And that excellent being Skanda, bade him
renounce all fear, with his arm. The gods were then transported with
joy, and their hands too struck up.'"
[35] Another name of gods, so named from their having only three
stages of life--viz., infancy, childhood, and youth--and being
exempt from the fourth--old age.
SECTION CCXXVII
"Markandeya continued, 'Now hear of those terrible and curious-looking
followers of Skanda. A number of male children came into being when
Skanda was struck with the thunder-bolt,--those terrific creatures that
steal (spirit away) little children, whether born, or in the womb and a
number of female children too of great strength were born to him. Those
children adopted Visakha as their father. That adorable and dexterous
Bhadrasakha, having a face like that of a goat was at the time (of the
battle) surrounded by all his sons and daughters whom he guarded
carefully in the presence of the great mothers. And for this reason the
inhabitants of this earth call Skanda the father of _Kumaras_ (little
children). Those persons who desire to have sons born to them, worship
in their places the powerful _Rudra_ in the form of the Fire-god, and
_Uma_ in the form of _Swaha_. And by that means they are blessed with
sons. The daughters begotten by the Fire-god, _Tapa_, went over to
Skanda, who said to them, "What can I do for you?" Those girls replied,
"Do us this favour; by thy blessing, may we become the good and
respected mothers of all the world!" He replied, "Be it so.
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