The Birth of Kartikeya

Shloka 1 (bala.37.1)

तप्यमाने तदा देवे सेन्द्राः साग्निपुरोगमाः। सेनापतिमभीप्सन्तः पितामहमुपागमन् ॥ १-३७-१ ॥

tapyamāne tadā deve sendrāḥ sāgnipurogamāḥ| senāpatimabhīpsantaḥ pitāmahamupāgaman || 1-37-1 ||

While the god Shiva was thus engaged in that asceticism, the gods, together with Indra and with Agni at their fore, desiring an army-commander, came to the Grandsire, Brahma.

Shloka 2 (bala.37.2)

ततोऽब्रुवन् सुराः सर्वे भगवन्तं पितामहम्। प्रणिपत्य सुराः राम सेन्द्राः साग्निपुरोगमाः ॥ १-३७-२ ॥

tato'bruvan surāḥ sarve bhagavantaṃ pitāmaham| praṇipatya surāḥ rāma sendrāḥ sāgnipurogamāḥ || 1-37-2 ||

Then, O Rama, all the gods, with Indra and Agni at their fore, bowed down to the divine Grandsire and said this.

Shloka 3 (bala.37.3)

येन सेनापतिर्देव दत्तो भगवता पुरा। स तपः परमास्थाय तप्यते स्म सहोमया ॥ १-३७-३ ॥

yena senāpatirdeva datto bhagavatā purā| sa tapaḥ paramāsthāya tapyate sma sahomayā || 1-37-3 ||

"O god, he who, as the Lord, once promised us a commander — that very Shiva is now engaged in supreme asceticism, together with Uma."

Shloka 4 (bala.37.4)

यदत्रानंतरं कार्यं लोकानां हितकाम्यया। संविधत्स्व विधानज्ञ त्वं हि नः परमा गतिः ॥ १-३७-४ ॥

yadatrānaṃtaraṃ kāryaṃ lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā| saṃvidhatsva vidhānajña tvaṃ hi naḥ paramā gatiḥ || 1-37-4 ||

"O knower of proper procedure, considering the welfare of the worlds, direct us as to what is to be done next; for you alone are our highest recourse."

Shloka 5 (bala.37.5)

देवतानां वचः श्रुत्वा सर्वलोकपितामहः। सान्त्वयन् मधुरैर्वाक्यैस्त्रिदशानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ १-३७-५ ॥

devatānāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā sarvalokapitāmahaḥ| sāntvayan madhurairvākyaistridaśānidamabravīt || 1-37-5 ||

Hearing the words of the gods, Brahma, the Grandsire of all the worlds, soothing them with sweet words, spoke thus.

Shloka 6 (bala.37.6)

शैलपुत्र्या यदुक्तं तन्न प्रजाः स्वासु पत्निषु। तस्या वचनमक्लिष्टं सत्यमेव न संशयः ॥ १-३७-६ ॥

śailaputryā yaduktaṃ tanna prajāḥ svāsu patniṣu| tasyā vacanamakliṣṭaṃ satyameva na saṃśayaḥ || 1-37-6 ||

"What has been said by the mountain's daughter — that you shall have no offspring in your own wives — that word of hers is faultless; it is indeed true, beyond doubt."

Shloka 7 (bala.37.7)

इयमाकाशगंगा यस्यां पुत्रं हुताशनः। जनयिष्यति देवानां सेनापतिमरिंदमम् ॥ १-३७-७ ॥

iyamākāśagaṃgā yasyāṃ putraṃ hutāśanaḥ| janayiṣyati devānāṃ senāpatimariṃdamam || 1-37-7 ||

"There is this celestial Ganga, in whom Agni can beget a son who will be the foe-subduing commander of the gods' army."

Shloka 8 (bala.37.8)

ज्येष्ठा शैलेन्द्रदुहिता मानयिष्यति तं सुतम्। उमायास्तद्बहुमतं भविष्यति न संशयः ॥ १-३७-८ ॥

jyeṣṭhā śailendraduhitā mānayiṣyati taṃ sutam| umāyāstadbahumataṃ bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ || 1-37-8 ||

"Ganga, the elder daughter of the lord of mountains, will graciously honor that son; and this, without doubt, will please Uma greatly as well."

