h
with a club in hand, and adorned with a celestial amulet. And because he
was born on account of the piercing of the thunder-bolt, he was named
Visakha. And Indra, when he beheld that another person looking like the
fierce destroying Fire-god had come into being was frightened out of his
wits and besought the protection of Skanda, with the palms of his hands
joined together (as a mark of respect). And that excellent being Skanda,
bade him renounce all fear, with his arm. The gods were then transported
with joy, and their hands too struck up."

SECTION CCXXVII

"Markandeya continued, 'Now hear of those terrible and curious-looking
followers of Skanda. A number of male children came into being when
Skanda was struck with the thunder-bolt,--those terrific creatures that
steal (spirit away) little children, whether born, or in the womb and a
number of female children too of great strength were born to him. Those
children adopted Visakha as their father. That adorable and dexterous
Bhadrasakha, having a face like that of a goat was at the time (of the
battle), surrounded by all his sons and daughters whom he guarded
carefully in the presence of the great mothers. And for this reason the
inhabitants of this earth call Skanda the father of Kumaras (little
children). Those persons who desire to have sons born to them, worship in
their places the powerful Rudra in the form of the Fire-god, and Uma in
the form of Swaha. And by that means they are blessed with sons. The
daughters begotten by the Fire-god, Tapa, went over to Skanda, who said
to them, 'What can I do for you?' Those girls replied, 'Do us this
favour; by thy blessing, may we become the good and respected mothers of
all the world!' He replied, 'Be it so.' And that liberal-minded being
repeated again and again, 'Ye shall be divided into Siva and Asiva.'[76]
And the mothers then departed, having first established Skanda's sonship,
Kaki, Halima, Malini, Vrinhila, Arya, Palala and Vaimitra, these were the
seven mothers of Sisu. They had a powerful, red-eyed, terrific, and very
turbulent son named Sisu born by the blessing of Skanda. He was reputed
as the eighth hero, born of the mothers of Skanda. But he is also known
as the ninth, when that being with the face of a goat, is included. Know
that the sixth face of Skanda was like that of a goat. That face, O king,
is situated in the middle of the six, and is regarded constantly by the
mother. That head by which Bhadras