Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c26.9

v4.c26.9

It is stated about Skanda that because he was honoured by Rudra he was the son of Rudra. Again the brāhmaṇas call Agni Rudra; consequently Kārttikēya is the son of Rudra; the seed which was discharged by Rudra became a white mountain and this seed of Agni was formed by the Kṛittikās on the white mountain. Skanda, that most eminent deity, being born of Agni, who was Rudra and from Svāhā and the six wives of the ṛishis was the son of Rudra. Thus then it will be seen a sort of confusion arose about the real parentage of Skanda and attempts are made to establish the identity of Agni with Rudra. This identity is based upon the Vēdic assertions that Agni is the same as Rudra.