Shloka 9 (bala.37.9)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कृतार्था रघुनन्दन। प्रणिपत्य सुराः सर्वे पितामहमपूजयन् ॥ १-३७-९ ॥

tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya kṛtārthā raghunandana| praṇipatya surāḥ sarve pitāmahamapūjayan || 1-37-9 ||

Hearing these words, O delight of Raghu's line, all the gods, their purpose achieved, bowed down and worshipped the Grandsire.

Shloka 10 (bala.37.10)

ते गत्वा परमं राम कैलासं धातुमण्डितम्। अग्निं नियोजयामासुः पुत्रार्थं सर्वदेवताः ॥ १-३७-१० ॥

te gatvā paramaṃ rāma kailāsaṃ dhātumaṇḍitam| agniṃ niyojayāmāsuḥ putrārthaṃ sarvadevatāḥ || 1-37-10 ||

Then, O Rama, all the gods went to the sublime Mount Kailasa, adorned with ores, and appointed Agni for the task of begetting the son.

Shloka 11 (bala.37.11)

देवकार्यमिदं देव समाधत्स्व हुताशन। शैलपुत्र्यां महातेजो गंगायां तेज उत्सृज ॥ १-३७-११ ॥

devakāryamidaṃ deva samādhatsva hutāśana| śailaputryāṃ mahātejo gaṃgāyāṃ teja utsṛja || 1-37-11 ||

"O god, consumer of oblations, accomplish this task of the gods; O greatly resplendent one, release that energy into Ganga, the mountain's daughter."

Shloka 12 (bala.37.12)

देवतानां प्रतिज्ञाय गंगामभ्येत्य पावकः। गर्भं धारय वै देवि देवतानामिदं प्रियम् ॥ १-३७-१२ ॥

devatānāṃ pratijñāya gaṃgāmabhyetya pāvakaḥ| garbhaṃ dhāraya vai devi devatānāmidaṃ priyam || 1-37-12 ||

Having given his word to the gods, Agni approached Ganga and said: "O goddess, bear this pregnancy; it is dear to all the gods."

Shloka 13 (bala.37.13)

इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दिव्यं रूपमधारयत्। स तस्या महिमां दृष्ट्वा समंतादवकीर्यत ॥ १-३७-१३ ॥

ityetadvacanaṃ śrutvā divyaṃ rūpamadhārayat| sa tasyā mahimāṃ dṛṣṭvā samaṃtādavakīryata || 1-37-13 ||

Hearing these words, Ganga assumed a divine form; and Agni, beholding her majesty, spread himself all about her.

Shloka 14 (bala.37.14)

समंततस्तदा देवीमभ्यषिंचत पावकः। सर्वस्रोतांसि पूर्णानि गंगाया रघुनन्दन ॥ १-३७-१४ ॥

samaṃtatastadā devīmabhyaṣiṃcata pāvakaḥ| sarvasrotāṃsi pūrṇāni gaṃgāyā raghunandana || 1-37-14 ||

Then, O delight of Raghu's line, Agni drenched the goddess all over, so that every one of Ganga's streams became full with that energy.

Shloka 15 (bala.37.15)

तमुवाच ततो गंगा सर्वदेवपुरोगमम्। अशक्ता धारणे देव तेजस्तव समुद्धतम् ॥ १-३७-१५ ॥

tamuvāca tato gaṃgā sarvadevapurogamam| aśaktā dhāraṇe deva tejastava samuddhatam || 1-37-15 ||

Then Ganga said to Agni, who goes before all the gods: "O god, I am unable to bear this rampant energy of yours."

Shloka 16 (bala.37.16)

दह्यमानाग्निना तेन संप्रव्यथितचेतना। अथाब्रवीदिदं गङ्गां सर्वदेवहुताशनः ॥ १-३७-१६ ॥

dahyamānāgninā tena saṃpravyathitacetanā| athābravīdidaṃ gaṅgāṃ sarvadevahutāśanaḥ || 1-37-16 ||

Being burnt by that fire, her mind grew greatly distressed. Then Agni, who bears the oblations of all the gods, said this to Ganga.

Shloka 17 (bala.37.17)

इह हैमवते पार्श्वे गर्भोऽयं संनिवेश्यताम्। श्रुत्वा त्वग्निवचो गंगा तं गर्भमतिभास्वरम् ॥ १-३७-१७ ॥

iha haimavate pārśve garbho'yaṃ saṃniveśyatām| śrutvā tvagnivaco gaṃgā taṃ garbhamatibhāsvaram || 1-37-17 ||

"Let this embryo be laid down here, at the foot of the Himalayan mountains." Hearing Agni's words, Ganga cast forth that exceedingly radiant embryo...

