In the days when great battles raged between the gods and their foes, the gods found themselves repeatedly defeated. Their enemies, mighty heroes armed with sharp arrows, overcame the divine army day after day, their strength seemingly unassailable. Witnessing this ongoing defeat, Bṛhaspati, the wise preceptor of the gods, addressed them with concern: “O gods, your army falters for want of a leader. Indra alone cannot protect the divine host. Seek out a commander swiftly, for only then can your forces stand firm.” Heeding his counsel, the gods, troubled and anxious, approached the Grandfather of all worlds—Brahmā. With agitation in their voices, they pleaded, “Grant us a commander, O Lord, to lead and protect us.” Brahmā, the four-faced creator, pondered deeply upon their request: “What should I do for them?” In his heart, he turned his thoughts to Rudra, the great god. With Brahmā at their head, the gods set forth, accompanied by gandharvas, sages, siddhas, and cāraṇas, making their way to the sacred heights of Mount Kailāsa. There, they beheld Śiva, the mighty Lord of beings. Indra and the gods of heaven, filled with awe, offered hymns of praise to the great god. They bowed low and prayed: “We seek refuge in you, O three-eyed Lord, creator of all beings. Husband of Umā, master of the universe, Lord of the winds and the world, Śaṅkara—protect us!” “O bearer of the trident, supreme and unfailing one, whose matted locks shine with the crescent moon, whose brilliance illumines the three worlds—guard the realms within your belly from the assault of demons.” “You are the primordial god, the supreme person—Hari and Bhava, mighty destroyer of the triple city, slayer of Bhaga’s eye, ancient foe of demons, bull-bannered Lord—protect us, O best of gods.” “O Lord born of the mountain, beloved of the mountain’s daughter, master worshipped by the immortals, Lord of the Gaṇas, eternal Śiva—destroyer of foremost demons—protect us, unfailing one.” “You are present in the elements, beginning with earth; you are the very essence of sound in the sky; in air, you are twofold; in fire, threefold; in water, fourfold; in earth, fivefold—protect us, O Lord.” “You are the fire within trees and stones, the existence within waters; the great Lord’s radiance shines everywhere. O Hara, save us from the hosts of demons that oppress us.” “When the universe was yet unmanifest, O Three-eyed One, neither sun, nor moon, nor the lord of wealth existed. At that time, you alone, O Lord with opposing eyes, were present—limitless and immeasurable.” “O Lord adorned with a garland of skulls, crowned with the crescent moon, dwelling in cremation grounds, covered in white ash, your body wrapped by the king of serpents, remover of death—protect us, O Lord of the gods, with your wise power.” “You are the Supreme Person, and your power is the daughter of the mountain—she is present in all your limbs. In your hand, as the trident, you hold the three worlds; in your three eyes dwell the three sacrificial fires.” “In your matted hair reside all the oceans, great mountains, and rivers; the moon, supreme knowledge, abides in you. Yet, those with faulty vision do not perceive this truth.” “You are Nārāyaṇa, origin of the worlds; you are also Bhava and the Four-faced One. According to the distinctions of existence and fire, and the divisions of the ages, you are established in threefold ways.” “O Lord, these leaders of the gods, seeking their welfare, praise you alone. Therefore, O Ornamented with Ashes, be gracious to us. Rudra, Lord of the universe, we bow to you—protect us!” Thus did the gods offer their heartfelt praise. Pleased by their devotion, Rudra, Lord of creatures, responded calmly: “Tell me quickly, what is to be done?” The gods replied, “O Lord of the gods, grant us a commander for the destruction of the demons. This alone will benefit us, with Brahmā at our head.” Rudra assured them, “I grant you a commander for your army, O gods; be free from distress. In the future, an ancient one will arise, the leader of yogis, beyond the grasp of thought.” Having spoken, Hara stirred the divine power within his own body for the sake of a son. As he agitated his power, a radiant son emerged, gleaming like fire and the sun, endowed with innate power and unique knowledge. His origin was manifold and established in many forms; in various ages, he would indeed become the commander of the gods’ army. This deity, abiding within the body, is called ‘Ego’; according to need, he becomes the commander of the army. At his birth, Brahmā himself, accompanied by all the gods, worshipped Śiva, Lord of creatures. The newly born commander was honored by gods, sages, and perfected beings, who granted him boons. Satisfied, he asked the gods for a companion in play. Hearing his request, the great Lord said, “I give you a rooster as your plaything, and two attendants named Śākha and Viśākha. O Kumāra, you shall be the leader of spirits and the commander of the gods’ army.” With these words, the god and all the assembled deities praised Skanda, the commander of the army, with desired words. They said: “O Lord, son of the great Lord, become the commander of the divine armies! O six-faced one, Skanda, Lord of the universe, bearer of the cock-banner, son of Fire!” “O subduer of trembling, Lord of Kumāras, Skanda, follower of the planets that afflict children, conqueror, destroyer of Krauncha, son of the Krittikas, born of the Mothers!” “O foremost among the lords of spirits and planets, son of Fire, of delightful form, son of the Lord of the great elements, O three-eyed one, salutations to you!” Thus praised by the gods, the son of Bhava grew in strength and splendor, wondrous to behold—shining like twelve suns, his radiance scorching even the three worlds. At this, Prajāpāla inquired, “How is he called the son of the Krittikas, the guru of the gods, the son of Fire, and the son of the Mothers?” Mahātapā replied, “In the first Manvantara, as I have described his origin, so too was the Lord praised by the gods who perceive the subtle. The Krittikas, Fire, other mothers, and Girijā—all were causes of Guha’s birth in his twice-born incarnation.” Thus, O best of kings, I have explained to you, as you asked, the secret of self-knowledge, the nectar, and the origin of ego. Skanda himself is the great god, destroyer of all sins; at his consecration, the grandsire Brahmā gave him the sixth lunar day. Whoever, with a controlled mind, regularly recites this hymn with desire for its fruit—though childless, will obtain sons; though poor, will gain wealth; whatever one desires in the heart, that shall be attained.