तारकं च तथा दैत्यं हत्वा यत्र सुरद्विषम्
And there, after slaying the demon Tāraka, the enemy of the gods,
कथं स्कंदः समुत्पन्न एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्
How was Skanda born? I wish to know this.
सनत्कुमार उवाच पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे निर्जिता दानवैः सुराः
Sanatkumāra said: In ancient times, during the battle between gods and demons, the gods were defeated by the demons.
तत्र तु देव राजेन तपसोग्रेण वै मुने
There, the king of the gods, through intense austerity, O sage,
ततस्तुष्टो महादेवः शक्रस्याभिमुखः स्थितः
Then, Mahādeva, pleased, stood facing Śakra.
महासेनापतिं देव प्रयच्छ परमेश्वर
O Supreme Lord, grant the gods a great commander.
सेनान्यां च महासेनं सुराणां भयहारकम्
Among the commanders, grant Mahāsena, who removes the fear of the gods.
इत्युक्त्वांतर्दधे देवः सर्वभूतपतिर्हरः
Having spoken thus, the lord Hara, master of all beings, vanished.
देवदारुवने तस्थौ ज्ञानध्यानपरोऽभवत् 5.1.34.
He remained in the Devadāru forest, absorbed in knowledge and meditation.
ध्यायंति नियतात्मनः प्राणायामपरा मुने
Those of disciplined mind devoted themselves to meditation and the practice of breath control, O sage.
स ध्यायति किमर्थं तन्न विद्मः परमार्थिनः
He is meditating, but for what purpose—we do not know, for he is absorbed in the highest truth.
मध्ये वयसि वर्तंती यासीद्दाक्षायणी सती
In the prime of her youth, Daksha’s daughter, Sati, lived.
निमंत्रितो न मे भर्ता इति कोपं चकार या
She became angry, saying, 'My husband was not invited.'
भवभार्या भवित्रीति नान्यं वरमचिंतयत्
She thought of no other husband but Bhava, wishing only to become his wife.
कथं हि शंकरो देवो मम भर्ता भविष्यति
How indeed will Lord Shankara become my husband?
ततः समागता देवाः कृत्वाग्रे बलसूदनम्
Then the gods assembled, placing the destroyer of armies at their forefront.
ते सुरास्तत्स्तुति कृत्वा वाक्यमेतत्समैरयन्
Those gods, having offered praise, spoke these words.
ततोऽवोचत्सुरान्ब्रह्मा ज्ञातं कार्यं समाहितम्
Then Brahma said to the gods, 'The purpose is known and has been considered.'
तथा यतध्वं देवेशं यथा वांछति पार्वतीम् 5.1.34.
So act, O lords of the gods, so that the Lord of the gods desires Parvati.
ततो मेरुं समागत्य पुनर्मंत्रं प्रचक्रिरे
Then, gathering at Meru, they again performed a ritual.
प्रतिपन्नं च देवेन स्वांगात्सेना पतिं प्रति
The god resolved to create the commander of the army from his own body.
इति संचित्य देवेशः काममाहूय सत्वरम्
Thus, having decided, the Lord of the gods quickly summoned Kama.
यथा देवो भजेद्देवीं तथा काम विधीयताम्
O Kama, arrange it so that the god may desire the goddess.
कामो वाक्यं हरेः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह
Hearing the words of Hari, Kama smiled and spoke thus.
तस्मिन्क्षणेऽथ शक्रेण कामवाक्यादनंतरम्
At that moment, after Kama’s words, Shakra acted.
लब्ध्वा कामो मधुं मित्रं प्रतस्थे भार्यया सह
Having obtained Madhu and Mitra, Kama set out with his wife.
यत्र देवाधिदेवेशो देवदारुवने स्थितः
Where the Lord of the gods among gods was dwelling in the Devadaru forest.
चूतवृक्षाश्रितः कामो यावद्बाणं सुमोहनम्
Kama, sheltered by the mango tree, prepared his most enchanting arrow.
त्यक्तध्यानव्रतो देवो हृष्टश्चाह्रादचेतनः 5.1.34.
The god, having abandoned meditation and vows, became joyful, yet without delight or awareness.
चूतवृक्षाश्रितं काममपश्यच्च रुषान्वितः
He saw desire, sheltered by the mango tree, filled with anger.