SECTION CCXXIX

“Markandeya continued, ’Those six ladies, the wives of the seven Rishis when they learned that good fortune had smiled on Mahasena and that he had been made leader of the celestial forces,[39] repaired to his camp.  Those virtuous ladies of high religious merit had been disowned by the Rishis.  They lost no time in visiting that leader of the celestial forces and then addressed him thus, “We, O son, have been cast out by our god-like husbands, without any cause.  Some people spread the rumour that we gave birth to thee.  Believing in the truth of this story, they became greatly indignant, and banished us from our sacred places.  It behooves thee now to save us from this infamy.  We desire to adopt thee as our son, so that, O mighty being, eternal bliss may be secured to us by that favour.  Do thou thus repay the obligation thou owest to us.”

    [39] Devasenapati is the original.  It may mean either the pati
    (leader) of the sena (forces) of devas or the pati
    (husband) of Devasena.

“’Skanda replied, “O ladies of faultless character, do you accordingly become my mothers.  I am your son and ye shall attain all the objects of your desire.”

“Markandeya continued, ’Then Sakra having expressed a wish to say something to Skanda, the latter enquired, “What is it?” Being told by Skanda to speak it out, Vasava said, “The lady Abhijit, the younger sister of Rohini, being jealous of her seniority, has repaired to the woods to perform austerities.  And I am at a loss to find out a substitute for the fallen star.  May good luck attend on thee, do thou consult with Brahma (for the purpose of filling up the room) of this great asterism.”  Dhanishtha and other asterisms were created by Brahma, and Rohini used to serve the purpose of one such; and consequently their number was full.  And in accordance with Sakra’s advice, Krittika was assigned a place in the heavens, and that star presided over by Agni shines as if with seven heads.  Vinata also said to Skanda, “Thou art as a son to me, and entitled to offer me the funeral cakes (at my funeral obsequies).  I desire, my son, to live with thee always.”

“’Skanda replied, “Be it so, all honour to thee!  Do thou guide me with a mother’s affection, and honoured by thy daughter-in-law, thou shalt always live with me."’

“Markandeya continued, ’Then the great mothers spoke as follows to Skanda, “We have been described by the learned as the mothers of all creatures.  But we desire to be thy mothers, do thou honour us.”

“’Skanda replied, “Ye are all as mothers to me, and I am your son.  Tell me what I can do to please you.”

“’The mothers replied, “The ladies (Brahmi, Maheswari, &c.) were appointed as mothers of the world in bygone ages.  We desire, O great god, that they be dispossessed of that dignity, and ourselves installed in their place, and that we, instead of them, be worshipped by the world.  Do thou now restore to us those of our progeny, of whom we have been deprived, by them on thy account.”