तप्यमाने तपो देवे देवास्सर्षिगणाः पुरा ।
सेनापतिं अभीस्संतः पितामहमुपागमन् ॥

In those old times when Mahadeva was performing penance, Devas and other Rishis with the object of obtaining a leader for all the forces approached Brahma.

Balakanda
Thirty Seventh Sarga

In those old times when Mahadeva was performing penance, Devas and other Rishis approached Brahma with the object of obtaining a leader for all the forces .

All Devas with Indra and Agni leading them bowed to Brahma and told him as follows. " O Deva In the times before the one who you appointed as leader, Parameswar is now immersed in penance along with his wife. For the benefit of the worlds you must think of further steps. You are the one who knows all the ways'. Hearing those words of Devas, Brahma consoling then with sweet soothing words spoke as follows." As stated by the daughter of the King of mountains you will not have sons through your wives. Her words are difficult and cannot be overcome. They are also true. Through this Ganga flowing through the skies Agni can obtain a son. He will be the one to lead Devas. Ganga will take care of him . He will be favored by Uma too ! There will be no doubt about that" .

' Oh Raghunandana ! hearing those words of Brahma, the Devas felt that they achieved their objective and then bowed down to Brahma. There after they went to Kailasa and appointed Agni task of obtaining a son . They said " O Agni , this is the work for benefit of Devas. Keep that great Tejas ( of Siva) in Ganga" . Having said yes to Devas, Agni went to Ganga and spoke to her. " O Devi , please the bear this Tejas. This is an action to benefit the Devas". hearing those words of Agni , Ganga then bore a celestial form. Seeing the celestial form the Tejas of Siva spread all over her. O Raghunandana ! because of that Tejas Ganga became full.'

Then the Ganga unable to bear the power of that Tejas spoke to Agni the high preist of all Devas. " Oh Agni Deva I am unable to bear this ever growing Tejas ". Then Agni who carries all the offerings of Devas spoke to Ganga. " Leave the foetus at the foot of the Hymavati mountain".

' Oh Anagha! Hearing those words of Agni Ganga left the foetus at that place.'

' The foetus so left on the banks was bright like Gold. The place it was left became imbued with gold. Because of the brilliance of the foetus iron brass was born. The urine became another material. So the brilliance of that foetus made the earth into variety of materials` As soon as that foetus was left there , because of its brilliance all the forests on that mountain became golden. From that time the gold which has brilliance equalling fire is called " Jatarupa" . All the grass, trees , creepers , and forests became golden'.

'Indra and other celestials deployed Krittikas to give milk to that child who was thus born . Those Krittikas too decided with Devas that the child belongs to them all and started giving milk to that just born child. All the Devas said "Without doubt this boy will be well known all over the three worlds and will be known by the name of Kartikeya".

'Following the words of Devas Krittikas bathed that child born of the Tejas of Siva and burning with the the brilliance of the fire. Since he as the foetus was moved from the body of Ganga , he was known as "Skandha". Since he was brought up by Krittikas he was known as "Kartikeya"! The six Krittikas were full with milk for the child. From those six Krittikas the child drank milk with his six faces. That baby having been fed only once, with his strength defeated all the Rakshasa armies. Then Devas who came along with Agni anointed the child with unmatched power as the leader of the Deva's armies.

O Rama ! I have told you the story of Ganga and the story of the birth of the child too. Who ever hears this story will have fulfilled the purpose of their life.

O Rama ! any body who prays to Kuamaraswami will have long life and live happily with is progeny. He will also attain the world of Skandha too !!

||Thus the thirty seventh Sarga of Balakanda in Valmiki Ramayan comes to en end ||
|| om tat sat ||

भक्तश्च यः कार्तिकेये काकुत् स्थ भुवि मानवः ।
आयुष्मान् पुत्त्रपौत्रैश्च स्कंदसालोक्यतां व्रजेत् ॥

O Rama ! any body who prays to Kuamaraswami will have long life and live happily with is progeny. he will also attain the world of Skandha too !!

||om tat sat |

|| Om tat sat ||

 

|| Om tat sat ||