13.086
The slaying of Tāraka;
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Here, the qualities of donating gold in the prescribed manner, which are described in detail and characterized by the śruti, have been stated by the grandsire (Brahmā). (13-86-1)
But as to the cause of the origin of gold which is described here, how did Tāraka meet his death—tell that to me. (13-86-2)
It was stated that he, belonging to the gods, is indeed not to be slain, O king. And his death here, by you, was not described in detail. (13-86-3)
O uplifter of the Kuru lineage, I desire to hear this from you: the story of the slaying of Tāraka in its entirety. I am indeed greatly curious about it. (13-86-4)
Bhīṣma said.
O king, when their purpose had failed, the deities, sages, and the Kṛttikā stars caused (the child) to arise for the nourishment of their offspring indeed. (13-86-5)
Indeed, none among the gods is capable of supporting the offspring of Jātavedas; even a single one cannot sustain that embryo by strength. (13-86-6)
Then, of those six, Agni, being satisfied from their conception, by his own, by the emission of his supreme energy and vigor, (acted thus). (13-86-7)
O Lord, those six Kṛttikā stars indeed nourished the embryo of Jātavedas; in the six paths, all the splendor of Agni is established. (13-86-8)
Then, those women, whose limbs were enveloped by the radiance of the great-souled prince Vardhamāna, did not find comfort anywhere. (13-86-9)
Then, O bull among men, as the appointed time arrived, all the Kṛttikās, whose bodies were filled with brilliance, together gave birth to the child. (13-86-10)
Then the earth near Kāntīpura received that embryo possessing six seats, which had become unified. (13-86-11)
That offspring, possessing a divine form, radiant, and having the splendor of fire, having reached the divine Sara-vana, grew, pleasing to behold. (13-86-12)
But the Kṛttikā stars saw the boy, radiant like fire, and, out of affection and friendship, nourished him with streams of milk. (13-86-13)
He became Kārttikeya, renowned among all beings in the three worlds, both moving and unmoving. Because he was dropped (or flowed), he became known as Skanda; and since he dwelled in a cave, he became Guha. (13-86-14)
Then the thirty-three gods, together with the directions and their lords—Rudra, Dhātṛ, Viṣṇu, Yajña (the personification of sacrifice), Pūṣan, Aryaman, and Bhaga—(were present). (13-86-15)
A portion, Mitra, the Sādhyas, the Vasus, Vāsava (Indra), the Aśvins, the waters, Wind, the sky, the Moon, the stars, the planets, and the Sun. (13-86-16)
The distinct groups, and other beings that were indeed offerings to the gods, came there to see the youth, the son of Fire. The ṛṣis praised him, and the Gandharvas likewise sang. (13-86-17)
That six-faced youth, with twelve eyes, dear to the twice-born, broad-chested, twelve-armed, shining with the brilliance of fire and the sun. (13-86-18)
When the gods, along with the sages, saw (him) lying in the thicket of arrows, they felt great joy and thought the asura was slain. (13-86-19)
Then the gods did everything dear to him; while he was playing, they gave him playthings and groups of birds as well. (13-86-20)
Suparṇa gave him a feather and a peacock with variegated plumes. The rākṣasas also gave him both a boar and a buffalo. (13-86-21)
Varuṇa himself gave a cock that resembled fire; the Moon gave a ram; the Sun gave splendid radiance. (13-86-22)
The mother of cows and Gādevī gave hundreds of thousands of cows. Agni gave the goat, and Ilā, endowed with good qualities, gave abundant flowers and fruits. (13-86-23)
Sudhanvan received a cart and also a chariot with a great axle; Varuṇa gave auspicious divine serpents belonging to himself; Indra, the lord of the gods, gave lions, tigers, panthers, and other fanged beasts. (13-86-24)
Many terrible wild animals, various umbrellas, and assemblies of rākṣasas and asuras followed that lord. (13-86-25)
But Tāraka, seeing him increasing, requested him and, even by many means, was not able to kill that mighty one. (13-86-26)
After honoring him with the commander’s rank at Guha’s abode, the gods told him about the extraordinary event caused by Tāraka. (13-86-27)
Guha, the powerful and mighty leader of the divine army, killed the demon Tāraka with his unfailing spear. (13-86-28)
By that prince, while playing, when the asura was slain, the lord of the gods was once again established as ruler among the gods. (13-86-29)
Then Skanda, the powerful commander-in-chief, appeared—lord and protector of the gods, and the one dear to Śaṅkara. (13-86-30)
This golden-formed blessed one, the son of Pāvaka, always as the boy has obtained the commandership of the gods. (13-86-31)
Therefore, gold is regarded as the supreme innate splendor of fire, the auspicious imperishable excellent jewel of Karttikeya. (13-86-32)
Thus, Vasiṣṭha once spoke to Rāma, descendant of Kuru; therefore, O king, strive to give gold. (13-86-33)
Rama, having given gold, was indeed freed from all sins; in heaven, he attained a great place which is difficult for men to obtain. (13-86-34)