Shloka 18 (bala.37.18)

उत्ससर्ज महातेजाः स्रोतोभ्यो हि तदानघ। यदस्या निर्गतं तस्मात्तप्तजांबूनदप्रभम् ॥ १-३७-१८ ॥

utsasarja mahātejāḥ srotobhyo hi tadānagha| yadasyā nirgataṃ tasmāttaptajāṃbūnadaprabham || 1-37-18 ||

...from all her streams, O sinless one. That which came forth from her had the splendor of molten gold.

Shloka 19 (bala.37.19)

कांचनं धरणीं प्राप्तं हिरण्यमतुलप्रभम्। ताम्रं कार्ष्णायसं चैव तैक्ष्ण्यादेवाभिजायत ॥ १-३७-१९ ॥

kāṃcanaṃ dharaṇīṃ prāptaṃ hiraṇyamatulaprabham| tāmraṃ kārṣṇāyasaṃ caiva taikṣṇyādevābhijāyata || 1-37-19 ||

On reaching the earth it turned into gold and silver of matchless brilliance; and from its sharpness copper and iron likewise came into being.

Shloka 20 (bala.37.20)

मलं तस्याभवत्तत्र त्रपु सीसकमेव च। तदेतद्धरणीं प्राप्य नानाधातुरवर्धत ॥ १-३७-२० ॥

malaṃ tasyābhavattatra trapu sīsakameva ca| tadetaddharaṇīṃ prāpya nānādhāturavardhata || 1-37-20 ||

And from its impurities were formed tin and lead. Thus, on reaching the earth, that substance grew forth as many different metals.

Shloka 21 (bala.37.21)

निक्षिप्तमात्रे गर्भे तु तेजोभिरभिरंजितम्। सर्वं पर्वतसंनद्धं सौवर्णमभवद्वनम् ॥ १-३७-२१ ॥

nikṣiptamātre garbhe tu tejobhirabhiraṃjitam| sarvaṃ parvatasaṃnaddhaṃ sauvarṇamabhavadvanam || 1-37-21 ||

The instant that embryo was laid down, the whole forest that had sprung up on the mountain, tinged by its radiance, turned entirely to gold.

Shloka 22 (bala.37.22)

जातरूपमिति ख्यातं तदा प्रभृति राघव। सुवर्णं पुरुषव्याघ्र हुताशनसमप्रभम्। तृणवृक्षलतागुल्मं सर्वं भवति कांचनम् ॥ १-३७-२२ ॥

jātarūpamiti khyātaṃ tadā prabhṛti rāghava| suvarṇaṃ puruṣavyāghra hutāśanasamaprabham| tṛṇavṛkṣalatāgulmaṃ sarvaṃ bhavati kāṃcanam || 1-37-22 ||

From that time onward, O Raghava, that gold, resplendent as fire, has been known by the name jataroopa; and, O tiger among men, all the grass, trees, creepers, and shrubs there turned to gold as well.

Shloka 23 (bala.37.23)

तं कुमारं ततो जातं सेन्द्राः सहमरुद्गणाः। क्षीरसंभावनार्थाय कृत्तिकाः समयोजयन् ॥ १-३७-२३ ॥

taṃ kumāraṃ tato jātaṃ sendrāḥ sahamarudgaṇāḥ| kṣīrasaṃbhāvanārthāya kṛttikāḥ samayojayan || 1-37-23 ||

Then, for that boy thus born, Indra together with the hosts of the Wind-gods appointed the Krittikas to nourish him with their milk.

Shloka 24 (bala.37.24)

ताः क्षीरं जातमात्रस्य कृत्वा समयमुत्तमम्। ददुः पुत्रोऽयमस्माकं सर्वासामिति निश्चिताः ॥ १-३७-२४ ॥

tāḥ kṣīraṃ jātamātrasya kṛtvā samayamuttamam| daduḥ putro'yamasmākaṃ sarvāsāmiti niścitāḥ || 1-37-24 ||

Resolving together, "Let this be a son to all of us," and having made this excellent pact, they gave milk to the newborn child.

