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==== वह्निगर्भः ॥ Vahnigarbha ====

==== वह्निगर्भः ॥ Vahnigarbha ====

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Sarga 36 and 37<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/vr_index.htm Balakanda Sarga 36])</ref>) details the birth of Kaartikeya यत्र जातो महातेजाः कार्तिकेयो अग्नि संभवः |   

Valmiki Ramayana ( Balakanda Sarga 36 and 37<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga37/bala_37_frame.htm Balakanda Sarga 37])</ref>) details the birth of Kaartikeya यत्र जातो महातेजाः कार्तिकेयो अग्नि संभवः |   

Although we see a few versions of this event, generally it is said that the devatas request Bhudevi to receive Shiva’s energy (formed due to divine association with Parvati for 300 divyayugas). Once received part of it becomes the element gold and the rest of it, unable to be borne by her, is transferred to Agni upon the request of the devatas. Agni, unable to bear the effulgence, requests Gangadevi to accept it, who then bears a six-headed child and she slips Him in the Sharavana reeds in a forest near the river. Hence Shiva's son is also called Vahnigarbha (Agni), Gaangeya (Gangadevi) and Sharavana (as he is born in Sharavana reeds). Thereafter, the six stars of Krittika, feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence he is called as Kaartikeya in honor of the six mothers who cared for him.   

Although we see a few versions of this event, generally it is said that the devatas request Bhudevi to receive Shiva’s energy (formed due to divine association with Parvati for 300 divyayugas). Once received part of it becomes the element gold and the rest of it, unable to be borne by her, is transferred to Agni upon the request of the devatas. Agni requests Gangadevi to accept Shiva's effulgence, who then bears a six-headed child and she unable to contain the tejas any longer slips Him in the Sharavana reeds in a forest near the river. Hence Shiva's son is also called Vahnigarbha (through Agni), Gaangeya (through Gangadevi) and Sharavana (as he is born in Sharavana reeds). Thereafter, the six stars of Krittika, feed and raise the six-headed boy. Hence he is called as Kaartikeya in honor of the six mothers who cared for him.   

Parvati angry at being denied motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness henceforth. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, also curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings (King is called as Bhupati). She curses Agni that he would be an all-consumer, without distinction between pure and impure things and and everything that touches him would turn into ash (bhasma).  

Parvati angry at being denied motherhood curses that the Devas wives would be infertile and never enjoy parental happiness henceforth. She angered by Prithvi for being a part of this matter, also curses her to be uneven and 'one with many husbands' (Earth having many landscapes is ruled by many kings (King is called as Bhupati). She curses Agni that he would be an all-consumer, without distinction between pure and impure things and and everything that touches him would turn into ash (bhasma).  

Svahadevi, places Agni's energy so fallen 6 times, in a pot, which takes the form of lustrous boy with 6 heads and pairs of hands. This valorous son of Agni was called Skanda by maharshi Viswamitra. Saptarishis except Vasishta hearing this news forsake their wives assuming infidelity on their part. However, later on learning the truth, they take their wives back (Maha. Vanaparva Adhyaya 223 - 227)<ref>Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 2 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata%2002_%20Sanskrit-Hindi_Pandit%20Ramnarayan_Gita%20Press#page/n723/mode/2up Vanaparva Adhyaya 225]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>. Skanda, as the leader of the army of devatas was instrumental in the death of Taarakasura. Indra then offers his daughter, Devasena, to Skanda.   

Svahadevi, places Agni's energy so fallen 6 times, in a pot, which takes the form of lustrous boy with 6 heads and pairs of hands. This valorous son of Agni was called Skanda by maharshi Viswamitra. Saptarishis except Vasishta hearing this news forsake their wives assuming infidelity on their part. However, later on learning the truth, they take their wives back (Maha. Vanaparva Adhyaya 223 - 227)<ref>Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 2 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata%2002_%20Sanskrit-Hindi_Pandit%20Ramnarayan_Gita%20Press#page/n723/mode/2up Vanaparva Adhyaya 225]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>. Skanda, as the leader of the army of devatas was instrumental in the death of Taarakasura. Indra then offers his daughter, Devasena, to Skanda.   

In the Anushasana Parva (Adhyayas 84 to 86)<ref name=":3">Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 6 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n353/mode/2up Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 85]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>, the legend of Kartikeya is touched upon again (continued as given in Ramayana). When the effulgence of Shiva slipped and Parvati became angry as she was denied the privilege of bearing Shiva's son, she cursed the Devatas that henceforth they will not bear children. When devatas approach Brahma, he instructs them to search for Agni, who was absent and hence excluded from the curse of Parvati. Devatas go in search of him and finally find him hiding in the Sami tree. When requested   

In the Anushasana Parva (Adhyayas 84 to 86)<ref name=":3">Pt. Ram Narayandatt. Mahabharat Volume 6 ( [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n353/mode/2up Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 85]) Gorakhpur: Gita Press</ref>, the legend of Kartikeya is touched upon again (continued as given in Ramayana). When the effulgence of Shiva slipped and Parvati became angry as she was denied the privilege of bearing Shiva's son, she cursed the Devatas that henceforth they will not bear children. When devatas approach Brahma, he instructs them to search for Agni, who was absent and hence was excluded from the curse of Parvati. Devatas go in search of him and finally find him hiding in the Sami tree. They request him to transfer his tejas along with the effulgence of Shiva to Ganga. Gangadevi bears the tejas until a certain time and then unable to bear it leaves it in the reeds. That tejas partly becomes gold and partly into a boy who is called as Gangeya. Since Agni was also an instrument in the creation of gold - he is called hiranyaretas and earth which bore the gold or vasu was known as Vasumati.   

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

=== अग्निप्रवेसम् ॥ Agnipravesham ===

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda Sarga 118<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga118/yuddha_118_frame.htm Yuddhakanda Sarga 118])</ref>) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Sri Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the place of her choice. Unable to bear the thought of going anywhere else other than being with her husband Rama, she choses to enter the fire. Agni proving Sita's chastity returns her back to Sri Rama. There are different versions to this event, however, the role of Agni is as a witness to all deeds and as a purifier has been significant throughout different eras.   

Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddhakanda Sarga 118<ref>Valmiki Ramayana ([http://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sarga118/yuddha_118_frame.htm Yuddhakanda Sarga 118])</ref>) describes the Agnipareeksha or 'Fire ordeal' undergone by Sitadevi after death of Ravanaasura. Bhagavan Sri Rama, informs Sita that he has released her from her bondage from Ravanaasura and that she is free to go to the place of her choice. Unable to bear the thought of going anywhere else other than being with her husband Rama, she choses to enter the fire. Agni proving Sita's chastity returns her back to Sri Rama. There are different versions to this event, however, the role of Agni is as a witness to all deeds and as a purifier has been significant throughout different eras.