KarmaVaani
Shaiva tradition
कार्तिकेयKartikeya
Murugan · Skanda · Subrahmanya · Shanmukha
Son of Shiva and Parvati, commander of the gods' army; Murugan of the Tamil lands.
- Abode
- Mount Kailasa; the hills of Tamil Nadu
- Consort
- Valli and Devasena
- Vahana
- Peacock (Paravani)
- Colour
- Golden-red
- Arms
- 2
Kartikeya was born to lead the gods against the demon Taraka, who could be killed only by a son of Shiva. Raised by the six Krittika stars, he has six faces. In the north he is Skanda, the war god of the Puranas; in Tamil Nadu he is Murugan, the beloved young god of the hills, worshipped at his six abodes, the Arupadai Veedu.
Mantra
ॐ शरवणभवाय नमः
Om Saravanabhavaya Namaha
Salutations to the one born in the reed forest: the six-syllable mantra of Murugan.
How Kartikeya is shown
A radiant youth standing before a peacock, holding the vel spear, crowned; as Shanmukha he is shown with six faces and twelve arms.
- Vel (spear)
- Given by Parvati: wisdom that pierces ignorance.
- Peacock
- The ego and pride, tamed and ridden.
- Rooster banner
- The dawn of knowledge.
- Six faces
- The six Krittikas who nursed him, and sight in every direction.
Stories
The fruit of knowledge
Losing the race around the world to Ganesha, the young Murugan left Kailasa in hurt pride and went to the hill of Palani. Shiva and Parvati followed and told him that he himself was the fruit (pazham) of wisdom: Palani.