Shloka 25 (bala.37.25)

ततस्तु देवताः सर्वाः कार्तिकेय इति ब्रुवन्। पुत्रस्त्रैलोक्यविख्यातो भविष्यति न संशयः ॥ १-३७-२५ ॥

tatastu devatāḥ sarvāḥ kārtikeya iti bruvan| putrastrailokyavikhyāto bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ || 1-37-25 ||

Then all the gods declared: "This son shall be called Kartikeya, and, without doubt, he shall become renowned throughout the three worlds."

Shloka 26 (bala.37.26)

तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्कन्नं गर्भपरिस्रवे। स्नापयन् परया लक्ष्म्या दीप्यमानं यथानलम् ॥ १-३७-२६ ॥

teṣāṃ tadvacanaṃ śrutvā skannaṃ garbhaparisrave| snāpayan parayā lakṣmyā dīpyamānaṃ yathānalam || 1-37-26 ||

Hearing that blessing of theirs, they bathed the child who had slipped from the flow of the womb, and who shone with supreme radiance, like fire.

Shloka 27 (bala.37.27)

स्कंद इत्यब्रुवन् देवाः स्कन्नं गर्भपरिस्रवात्। कार्तिकेयं महाबाहुं काकुत्स्थ ज्वलनोपमम् ॥ १-३७-२७ ॥

skaṃda ityabruvan devāḥ skannaṃ garbhaparisravāt| kārtikeyaṃ mahābāhuṃ kākutstha jvalanopamam || 1-37-27 ||

O descendant of Kakutstha, because he had slipped from the flow of the womb, the gods named that mighty-armed Kartikeya "Skanda," resplendent as a flame.

Shloka 28 (bala.37.28)

प्रादुर्भूतं ततः क्षीरं कृत्तिकानामनुत्तमम्। षण्णां षडाननो भूत्वा जग्राह स्तनजं पयः ॥ १-३७-२८ ॥

prādurbhūtaṃ tataḥ kṣīraṃ kṛttikānāmanuttamam| ṣaṇṇāṃ ṣaḍānano bhūtvā jagrāha stanajaṃ payaḥ || 1-37-28 ||

Then unsurpassed milk sprang forth from the breasts of all six Krittikas, and the boy, becoming six-faced, drank the milk from all six breasts at once.

Shloka 29 (bala.37.29)

गृहीत्वा क्षीरमेकाह्ना सुकुमारवपुस्तदा। अजयत् स्वेन वीर्येण दैत्यसैन्यगणान्विभुः ॥ १-३७-२९ ॥

gṛhītvā kṣīramekāhnā sukumāravapustadā| ajayat svena vīryeṇa daityasainyagaṇānvibhuḥ || 1-37-29 ||

Having taken that milk for just one day, though still delicate of body, that mighty one conquered the armies of the demons that very day by his own valor.

Shloka 30 (bala.37.30)

सुरसेनागणपतिमभ्यषिंचन्महाद्युतिम्। ततस्तममराः सर्वे समेत्याग्निपुरोगमाः ॥ १-३७-३० ॥

surasenāgaṇapatimabhyaṣiṃcanmahādyutim| tatastamamarāḥ sarve sametyāgnipurogamāḥ || 1-37-30 ||

Then, coming together with Agni at their fore, all the immortals anointed that greatly resplendent one as commander of the army of the gods.

Shloka 31 (bala.37.31)

एष ते राम गंगाया विस्तरोऽभिहितो मया। कुमारसंभवश्चैव धन्यः पुण्यस्तथैव च ॥ १-३७-३१ ॥

eṣa te rāma gaṃgāyā vistaro'bhihito mayā| kumārasaṃbhavaścaiva dhanyaḥ puṇyastathaiva ca || 1-37-31 ||

This, O Rama, is the story of Ganga that I have related to you in full; and thus too is told the sacred and auspicious birth of Kumara.

Shloka 32 (bala.37.32)

भक्तश्च यः कार्तिकेये काकुत्स्थ भुवि मानवः। आयुष्मान् पुत्र पौत्रश्च स्कन्दसालोक्यतां व्रजेत् ॥ १-३७-३२ ॥

bhaktaśca yaḥ kārtikeye kākutstha bhuvi mānavaḥ| āyuṣmān putra pautraśca skandasālokyatāṃ vrajet || 1-37-32 ||

And whatever person on this earth, O descendant of Kakutstha, is devoted to Kartikeya, he shall live long, blessed with sons and grandsons, and in the end attain to the very world of Skanda.