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तारकवधोपाख्यान (tArakavadhopAkhyAna)

 
Mahabharata
English
Tārakavadhopākhyāna (“the episode relating to the destruction of Tāraka”
continuation of Suvarṇotpatti, § 747b). § 748b (Ānuśāsanik.): D. and Ṛ., reduced to great distress [by Tāraka's prowess and the conduct of Gaṅgā by throwing away Agni's seed], urged the six Kṛttikāḥ to rear that child [i.e. Skanda]. Amongst the celestial ladies there were none, save these, that could bear the seed of Agni in their wombs. Agni became gratified. His energy was divided into six portions, and a portion was placed in each of the Kṛttikās. All of them were delivered at the same time, and the six portions united into one. The Earth received the child from a heap of gold. He grew up in a celestial forest of reeds, reared by the Kṛttikās (whence he came to be called Kārttikeya
etymology of Skanda and Guha). The thirtythree gods, etc. () came to see him
Ṛ. praised him, G. sang in honour of Kumāra, with six faces, etc. (description). The gods gave him various kinds of toys, etc. (). Rā. and As. began to walk in the train of Skanda. Tāraka in vain sought, by various means, to slay him. The gods made him the commander of their forces, and when he had grown up he slew Tāraka with his irresistible dart as in sport, and re-established Indra in the sovereignty. Skanda became the protector of the gods and [always]
did what was agreeable to Śaṅkara (i.e. Śiva). Gold is the powerful energy of Agni and was born [from the same seed]
with Kārttikeya
hence gold is highly auspicious. Thus did Vasishṭha relate to Rāma [Jāmadagnya] in days of old. By making gifts of gold Rāma became purified of all his sins, and [finally]
attained to a high place in heaven that is not easily attainable by men (XIII, 86).