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Scripted and edited by V.D.N.Rao
Shakti hastam Virupaaksham Shikhvaaham Shadaananam, Daarunam- Ripu- Rogaghnam, bhaavayet kukkuta dhvajam/
Consequent to the flash back of Daksha Yajna Dhvamsa- Devi Sati’s Yagjnaahuti- the Fury of Shiva Tandava – the Emergence of Shakti Peethas- Shiva’s extreme tapsya-Devi Parvati’s bhakti and service to Shiva the Maha Tapasvi-Indra Deva’s secret plan for the wedding of ‘Shiva -Parvati’- Brahma’s boon to Tarakasura that only Parama Shiva’s brilliant son could kill Tarakasura- Manmatha’s flowery and amorous arrows disturbing Shiva Tapasya – Trinetra Prayoga burning Manmadha’s physique yet rejuvenated by Maya Shakti- followed the glorious birth of Skanda Kumara and the extermination of Tarakasura for ‘Loka Kalyana’.
As the Universal adversary Tarakasura’s arrival on Prithvi and relentless tapasya to Brahma who granted the boon of invincibility, the Asura resorted to destroying ‘varnaashrama vyavastha’, ‘veda brahmana kaaraagaara’, ‘stree maana bhangas’. He perpetrated untold harrassment to Maharshis and Celestials, declaroing : ‘I am Ishvara, Sarva Devata-Brahmana-Kula Devata’ ! Maha Munis and Indraadi Devas approached Maha Vishnu who was in Yoga Nidra and thus approached Parama Shiva who left Kailasa foe severe tapasya in deep mountain caves ‘in cognito’. Then there was an ‘aakasha vaani’ announcement that only Shiva Putra Skanda could destroy Tarakasura, and Indraadi Devas broke into rapturous dances.They made a desperate appeal to ‘Maha Maya Shakti, Loka Rakshaakari, Paratparakala’; then a thunderous voice was heard that they should initiate prayers to Devi Parvati of my ‘amsha’ who had already appeared as Himaputri to reach Parama Shiva for performing nitya seva of Shiva – as a bhilini or mountain tribe woman to serve the latter for fetching puja dravyas like flowers, fruits etc in his tapasya with her singular desire to be the life patner. As Maha Maya thus assured, Indra and Devottamas convened a ‘Meet’ and the resolution was that Manmadha and Devi Rati be at once summoned to cooperate in the ‘Maha Deva Karya of Shiva- Parvati Parinaya’! Kaama Deva with the request to Agni Deva to be involved in the divine task of Tarakasura Vadha so that even the ‘achanchala manas’ of Parama Shiva in deep tapsya might be diluted.
Kama Deva having reached the picturesque spot where Lord Shiva was in deep tapasya, he found the atmosphere was clean with gorgeous and green surroundings of huge trees, splendid and aromatic flowers, transparent flows of water, and in all a highly romantic yet ideal background for concentration. Manmadha hid himself in the bushes but the Lord realised that there appeared to be slight disturbance of plant trees and winds. From his celestial vision, Parama Shiva discovered Manmadha with pointed flowery arrows in both of his hands! He twisted his eye brows even as the ‘Phala Chandra’ on his fore- head was alerted and raised his tone saying: who had created this sinful creature facing death! Kamadeva trembled in fear and prayed to Indraadi Devas in waste and looked up Maha Deva seeking pardon but the latter opened up His third eye above and His eyebrows opened up with a single flap and Manmadha was done to ashes instantly. Indraadi devaas were frightened in shudder and approached Maha Deva in repeated prostrations seeking his pardon as they did so only for Loka Kalyaana! Meanwhile Bhilini appeared, eased the tensions as thus displayed, cooled down Shiva gradually, pardoned the prostrating Indraadis in shivers and lightened the total atmosphere with diluted humour. Parama Shiva too smiled and invited the ‘bhilini’ and flew off by the Nandeeswara to Kailasa!
