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स्कन्दयुद्ध (skandayuddha)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Skandayuddha(ṃ)]
(“the combat of Skanda”). § 503 (cf. Manushyagr.). Then Svāhā, the daughter of Daksha, who had in vain loved Agni from her childhood, prevailed upon Skanda that she should live for ever with Agni, in so far as offerings with mantras to the gods and pitṛs (havyaṃ kavyañ ca) should always be coupled with the name of Svāhā. --§ 504. Then Skanda was sent by Brahmán to his father Rudra
for Rudra and Umā had entered Agni and Svāhā, and from this combination Skanda had sprung
Rudra's semen had been thrown back upon the hill, whence sprang forth Miñjikā and Miñjika, and portions of it fell into the Blood Sea, into the rays of the sun, upon the earth, and upon the trees, whence sprang forth the various troops of his pārishadas, living on flesh. These five classes of spirits should be honoured with sun-flowers (arkapushpaiḥ: Calotropis gigantea) for the sake of wealth and healing of diseases
Miñjikā and Miñjika must be honoured for the welfare of children
the females, named Vṛddhikās, who were produced in the trees and live on human flesh, must be worshipped by persons who desire to have children. These are the innumerable gaṇas of Piśācas.--§ 505. Airāvata had two bells named Vaijayantī
Indra gave one of them to Viśākha and the other one to Skanda
the standards of Skanda and Viśākha were red. Skanda, surrounded by troops of Piśācas and gods, sat on the golden mountain with the toys that had been given to him by the gods. Description of the Śveta mountain.-§ 506. Then Śiva, with Pārvatī, rode in their shining chariot, yoked with 1, 000 lions and managed by Kāla, to Bhadravaṭa
they were preceded by Kubera (riding in Pushpaka) with the Guhyakas, and followed by Indra (riding on Airāvata) and the gods
in the right wing of his army was the great Yaksha Amogha, with the Jṛmbhakas, Yakshas, Rakshases, Vasus, Rudras, etc.
there was also Yama, with Mṛtyu, surrounded by hundreds of terrible diseases
behind Yama the trident of Śiva, named Vijaya, surrounded by Varuṇa, with various aquatic animals
the paṭṭiśa of Rudra surrounded by clubs, etc., and followed by the umbrella of Rudra, and after this the water-vessel, worshipped by the troops and maharshis, and on the right side of this the sceptre (daṇḍaḥ), with Bhṛgus, Aṅgirases, and gods. Behind these rode Rudra in his white chariot, followed by rivers, etc.
Apsarases, nakshatras, planets, the children of the gods, etc., and Parjanya. Soma held a white umbrella over his head, and Agni and Vāyu held the two fans. Behind him came Indra and the rājarshis, and Gaurī, Vidyā, etc., and the sciences (vidyāgaṇāḥ). In the front the Rākshasa graha advanced, holding the standard. The foremost of Yakshas, Piṅgala, the friend of Rudra, who is always busy in places where corpses are burned, at one time was ahead of the army and at another behind it. Rudra is worshipped by mortals with virtuous actions in various forms. At the request of Śiva, Skanda took the command of the seventh army corps (skandhasya) and was advised always to look up to Śiva, then he should attain great welfare.--§ 507. Omens frightened Śiva, Pārvatī, the gods, and the Dānavas (Asuras, Daityas)
Indra encouraged the gods when about to flee
the Dānava Mahisha crushed 10, 000 of the gods with a mountain, put Indra and the gods to flight, and seized the pole of Rudra's chariot, while heaven and earth groaned, etc., and the maharshis lost their senses, but (as Rudra did not choose to kill him himself) Skanda killed him, cutting off his head that barred the entrance of sixteen yojanas [to the Uttara-Kurus, Nīl.], though the Uttara-Kurus at present pass easily by that gate. The Dānavas fell in large numbers from the lance and arrows of Skanda
the lance always returned to his hand again after killing thousands of enemies
the pārishadas of Skanda devoured them and drank their blood. When the Dānavas were defeated, Skanda went to Śiva and was embraced and praised by Indra. Then Indra, with the gods, took leave from Śiva and left the place, and Rudra returned to Bhadravaṭa, after having recommended to the gods to render allegiance to Skanda just as to himself. In one day Skanda had killed the Dānavas and conqucred the three worlds* (ch. 231).