Markandeya continued, “Thus anointed by Indra and all other gods, and honoured by the Maharshis, he looked grand at the moment.  The golden umbrella[77] held (over his head) looked like a halo of blazing fire.  That famous god, the Conqueror of Tripura, himself fastened the celestial wreath of gold, of Viswakarma’s manufacture, round his neck.  And, O great man and conqueror of thine enemies, that worshipful god with the emblem of the bull, had gone there previously with Parvati.  He honoured him with a joyous heart.  The Fire-god is called Rudra by Brahmanas, and from this fact Skanda is called the son of Rudra.  The White Mountain was formed from discharges of Rudra’s semen virile and the sensual indulgences of the Fire-god with the Krittikas took place on that same White Mountain.  And as Rudra was seen by all the dwellers of heaven to heap honours on the excellent Guha (Skanda), he was for that reason reputed as the son of Rudra.  This child had his being by the action of Rudra entering into the constitution of the Fire-god, and for this reason, Skanda came to be known as the son of Rudra.  And, O Bharata, as Rudra, the Fire-god, Swaha, and the six wives (of the seven Rishis) were instrumental to the birth of the great god Skanda, he was for that reason reputed as the son of Rudra.

“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.