Skanda Slays Mahisha and the Danavas
When the gods confront the terrible danger from Mahisha, Skanda arrives flaming like the sun and hurls a spear that severs Mahisha's head — killing the danava who had a boon from Brahma and whom the gods could not touch. In a single day, he subjugates all three worlds.
When the gods confronted this terrible danger, Mahasena arrived. He flamed like the sun in his wrath. He was attired in red garments. He was adorned in red garlands and ornaments. His mouth was red. The mighty-armed lord was clad in golden armour. He was astride his chariot, golden in hue and like the sun.
On seeing him, the army of the daityas suddenly lost their hearts in battle.
The immensely strong Mahasena hurled a flaming spear, which was capable of shattering, at Mahisha. Once unleashed, it struck Mahisha's gigantic head. The head was severed from the body, and Mahisha fell down, having lost his life.
He hurled that spear again and again, slaying enemies by the thousands. As the gods and the danavas looked on, it then returned to Skanda's hand.
The residual masses of the terrible daitya army were mostly killed by the wise Mahasena with his arrows. They were frightened and terrified, and Skanda's unassailable companions killed and devoured them in hundreds. They ate the danavas and drank their blood. In a short time, they exterminated all the danavas and began to rejoice.
Like the sun destroys darkness, a fire destroys trees, and the wind dispels clouds, the famous Skanda destroyed enemies through his own valour. He was shown homage by the thirty gods, and he worshipped Maheshvara. The son of the Krittikas was resplendent, like the gorgeous sun amidst its rays.
When the enemies were destroyed by Skanda and Maheshvara had left, Purandara embraced Mahasena and spoke to him.
"O Skanda! You have killed Mahisha, who had received a boon from Brahma. The gods were like straw to him. You are foremost among victorious ones. O mighty-armed one! You have destroyed the thorn of the gods. In battle, you have killed a hundred danavas who were the equals of Mahisha. You have slain the enemies of the gods, who had oppressed us earlier. Your followers have devoured hundreds of other danavas. You are as invincible in battle as the illustrious husband of Uma. O god! This will be famous as your first deed. Your fame will be eternal in the three worlds. O son of a god! The gods will be under your suzerainty."
Having spoken these words to Mahasena, Shachi's husband stopped. He took the permission of the illustrious Tryambaka and left, together with the other gods. Rudra returned to Bhadravata. The gods returned.
Rudra spoke to the gods: "Regard Skanda as you regard me."
Having killed masses of danavas, Agni's son subjugated all the three worlds within a single day and was worshipped by the maharshis. He who attentively reads this account of Skanda's birth obtains prosperity here and Skanda's world in the hereafter. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 518