“’That son of Fire-god was clad in a pair of clean red cloths, and thus he looked grand and resplendent like the Sun peeping forth from behind a mass of red clouds.  And the red cock given to him by the Fire-god, formed his ensign; and when perched on the top of his chariot, it looked like the image of the all-destroying fire.  And the presiding deity of the power which conduces to the victory of the god, and which is the director of the exertions of all creatures, and constitutes their glory, prop and refuge, advanced before him.  And a mysterious charm entered into his constitution, the charm which manifests its powers on the battlefield.  Beauty, strength, piety, power, might, truthfulness, rectitude, devotion to Brahmanas, freedom from illusion or perplexity, protection of followers, destruction of foes, and care of all creatures,—­these, O lord of men, are the inborn virtues of Skanda.  Thus anointed by all the gods, he looked pleased and complacent; and dressed in his best style, he looked beautiful like the moon at its full.  The much-esteemed incantation of Vedic hymns, the music of the celestial band, and the songs of gods and Gandharvas then rang on all sides.  And surrounded by all the well-dressed Apsaras, and many other gay and happy-looking Pisachas and hosts of gods, that anointed (by gods) son of Pavaka disported himself in all his grandeur.  To the dwellers of heaven, the anointed Mahasena appeared like the Sun rising after extinction of darkness.  And then the celestial forces looking upon him as their leader, surrounded him on all sides in thousands.  That adorable being followed by all creatures then assumed their commands, and praised and honoured by them, he encouraged them in return.

“’The Performer of a thousand sacrifices then thought of Devasena, whom he has rescued before.  And considering that this being (Skanda) was undoubtedly destined to be the husband of this lady by Brahma himself, he had her brought there, dressed her with the best apparel.  And the vanquisher of Vala then said to Skanda, “O foremost of gods, this lady was, even before thy birth, destined to be thy bride by that Self-existent Being.[38] Therefore do thou duly accept her lotus-like beautiful right hand with invocation of the (marital) hymns.”  Thus told, he duly married her.  And Vrihaspati learned in hymns performed the necessary prayers and oblations.  She who is called Shashthi, Lakshmi, Asa, Sukhaprada, Sinivali, Kuhu, Saivritti, and Aparajita, is known among men as Devasena, the wife of Skanda.  When Skanda became united to Devasena in indissoluble bonds of matrimony, then the gods of prosperity in her own personal embodiment began to serve him with diligence.  As Skanda attained celebrity on the fifth lunar day, that day is called Sripanchami (or the auspicious fifth day) and as he attained his object on the sixth, that lunar day is considered to be of great moment.’”

    [38] Brahma.