapon, viz., the dart, he had received from Agni. The energy displayed by him then resembled a fire fed with libations of clarified butter.
अभ्यस्यमाने शक्त्यस्त्रे स्कन्देनामिततेजसा ।
उल्काज्वाला महाराज पपात वसुधातले || ७० ||
abhyasyamāne śaktyastre skandenāmitatejasā |
ulkājvālā mahārāja papāta vasudhātale || 70 ||
While the dart was repeatedly hurled by Skanda of unfathomable energy, meteors, O king, dropped upon the Earth.
संह्रादयन्तश्च तथा निर्घाताश्चापतन् क्षितौ ।
यथान्तकालसमये सुघोराः स्युस्तथा नृप ॥ ७१ ॥
saṃhrādayantaśca tathā nirghātāścāpatan kṣitau |
yathāntakālasamaye sughorāḥ syustathā nṛpa || 71 ||
Thunderbolts, also, with tremendous noise, dropped upon the Earth. Everything looked terrible, O king, as on the day of the universal dissolution.
क्षिप्ता का यदा शक्तिः सुघोराऽनलसूनुना ।
ततः कट्यो विनिष्पेतुः शक्तीनां भरतर्षभ ॥ ७२ ॥
kṣiptā kā yadā śaktiḥ sughorā’nalasūnunā |
tataḥ kaṭyo viniṣpetuḥ śaktīnāṃ bharatarṣabha || 72 ||
When that terrible dart was once hurled by the son of Agni, millions of darts came out of it, O best of Bharatas.
ततः प्रीतो महासेनो जघान भगवान् प्रभुः ।
दैत्येन्द्रं तारकं नाम महाबलपराक्रमम्॥ ७३ ॥
tataḥ prīto mahāseno jaghāna bhagavān prabhuḥ |
daityendraṃ tārakaṃ nāma mahābalaparākramam|| 73 ||
The powerful and worshipful Skanda filled with joy, at last killed Taraka, the chief of the Daityas, endued with great energy and prowess and was surrounded in that battle, by a hundred thousand heroic and powerful Daityas.
वृतं दैत्यायुतैर्वीरैर्बलिभिर्दशभिर्नृप ।
महिषं चाष्टभिः पद्यैर्वृतं संख्ये निजघ्निवान् ॥ ७४ ॥
vṛtaṃ daityāyutairvīrairbalibhirdaśabhirnṛpa |
mahiṣaṃ cāṣṭabhiḥ padyairvṛtaṃ saṃkhye nijaghnivān || 74 ||
O King, surrounded by ten thousand powerful Daitya warriors and supported by ten Balas (or strong beings), Mahisha (the buffalo demon) was also protected in battle by eight Padmas (divisions of his army). Yet, he was slain in the battle.
त्रिपादं चायुतशतैर्जघान दशभिर्वृतम् ।
ह्रदोदरं निखर्वैश्च वृतं दशभिरीश्वरः ॥ ७५ ॥
tripādaṃ cāyutaśatairjaghāna daśabhirvṛtam |
hradodaraṃ nikharvaiśca vṛtaṃ daśabhirīśvaraḥ || 75 ||
The powerful Skanda then overpowered Hradodara, who was encircled by ten Nikharvas of Daityas, with all his followers armed with various weapons.
जघानानुचरैः सार्धं विविधायुधपाणिभिः ।
तथा कुर्वन्त विपुलं नादं वध्यत्सु शत्रुषु ॥ ७६ ॥
कुमारानुचरा राजन् पूरयन्तो दिशो दश ।
jaghānānucaraiḥ sārdhaṃ vividhāyudhapāṇibhiḥ |
tathā kurvanta vipulaṃ nādaṃ vadhyatsu śatruṣu || 76 ||
kumārānucarā rājan pūrayanto diśo daśa |
Filling the ten points of the horizon, the followers of Kumara, O king, made a loud noise, while those Daityas were being killed and danced and jumped and laughed in joy.
ननृतुश्च ववल्गुश्च जहसुश्च मुदान्विताः ॥ ७७ ॥
शक्त्यस्त्रस्य तु राजेन्द्र ततोऽर्चिर्भिः समन्ततः ।
nanṛtuśca vavalguśca jahasuśca mudānvitāḥ || 77 ||
śaktyastrasya tu rājendra tato’rcirbhiḥ samantataḥ |
Thousands of Daityas, O king, were reduced to ashes by the flames that came out of Skanda's arrow, while others died at the very roars of Skanda.