Ever during the honey moon period for several years, Devi Parvati continued her feelings of guilt in her inner conscience recalling the desperate and frustrated beggings of Indraadi Devas. In a distressed and frantic Brihaspati the Acharya of Indradi Devas appeared in her vision while ‘samasta devaganas’ headed by Indra was performing Maya Yagjna for the destruction of Tarakasura. As intructed by Brihaspati and Indra, Agni Deva approached Devi Parvati and Shiva as a mendicant at their doorstep for begging; the startled Parama Shiva even advising Parvati to don her vastras at once, dropped his semen. Agni was taken aback as even a drop of the semen could burn off Prithvi and the entire samsaara could be turned into ashes. By this instant reaction, Agni swallowed the drops and spitted off the drops in Holy Ganga and purified himself and left away. Agni could never bring in sukha-shantis to the Lokas theresince! That was time when Surya entered the Tula Raasi in Shouramaana Kartika Month, when Agni Deva sought for Deha Shuddhi in the ‘ushah kaala’ snaana in pavitra Ganga and spitted off and got self purification, Agni could never bring in sukhs shantis to Lokas eversince. As Agni exited, Six Krittika Devis too were also seeking shuddhi snaanas and inadvertanly swallowed drops of Parama Shiva’s veerya but spitted off too on the‘sarkhandas’ / grass roots on the river bank. Sage Narada seeking Shivadarshana noticed this scene in his microscopic vision and instatnly carried the ‘sarkhandas’or the grass roots on the banks of Ganga to Devi Parvati and eventually a Six headed Shanmukha was born to Devi Parvati as caused by the Six Kritthika Devis! Narada exclaimed as follows:
Aagacchantaa maya drishto Gauri! Maarge tavaatmajah, Shanmukho dwaadashaa bhujo Suryakoti samaprabhah/ Gangaateere nipatisti tasyakste Shanmukho nu kim,koti kandarpashobhaadyo garjitakhobhitaakhilah/ Katham nishthutaakaari Gauri sundara baalake/
Devi Parvati! On my way to Kailasa, I noticed your magnificent and unparalleled son in an embroy form as with six faces and twelve hands with ‘koti Surya samaana kanti’ on the banks of holy Ganga. By his birth, samasta lokas are reverberated with shrieks of joy and relief!
On seeing the glorious countenance of Kumara, Devi Parvati was elated with ‘tanmayata’ as her breasts automatically sprang up with streams of milk and embraced and showered kisses on his cheeks, especially with his touch with mouth to start sucking. She then ruminated as where was Agni- Ganga-Krittikas-and Narada, leave alone Parama Shiva! As the boy grew up there was the namakarana ceremony for which Brahma Deva and Deva Guru Brihaspati arrived. The experts decided that since the Kumara was born in the month of Kartika, the boy’s first name should be Kartikeya besides very many. However, since Six Krittikas were on the scene of his birth the boy be named as Shanmatura and Shanmukha or Shadaanana.. Since the Baalaka was destined to demolish Tarakasura, he be named as Tarakajit. Since he was born from Shiva veerya, he also be named as Skanda Deva. As the boy was to eventually be the Chief of Deva Sena, he be named as Senapati. In the celebrations of naama karana festival of Kumara, Devas and Muni gana were in raptures, Apsaras danced away, Narada Tumburas joined the musical reverbarations of Gandharvas, and the entirety of three crore Devatas headed by Indra and overseen by Trimurtis blessed Kartikeya heartily. On this happy occasion, Indra and Devas who were already in attendance sought a special darshan of Karetikeya, made a special puja to him and as the latter was pleased, honoured Kartikeya to be the Head of Devasena with the title of Senapati. They then politely broached the topic of Lokakantaka Tarakasura vadha. As years rolled by with Kartikeya’s vidya prapti and yagjnopaveeta dharana, Kartikeya became mentally and physically mighty far behind his childhood experiences like his enamour to reach and kiss Chandra Deva and Brahma made a timely warning politely! But now, Kumara had since accomplished buddhi of Brihaspati and shakti far beyond of Indra. Eventually he met his parents Shiva and Devi Parvati, praised Shiva on his famed victories like against Tripurasura ! Indeed, You are Sarvagjna, Sarvaantaryaami and Savavyaapi! Do very mercifully instruct me such a unique vrata pujavidhana which is ‘sarva siddhi daayaka, putra sampadvrisddhi daayaka, sarva paapa naashaka and dharmaartha kaama daayaka and most importantly sarva shatru vijaya shubha daayaka’!
