“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.[78] 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.”

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,[79] 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.’

“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.’