त्रैलोक्यं त्रासितं सर्वं जृम्भमाणाभिरेव च ॥ ७८ ॥
दग्धाः सहस्रशो दैत्या नादैः स्कन्दस्य चापरे ।
trailokyaṃ trāsitaṃ sarvaṃ jṛmbhamāṇābhireva ca || 78 ||
dagdhāḥ sahasraśo daityā nādaiḥ skandasya cāpare |
The three worlds were terrified at the yawns of Skanda's soldiers. The enemies were consumed with flames produced by Skanda. Many were killed by his roars only.
पताकयाऽवधूताश्च हताः केचित् सुरद्विषः ॥ ७९ ॥
केचिद् घण्टारवत्रस्ता निषेदुर्वसुधातले ।
केचित् प्रहरणैश्छिन्ना विनिष्पेतुर्गतायुषः ॥ ८० ॥
patākayā’vadhūtāśca hatāḥ kecit suradviṣaḥ || 79 ||
kecid ghaṇṭāravatrastā niṣedurvasudhātale |
kecit praharaṇaiśchinnā viniṣpeturgatāyuṣaḥ || 80 ||
Some of the enemies of the Celestials struck with banners, were killed. Some, frightened by the sounds of bells, dropped on the face of the earth. Some were wounded with weapons and fell down dead.
एवं सुरद्विषोऽनेकान् बलवानाततायिनः ।
जघान समरे वीरः कार्तिकेयो महाबलः ॥ ८१ ॥
evaṃ suradviṣo’nekān balavānātatāyinaḥ |
jaghāna samare vīraḥ kārtikeyo mahābalaḥ ॥ 81 ॥
In this way, the heroic and powerful Kartikeya killed numberless enemies of the gods, highly powerful who came to fight with him.
बाणो नामाथ दैतेयो बलेः पुत्रो महाबलः ।
क्रौञ्चं पर्वतमाश्रित्य देवसंघानबाधत॥८२॥
bāṇo nāmātha daiteyo baleḥ putro mahābalaḥ |
krauñcaṃ parvatamāśritya devasaṃghānabādhata ॥ 82॥
Then Vali's powerful son Vana, getting upon the Kranucha mountain, fought with the celestial army.
तमभ्ययान्महासेनः सुरशत्रुमुदारधीः ।
स कार्तिकेयस्य भयात् क्रौञ्चं शरणमीयिवान् ॥ ८३ ॥
tamabhyayānmahāsenaḥ suraśatrumudāradhīḥ |
sa kārtikeyasya bhayāt krauñcaṃ śaraṇamīyivān || 83 ||
Highly intelligent, the great generalissimo Skanda rushed against that enemy of the gods. Fearing Kartikeya, he took shelter within the Krauncha mountain.
ततः क्रौञ्चं महामन्युः क्रौञ्चनादनिनादितम्। शक्त्या विभेद भगवान् कार्तिकेयोऽग्निदत्तया ॥ ८४ ॥
tataḥ krauñcaṃ mahāmanyuḥ krauñcanādanināditam| śaktyā vibheda bhagavān kārtikeyo’gnidattayā || 84 ||
Worked up with ire, the worshipful Kartikeya then pierced that mountain with that dart given him by Agni. The mountain was called Krauncha (crane). for the sound it always produced resembled the cry of a crane.
स शालस्कसन्धशबलं त्रस्तवानरवारणम् ।
प्रोड्डीनोद्भ्रान्तविहगं विनिष्पतितपन्नगम् ॥ ८५ ॥
sa śālaskasandhaśabalaṃ trastavānaravāraṇam |
proḍḍīnodbhrāntavihagaṃ viniṣpatitapannagam || 85 ||
That mountain was variegated with Shala trees. The monkeys and elephants that lived on it were frightened. The birds that had lived there rose up and wheeled around in the sky. The serpents began to dart down its sides.
गोलाङ्गूलर्क्षसंघैश्च द्रवद्भिरनुनादितम्।
कुरङ्गमविनिर्घोषनिनादितवनान्तरम्॥ ८६ ॥
golāṅgūlarkṣasaṃghaiśca dravadbhiranunāditam|
kuraṅgamavinirghoṣanināditavanāntaram|| 86 ||
It resounded also with the cries of a large number of leopards and bears that ran hither and thither in fright. Other forests on it rang with the cries of hundreds of animals.
विनिष्पतद्भिः शरभैः सिंहैश्च सहसा द्रुतैः ।
शोच्यामी दशां प्राप्तो रराजेव स पर्वतः ॥ ८७॥
viniṣpatadbhiḥ śarabhaiḥ siṃhaiśca sahasā drutaiḥ |
śocyāmī daśāṃ prāpto rarājeva sa parvataḥ || 87||
Sharabhas and lions suddenly run out. On account of all this, that mountain though it was reduced to a very pitiable condition still shone very beautifully.
