Stories From The Skanda Purana

About the Book: Siva cast his spiritual energies into a fire. But Agni, the fire god, could not bear its radiance for long. He cast it into river Ganga, causing its cool waters to boil. The terrible heat thus generated, set fire to the reeds on the river banks. In great blaze, Siva's energy transformed into a child, a buy with six beads and twelve arms. When the fire died out, six wondering nymphs called the Kritikkas, found the baby. They nursed him and took him to Siva. The sight of this extraordinary child filled the god with awe. He was given many names: Skanda, the energetic emission; Gangeya, the son of Ganga: and Kartik, the son of the Krittika maidens. Siva gave him a powerful lance, vel, as a weapon: a rooster for his insignia: and a peacock for his vehicle, his vahana. Siva and Parvati had isolated themselves in their cave, away from all interruptions. Entry was forbidden even to the gods. So the devas stood outside and, in a very loud voice, began discussing the chaos caused by the demons, especially Taraka. The began to howl and cry, lamenting their inability to deal with the terrible situation. Disturbed by the din and feeling sorry for the gods, the cosmic couple stepped out of their cave. “How can I help you?” Siva asked. “Give us a child capable of fighting demons on the seventh day of his life,” the gods begged. Siva agreed. “Take the essence of my austerities. From it will rise my son, in the cosmos.