Vaishampayana said : Having heard this excellent discourse on religion, Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) again

Yudhishthira said: Why did in the days of yore, Agni hide himself in water and why did the greatly effulgent Angirasa convey the oblations by becoming Agni, when Agni had disappeared?

O exalted one, there is but one fire, but it is seen, according to the nature of its actions as many. I desire to hear all this.

How Kumara (Kartikeya) was born, how he came to be known as the son of Agni and how he was begotten by Rudra (Shiva) on Ganga and Krittika?

O best of the Bhrigu race, O great Rishi, I desire to hear all this in detail. I am filled with great curiosity.

Markandeya said : This is the old history cited as an instance, in which (is related) why Agni in wrath went to the forest to perform asceticismi.

And why the exalted, Angirasa, transforming himself into Agni, destroyed all the darkness and distress (the world) by his splendour.

O mighty-armed hero, in the days of yore Angiras performed severe asceticism in his herinitage. That highly exalted one even excelled Agni. Becoming such he illuminated the whole universe.

Agni was then performing asceticism and he became greatly aggrieved with that effulgence. That greatly powerful deity was greatly sorry, but he did not know what to do.

The exalted one thus reflected, “Another Agni was created by Brahma.

As I am practising asceticism my services as Agni have been dispensed with.” He then considered how he could again become the deity of fire.

Seeing the great Rishi giving heat to the entire universe, he came to him with fear; thereupon Angiras said,

"Soon become Agni, the protector of the world, you are celebrated over the three stable worlds.

You Agni was first created by Brahma to dispel darkness. O destroyer of darkness, do you quickly occupy your own place."

Agni said : My reputation has been destroyed in this world, you have become the fire, people will know you as Agni and not me.

I have relinquished my god-hood of fire, do you become primeval fire. I shall act as the second Prajapatya fire.

Angiras said: O deity of fire, do you become the fire-god and the destroyer of darkness. Do you attend to your sacred duty of clearing people's way to heaven. O god, make me your first child.

Markandeya said : O king, having heard the words of Angiras, Agni did as desired; Angiras had a son, named Brihaspati.

O descendant of Bharata, knowing him to be the first son of Angiras by Agni, the celestials came and enquired about the mystery.

Having been thus addressed by the celestials, he told them the reason; and the celestials accepted the explanation of Angiras.

I shall (now) describe to you various sorts of fire of great effulgence which are known to the Brahmanas by their respective names.