The above is about the glory of Skanda Deva as per Ganesha Purana. There are three versions of Skanda Deva janana and Mahatmya in Padma Purana, Skanda Purana and Matsya Puranas; especially in regard to Skanda Kumara Janma and His everlasting magnificance.
Padma Purana first
It traces back the birth of Takakasura and his destruction by Lord Kumara Swami as follows: Sage Kashyap blessed his wife Diti to give birth to a great warrior ‘Vajranga’ who like a diamond was unbreakable and indestructible. Diti desired to avenge the killing of several Asuras in the past by Indra and asked Vajranga to defeat and bring down Indra imprisoned in person; on doing so, Diti put Indra to shame and released him saying that his subduing was worse than his death. Meanwhile, Vajranga did severe Tapasya to Brahma and the latter created Varangi as the wife of Vajranga. Brahma gave a boon to the pair that a Maha Shaktivaan called Tarakasura would be born after being retained for thousand years in confinement. There were harsh earthquakes and sea-uprisings when the Asura was born and the parents were filled with wild joy and excitement. As the boy attained youth, he turned out to be a frightening demon and developed friendship with other Asuras like Kujambha and Mahisha. Eventually, he reached a Pariyatra Mountain to perform Tapasya without food for hundred years, for another hundred years by consuming only dried leaves and for additional years by drinking water only. Brahma was pleased and gave a boon of invincibility except for a child of seven days of age, to be born of Shiva. After securing the boon from Brahma, Tarakasura raised a huge army of ten crore well-versed and trained soldiers along with the armies of renowned Asuras like Mahisha, Kunjara, Megha, Kaalanemi, Nimi, Manthana, Jambhaka and Sumbha. As Tarakaura declared war with Indra and Devas, Indra commissioned Vayu Deva as an emissary as per the advice of Deva Guru Brishaspati, but the mission failed and so did the proverbial Four ways of ‘Rajaniti’ or the Art of Politics viz. Sama (War-Counselling), Daana (luring by gifts), Bheda or by using the dividing politics of the opponents and Associates and finlally ‘danda’ or actual war. Yamaraja was the Senapati, the Commander sitting over his Vahana Buffalo; Indra sat on his Durjayta ratha (chariot) with Malini as his driver; and all other Devas like Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Kubera, Chandra and Aditya, besides Ashvini Kumars, Marudganas, Sandhyaganas, Yakshas, Gandharvas etc. But Tarakasura was too powerful to Devas whose soldiers were badly bruised and ran without direction. Indra and Devas approached Brahma and he replied that none excepting a seven day son of Shiva and Devi Parvati, called ‘Kartikeya’ could kill Tarakasura and none else in the world.At this juncture, Indra prayed to Sage Narada to advise further plan in the context of the birth of Kartikeya. The Sage designed a route-map of action, first to approach Himavanta and his wife Mena as also Parvati to prepare them to wed Mahadeva; to secure access to Mahadeva for his consent to let Parvati assist the former in his daily Pujas and approach Kama Deva and Rati Devi to stealthly despatch ‘Pushpa Baanas’ or Amorous Arrows of Love in favour of Parvati while she was in service to Mahadeva. But the Plan did not quite succeed as Mahadeva’s eyes searched for Kama Deva and burnt him off with his third eye. As Devi Rati prayed to Maha Deva, the latter assured that Kama Deva would soon be created again as ‘Ananga’ or devoid of Physique. As Devi Parvati was shaken by the news of Kama Deva’s turning into ashes, she decided to take to Tapasya; her father Himavan addressed the daughter to say: ‘U’ ‘Ma’ meaning ‘Don’t do so’! But still she left to such a Place to perform rigorous Tapasya where even Devas did not desire to visit and was so inaccessible at the heights of Himalayas. As the Plan as scripted by Narada Muni was not yet in place, Indra prayed to ‘Sapta Rishis’ to intervene. The Rishis tested her unambiguous decision to perform the severe Tapasya by arguing with her that she was bent on marrying Maha Deva and none else; in fact she became angry with the Rishis that she reacted sharply against them and even condemned them to suggest any other name as her spouse excepting Shiva Deva. Sapta Rishis approached Maha Deva, underlined Parvati’s strong mental make up to wed only Maha Deva and emphasised the angle of ‘Loka Kalyan’ or the Universal Cause of destroying Tarakasura