the prowess of
Skanda, all said to Vasava, "O Sakra, do thou kill Skanda without delay
for his prowess is unbearable. And if thou dost not exterminate him, he
will conquer the three worlds with ourselves, and overpowering thee,
will himself become the mighty lord of the celestials." Perplexed in
mind, Sakra replied unto them, "This child is endowed with great
prowess. He can himself destroy the Creator of the Universe, in battle
putting forth his might. I venture not, therefore, to do away with him."
To this the gods replied, "Thou hast no manliness in thee, in that thou
talkest in this manner. Let the great Mothers of the Universe repair
to-day to Skanda. They can master at will any degree of energy. Let them
kill this child." "It shall be so."--the mothers replied. And then they
went away. But on beholding that he was possessed of great might, they
became dispirited, and considering that he was invincible, they sought
his protection and said unto him, "Do thou, O mighty being, become our
(adopted) son. We are full of affection for thee and desirous of giving
thee suck. Lo, the milk oozes from our breasts!" On hearing these words,
the mighty Mahasena became desirous of sucking their breasts and he
received them with due respect and acceded to their request. And that
mightiest of mighty creatures then beheld his father Agni come towards
him. And that god, who is the doer of all that is good, was duly
honoured by his son, and in company with the Mothers, he stayed there by
the side of Mahasena to tend him. And that lady amongst the Mothers who
was born of Anger[34] with a spike in hand kept watch over Skanda even
like a mother guarding her own offspring, and that irascible
red-coloured daughter of the Sea, who lived herself on blood, hugged
Mahasena in her breast and nursed him like a mother. And Agni
transforming himself into a trader with a goat's mouth and followed by
numerous children began to gratify that child of his with toys in that
mountain abode of his.'"

[34] Anger personified is a deity.

SECTION CCXXVI

"Markandeya continued, 'The planets with their satellites, the _Rishis_
and the Mothers, Agni and numerous other blazing courtiers and many
other dwellers of heaven of terrible mien, waited on Mahasena along with
the Mothers. And the illustrious sovereign of the gods, desirous of
victory but believing success to be doubtful mounted his elephant
Airavata and attended by the other gods advanced towar