Karttikeya

Hail to the conqueror Karttikeya, whom the Tamil people revere as Murugan, who marshals Devá into war. Was he born of Shiva and Parvati through Agni’s misadventure, his birth saving the World from erupting into flames? Or did Agni and Svaha or the Ganges River bear him, that the Krittika stars might raise him? His prowess alone averted annihilation at Tarakasura’s hands.

In a pantheon of warriors, none without martial power, he is the soldier among soldiers, the match of Durga. Whereas many other Devá are associated with Aryan conquerors, who swept into North India from Central Asia and subjugated the locals with chariot technology, Karttikeya bridges the gap between Aryan and Dravidian, reminding Indians they are strongest when they unite behind divine leadership.

Karttikeya’s avatars reveal themselves whenever there is need for a general among generals, at the moment of greatest urgency: in the village under attack by marauding warlords, on the street where the bully threatens weaker children, Karttikeya shows one of his six faces. His favored form bears all the weapons he has mastered at once. Skilled with the bow, javelin, chakram, mace, and sword, his favored armament is Parvati’s spear, which he wields with unchecked power from his peacock’s saddle.

At once he is the divine bachelor Kumaraswami, and the husband of Devasena and Valli. Karttikeya enjoys prayer festivals in northern and eastern India as well as throughout the Tamil diaspora. Durga Puja also highlights him as Durga’s child via Parvati. But despite his popularity, he and his Scions must tread lightly around other Pantheons, for their very presence unnerves others as living rumors of war. Whereas Durga represents defense and security, Karttikeya rules conquest, whether he likes it or not. Should the Devás ever take up arms against other Pantheons, Karttikeya knows he or his Scions must lead the charge.