spheres.  Thus afflicted, the god renounced all allegiance to the thunder-bolt, and sought the protection of Pavaka’s son; and thus peace was again secured.  When he was thus forsaken by the gods, Sakra hurled his thunder-bolt at Skanda.  It pierced him on the right side; and, O great king, it passed through the body of that high-souled being.  And from being struck with the thunder-bolt, there arose from Skanda’s body another being—­a youth 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.’”

    [35] Another name of gods, so named from their having only three
    stages of life—­viz., infancy, childhood, and youth—­and being
    exempt from the fourth—­old age.

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."[36] 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.