From the sacred name Uma, there arose the divine sheath known as Kaushiki. It was Kaushiki who, wielding excellent weapons, would ultimately slay the formidable demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Born as the daughter of Himavat, her story is one of power and purpose, and it is fitting to recount how she vanquished Shumbha and Nishumbha, those great adversaries of the gods, as it truly happened. Now, listen with attention as I relate the eternal origin of Skanda. Bereft of support, Skanda resolved to undertake severe austerities. Through his dedication, he became the commander of the gods, the destroyer of the arrogance of demons. The gods themselves had been overpowered by Mahisha, the lord of the demons, and suffered defeat at his hands. Seeking refuge, the gods journeyed to the white island, where they approached Hari, the great swan. Smiling, his voice deep as thunder, the Supreme Person addressed them: “By whom have you all gathered together and come to my side in this way? Do that by which, relying upon it, victory will surely be yours.” Among those gathered, there was a divine maiden born of the mind, named Menā. The Supreme Person instructed the gods to request the virtuous Menā from the icy mountain for their purpose. It was she, freed from the wrath of Daksha, whose life was cleansed of impurity. This maiden would be the one to slay Mahisha, the lord of the demons, along with his followers. At that broad-watered holy place, the imperishable ancestors were to be worshipped. For those wishing to relinquish themselves, this was the prescribed way. With hands joined in reverence, the gods questioned the supreme lord: “May the blessed one tell us the origin of that holy place in which the divine ancestors are to be worshipped by us as we depart?” The Supreme Person then spoke of that sacred day, which arose from Kurukshetra. At the beginning of the ploughing season, Saṃvaraṇa was born from the constellation. Even in childhood, he was devoted to righteousness and was always a devotee of the Supreme. The noble-minded one taught Saṃvaraṇa the Vedas with all their branches. Entrusting all duties to Vasiṣṭha, the treasure of austerities, Saṃvaraṇa went to Vaibhrāja and afterwards entered a state of madness. Unsated by the fragrance, he wandered through the forest in all directions, surrounded by blue lotuses, red lotuses, white lotuses, and day-blooming lotuses. Among them, Saṃvaraṇa saw a maiden surpassing all others. She, upon seeing him, was struck by the arrow of love. The king, his seat unsteady, fell from his horse to the ground. Those nearby approached and sprinkled him with water, and he regained consciousness in a moment. Comforted by their sweet words, gentle as water, Saṃvaraṇa then went to the summit of Meru, moving at will like a god. From that time, he neither ate by day nor slept at night. The treasure of austerities tormented the king, who was scorched by suffering. Eventually, he entered the presence of the blazing god and saw him standing in his chariot. Having respectfully greeted the deity, Saṃvaraṇa entered the chariot with the Sun.