Section CCXXIV - The Birth of Skanda: Markandeya reveals the story of Agni, Svaha, and the powerful son born on the White Mountain
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CCXXIV including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The story narrated by Markandeya talks about how the wife of Angiras, Svaha, disguised herself as Siva to woo Agni, who eventually marries her out of love. Svaha, fearing judgment from others, transforms into a bird and throws Agni's semen into a golden lake to conceive a child named Skanda, who grows rapidly and exhibits immense power.
Skanda, born with six faces, twelve ears, one neck, and one stomach, wields a powerful bow and emits a roar that instills fear in the three worlds. He holds a conch-shell, a dart, and a cock, showcasing his mighty strength and prowess, causing creatures to tremble in awe. Skanda, seated on a hilltop, dispels the fears of those seeking protection and launches arrows towards the White Mountain, causing it to collapse and other hills to scream in distress.
Despite the chaos caused by Skanda's actions, the earth turns to him for help, and the mountains, initially fleeing in fear, eventually bow down to him and return to their place. Skanda's immense power and ability to bring order out of chaos are revered by all creatures, who celebrate his worship on the fifth day of the lunar month as a sign of gratitude and reverence. Skanda's remarkable strength and ability to restore peace demonstrate his divine nature and role as a protector of the universe.
Full English translation:
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Section CCXXIV, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CCXXIV:
What is the origin of Skanda according to Markandeya Purana?
Svaha assumes Siva's disguise and marries Agni, later giving birth to Skanda. Skanda is born with six faces and grows rapidly. He displays immense power and instills fear in the three worlds.
Why did Svaha assume the disguise of various Rishis' wives?
To prevent a slur on Brahmana ladies' conduct with Agni, she shifted forms. Svaha threw Agni's semen into a golden lake, leading to Skanda's birth.
How did Skanda display his unrivaled prowess in battle?
Skanda terrifies creatures with his powerful roars and arrow strikes. He splits the Krauncha hill and forces the White Mountain to flee. The earth and mountains bow to Skanda, celebrating his worship.
Daily life: The Birth of Skanda: Markandeya reveals the story of Agni, Svaha, and the powerful son born on the White Mountain:
The story of Skanda's birth teaches us the importance of resilience, innovation, and the power of overcoming obstacles. In the narrative, Svaha, despite facing challenges, innovates by assuming different forms to achieve her goal, showing us that sometimes we must adopt new approaches to navigate life's difficulties. Similarly, Skanda's emergence and growth symbolize rapid adaptation and strength in the face of adversity.
By embracing resilience, just like Svaha and Skanda, we can tackle our own life challenges more effectively. The story also highlights the value of determination and courage. Skanda, embodying formidable strength and prowess, does not shy away from confronting obstacles, as seen when he divides the Krauncha hill. This act reminds us that facing problems head-on, with courage, can lead to transformative outcomes.
Additionally, the narrative encourages the importance of community support and protection. Skanda becomes a protector of all creatures, representing how we should strive to support and protect those around us, fostering a sense of unity and strength in our communities.
In essence, the story encourages perseverance, innovative thinking, courage in adversity, and the significance of community. By integrating these values into our daily lives, we can navigate challenges more successfully and contribute positively to the well-being of others around us.