09.043
Library: Story of Skanda and significance of Samantapanchaka.
Janamejaya said:
The influence of Saraswati has been described to you, O noble Brahman. Now, you should explain the consecration ceremony of the prince.
At the time and place, as the best among speakers, the blessed one was anointed by the prescribed method by the lord.
"As Skanda caused great destruction among the demons, tell me everything, for my curiosity is immense."
Vaishampayana spoke:
O Janamejaya, this curiosity of yours, akin to that of the Kuru dynasty, brings joy through my words.
"Indeed, O king, I will tell you about the consecration of the prince and the glory of the great soul as you listen."
Once, the energy of Lord Shiva fell into the fire, and it was all-consuming. The Lord managed to burn even the indestructible.
By his power, the fire became very brilliant and radiant. However, he did not hold the energy-filled embryo at that time.
He, by the command of Brahma, approached Ganga and placed the divine embryo, which had the splendor similar to the sun.
Then Ganga, unable to bear the embryo, released it on the beautiful Himalayas, a mountain revered by the gods.
He, the son of fire, grew there covering the worlds. Then the Krittikas saw that fiery form, the embryo.
In the pillar of arrows stood the great soul, the son of fire, the lord. All those desiring sons approached, saying, "This is mine."
Understanding the feelings of the mothers, the divine lord, with his six mouths, drank their flowing milk at that time.
The goddesses known as the Krittikas, observing the extraordinary power of the boy, were filled with great wonder, as they bore their divine forms.
The divine presence, released by the Ganges on the mountain peak, made the entire golden mountain shine brilliantly, O best of the Kurus.
The earth, nourished by the womb, was thus adorned, and consequently, all the mountains turned into golden mines.
Kumāra, known for his great strength, is remembered as Kārttikeya. In the past, he was the son of Ganga and was endowed with the power of great yoga.
He, the divine being, endowed with penance and strength, grew immensely, O King, and became as pleasing to behold as the moon.
He lies on the divine golden arrow-pillar, surrounded by splendor, while being praised by both Gandharvas and sages.
Thus, thousands of divine maidens danced around him, playing divine musical instruments and skilled in dance, praising him who was beautiful to behold.
The river Ganga, revered as the best among rivers, followed the deity. The earth supported and carried this magnificent form.
Brihaspati conducted the birth and other ceremonies for him. The Veda, personified as the four-faced deity, attended him with reverence, hands folded in respect.
The science of archery, which is fourfold and includes a collection of weapons, was directly approached by pure speech there.
He beheld the mighty Lord Shiva, the consort of Uma, seated with Parvati, the daughter of the mountain, surrounded by hundreds of spirit groups.
The groups of ghostly assemblies appeared most wondrous, with distorted forms and adorned with distorted ornaments and banners.
There are those with faces of tigers, lions, and bears, others with faces of cats and crocodiles; some have faces of bulls and mosquitoes, while others resemble elephants and camels.
Some have faces like owls, while others resemble vultures and jackals. Their faces are similar to curlews, pigeons, and herons.
Dogs, jackals, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and cows were also present; others assumed similar forms in various places.
Some appeared like mountains and clouds, armed with discus, firebrand, and mace; some looked like a mass of collyrium; some shone with the radiance of a white mountain.
The seven groups of mothers, along with the Sādhyas, Viśvedevas, Maruts, Vasus, and ancestors, assembled, O lord of the people.
The Rudras, Ādityas, perfected beings, serpents, demons, and birds, along with Brahmā, the self-born divine, and his son, are together with Viṣṇu.
Indra, along with Nārada and the foremost of gods and Gandharvas, approached to see the best of boys, Acyuta.
The divine sages and perfected beings, led by Brihaspati, along with the Ribhus, who are known as bestowers of boons and even deities among the gods, also gathered there, including all the Yamas and abodes.
Despite being young, he, endowed with great yogic power, approached the lord of the gods, who holds a trident and is the bearer of the bow Pinaka.
Seeing him approach, Shiva simultaneously thought of the daughter of the mountain, Ganga, and the fire.
The thought in everyone's mind was, 'Will this boy, out of respect, approach me first?'
He noticed the intention of the four and simultaneously made an effort to create various forms.
Then, in an instant, the divine lord manifested in four forms: Skanda, Shakha, Vishakha, and Naigamesha at the back.
Thus, the divine lord, having divided himself into four, from whom Rudra and then the wonderfully appearing Skanda emerged.
Viśākhā went to the place where the goddess, daughter of the great mountain, had gone. Śākha and the divine embodiment of wind, Vibhāvasu, also went. Naigameṣa, the prince with the brilliance of fire, proceeded to the Ganga.
All four of them, with their shining bodies and similar appearance, approached calmly, and it seemed as if something wonderful had happened.
There was a tremendous uproar among the gods, demons, and rākṣasas. Witnessing this astonishing and marvelous event was truly hair-raising.
Then Rudra, Devi, Pavaka, and the grandfather, accompanied by Ganga, all bowed down to the Lord of the universe.
After bowing, they respectfully addressed the best of kings with the intention to please Kārttikeya, saying these words, O king.
O Lord, you should grant this boy the sovereignty as desired, for the sake of our beloved, O Lord of the gods, in a manner that is appropriate.
Then the wise and blessed grandsire of all worlds, in his mind, pondered what this one should obtain.
All the wealth and prosperity of gods, gandharvas, rakshasas, beings, yakshas, birds, and serpents are indeed complete and entire.
"Previously, he had commanded in the assemblies of the great souls, and the wise one considered him capable of sovereignty."
Then, after meditating for a moment, he, focused on the welfare of the gods, appointed him as the general among all beings, O Bharata.
The great-grandfather of all beings summoned all the renowned kings from the divine assemblies to his presence.
Then, the gods, led by Brahma, took the prince and arrived together at the lord of mountains for his consecration.
The sacred goddess Sarasvati, daughter of Himavat, renowned as the best of rivers, is celebrated in the three worlds, especially in the region of Samantapanchaka.
At the sacred bank of the river Sarasvati, which is endowed with all virtues, all the gods and Gandharvas sat down with their minds fully composed.
