Skanda Refuses Indra's Throne, Accepts Generalship

Skanda was seated, with golden armour. He wore a golden crest and crown. His eyes were golden and he was immensely radiant. His garments were tinged with red. His teeth were sharp and he was beautiful. He possessed all the auspicious marks. He was the beloved of the three worlds, the granter of boons, brave, young, adorned with earrings. In the form of an embodied lotus, Shri herself worshipped him. When the greatly famous Kumara was thus united with Shri, all the beings saw him, like the moon on the night of the full moon. The maharshis spoke to Skanda: "O fortunate one! O one with the golden complexion! May you be the saviour of the worlds. Though you have been born in six nights, the worlds have been subdued by you. O supreme among gods! You have granted them freedom from fear again. You should therefore become Indra and free the three worlds from their fear." Skanda asked, "O ones rich in austerities! What does the Indra of all the worlds do? How does the lord of the gods always protect the masses of gods?" The rishis replied: "Indra grants beings strength, energy, offspring, and happiness. When he is satisfied, the lord of the gods grants everyone their shares. He withdraws it from those who perform evil deeds and grants it to those who perform good ones. The destroyer of Bala assigns beings to their tasks. He acts as the sun when there is no sun, and as the moon when there is no moon. He becomes the fire, the wind, the earth, and the water and their origins. These are Indra's tasks and Indra's strength is immense. You are brave and you are supreme in strength. Therefore, you should be our Indra." Shakra himself spoke: "O mighty-armed one! O excellent one! You become Indra and bring happiness to everyone. You are a worthy one and we will instate you today." Skanda replied: "You alone will rule over the three worlds, fixed on victory. O Shakra! I will remain as your servant. I do not desire to become Indra." Shakra pressed him: "O brave one! Your strength is extraordinary. Kill the enemies of the gods. Amazed at your prowess, the worlds will ignore me. O brave one! Though I am established as Indra, I am inferior in strength and have been vanquished. Incessantly, they will attempt to bring about false dissension among us. O lord! When you have been separated, the world will be divided into two factions. The beings of the worlds will then decide to split into these two sides. O immensely strong one! Because of this division of beings, there will be strife then. O son! Let me assure you that you will then vanquish me in battle. Therefore, you should become Indra. Do not think about this." Skanda answered: "O fortunate one! You are my king, as well as of the three worlds. O Shakra! What can I do for you? Tell me what your instructions are." Shakra said: "O Skanda! If you have spoken true words according to your decision, and if you wish to follow my instructions, then listen to me. O immensely strong one! Be instated as the general of the gods. O immensely strong one! Following your words, I will remain as Indra." Skanda answered: "For the destruction of the danavas, for accomplishing the objectives of the gods, for the protection of cows and brahmanas — then instate me as the general." So Maghavan, together with all the masses of gods, instated him. He looked extremely handsome and was worshipped by the maharshis. The golden umbrella sparkled like the circle of a fire that has been kindled well. Vishvakarma had created a golden and celestial garland. The slayer of Tripura fastened this on him. He himself arrived, with the famous goddess. Extremely happily, the illustrious Vrishadhvaja showed him homage. The brahmanas also refer to Agni as Rudra, and he is thus Rudra's son. The semen secreted by Rudra became Mount Shveta. It was on Mount Shveta that the Krittikas placed Agni's semen. All the residents of heaven saw Rudra offer homage to Guha, foremost among those who possess all the qualities. So he came to be known as Rudra's son. The child was born after Rudra entered Agni. Because he was born in this way, he became Rudra's son. It was thus that Skanda, foremost among the gods, was born as Rudra's son, through the energy of Rudra, Agni, Svaha, and the six ladies.