Mitra

The gods, having received Vishnu's counsel and Parameshthi's leave, arrive at Agastya's hermitage. There they find the sage blazing with energy, worshipped by rishis. They recite his past deeds — subduing the tyrant Nahusha, commanding the mountain Vindhya to stop its growth, and protecting the worlds from darkness — before formally petitioning him for a boon.

The gods, unable to defeat the Kaleyas who hide in the ocean, seek out the sage Agastya and ask him to do what no one else can: drink the entire ocean dry. Agastya agrees, for the welfare of the worlds, and sets out with the assembled gods, rishis, and celestial beings toward the roaring sea.

At a sacrifice performed by Vishvakarma, the Self-created One gives the entire earth to the sage Kashyapa. The earth, furious at being handed to a mortal, threatens to descend into the underworld — and only Kashyapa's austerities can bring her back.

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.