Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2329

c9.2329

2) Birth of Subrahmaṇya. Because of the power of Śiva's semen consumed by Agni, his glow began getting diminished. Agni complained of it to the Devas who sent him over to Brahmā. On his way to Brahmā Agni met Gaṅgādevī whom he told thus: "I can in no way bear this semen of Śiva and if I get rid of it, it will burn the entire world. So, you please take charge of it so that you have a noble son. Gaṅgā's reply to this was simply to ask Agni to throw the semen into her waters and Agni did so. As the semen had remained with Agni for nearly 5000 years, his flesh, blood hair, etc. had become golden in colour and hence Agni came to be called from that day onwards Hiraṇyaretas.