of gold.  Some amongst them were dark and looked like clouds in hue and some were of the colour of smoke, O bull of Bharata’s race.  And some were endued with the splendour of the morning sun and were highly blessed.  Possessed of long tresses, they were clad in robes of white.  The braids of some were tied upwards, and the eyes of some were tawny, and some had girdles that were very long.  Some had long stomachs, some had long ears, and some had long breasts.  Some had coppery eyes and coppery complexion, and the eyes of some were green.

Capable of granting boons and of travelling at will, they were always cheerful.  Possessed of great strength, some amongst them partook of the nature of Yama, some of Rudra, some of Soma, some of Kuvera, some of Varuna, some of Indra, and some of Agni, O scorcher of foes.  And some partook of the nature of Vayu, some of Kumara, some of Brahma, O bull of Bharata’s race, and some of Vishnu and some of Surya, and some of Varaha.

Of charming and delightful features, they were beautiful like the asuras.  In voice they resembled the kokila and in prosperity they resembled the Lord of Treasures.  In battle, their energy resembled that of Shakra.  In splendour they resembled fire.  In battle they always inspired their foes with terror.  Capable of assuming any form at will, in fleetness they resembled the very wind.  Of inconceivable might and energy, their prowess also was inconceivable.

They have their abodes on trees and open spots and crossings of four roads.  They live also in caves and crematoriums, mountains and springs.  Adorned with diverse kinds of ornaments, they wear diverse kinds of attire, and speak diverse languages.  These and many other tribes (of the mothers), all capable of inspiring foes with dread, followed the high-souled Kartikeya at the command of the chief of the celestials.

The adorable chastiser of Paka, O tiger among kings, gave unto Guha (Kartikeya) a dart for the destruction of the enemies of the gods.  That dart produces a loud whiz and is adorned with many large bells.  Possessed of great splendour, it seemed to blaze with light.  And Indra also gave him a banner effulgent as the morning sun.  Shiva gave him a large army, exceedingly fierce and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, and endued with great energy begotten of ascetic penances.  Invincible and possessing all the qualities of a good army, that force was known by the name of dhananjaya.  It was protected by thirty 30,000 warriors each of whom was possessed of might equal to that of Rudra himself.  That force knew not how to fly from battle.  Vishnu gave him a triumphal garland that enhances the might of the wearer.  Uma gave him two pieces of cloth of effulgence like that of the Sun.  With great pleasure Ganga gave unto Kumara a celestial water-pot, begotten of amrita, and Brihaspati gave him a sacred stick.  Garuda gave him his favourite son, a peacock of beautiful feathers.  Aruna gave him a cock of sharp talons.  The royal Varuna gave him a snake of great energy and might.  The lord Brahma gave unto that god devoted to Brahman a black deer-skin.  And the Creator of all the worlds also gave him victory in all battles.