As the battle raged, the mighty Daitya lords, led by Kālanemi, attacked the young warrior with fierce determination. Their blows landed in vain, for the radiant boy stood untouched, their efforts wasted. Undeterred, the Daitya lords—masters of war—struck again with spears and arrows, yet Kārtikeya remained steadfast, feeling no pain despite the rain of weapons from the enemies of the gods and their armies. The battle soon became deadly for the gods, who were oppressed by the relentless Daityas. Seeing their plight, the boy was seized by anger. With his weapons, he forcefully repelled the Daitya army, leaving the tormentors of the gods defenseless. All the Daityas, led by Kālanemi, turned away from the battle, fleeing as they were slain on every side. At this moment, the great demon Tāraka, leader of the asuras, was filled with rage. He seized a divine mace adorned with golden filigree and, wearing armlets of refined gold, struck Kumāra with it. With peacock-feathered arrows, he drove the gods into flight. Tāraka, furious and chief of the asura army, pierced the peacock, Guha’s mount, with great barbed arrows. Witnessing the gods retreat and his own mount bleeding, Kārtikeya took up a flawless spear, adorned with golden ornaments. His arm, shining with golden armlets, the six-faced Mahāsena swiftly approached Tāraka, lord of the Dānavas, and called out: “Stand, stand, O most foolish one! Behold the world of the living. Today you shall be slain by me with my spear. Recall your well-learned weapons!” Having spoken thus, Kumāra hurled the spear at the demon. Released by his arm, accompanied by the sound of his armlets, the spear pierced Tāraka’s heart, hard as diamond or a mountain peak. Tāraka’s life departed, and he fell to the earth like a mountain at the end of the world—his crown and turban scattered, all his ornaments cast off. With the demon slain, a great festival arose among the gods. At that time, even the sinful in hell felt no sorrow. The gods, praising Ṣaṇmukha, sported with thousands of women and eagerly returned to their own splendid abodes. Their wishes fulfilled and hearts pleased, the gods, together with Siddhas and ascetics, granted a boon to Skanda. It was declared: whoever, being wise, recites, hears, or causes to be heard the story of Skanda becomes renowned. He lives long, is fortunate, prosperous, radiant, of auspicious appearance, fearless of spirits, and free from all suffering. Whoever, after worshipping at early twilight, recites the deeds of Skanda is freed from all sins and becomes a lord of great wealth. For children afflicted by disease, and for those who serve at the royal gate, this supreme, divine account always grants all desires; and at the end of life, one attains union with Ṣaṇmukha. Now, the sages wished to hear of the slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu, the greatness of Narasiṃha, and the destruction of sin. In the Kṛta age, Hiraṇyakaśipu, lord of the Daityas and their primeval being, performed great austerity. For ten thousand years and ten hundred years, he dwelt in water, observing vows of bathing, silence, and restraint. Through tranquility, self-control, and celibacy, Hiraṇyakaśipu pleased Brahmā with his discipline. The self-born, blessed Lord came to him, riding in a radiant chariot the color of the sun, yoked with swans. With Brahmā came the Ādityas, Vasus, Sādhyas, Maruts, and other deities, as well as the Rudras, Viśvas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, and serpents. Also present were the directions and intermediate directions, rivers and oceans, stars and moments, beings of the sky, and the great planets, along with gods, Brahmarṣis, Siddhas, the seven seers, royal sages of merit, and hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases. Surrounded by all the denizens of heaven, Brahmā, foremost knower of Brahman, addressed the demon: “I am pleased with your devotion and this austerity, O virtuous one. Choose a boon; good fortune to you. Obtain whatever desire you wish.” Hiraṇyakaśipu replied, “Let neither gods, demons, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, serpents, Rākṣasas, humans, nor Piśācas slay me, O best of gods. Nor may the seers curse me with their imprecations, O great grandsire, if you, blessed Lord, are pleased; this is the boon I have chosen. Not by weapon nor missile, not by mountain or tree, not by anything dry or wet, not by day nor by night. May I become the sun, the moon, the wind, the fire, water, the atmosphere, the stars, and the ten directions. May I be wrath and desire, Varuṇa, Indra, Yama, the lord of wealth, the treasurer, a Yakṣa, and the lord of Kiṃpuruṣas.” Brahmā replied, “These divine and wondrous boons, dear one, have been granted to you by me. You shall always obtain all desires, my child, without doubt.” Having spoken thus, the blessed Lord ascended to the sky, returning to the celestial abode of Brahmā, attended by hosts of Brahmarṣis. Then the gods, serpents, Gandharvas, and seers, having heard of the granting of the boon, approached the Grandsire. They pleaded, “Because of the granting of the boon, O blessed one, that demon will slay us. Therefore, be gracious, O Lord, and quickly consider his destruction.