03.221
Markaṇḍeya said;
When the venerable son of Pāvaka was consecrated as commander, then the joyous and prosperous Hara went to Bhadravaṭa in a chariot shining like the sun, accompanied by Pārvatī, the lord. (03-221-1)
A thousand lions yoked to his excellent chariot in that moment rose up to the bright sky, driven by time. (03-221-2)
They seem to drink the sky, frightening all creatures, both moving and motionless. The lions in the sky move, roaring, beautiful in their manes. (03-221-3)
Just as the sun, accompanied by lightning and the rainbow, shines in a cloud, so does Paśupati (Śiva), standing in that chariot, shine together with Umā. (03-221-4)
Before him, the venerable Kubera, lord of wealth, together with the Guhyakas, mounted the beautiful Pushpaka and proceeded—the carrier of men. (03-221-5)
Śakra, having mounted Airāvata, along with the gods, followed the boon-giver and bull-bannered one from behind as he was going. (03-221-6)
Adorned with Jambhakas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and garlanded beings, the unfailing great Yakṣa takes his place on the southern side. (03-221-7)
To his south, the gods and the Maruts of wondrous warriors, together with the Vasus and accompanied by the Rudras, proceed as one. (03-221-8)
Yama, surrounded on all sides by death and by hundreds of terrible diseases, proceeds thus in a terrible form. (03-221-9)
A well-ornamented, sharp, and terrible three-pointed spear named Vijaya of Rudra comes from the rear of Yama. (03-221-10)
Varuṇa, the revered and mighty-bonded lord of the waters, having surrounded him, proceeds slowly, accompanied by various kinds of aquatic beings. (03-221-11)
Behind Vijaya, the lance of Rudra goes, surrounded by splendid weapons like maces, clubs, spears, and others. (03-221-12)
Then, O king, the spear followed; the terrible and radiant umbrella and also the water pot, after him, accompanied by groups of great sages. (03-221-13)
On his southern side shines Daṇḍa, traversing, enveloped in splendour, accompanied by Bhṛgu, Aṅgiras, and also honoured by the gods. (03-221-14)
But behind these, Rudra, standing on a pure chariot, goes, gladdening all the inhabitants of heaven by his splendor. (03-221-15)
Seers, gods, gandharvas, serpents, rivers (both feminine and masculine), trees, and likewise groups of apsarases (celestial nymphs). (03-221-16)
Stars, planets, and also the children of the gods, as well as women of various forms, go behind Rudra; excellent women of lovely form create showers of flowers. (03-221-17)
Parjanya also followed, having bowed to Pinākin (Śiva). Soma held a white umbrella over his head. The Wind and Agni, having taken up fly-whisks, stood in attendance. (03-221-18)
Indra, enveloped in splendor, proceeds behind him, O King, together with all the royal sages, praising the bull-bannered one. (03-221-19)
Gaurī, Vidyā, Gandhārī, Keśinī, Mitrasāhvayā, and all the others together with Sāvitrī, proceed behind Pārvatī. (03-221-20)
There, all the groups of sciences whatsoever composed by poets—whose words even the gods with Indra heed in the front of the host—(are present). (03-221-21)
Having taken the banner, he goes ahead like a rākṣasa-graha; he who is always engaged in the cremation ground and is indeed a friend of Rudra. He is called Piṅgala, the lord of the yakṣas, the giver of delight to the world. (03-221-22)
He, together with these, went there as he pleased. In front, and behind as well, for indeed his movement was not fixed. (03-221-23)
Here, mortals worship Rudra, the deity, through virtuous acts. The one whom they indeed call Śiva, the Lord, Rudra, the wielder of the Pināka bow. But by various feelings and forms, they worship Maheśvara. (03-221-24)
Thus the chief of the army of the gods, surrounded by the goddesses' army, devoted to brahman—the son of the Kṛttikās—follows the lord of the gods. (03-221-25)
Then Mahādeva spoke these weighty words to Mahāsena: "Protect constantly the seventh division of the Maruts without negligence." (03-221-26)
Skanda said.
