"Markandeya continued, 'O sinless scion of Kuru's race, I have described
to thee the various branches of the race of Agni. Listen now to the
story of the birth of the intelligent Kartikeya. I shall tell thee of
that wonderful and famous and highly energetic son of the Adbhuta fire
begotten of the wives of the _Brahmarshis_. In ancient times the _gods_
and _Asuras_ were very active in destroying one another. And the
terrible _Asuras_ always succeeded in defeating the gods. And Purandara
(Indra) beholding the great slaughter of his armies by them and anxious
to find out a leader for the celestial host, thought within himself, "I
must find out a mighty person who observing the ranks of the celestial
army shattered by the _Danavas_ will be able to reorganize it with
vigour." He then repaired to the Manasa mountains and was there deeply
absorbed in thought of nature, when he heard the heart-rending cries of
a woman to the effect, "May some one come quick and rescue me, and
either indicate a husband for me, or be my husband himself." Purandara
said to her, "Do not be afraid, lady!" And having said these words, he
saw Kesin (an _Asura_) adorned with a crown and mace in hand standing
even like a hill of metals at a distance and holding that lady by the
hand. Vasava addressed then that _Asura_ saying, "Why art thou bent on
behaving insolently to this lady? Know that I am the god who wields the
thunderbolt. Refrain thou from doing any violence to this lady." To him
Kesin replied, "Do thou, O Sakra, leave her alone. I desire to possess
her. Thinkest thou, O slayer of Paka, that thou shalt be able to return
home with thy life?" With these words Kesin hurled his mace for slaying
Indra. Vasava cut it up in its course with his thunderbolt. Then Kesin,
furious with rage, hurled a huge mass of rock at him. Beholding that, he
of a hundred sacrifices rent it asunder with his thunderbolt, and it
fell down upon the ground. And Kesin himself was wounded by that falling
mass of rock. Thus sorely afflicted, he fled leaving the lady behind.
And when the _Asura_ was gone, Indra said to that lady, "Who and whose
wife art thou, O lady with a beautiful face, and what has brought thee
here?"'"