A History of Indian Literature v3.c35.s6.3

v3.c35.s6.3

Of these two epics in all probability Kumārasaṁbhava², "The Birth of Kumāra", is older. Kumāra is the name of the war-god Skanda, who, according to mythology, was procreated by Lord Śiva for the purpose of commandeering gods in their war against the demons. Cantos I-VIII however just describe how Umā, the daughter of the Himālaya (hence commonly called Pārvatī "daughter of the mountain"), won the affection of the terribly stern ascetic god Śiva, practising severe penance, merely through sheer power of her youthful beauty and succeeded in getting him as her husband.