There once lived a mighty demon named Tāra, whose strength was renowned throughout the worlds. Through rigorous austerity and the blessings of Brahmā, the Lord, Tāra gained immense power. Radiant with energy, he conquered all three worlds—those that move and those that do not—and even defeated Viṣṇu in battle. The conflict between Tāra and Viṣṇu was fierce and terrifying, lasting a thousand divine years without pause, day or night. In the end, Tāra seized Viṣṇu, chariot and all, and hurled him a hundred yojanas away; thus, the bearer of the Garuḍa banner was forced to flee. Blessed by a boon from Brahmā, Tāra’s strength was multiplied a hundredfold, granting him dominion over the entire world. He subdued the gods led by Indra, restraining them in all realms by his illusion. The deities, including Indra, were afflicted and terrified, unable to find peace or refuge, overwhelmed by fear of Tāra. In their distress, Indra, the glorious lord of the immortals, gathered with the other chiefs and approached Aṅgiras in the presence of the gods. Indra lamented, “Tāra, the foremost among demons, has challenged us in battle as a herdsman would his calves. Because of him, O illustrious Bṛhaspati, in this great war, we wander homeless, like birds trapped in a cage. Our infallible weapons are rendered ineffective by the power of the enemy of the immortals. For ten thousand years, doubled, Viṣṇu fought valiantly in battle, yet even he could not slay Tāra. If Viṣṇu himself cannot defeat him, how can we hope to stand against him?” Hearing Indra’s words, Jīva, along with the lords of the gods and the thousand-eyed Indra, approached the illustrious Kuśadhvaja. Out of compassion and as the remover of distress, Pitāmaha, the grandfather of all, spoke to Jīva in the presence of the gods and Indra. He said, “I know your suffering, O lords of the gods. Listen now: The goddess Satī, born from Rudra’s body, having rejected Dakṣa, was reborn as Umā, daughter of Himavat, revered by all worlds. Through her form, you gods are blessed. When Rudra’s great mind was stirred by Viṣṇu, their union brought forth Skanda, the mighty bearer of power. Skanda is six-faced, twelve-armed, the commander of the army, born of fire, son of Svāhā, called Kārtikeya, son of Gaṅgā, and born in the abode of reeds. He is known as Śākha, Viśākha, the valiant Naigameśa, and Kumāra, honored by all the worlds. By his play alone, Mahāsena, though but a child, will single-handedly slay the powerful Tārakāsura and deliver the gods.” Thus, when Brahmā spoke these words, Bṛhaspati, Indra, and the other gods bowed reverently. They ascended the summit of Meru, and the virtuous one recalled Smara, the god of desire. Smara, together with his wife Rati, appeared, bowing with joined palms, and addressed the assembled gods. Smara said, “Remembered by you, O Jīva, I have come. Tell me what I must do.” Honored by the gods, Śakra then spoke, “Today, unite Śaṅkara and Ambikā as you wish. By the path through which the Lord with the bull-banner delights with her, so too should you, with your wife Rati, follow that way. Then, pleased, Mahādeva will grant you an auspicious state; once separated from her before, he obtained Girijā, Umā.” Thus instructed, Smara bowed to the lord of gods, Indra, and resolved to go with Rati to the hermitage of the lord of gods. Reaching the abode of Śambhu, accompanied by Rati and aided by Spring, Smara set his mind on influencing Śiva. But when Madana approached, the three-eyed god Śiva smiled and looked upon him with his third eye, casting a glance of disdain. From that eye, fire arose and burned Madana to ashes in an instant. Rati wailed in grief. Hearing her lament, Śiva, the bull-bannered god, looked upon Rati with compassion and spoke gently: “Though formless, your husband will accomplish all acts at the time of union, O blessed one; there is no doubt. When Viṣṇu becomes Vāsudeva, blazing with great splendor, through the curse of Bhṛgu, for the good of all worlds, then your son and your husband will be restored.” At that time, Rati, pure-smiling, bowed to Rudra, and having obtained Madana, she departed, accompanied by Vasanta. Meanwhile, through the austerity of the great goddess Pārvatī, Śarva, the bull-bannered one, was pleased, just as Brahmā had foretold. For the welfare of the hermitages and for the joy of the worlds, the blessed Bhava then married the golden-born goddess Pārvatī according to proper rites.