Kartikeya's Pastimes

Narada said

Lord of the gods, lord of subjects, Brahma, creator, lord, what happened after that? Show me your compassion and tell me.

Brahma answered

At that time the powerful Vishvamitra, sent by Vidhatri, came there, pleased and wandering as he liked. He saw that extremely energetic son with a radiance not of this world. His wishes were fully satisfied. Rejoicing he bowed, and with an extremely happy mind praised him. The eloquent, powerful Vishvamitra had been sent by Vidhatri. The son was pleased and a source of great pleasure; he smiled and, to Vishvamitra's great surprise, spoke to him.

Shiva's son said

Great in knowledge, it is by Shiva's will that you have come here suddenly. Father, according to what the Vedas honour, perform my samskara. From today you will be my priest and bring me pleasure. Without doubt everyone will always worship you.

Brahma said

Hearing this, Gadhi's son was extremely pleased but also greatly surprised, and replied in an anudatta tone.

Vishvamitra said

Son, child, I am not a brahmana. I am Gadhi's son and a kshatriya, famous as Vishvamitra. I am a kshatriya and serve brahmanas. Supreme child, I have told you all about myself. Whose son are you? Tell me of yourself; I am astounded at all this.

Brahma said

Hearing him, the boy told him everything about himself. Hearing it, Gadhi's son was extremely pleased and extremely surprised.

Shiva's son said

Vishvamitra, by my boon you will certainly become a brahmarshi. Vasishtha and the others will always praise you lovingly. So follow my command and do my samskara. But all this is secret and you must never reveal it.

Brahma said

Devarshi, so he lovingly performed all the samskaras for Shiva's son as supremely laid down in the Vedas. Shiva's son was greatly pleased. The lord did an extremely beneficial thing and gave the sage Vishvamitra divine, supreme knowledge. The pure one's son made Vishvamitra his priest.

Supreme among brahmanas, from that day he became skilled in many pastimes. Sage, I will tell you of the pastimes he played; they were supreme. Son, listen lovingly. At that time he was called Shveta. Pavaka went there and saw his divine son, supremely purifying. Having seen him, he embraced and kissed him, called him "son" and gave him a spear as weapon. Guha took the spear and climbed to the mountain's summit. He struck the peak with the spear and it fell to the ground. Ten padmas of infinitely valiant rakshasas had come there earlier wishing to kill him, but because of that blow they were quickly destroyed. There were great cries of lament and the earth and the three worlds began to quake. The lord of the gods came there with the gods and struck him on the right flank with his vajra. From this an immensely strong man named Shakha was born. Shakra quickly struck him on the left flank with the vajra, and another strong man, Vishakha, was born. Shakra then struck him on the chest with the vajra, and another extremely strong man, Naigama, was born. With Skanda, those four extremely valiant, strong ones rushed at Shakra to kill him. I gave him refuge. Sage, Shakra and the host of immortals were afraid of Guha. They knew no better and, shaken, went to their own abodes. The child stayed there, rejoicing. Son, as before the lord was fearless and played many kinds of pastimes.

The women known as the Krittikas all set their hearts on taking him, and quarrelled among themselves over who should. To settle them he grew six mouths and drank milk at the breasts of each, and they were content. Knowing his wish, the Krittikas took him and went happily to their own world. The child, named Kumara, wanted a breast and they offered theirs; so Isha's son was reared and grew brighter than the sun. They never let him out of their sight. In love they gave him garments and splendid ornaments rare in the three worlds, and day after day they brought up the radiant child on tasty, praised foods. One day the Krittikas' son went to the gods' divine assembly and showed his great nature. Vishnu and the others watched the boy's wondrous deeds, and Achyuta, the rishis and the gods were struck with wonder and asked him, "Who are you?" He gave no answer, but went quickly back home and again stayed hidden.