Bāṇāsura and Pralambāsura Vadha

After Tārakāsura was killed, the Kumāra Khaṇḍa of the Śiva Purāṇa tells of two more asuras that Kārttikeya slew. Bāṇāsura was slain for the mountain Krauñca, and Pralambāsura for Kumuda, the son of Śesha. After the first killing, four sacred liṅgas were set up.

Krauñca and the slaying of Bāṇāsura

After Tārakāsura’s death and the victory celebration, a mountain named Krauñca came before Kārttikeya in the form of one asking for refuge. Bāṇāsura, a powerful asura, was tormenting Krauñca, and his cruelty had spread even to the mountain ranges. Krauñca bowed down before Kārttikeya and asked for protection.

Kārttikeya answered as directly as he had faced Tāraka. He raised his śakti (spear) and slew Bāṇāsura. With Bāṇāsura dead, Krauñca was free of the one who tormented him.

This Bāṇāsura is not the same Bāṇāsura who is the son of Bali Cakravartī and who appears in the Aniruddha and Ushā account.

The four liṅgas

After Tāraka’s death and Bāṇāsura’s slaying, the devas who had gathered set up four sacred Śiva liṅgas at the place:

  1. Pratijñeśvara, set up at the western entrance of the field of victory.
  2. Kapāleśvara with Kapālikeśvarī, a śaktipīṭha (seat of Devī) in the south-east, joining a Śiva liṅga with a śakti installation.
  3. Kumāreśvara, the central liṅga, set up in Kārttikeya’s own name. Pārvatī and Gaṇeśa are set up close by.
  4. Stambheśvara, set up by Kārttikeya himself near the jaya-stambha, the victory pillar he raised to mark the win.

Each deva in the gathering also set up a Śiva liṅga of his own. The place became a group of sacred installations.

Pralambāsura and Kumuda

After the main celebrations, another person came to Kārttikeya asking for refuge. He was Kumuda, the son of Śesha, the cosmic serpent. Pralambāsura had been a lieutenant of Tārakāsura. He had survived the main battle and fled to Pātāla. Now he had come out again and was tormenting Kumuda and his realm in the world of the serpents.

Kārttikeya heard Kumuda’s plea. He raised his śakti and slew Pralambāsura. Kumuda was free of his tormentor. He paid his respects to Kārttikeya and went back gladly to Pātāla.

The fruit of hearing these accounts

The phalaśruti (the verse on the reward of hearing) of this episode tells of the puṇya (merit) of hearing, reciting or meditating on these accounts of Kārttikeya’s kind protection of those who seek refuge.

Sources

  • Śiva Purāṇa, Rudra Saṃhitā, Kumāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 10 (Krauñca, Bāṇāsura, the four liṅgas)
  • Śiva Purāṇa, Rudra Saṃhitā, Kumāra Khaṇḍa, Chapter 11 (Pralambāsura and Kumuda)