विद्याधराः समुत्पेतुस्तस्य शृङ्गनिवासिनः ।
किन्नराश्च समुद्विग्नाः शक्तिपातरवोद्धताः ।। ८८ ।।
vidyādharāḥ samutpetustasya śṛṅganivāsinaḥ |
kinnarāśca samudvignāḥ śaktipātaravoddhatāḥ || 88 ||
Vidyadharas living on its summits soared into the air. The Kinnaras also became very anxious, bewildered by the fear caused by the fall of Skanda's arrow.
ततो दैत्या विनिष्पेतुः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ।
प्रदीप्तात् पर्वतश्रेष्ठाद् विचित्राभरणस्रजः ।। ८९ ।।
तान् निजघ्नुरतिक्रम्य कुमारानुचरा मृधे ।
स चैव भगवान् क्रुद्धो दैत्येन्द्रस्य सुतं तदा ॥ ९० ॥
tato daityā viniṣpetuḥ śataśo’tha sahasraśaḥ |
pradīptāt parvataśreṣṭhād vicitrābharaṇasrajaḥ || 89 ||
tān nijaghnuratikramya kumārānucarā mṛdhe |
sa caiva bhagavān kruddho daityendrasya sutaṃ tadā || 90 ||
The Daityas then, by hundreds and thousands, came out of that burning mountain, all bedecked with beautiful ornaments and garlands. The followers of Kumara, overpowering them in battle, killed them all, the worshipful Skanda worked up with ire and killed the son of the Daitya chief (Vali) along with his younger brother as Indra had killed Vritra formerly.
सहानुजं जघानाशु वृत्रं देवपतिर्यथा ।
बिभेद क्रौञ्चं शक्त्या च पावकिः परवीरहा ।। ९१ ॥
sahānujaṃ jaghānāśu vṛtraṃ devapatiryathā |
bibheda krauñcaṃ śaktyā ca pāvakiḥ paravīrahā || 91 ||
The destroyer of hostile heroes, viz., Agni's son, pierced with his dart the Krauncha mountain, dividing his own self sometimes into many and sometimes aggregating them all into one.
बहुधा चैकधा चैव कृत्वाऽऽत्मानं महाबलः ।
शक्तिः क्षिप्ता रणे तस्य पाणिमेति पुनः पुनः ॥९२॥
bahudhā caikadhā caiva kṛtvā’’tmānaṃ mahābalaḥ |
śaktiḥ kṣiptā raṇe tasya pāṇimeti punaḥ punaḥ ||92||
Repeatedly discharged by him, the arrow repeatedly came back to him. Indeed such was the power and glory of the worshipful son of Agni.
प्रभावो भगवांस्ततो भूयश्च पावकिः ।
शौर्यादिगुणयोगेन तेजसा यशसा श्रिया ॥ ९३ ॥
क्रौञ्चस्तेन विनिर्भियो दैत्याश्च शतशो हताः ।
prabhāvo bhagavāṃstato bhūyaśca pāvakiḥ |
śauryādiguṇayogena tejasā yaśasā śriyā || 93 ||
krauñcastena vinirbhiyo daityāśca śataśo hatāḥ |
With redoubled heroism, energy, fame, and success, the god pierced the mountain and killed hundreds of Daityas.
ततः स भगवान् देवो निहत्य विबुधद्विषः ॥९४॥
सभाज्यमानो विबुधैः परं हर्षमवाप ह।
tataḥ sa bhagavān devo nihatya vibudhadviṣaḥ ||94||
sabhājyamāno vibudhaiḥ paraṃ harṣamavāpa ha|
Having thus slain the enemies of the celestials, the worshipful god was worshipped and honored by the latter and was greatly delighted.
ततो दुन्दुभयो राजन् नेदुः शङ्खाश्च भारत ॥ ९५ ॥
tato dundubhayo rājan neduḥ śaṅkhāśca bhārata || 95 ||
After the Krauncha mountain had been pierced and after the son of Chanda had been killed drums were beat, O king and conchs were blown.
मुमुचुर्देवयोषाश्च पुष्पवर्षमनुत्तमम्।
योगिनामीश्वरं देवं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥ ९६॥
mumucurdevayoṣāśca puṣpavarṣamanuttamam|
yogināmīśvaraṃ devaṃ śataśo’tha sahasraśaḥ || 96||
The celestial ladies showered flowers continually upon that divine lord of Yogins.