which could be accomplished only through the wedding with Parvati.Taking the consent of Maha Deva, Saptarishis negotiated the transaction of the holy wedding of Shiva and Parvati successfully and smoothly. At the appointed Muhurtha, the Greatest, the Most Auspicious and Most Unique Wedding of Shiva Parvati was celebrated in which Vishnu and Brahma along with Lakshmi and Vani took active part and so did Indra, Devas, Dikpalakas, the Planets along with their spouses; Yakshas, Danavas, Kimpurushas, Pramathaganas and Piscachas were all thrilled; Gandharvas sang tuneful songs, Apsaras danced away to their glories and Maharshis and Muniganas chanted Vedas and Hymns. Such an event was neither commemorated in the Yugas that preceded nor followed. As Devi Parvati and Shiva were enjoying their post-wedding life in beautiful gardens and Sarovars, one fine morning Parvati desired to take her bath and sought to clean up her body dirt after applying scented oils and made an idol of a handsome boy whose head resembled that of an elephant. Shiva played with that idol of a boy for a while and threw it in Ganga who was Parvati’s companion. Ganga brought the idol back from the flow and interestingly the boy became real with life and Devas called him as Gajanana and worshipped him; Brahma gave Gajanana the authority to head Ganas and was called as Ganapati or Ganadhyaksha eversince.
For a number of years, Shiva and Parvati were in a joyful mood after their marriage and there was little news for Indras and Devas about the possible arrival of Kartikeya who alone could terminate Tatakasura. Agni Deva took the form of a parrot and entered the Palace of Shiva and Parvati who found that Parvati was enjoying a bath in a Sarovar playing with lotus flowers and Lord Shiva was resting in his bed. She found six Krittikas in the Sarovar and told them that she was desirous of seeing the water drops inside the lotus bulbs; the Kritthikas replied in fun that they would show the water drops provided they allow them also to share the joy of a child in her ‘garbha’! The Krittikas further said that they should allow them too to own the child as their own as much as that of Devi Parvati and she agreed to the mutual deal; Krittikas showed the water drops inside the lotus bulb and drank them. As soon as she drank the water drops, there emerged a handsome and healthy boy from Devi Parvati’s right abdomen with Sun-like luster and a powerful Physique wearing a ‘Shula’ and ‘Ankush’ in both of his hands. He was called ‘Kumar’ as many entities claimed parentage maily of course by Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati but also the Krittikas and even Agni. The boy had six brilliant faces and was popularly called by several names viz.Vishakha, Shanmukha, Skanda, Shadaanana and Kartikeya. Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and various Devas gifted the Child several valuable souvenirs like Chandan, Malas, Dhup, Toys, Umbrellas, and Bhushans and instantly appointed him as the Senapati or the Commander-in-Chief of Devas. Lord Vishnu presented several ‘Ayudhas’ or Arms; Kubera provided ten lakh of Yaksha Sena; Agni gave his Tej (Radiance) and Vayu provided speed as his ‘Vahan’ (Chariot). Kumar desired to ascertain as to what he could do for them and in one voice they wanted the demon Tarakasura to be killed and Kumar assured saying: So be it! Inspired by what Skanda Deva guaranteed, Indra sent an emissary to Tarakasura saying that soon Indra and Devas would arrive to destroy the demon and his followers. Danavas wondered that an additional Shakti must have joined the Deva Sena as otherwise they would not dare send a messenger alerting them to come prapared for a battle! Tarakasura remembered Brahma’s boon to him with the qualification of the risk of his death in the hands of a boy! Even Kalanemi and other Daityas had creepy feelings about the might of the stranger who joined the Deva Sena. As Tarakasura saw finally saw the so-called additional Shakti, he laughed away and made fun of the baby boy; he said that Devas did great injustice in projecting him ahead of them so that they could conveniently run away if need be! Kumar replied that there was no need to make fun of us since in a battle of ‘Shastras’, there was the brain power that was important but not the brute force; moreso, one did not require a huge serpent to kill an opponent but even a tiny snake could finish off the enemy by a small bite of poison! Bala Surya was always difficult to look at and