03.218
Markandeya said.
Then Skanda was seen seated, adorned with golden armor and garland, crowned with a golden diadem, possessing golden eyes, and having great brilliance. (03-218-1)
Clothed in red garments, possessing sharp fangs and beauty, endowed with every mark of excellence, he is dearly beloved even to the three worlds. (03-218-2)
Then, Śrī herself, embodied and in the form of a lotus, embraced that heroic young bestower of boons with polished earrings. (03-218-3)
At that time, the excellent prince, endowed with splendour and great fame, seated there, was seen by all beings like the moon on a full-moon night. (03-218-4)
The great-souled brāhmaṇas did not honor that greatly powerful one. Then, the great sages there spoke this about Skanda. (03-218-5)
O golden-hued one, may auspiciousness be yours; be the auspicious one of the worlds. By you, born after six nights, all the worlds have been subdued. (03-218-6)
Fearlessness has again been granted to these by you alone, O best of the gods; therefore, may you, Indra, be the giver of fearlessness to the three worlds. (03-218-7)
Skanda said.
O ascetics, what does Indra do for all the worlds here? And how does the lord of the gods always protect the hosts of the gods? (03-218-8)
The sages said;
Indra bestows strength, splendor, offspring, and happiness upon beings; when pleased, the lord of the gods grants all gifts in this way. (03-218-9)
Bala-sūdana removes the wicked, bestows upon the righteous, and instructs all beings in their duties. (03-218-10)
When there is no sun, the sun may appear; similarly, in the absence of the moon, the moon arises. Fire, wind, earth, and waters manifest due to their respective causes. (03-218-11)
This task must be done by Indra, for Indra indeed possesses great strength. You too, O hero, are the greatest in strength; therefore, become Indra for us. (03-218-12)
Indra said.
O mighty-armed one, become our Indra, the bringer of happiness to us all. Today, consecrate yourself, for you have attained the position, O best one. (03-218-13)
Skanda said;
You alone should rule the three worlds, undisturbed and intent on victory. I am your servant, O Indra; the status of Indra is not desired by me. (03-218-14)
Indra said;
Your strength is wonderful, hero; you, destroyer of the gods’ enemies, conquer them. The worlds, astonished by your prowess, will disregard me. (03-218-15)
Even a hero, though possessing the status of Indra, if deprived of strength and defeated, will be overcome. In causing division between the two of us, the tireless (ones) will strive. (03-218-16)
And when you are divided, O Lord, the world will become dual. Thus, in those worlds that have split, this division will be set between us. (03-218-17)
O mighty one, conflict may arise due to differences among beings. (03-218-17)
There, dear one, you will conquer me in battle as your faith allows. Therefore, today you will be Indra—do not doubt. (03-218-18)
Skanda said.
You alone are the king; may there be auspiciousness to you, of the three worlds and of myself as well. What shall I do for you, Śakra? That command, tell to me. (03-218-19)
Indra said.
If this statement has been spoken by you with certainty and is true; or if, Skanda, you wish to carry out my command, then listen to me. (03-218-20)
O mighty one, anoint yourself as the general of the gods. By your word, I shall become Indra, O mighty one. (03-218-21)
Skanda said;
Anoint me as general for the destruction of the Dānavas, the accomplishment of the gods' purpose, and for the protection of cows and Brāhmaṇas. (03-218-22)
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
Consecrated by Indra along with all the assemblies of gods, he shone greatly there, honored by the great sages. (03-218-23)
That golden parasol of his, held above, shone brilliantly, just like the radiant disk of a well-kindled fire. (03-218-24)
A divine garland of gold, made by Viśvakarman, was bound upon him by the glorious Tripuraghna himself. (03-218-25)
O tiger among men, after approaching together with the goddess, the well-pleased Lord Śiva, whose banner bears a bull, worshipped. (03-218-26)
The twice-born invoked Agni as Rudra; then, the son of Rudra, by Rudra's released seed, became the white mountain. The essence of Pāvaka was established on the Śveta mountain by the Kṛttikās. (03-218-27)
But when they saw Guha, the son of Rudra, being honored by Rudra, all the gods then addressed Guha, the best among the virtuous. (03-218-28)
Having entered the Fire by Rudra, this child was indeed born there. There, from that birth, Skanda, the son of Rudra, was thus born. (03-218-29)
Skanda, the best among gods, was born by the energy of Rudra, Agni, Svāhā, and six women; thus, he became the son of Rudra. (03-218-30)
Hanuman, son of Pāvaka, clad in clean red garments, shines forth with brilliant splendour, radiant like the sun between two red clouds. (03-218-31)
The rooster, placed together with fire as his adorned banner, shines elevated on the chariot, red like the fire of time (destruction). (03-218-32)
He entered both the armor and then his body, which is natural; and for the fighting god, that always appears. (03-218-33)
Power, armor, strength, radiance, charm, truth, inviolability, devotion to the sacred, clarity of mind, and the protection of devotees. (03-218-34)
O king, both the destruction of enemies and the protection of the worlds—all of these indeed have come into being together with Skanda. (03-218-35)
Thus, having been anointed and well adorned by all the groups of gods, he radiated with a cheerful mind, appearing like the full moon. (03-218-36)
By offerings, recitations of sacred texts, celestial musical instruments, songs by gods and Gandharvas, and by all the groups of Apsarases. (03-218-37)
He, Pāvaki, then as if sporting, was anointed by the gods and adorned by these and other various joyful and contented (beings). (03-218-38)
The dwellers of heaven saw the anointed Mahāsena, just as here (we see) the sun risen after having destroyed darkness. (03-218-39)
Then, all the divine armies, by the thousands, approached him from every direction, saying, “You are our lord.” (03-218-40)
The blessed one, surrounded by hosts of all beings, having approached those women, and being worshipped and praised, also consoled them. (03-218-41)
Indra, having then anointed Skanda as commander of the army, remembered Devasena—she who was released by him. (03-218-42)
Thinking, 'This is certainly the husband appointed for her by Brahmā himself,' he led the well-adorned Devasenā. (03-218-43)
Balabhit (Indra) said to Skanda: "O best of the gods, this girl was appointed as your wife by Svayambhū (Brahmā) when you were not yet born." (03-218-44)
Therefore, you should, according to ritual and with mantras, take the hand of the lady—her right hand, radiant as a lotus—with your own hand. (03-218-45)
Thus addressed, he took her hand according to the prescribed rites. Bṛhaspati performed the mantra procedure, reciting and offering oblations. (03-218-46)
Thus, the wise recognize Devasena, the queen of Skanda. Brāhmaṇas call her Ṣaṣṭhī, Lakṣmī, Āśā (Hope), the bestower of happiness, Sinīvālī, Kuhū, one of good conduct, and the unconquered one. (03-218-47)
When Skanda became the eternal husband of Devasena, then goddness Lakṣmī herself, in embodied form, resorted to him. (03-218-48)
Since Skanda was honored by auspiciousness on the fifth day, that day is called Śrī Pañcamī. Because he achieved his purpose on the sixth day, that sixth day is regarded as a great sacred day. (03-218-49)
