Arya

Markandeya narrates the origin of Skanda's terrifying companions — sons and daughters born when the vajra struck him. The mothers of the world approach Skanda and ask to be made supreme, worshipped by all. He grants their wish, and through his favour, each mother bears a terrible son named Shishu, establishing the group of eight brave ones and the nine including Bhadrashakha.

Vinata and the group of mothers come to Skanda, asking to be his mothers and to devour the offspring of other mothers. Skanda grants them motherhood but redirects their hunger: he allows them to afflict children up to sixteen years of age, and from his own body springs a being that becomes the graha Skandapasmara — the first of eighteen terrible seizers.