O Lord, I shall protect the seventh troop of the Maruts. If there is any other task for me, O god, tell that without delay. (03-221-27)
Rudra said;
O son, in all your activities, you should always indeed see me. Through seeing me and with devotion, you will attain the supreme highest good. (03-221-28)
Markandeya said.
After thus speaking and embracing him, Maheśvara sent Skanda forth. When Skanda was released, a great ominous event occurred that suddenly bewildered all the gods, O great king. (03-221-29)
The starry sky blazed intensely, the world became greatly bewildered. The earth trembled and roared, engulfed in darkness, O lord of the world. (03-221-30)
Then, seeing that terrible thing, Śaṅkara was agitated at that time; Umā, the most fortunate, and the gods were also greatly amazed. (03-221-31)
Then, while they were confounded, a great and terrible army, resembling mountains and clouds and equipped with various weapons, was seen. (03-221-32)
That terrible and innumerable tumult, with roaring and various voices, rushed in battle against the gods and the venerable Śaṅkara. (03-221-33)
By them, in the armies, many volleys of arrows, mountains, hundred-slaying maces, spears, iron clubs, and maces were hurled. (03-221-34)
Struck by those terrible beings wielding mighty weapons, the army of the gods was seen to scatter in a moment, with all turning away. (03-221-35)
The army of the gods, its warriors, elephants, and horses slain, its weapons and chariots destroyed, tormented by the Dānavas, appeared routed. (03-221-36)
As that was being slain by the Asuras, it fell, mostly burnt, like a great forest of trees consumed by fire. (03-221-37)
Those celestial beings, with their heads and bodies sundered, fell down—not reaching their protector, as they were being slain in the great battle. (03-221-38)
Then, having seen the army routed, the god Purandara (Indra), encouraging them, spoke these words to the strong army oppressed by the Dānavas. (03-221-39)
Abandon fear; for your welfare, O heroes, take up your weapons. Set your mind on valor; let not any distress arise for you. (03-221-40)
Conquer these very ill-behaved, terrible-looking dānava demons. Attack, and may auspiciousness be with you. Together with me, (attack) the great asuras. (03-221-41)
Having heard the words of Śakra, the dwellers of heaven became reassured. Making Śakra their refuge, they fought against the Dānavas. (03-221-42)
Then all the gods, and the mighty Maruts, along with the Sādhyas and the Vasus, swiftly approached together. (03-221-43)
Weapons released by the enraged in the armies during battle, and the arrows, drank abundant blood in the bodies of the daityas. (03-221-44)
Then those sharp arrows, having pierced through their bodies, were seen emerging like serpents from the mountains. (03-221-45)
O king, those bodies of the daityas, pierced through by arrows, all fell to the ground like severed clouds. (03-221-46)
Then that army of the demons was terrified by all the groups of gods in battle and, being struck by various arrows, was made to turn and flee. (03-221-47)
Then, at that moment, all the rejoicing gods with uplifted weapons shouted, and all the musical instruments resounded together in many ways. (03-221-48)
Thus, a most terrible battle joined between one another took place, muddy with the flesh and blood of gods and asuras. (03-221-49)
Through these two, the realm of the gods was at once seen; thus, indeed, the terrible Dānavas are slaying the gods. (03-221-50)
Then there arose trumpet blasts and great drum sounds, and the terrible lion-roars of the lords of the Dānavas. (03-221-51)
Then, from the power of the Daityas, the mighty demon named Mahiṣa, having seized a huge mountain, descended in a terrible manner. (03-221-52)
O king, the dwellers of heaven, having seen him, like the sun completely surrounded by clouds, with an uplifted mountain, fled. (03-221-53)
