In ancient times, the majestic Himavat was born as the lord of all mountains, containing every precious jewel within himself. Among the mountains, he was most revered and holy, and Krauñca became his son. Upon his consort Menā, Himavat fathered three daughters: Aparṇā, Ekaparṇā, and Ekapāṭalā. Each of these daughters was remarkable. Aparṇā, seeking spiritual fulfillment, renounced all worldly ties and embraced a life of asceticism, living without a home and practicing severe austerities. Ekaparṇā chose to dwell beneath a banyan tree, while Ekapāṭalā made her abode under a pāṭala tree. For a hundred thousand years, these sisters performed rigorous penances, so intense that even the gods and demons found them difficult to emulate. Ekaparṇā sustained herself with nourishment from a single leaf, and Ekapāṭalā survived on a single pāṭala blossom. They would take food only at the completion of every two thousand years; yet one among them, Aparṇā, abstained from food altogether. Seeing her daughter’s extreme austerity, Menā, moved by affection and concern, forbade her, uttering the syllable “U.” Because of this, Aparṇā, the goddess who performed such difficult austerities, came to be known throughout the three worlds as Umā, her name and auspicious deeds celebrated everywhere. These three maidens—Aparṇā (Umā), Ekaparṇā, and Ekapāṭalā—were destined to endure in the world forever. By their penance, the earth itself would be sustained for as long as it existed. Their bodies, shaped by austerity and endowed with yogic power, remained ever youthful and blessed. All three were speakers of Brahman and pure in celibacy, but Umā was the most excellent, foremost, and supremely beautiful among them. Endowed with great yogic power, Umā approached Mahādeva, and from their union was born Dantakāṇva. Ekaparṇā, steadfast and virtuous, was given by Himavat to Asita, the wise teacher of yoga, as his wife. She bore him Devala, a son born from the mind, devoted to Brahman. The third sister, Ekapāṭalā, approached Jaigīṣavya, the son of Śataśilāka, and to her were born two sons, Śaṅkha and Likhita, remembered as born not from the womb. Thus, these illustrious daughters of Himavat were auspicious in every way. Umā, the foremost Rudrāṇī, excelled through her own virtues, and the mutual love between her and Śaṅkara was as it should be. However, Indra, knowing their union and attachment, became suspicious. As Umā and Śaṅkara were engaged in intimacy, Indra, fearful of the possible offspring, sent Agni, the fire god, to intervene. Indra instructed Agni, “O Fire, you should cause an obstacle to their union; since you are present everywhere, there is no fault in this.” Acting on Indra’s command, Agni disrupted their union, causing Umā to abandon her body and release the seed upon the earth. Angered by Agni’s interference, Umā cursed him, her words trembling with wrath: “Since, while I was unsatisfied, you, O Fire, caused an obstacle to union, which was not your duty, therefore you are of misguided mind. Since you have carried this fierce, radiant seed, you must bear the embryo; this shall be your punishment.” Thus, Agni was cursed by Rudrāṇī and bore the embryo within himself for many years. Afflicted by the burden, Agni approached Gaṅgā, the supreme river, and pleaded, “For my sake, bear this embryo, O river; by my favor, your affliction will become slight.” Gaṅgā, agreeing with delight, took on the task, though her mind was burning from the ordeal. She endured the burden for a long time and, devoted to her duty, placed the embryo in the pure womb of Himavat, in a beautiful place called Sharavana, adorned with blossoming trees. There, Gaṅgā released the embryo, shining like fire. From this, was born the son of Rudra, Agni, and Gaṅgā, radiant as the dawn and resembling a hundred suns, possessing immense energy and might. When this illustrious son of Jahnavi was born, the sky filled with celestial chariots, appearing as if covered by birds. Divine drums resounded sweetly in the heavens, and the Siddhas and Charanas, dwelling in the air, showered flowers in celebration. The foremost Gandharvas sang everywhere, joined by the Yakshas, Vidyadharas, Siddhas, and Kinnaras. Thousands of great serpents and excellent birds gathered around the radiant son of Shiva and Agni, whose brilliance subdued the demons, Danavas, and Rakshasas. Born from Agni, he was seen at the beginning of the ritual with the wives of the seven sages, except for Arundhati, who had gone for ablution. Surrounded by these mothers, the lord, fierce and radiant like a young sun, was cherished exceedingly. Desiring to see all the goddesses at once, the illustrious son of Jahnu, radiant with great splendor, manifested six faces for their pleasure. Glorious and lotus-eyed, resembling the rising sun, his birth overwhelmed the worlds with brilliance. By this great and intolerable birth, the hosts of Dānavas were scattered; thus, he became known as the mighty Skanda. Since he was nurtured by the Kṛttikās in ancient times, he became known as Kārttikeya, the slayer of the Asuras. As the enemy of the Daityas yawned, from his mouth, surrounded by a garland of flames, his own invincible power emerged. And for Skanda’s sport, the mighty Viṣṇu created the two noble birds, Garuḍa and the son of Aditi, adding to the glory of the divine child. Thus unfolds the story of the birth and greatness of Skanda, Kārttikeya, the radiant son of Rudra, Agni, and Gaṅgā, whose arrival brought joy and awe to all the worlds.