दिव्यगन्धमुपादाय ववौ पुण्यश्च मारुतः ।
गन्धर्वास्तुष्टुवुश्चैनं यज्वानश्च महर्षयः ॥ ९७ ॥
divyagandhamupādāya vavau puṇyaśca mārutaḥ |
gandharvāstuṣṭuvuścainaṃ yajvānaśca maharṣayaḥ || 97 ||
Auspicious winds began to blow, carrying divine perfumes. The Gandharvas and great Rishis always engaged in the performance of sacrifices and sang his praises.
केचिदेनं व्यवस्यन्ति पितामहसुतं प्रभुम् ।
सनत्कुमारं सर्वेषां ब्रह्मयोनिं तमग्रजम् ।। ९८ ॥
kecidenaṃ vyavasyanti pitāmahasutaṃ prabhum |
sanatkumāraṃ sarveṣāṃ brahmayoniṃ tamagrajam || 98 ||
Some spoke of him as the powerful son of the Grandsire, viz., Sanatkumara, the eldest of all the sons of Brahman.
केचिन्महेश्वरसुतं केचित् पुत्रं विभावसोः ।
उमायाः कृत्तिकानां च गङ्गायाश्च वदन्त्युत ॥ ९९ ॥
kecinmaheśvarasutaṃ kecit putraṃ vibhāvasoḥ |
umāyāḥ kṛttikānāṃ ca gaṅgāyāśca vadantyuta || 99 ||
Some described him as the son of Maheshvara and some as that of Agni. Some spoke of him as the son of Uma or of Krittakas or of Ganga.
एकधा च द्विधा चैव चतुर्धा च महाबलम् ।
योगिनामीश्वरं देवं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ।। १०० ॥
ekadhā ca dvidhā caiva caturdhā ca mahābalam |
yogināmīśvaraṃ devaṃ śataśo’tha sahasraśaḥ || 100 ||
Hundreds and thousands of people described that Lord of Yogins of shining form and great might, as the son of one of those or of either of two of those or of any one of four of those.
एतत्ते कथितं राजन् कार्तिकेयाभिषेचनम् ।
शृणु चैव सरस्वत्यास्तीर्थवर्यस्य पुण्यताम्॥१०१॥
etatte kathitaṃ rājan kārtikeyābhiṣecanam |
śṛṇu caiva sarasvatyāstīrthavaryasya puṇyatām||101||
"I have thus told you, O king, everything about the installation of Kartikeya. Listen now to the history of the sanctity of that best of Tirthas, on the Sarasvati.
बभूव तीर्थप्रवरं हतेषु सुरशत्रुषु ।
कुमारेण महाराज त्रिविष्टपमिवापरम्॥ १०२॥
babhūva tīrthapravaraṃ hateṣu suraśatruṣu |
kumāreṇa mahārāja triviṣṭapamivāparam|| 102||
That best of Tirthas, O king after the enemies of the celestials had been killed, became a second heaven.
ऐश्वर्याणि च तत्रस्थो ददावीशः पृथक् पृथक्।
ददौ नैर्ऋतमुख्येभ्यस्त्रैलोक्यं पावकात्मजः ॥ १०३ ॥
aiśvaryāṇi ca tatrastho dadāvīśaḥ pṛthak pṛthak|
dadau nairṛtamukhyebhyastrailokyaṃ pāvakātmajaḥ || 103 ||
The powerful son of Agni gave to each of those leading celestials various kinds of dominion and wealth and at last the sovereignty of the three worlds.
एवं स भगवांस्तस्मिंतीर्थे दैत्यकुलान्तकः ।
अभिषिक्तो महाराज देवसेनापतिः सुरैः ॥ १०४ ॥
evaṃ sa bhagavāṃstasmiṃtīrthe daityakulāntakaḥ |
abhiṣikto mahārāja devasenāpatiḥ suraiḥ || 104 ||
Thus, O king was that adorable destroyer of the Daityas installed by the gods as their generalissimo.
तैजसं नाम तत् तीर्थं यत्र पूर्वमपां पतिः ।
अभिषिक्तः सुरगणैर्वरुणो भरतर्षभ ।। १०५ ।।
taijasaṃ nāma tat tīrthaṃ yatra pūrvamapāṃ patiḥ |
abhiṣiktaḥ suragaṇairvaruṇo bharatarṣabha || 105 ||
That other Tirtha, O best of Bharatas, where in days of Yore, Varuna, the Lord of water had been installed by the celestials, is known by the name of Taijasa.
