Kumara installing Lingas near Mahi-Sagara Sangama

Mahi-Sagara Sangama: Kumara installing Lingas:

(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 32 to 36)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Skanda installing Lingas after slaying Tarakasura near Mahi-Sagara Sangama.

• Tarakasura defeating the Devas: Kumara was not inclined to slay Tarakasura in the battle since Tarakasura was a devotee of Rudra. Tarakasura continued to defeat the Devas. With his fist he hit Shakra and made him fall down. He seized the staff of Yama, and hitting him with it, made him fall down. He hit Dhanada and made him fall down. He seized the noose of Varuna, bound him with it, and made him fall down. He seized the sword of Niritti, and striking him with it, made him fall down. He tortured the Rudras with their own tridents. He tortured the Sadhyas with their own bows. He tortured the Vasus with their own iron bolts. He tortured the Vishwedevas with their own pestles. He covered the Sun and the Moon with dust particles. He destroyed the medicinal herbs of the Ashwins. He trampled on the serpents and made them rid of their poisons. Within a muhurta, he made the army of the Devas unconscious.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 32)

• Lord Hari inciting Kumara to fight: Lord Vishnu became invisible during this time. Tarakasura became angry and rushed towards Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu became partly visible and told the Devas to run away since they have been deluded by an infant. Whoever trusts infants and others fall into peril. If they had previously known that he will not kill a devotee of Rudra, they would not have fallen into this sorrowful state. If Kumara does not kill the enemies, then he will kill them. Then Govinda assumed a terrible form and jumping on Garuda rushed towards the Daitya. The universe became agitated. Kumara prevented Lord Vishnu and took up the vow to kill Tarakasura (the time of Sunset was approaching then and the western sky was becoming red). Lord Vishnu became pleased. He said that the life of noble-souled persons should be devoted for the suras and the brahmanas.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 32)

• Shakti leaving Tarakasura: When Kumara took up his Shakti weapon to strike Tarakasura, a woman came out of the head of Tarakasura. She said that she was Shakti. She stays in Suras, Brahmanas and chaste women (who are devoted to Dharma). She does not stay in places which are devoid of good qualities. Since the collection of the meritorious deeds of the Daitya got exhaused, She is leaving him. He should be killed now. When She left him, Tarakasura immediately lost his vigour and prowess.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 32)

• Kumara killing Tarakasura: When Shakti had left Tarakasura, Kumara hurled his Shakti weapon towards him. He said that if Dharma is ever victorious, let this Daitya be killed. The Shakti pierced the heart of Tarakasura. His heart was split and he fell down greatly agitating the earth with face down. Thus Tarakasura, who defeated the Devas several times in the battle was killed by Kumara. When the great Daitya was slain, all the quarters became happy.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 32)

• Kumara killing demon Bana: Then Lord Vishnu told Kumara to kill Bana (the son of Bala) who has fled to the Krauncha mountain and hiding there. Kumara hurled his Shakti weapon on the Krauncha mountain and killed Bana and many other Daityas. The Shakti weapon made a hole in the Kraucha mountain through which swans and krauncha birds go to the Manasa Lake.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 32)

• Lord Vishnu consoling Kumara and telling him to install Lingas: When Tarakasura was slain, Kumara became dejected since Tarakasura was a devotee of Rudra. Kumara was looking for some form of expiation for this sin. Lord Vishnu consoled him saying that there is no sin incurred in this righteous deed. If sinful persons are not killed, how will Yagnas and Vedas continue, which sustain the Universe? However, for his satisfaction, as an atonement, he can install Shiva Lingas and worship them. Then Lord Vishnu described the greatness of Shiva Lingas and their worship. Kumara said that an ethereal voice said the same thing while he was slaying Tarakasura.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 33)

• Kumara installing three Lingas: Kumara then told Vishwakarma to create three Lingas. Kumara installed the Lingas at three places:
1. Pratijneshwara Linga: The first Linga was installed at the place where he had taken the vow (pratijna) to kill Tarakasura.
2. Kapaleshwara Linga: The second Linga was installed at the place where Shakti came out of Tarakasura. Kumara installed goddess Kapaleshwari at that place. That place is also known as Shakticchidra.
3. Kumaresha Linga: The third Linga was created by Lord Brahma and was installed at the place where Kumara had slayed Tarakasura. The Devas also created a beautiful lake near that place.
Kumara worshipped those Lingas appropriately and Lord Shiva blessed those Lingas.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 33 to 34)

• Stambheshwara Linga: Then the devas urged Skanda that they want to establish a Pillar (Sthambha) of Victory at that place. Also, Kumara should fix the third Linga created by Vishwakarma on top of that Pillar of Victory. Kumara acceded to their request. This Linga came to be known as Stambheshwara Linga. To the west of that, Skanda created a well with his Shakti weapon through which Ganga flowed.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 35)

• Siddheshwara Linga: Thereafter, Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Devas collectively established a Linga to commemorate their siddhi (accomplishment of goal of killing Tarakasura). This Linga came to be known as Siddheshwara Linga. Near that Linga, a tank was created by the Devas.
(Skanda Purana - Kaumarika Khanda - 36)

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