Then, O king, the buffalo demon, having rushed forward, hurled a mountain at the gods; by that falling mountain, ten thousand of the gods’ army, in a dreadful form, fell slain to the ground. (03-221-54)
Then Mahisha, joined by those Dānavas, frightened the Devas and quickly charged at them in battle like a lion upon small animals. (03-221-55)
The gods together with Indra, seeing the buffalo (Mahisha) approaching, fled in fear in the battle, their weapons and standards broken. (3-221-56)
Then the enraged buffalo swiftly approached Rudra's chariot, rushed at it, and seized the pole of Rudra's chariot. (03-221-57)
When the enraged buffalo demon suddenly rushed towards Rudra's chariot, heaven and earth were greatly shaken, and the great sages were stupefied. (03-221-58)
The great-bodied Daityas, roaring like clouds, were certainly convinced, "We have won." (03-221-59)
When this had occurred, the revered one did not kill the buffalo-demon in battle, but then he remembered Skanda, who would be the death of that wicked-souled one. (03-221-60)
Mahisha, upon seeing Rudra’s dreadful chariot, let out a roar, frightening the gods and delighting the Daityas as well. (03-221-61)
Then, when that terrible fear had arisen among the gods, Mahāsena arrived, blazing with anger like the sun. (03-221-62)
The lord, clad in red garments, adorned with red garlands, with a red mouth, mighty-armed, and golden armor. (03-221-63)
Beholding him stationed on a chariot shining like the sun, radiant with gold, that host of demons suddenly fled on the battlefield. (03-221-64)
He, Mahāsena of great strength, O lord of kings, released that blazing spear which tears apart the buffalo. (03-221-65)
She released her spear and struck the great head of the buffalo. With its head broken, the buffalo, its life gone, fell. (03-221-66)
But that spear, whether thrown or unthrown, after slaying thousands of enemies, having reached Skanda’s hand, is seen by gods and dānavas. (03-221-67)
Mostly, the Daityas were slain by the wise Mahāsena with arrows; the remaining terrible Daitya hosts, terrified and fearful of those hard to approach, were killed and eaten in groups of hundreds by the attendants of Skanda. (03-221-68)
They, greatly delighted, devoured the demons and drank the blood, and in an instant they made everything free of demons. (03-221-69)
Just as the Sun removes darkness, fire consumes trees, and the Sun disperses clouds, so Skanda, famed for his strength, conquered his enemies by his own might. (03-221-70)
Having been worshipped by the gods and having bowed to Maheśvara, the son of Kṛttikā (Kārttikeya) shone with scattered rays like the Sun. (03-221-71)
When Skanda, with his enemies destroyed, went to Maheśvara, then Purandara, having embraced Mahāsena, spoke: (03-221-72)
O Skanda, the buffalo-demon, blessed by Brahmā and who turned the gods into grass, was slain by you. You, O mighty-armed, have subdued this thorn of the gods. (03-221-73)
You have slain in battle a hundred demons equal to buffaloes—enemies of the gods—by whom we had formerly been tormented. (03-221-74)
Hundreds of other Dānavas have been devoured by your followers; you are as invincible among enemies in battle as Umāpati (Lord Śiva) himself. (03-221-75)
O god, this act will be your first renowned deed. In the three worlds, your fame too will be imperishable. And the gods, O son of a god, will be under your control. (03-221-76)
After thus speaking 'Mahāsena,' Śacī's lord (Indra), permitted by the blessed Tryambaka (Śiva), departed together with the gods. (03-221-77)
Rudra has gone to Bhadravaṭa, and the gods have returned to heaven; Rudra also addressed the gods, saying, "Behold Skanda, as you behold me." (03-221-78)
Having slain the hosts of Dānavas and honored by the great sages, the son of Agni conquered all the three worlds in a single day. (03-221-79)
Whoever recites this account of Skanda's birth with great concentration, after gaining prosperity here, attains to residence in the same realm as Skanda. (03-221-80)