अस्मिंस्तीर्थवरे स्नात्वा स्कन्दं चाभ्यर्च्य लाङ्गली |
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ रुक्मं वासांस्याभरणानि च ।। १०६ ॥
asmiṃstīrthavare snātvā skandaṃ cābhyarcya lāṅgalī |
brāhmaṇebhyo dadau rukmaṃ vāsāṃsyābharaṇāni ca || 106 ||
Having bathed in that Tirtha and adored Skanda, Rama gave to the Brahmans gold and clothes and ornaments and many other things.
उषित्वा रजनीं तत्र माधवः परवीरहा ।
पूज्य तीर्थवरं तच्च स्पृष्ट्वा तोयं च लाङ्गली ॥ १०७॥
uṣitvā rajanīṃ tatra mādhavaḥ paravīrahā |
pūjya tīrthavaraṃ tacca spṛṣṭvā toyaṃ ca lāṅgalī || 107||
Passing one night there, that killer of hostile heroes, viz., Madhava, lauding that foremost of Tirthas and touching its water, became cheerful and happy.
हृष्टः प्रीतमनाश्चैव ह्यभवन्माधवोत्तमः ।
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि ।
यथाभिषिक्तो भगवान् स्कन्दो देवैः समागतैः ॥ १०८ ॥
hṛṣṭaḥ prītamanāścaiva hyabhavanmādhavottamaḥ |
etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ yanmāṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi |
yathābhiṣikto bhagavān skando devaiḥ samāgataiḥ || 108 ||
I have now told you everything about which you had enquired, viz., how the divine Skanda was installed by the celestials.
The sage Vaiśampāyana recounts the installation of Skanda (Kārtikeya), the son of Agni, as the commander-in-chief of the celestial army. He first describes the divine "mothers" who accompany him—numerous celestial beings of various forms, powers, and appearances, all capable of taking on terrifying visages and granting boons. These mothers, radiant, powerful, and endowed with supernatural qualities, dwell in sacred spaces, forests, crossroads, and cremation grounds, ready to protect Kārtikeya and serve the gods.
Each of these mothers is described in vivid detail—some golden-hued, others cloud-dark or coppery-eyed, bearing mystical features such as long limbs, fiery hair, or multiple ears. Endowed with aspects of deities like Yama, Rudra, Indra, and Viṣṇu, they are fierce in battle, soft in speech, and swift as wind. These divine companions are protectors of Dharma and cosmic order and serve as harbingers of Skanda’s terrifying power.
Indra and the other gods offer Skanda powerful gifts to prepare him for battle. Indra gives him a divine, sound-emitting dart and a radiant banner. Śiva grants him a powerful army named Dhananjaya, composed of 30,000 invincible warriors. Viṣṇu gives him a victory-enhancing garland, Umā gives him radiant cloths, Gaṅgā a pot of amṛta, Bṛhaspati a sacred staff, and Garuḍa a peacock. Varuṇa offers a mighty serpent, and Brahmā gives him a black deer skin and the boon of victory.
With these divine gifts and his retinue of supernatural mothers, Skanda sets out to annihilate the Daityas (demons). His army, filled with gods and celestial beings wielding powerful weapons, marches forth to the rhythm of drums, conches, and celestial instruments. Encouraged by their divine commander, the celestials feel assured of victory. Skanda promises them that he will slay all who threaten the gods, and his presence fills the heavens with joy and renewed courage.
Skanda’s wrath blazes as he enters battle, hurling Agni’s fiery dart, which multiplies into countless weapons. Meteors and thunderbolts fall as his power resembles the fire of cosmic dissolution. He slays countless Daityas, including Taraka, Mahisha, and Hradodara, whose massive armies and demonic allies are reduced to ash. The earth shakes with divine roars, and many enemies fall dead from the very sound of his fury.
The final battle against Vāli’s son Vāna, who seeks refuge in Mount Krauncha, becomes legendary. Skanda splits the mountain with Agni’s weapon, causing its inhabitants—animals, birds, and serpents—to flee in terror. The explosion of divine power reveals the mountain’s hidden Daityas, whom Skanda and his followers swiftly destroy. With the death of Vāna and the piercing of Mount Krauncha, Skanda is honored by all gods, Gandharvas, and ṛṣis, who shower him with praise and flowers.
The narrative concludes with the gods proclaiming Skanda’s divine parentage—Agni, Śiva, Umā, or even Sanatkumāra—and installing him as their general. After his victory, Skanda rewards the gods with dominion, wealth, and security. The site of his investiture, now a sacred tīrtha on the Sarasvatī, becomes a second heaven. Bathing there brings merit, and it is venerated by sages and even Viṣṇu himself. Thus, the gods rejoiced, and Skanda, the fiery protector of heaven, rose to eternal glory.