Vishakha, having listened to his mother’s words, found joy among the wives of the gods, and the goddesses themselves delighted in his company. Yet, as Vishakha mingled with the divine women, the gods residing in heaven struggled to restrain Karttikeya’s exuberant nature. Concerned, they informed Parvati about the rites concerning her son. Despite repeated attempts by both his mother and the gods to check him, Karttikeya, radiant with power, would not desist. Karttikeya, the six-faced one, was drawn to the company of women and refused to obey. Parvati, fearful of a curse and anxious for her son, began to reflect deeply. Out of her love as a mother, and mindful of the need to protect the wives of the gods for the fulfillment of their divine purposes, she pondered again and again. Wherever Skanda sought pleasure, Parvati herself would assume a similar form, appearing as one among the women, and acted accordingly. When Karttikeya summoned the wives of Indra and Varuna and gazed upon them, he saw his mother’s form reflected in each. With reverence, he turned away from her and summoned another, but again, seeing Parvati’s likeness, he was overwhelmed with shame. Thus, encountering his mother’s form in many women and perceiving the world as filled with her presence, the son of Ganga became detached from enjoyment. Realizing that his withdrawal was due to his mother’s intervention, he thought, “If I am restrained now, I had already begun before.” He recognized that his mother’s actions had become a source of ridicule for him, and, filled with shame, he went to Gautami. He declared, “Let my mother hear these words: from now on, any woman named after my mother shall be regarded as equal to her by me.” Understanding this, Shiva, the lord of the world, together with Parvati, restrained their son and said, “This conduct must cease.” Thus spoke the great teacher. Pleased, the lord of the gods wondered, “What shall I give?” With hands joined in reverence, Skanda addressed his father, “I am already the commander of the gods and your son; enough of this, O revered one—what need have I for boons, worshipped by the gods? But if you wish to grant something for the welfare of the worlds, I ask not for myself—may you grant this: Let those who have committed great sins, who have approached their teacher’s wife, become cleansed of their sins simply by bathing here. Let even animals attain the highest birth; let the deformed gain beauty by bathing here.” Delighted by his son’s words, Shambhu replied, “So be it.” From that time, the sacred place became known as Karttikeya’s. Bathing and giving there bestow the fruit of all sacrifices. This holy site, known as Krittika’s, after Karttikeya, grants the fruit of drinking soma simply by hearing of it. Long ago, for the destruction of Taraka, a sage drank Shiva’s seed. Seeing the embryo formed from that seed, the wives of the sages desired the sage. Among the wives of the seven sages, except for Arundhati, who had completed their monthly purification, a pregnancy arose in six women from that fire-born seed. These radiant women, purified by their rites, asked each other, “What shall we do? Where shall we go? By doing what will we attain merit?” After speaking thus, they hurried to the Ganga, and distressed, released their embryos, which took the form of foam in the water. All those embryos merged together in the water, united by the wind, and became one form; from them, Shanmukha was born. After discharging the embryos, the wives of the sages returned home. Seeing their altered forms, the sages said, “Go, go quickly! Independent conduct is not proper for women.” Thus, those women were cast out by their husbands. Overwhelmed by sorrow and abandoned, the six women were seen by Narada, who told them, “Karttikeya is born from Hara. He is known as the son of Ganga and as fire-born, the slayer of Taraka. Go to him without delay; pleased, he will grant you enjoyment.” At the sage’s words, the Krittikas approached Shanmukha and reported all that had happened. Karttikeya, consenting to their request, said, “Let all of you go to the Gautami, bathe, and worship Maheshvara. I too will come there and then go to the abode of the gods.” Following his instructions, the Krittikas bathed in the Ganga and the Gautami. Having worshipped the Lord of the gods, by Karttikeya’s guidance and the grace of the Lord, they proceeded to the abode of the gods. From that time, the sacred place became known as Krittika-tirtha. Whoever bathes there at the conjunction of Karttika and Krittika obtains the fruit of all sacrifices and becomes a righteous king. Even by remembering or hearing of that tirtha, one is freed from all sins and attains long life. Now hear of the Dashashvamedhika tirtha, O great sage, by merely hearing of which one obtains the fruit of a horse sacrifice. Vishvarupa, the illustrious and mighty son of Vishvakarman, was his first son; his son was the powerful Bhauvana. Kashyapa, skilled in all knowledge, was his priest. Bhauvana, the mighty sovereign, questioned him. Desiring to perform ten horse sacrifices at once, Bhauvana asked his revered teacher, the learned Brahmin, “Where shall I offer sacrifice to the gods?” Kashyapa replied, “O best of kings, establish the sacrificial ground wherever the foremost Brahmins have commenced great rituals.