Skanda Slays Mahishāsura

Chapter 233 of the Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa (Poorvārdha) tells how Bhagavān Skanda, also called Kārttikeya, was consecrated as Devasenapati, the commander of the armies of the devas, by Bhagavān Śiva. Skanda then killed the asura Mahishāsura and his whole army.

In this account the devas prayed directly to Bhagavān Skanda to save them. Bhagavān Śiva himself performed the consecration.

Mahishāsura’s conquest

Mahishāsura was a very powerful asura. His name comes from mahisha (buffalo). He had conquered all three worlds. Proud of the varas (boons) he held and of his great strength, he drove the devas out of Svarga. He took over their divine homes and made the whole order of creation suffer under his rule.

The order of the worlds broke down. The yajñas (fire rituals) were disturbed. The rhythms of the world, which depend on the devas doing their work, were upset. All beings suffered under his reign.

The devas pray to Skanda

The devas could not overcome Mahishāsura by themselves. They came to Bhagavān Skanda. He is the six-faced son of Bhagavān Śiva and Pārvatī. He was born through Agni and the Gaṅgā, and the Kṛttikā stars nursed him. He had already been named Devasenapati.

The devas praised Skanda with great devotion. They spoke of him as:

• the son of Bhagavān Śiva and of fire
• the commander born to protect the order of the world
• the one who killed the asura Tārakāsura, and so already had a record of destroying great asuras
• the only one able to overcome Mahishāsura’s power

Śiva consecrates Skanda as Devasenapati

Bhagavān Śiva was moved by the prayer of the devas. He performed the formal abhisheka (consecration) of Skanda as Devasenapati, the supreme commander of the armies of the devas. This was more than an appointment. Bhagavān Śiva himself conducted the ceremony, divine weapons and powers were given to Skanda, and the whole assembly of devas watched.

With this consecration Skanda was given the charge to lead the armies against Mahishāsura.

Skanda kills Mahishāsura

Skanda led the armies of the devas against Mahishāsura. The battle was fierce, for Mahishāsura and his army were very powerful. Skanda carried his divine śakti, the spear the devas had given him. With it he fought the asura army and killed them one after another.

At the high point of the battle Skanda killed Mahishāsura himself. This ended the asura army and gave Svarga back to the devas.

The three worlds rejoiced. Order returned, the yajñas began again, and the devas went back to their homes.

Other accounts of Mahishāsura’s death

The Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa names Skanda as the one who kills Mahishāsura. Other texts name Devī Mahishāsuramardinī (Durgā). Her victory is told in the Devī Māhātmya (Saptaśatī) of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa and is remembered in the Navarātrī festival.

Sources

• Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa, Poorvārdha, Chapter 233
• Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa, Devī Māhātmya (Saptaśatī)
• Skanda Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa (Setu Māhātmya)