17 - The Appointment of the Karttikeya as the Army Commander 

Narayana said - Vishnu the lord of the universe was then pleased and in an auspicious time made the six-faced Karttikeya to occupy a gemstudded lion-throne playfully. Various types of musical instruments were played upon then. He was made to bathe with the pitchers of gems filled with the water of various sacred places. 

He was then adorned with the kirita crown, pleasant armlets and several other ornaments and the garments sanctified by fire. He was also offered the kaustubha gems which emerged out of the ocean of milk, besides a garland of forest flowers and the cakra. 

Brahma offered him yajnopavita, Gayatrl, the Vedas, Sandhyd-mantra, Krishna-mantra, stotra of the lord, kavacha, kamandalu, Brahmastra and the knowledge of destroying one's enemies. Dharma bestowed the religious wisdom on him and the sense of mercy to be merciful towards all creatures. 

Shiva imparted the divine knowledge of overcoming the death, knowledge of tattvas which always provided welfare besides yogatattva, Siddhitattva and the divine knowledge of Brahmana, which is difficult to get, a su la (trident), a battle axe, shakti, Pasupata bow, knowledge of using the weapons of destruction. The lord of waters provided him with a white umbrella, a garland of gems, elephants and the best of horses; the moon, who is the lord the nectar gave him a pitcher filled with nectar, while the sun gave him the chariot which could move with the speed of the mind and a kavacha. Yama gave him the Yamadanda, Agni gave him the m mahashakti and other gods gave him many weapons. 

Kamadeva delightfully imparted to him the knowledge of Kamashastra and also gave him the beautiful anklets which emerged from the ocean of milk. 

Savitri imparted to him the knowledge of Siddhividya and the other gods playfully imparted to him various types of knowledge. Himalaya gave him the peacock as a vehicle besides the crown; Lakshmi gave him the great fortune and Sarasvati gave him the best of fortune. Parvati wearing a serene smile on her face and quite blissfully imparted to him the knowledge of Mahavidya, Medha, mercy, Smruti and the spotless wisdom besides peace satisfaction, nourishment, forgiveness, forbearance and devotion towards the lords. Prajapati gave him Devasena adorned with all the ornaments who was quite humble, good nature, pleasant and beautiful, while reciting the hymns from the Vedas performing all the rites for merits. The people of wisdom call her Mahasasthi who happens to be the goddess of children. Thus crowning Kumara, the gods retired to their own respective abodes. 

О Narada, lord Shiva adored Narayana, Dharma and Brahma eulogising him at the same time. Thereafter, embracing Dharma he bowed in reverence to the lord. Thereafter, having been honoured by Shiva, the lord of the mountain, Himalaya gracefully retired to his abode. Thus all the people who had arrived there from different places dispersed joyfully. Thereafter Shiva was immensely pleased with Parvati. After sometime, Shiva invited them again and gave away Push in marriage to Ganesha. 

Thereafter, Parvati together with the gams of Shiva delightfully started serving at the lotus-like feet of Shiva who fulfils all the desires. Thus I have narrated to you the story about the crowning of kumara, his marriage and the adoration, in addition to the marriage of Ganesha and his marriage together with the assembly of gods. Now what do you want to listen to from me, you tell me?