Kartikeya

Skanda said: If a wife possesses auspicious characteristics, a householder enjoys happiness always. Therefore, for the sake of happiness and prosperity, one should examine the marks at the outset.

Meanwhile, O Pārtha, Skanda’s enraged attendants tore down the entire rampart, and the pleasure-groves too were smashed apart.

Nārada said: Then Skanda, accompanied by the gods, descended from the summit of Śvetaparvata and went southward, intending to slay Tāraka.

Skanda said: “All of you mountains shall indeed become worthy of worship by ascetics; and you shall also be revered and served by ritualists and by knowers of spiritual truth.”

Then Guha (Kumāra/Skanda), taking up that spear, swiftly mounted the peak. With that very spear he struck him down, and Śṛṅga fell upon the earth.

Then Ananta mounted (the vehicle), his heart burning with anguish. Kārttikeya—supremely wise—was born of the divine potency of Parameśāna (Lord Śiva).

Skanda said: “You yourself should govern the three worlds, undistracted and devoted to victory. I am your attendant, O Śakra; I do not desire Indra-hood.”

Mārkaṇḍeya said: When Mahāsena (Skanda) had been graced by Lakṣmī and made the commander of Devasenā, the six divine wives of the Seven Ṛṣis then came into his presence.

Then Mahādeva, of expansive speech, addressed Mahāsena: “Constantly, without negligence, safeguard the seventh Marut-division.”

Then Skanda—born from the brilliant mouth of Agni—became six-faced here; and it was specifically through the branches (streams) of the Kṛttikās’ water that this occurred.

Skanda said: I ask also about another matter—the sanctifying purity of a tree’s fruit. For the welfare of all worlds, tell us, O Lord of the universe.

Kārtikeya said: “O Lord, please tell me in particular, here and now, the fruit of Dīpāvalī. For what purpose is it performed, and which deity is to be regarded as presiding over it?”