This is what Mahabharat says about Kartikeya. Sage Vaishampayan said this story to king Janmejaya.
The effulgence (seed) of Lord Shiv fell into fire. It was so powerful that even Agni god could not burn it. Instead, Agni god got great energy and splendour due to that. But he was not able to bear that seed of mighty energy. Commanded by Lord Brahma, Agni put the seed into Ganga. Ganga was also unable to hold it. She cast it Himalaya, which was on the bank of Ganga.
Thus a child was born on Himalaya. The entire mountain looked beautiful because of the splendour of the child. The six Krittikas saw that child of great splendour. All the six Krittikas cried aloud, saying, "This child is mine, this child is mine!" The child assumed six mouths so that all the six Kritikkas could become his mother. Since Krittikas became his mother, the child came to be called by the name of Kartikeya. Gandharvas and apsaras sand and danced in praise of Kartikeya. Brihaspati (the guru of gods) came and performed the usual rites of the child.
Kartikya was growing up, being taken care of by his six mothers. One day, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiv, Ganga, Parvati, Shiv-gans and gods came to him. Each one of Lord Shiv, Parvati, Ganga Agni thought, "The child will first come to me."
In order to fulfill the expectations of all four, Kartikeya assumed four forms. These four forms were called as Skanda, Shakh, Vishakh, Sakha, and Naigameya. Skanda went to Shiv, Shakh to Agni, Vishakh to Parvati and Naigameya to Ganga.
Lord Brahma announced that Skanda would be the senapati of the gods. The gods took him to a spot at the bank of river Sarasvati. Himavat gave him a seat adorned with costly gems. The gods brought all kinds of auspicious articles. Then Brihaspati performed the rituals to make him the senapati of gods. The celestials gave thousands of heroic companions to Skanda, who assisted him in the battle against asuras.
Agni gave Kartikeya a dart, Indra gave him a banner (for his chariot), Vishnu gave him a garland, which enhances the might of the wearer. Garuda gave him a peacock. Parvati gave him beautiful clothes. Ganga gave him divine water-pot and Brihaspati gave him a sacred stick. Varun gave him a snake of great energy and might. Lord Brahma gave him a black deer-skin. He also gave him the boon of victory.
The gods proceeded for battle against demons. There was fierece fight. Skanda's dart was such that when he threw it, then millions of darts were produced from it. Sometimes Skanda fought in one form and sometimes he assumed many forms in the battle. He killed many mighty demons, including Tarakasur.
comment:
p_commentcount