Mahadeva

A sage cuts his hand with a blade of kusha grass and vegetable juice flows from the wound instead of blood. Filled with delight at this sign of his ascetic power, he begins to dance — and all mobile and immobile objects in the world begin to dance with him.

Shiva approaches the dancing Mankanaka and asks why he is so delighted. When Mankanaka shows him the vegetable juice flowing from his wound, Shiva pricks his own thumb — and white ashes emerge instead of blood.

As Arjuna prepares to discharge the celestial weapons, the gods and lokapalas arrive at the scene of cosmic disturbance. Narada, instructed by the gods, warns Arjuna that using divine weapons without a target is a great sin — and that mishandling them could destroy the three worlds. Arjuna is restrained, and the weapons are preserved for future battle.

Prajapati Brahma tells Mahasena (Skanda) to go to his father Mahadeva, then explains the strange circumstances of his birth — how Rudra entered Agni and Uma entered Svaha, how the semen was scattered five ways, and how the flesh-eating ganas were born from it. Skanda agrees, worships his father, and is affectionately received.