never under-estimate a boy! Even as Kumar’s reply was over, the Asura threw a musala but the reply by way of a mighty Chakra from Kumar was instantaneous. The Daitya threw a metallic Bhindipal which Kumar stopped merely by one of his hands. Kartikeya targetted a ferocious mace which made ear-blowing sound and the demon was hardly able to escape its impact. The demon then realised that this boy was not an ordinary kid and one had to be tough with him; he used a very powerful Shastra which was undone by Kartikeya instantly. Then Kartikeya came into his form and massacred thousands of demons and the so-called mighty demons like Kalanemi could hardly defend themselves and ran away to save their skins. As a last resort, Tarakasura hit Kumar’s vahana of Peacock and going wild with this act, Kumara finally used the ‘Nirmal Shakti’ in his hands and threw it with force and speed and the Shakti dazzled the demon’s vision; he tried his best but could not evade it since it flew behind wherever he went and ultimately pierced into his heart as the mountain-like Tarakasura fell making a thud, like a cloud-burst and the handful soldiers of the huge army of Davanas left behind alive ran for their lives. Devas went into a state of ecstacy with loud shouts and battle-cries of relief showering fragrant flowers all around, Gandharvas sang earsplitting songs of victory, Apsaras danced with gay abandon and the whole Universe wore a memorable look of unprecedented carnival.Vishnu and Brahma were highly satisfied that finally Dharma an Nyaya were vindicated by Kumara. Maha Deva and Devi Parvati seated on Nandi with Ganesha and Kartikeya flew across to Kailasa Mountain witnessing festivities all along the route!Devas affirmed that whosoever read, or heard or analysed the Story of Kartikeya would be blessed; his life-span would increase, would become healthy, popular, and contented in life without unfufilled desires and at the end of Life would qualify for Salvation.
Skanda Purana too describes extermination of Tarakasura as follows: Lord Siva was engaged in continuous ‘Tapasya’in recluse and was disinterested in usual activities following the self-immolation of Devi Sati’s life after Daksha’s insults at Daksha Yagna. The Demon Tarakasura did rigorous penance and obtained a boon of invincibility except by a child of Lord Siva as the latter was in meditation and was very unlikely to wed and beget a child. Meanwhile King Himavant was blessed with a daughter Girija as Devi Bhagavati’s incarnation and at her age of eight approached Lord Siva to help Him for His daily pujas and Bhagavan agreed reluctantly. In course of time as Girija continued to serve Parama Siva in the chores of worship, the Deities, who were frustrated with the dreadful deeds of wickedness of Tarakasura hurting Devas, Sages, and the Righteous Beings, planned that Manmadha the God of Love along with Devi Rati would use his flowery arrows to kindle thoughts of Love in Bhagavan’s mind in favour of Devi Girija as a stepping stone for their wedding to beget a son to Siva and Girija who alone could kill the imperishable Tarakasura.But the plan of Devas got badly misfired, since Bhagawan’s third eye of fury opened and Manmadha got burnt as ashes. The inconsolate Rati Devi appealed to Lord Siva as after all it was at the behest of Devas that Manmadha acted for a ‘Devakarya’ or a Divine Task and the brunt was borne by her husband! Devi Girija assured Rati Devi that she would help to revive Manmadha and also please Bhagavan to ask for her hand in wedding. She commenced such rigorous meditation as would shake up the whole Universe by not taking food for long, not even consuming dried leaves dropped from trees thus earning an epithet of ‘Aparna’ and finally even discarding water. As the Trilokas were ablaze with the heat of her Tapasya, Devas and Sages approached Lord Vishnu who assured that Bhagavan Siva was indeed a ‘Purana Purusha’ or the Most Ancient, approachable to one and all with clean mind; Varenya or Varaneeya (Devotion worthy) and the Paratpar Paramatma. Thus along with Brahma and Devas, Vishnu prayed for the vision of Pinakadhari Maha Deva who was in a Yoga Samadhi with Vasuki Serpent as Yagnopaveet or the Sacred Thread, Kambal and Aswatar Snakes as His earrings, Karkotak and Kulik as wrist ornaments, Shankh and Padma Serpents as shoulder ornaments, tiger skin as loin cloth, Bhagirathi Ganga and Ardha Chandra or half moon on His head inside the jatajut or His twisted hair and Blue Throat, while Nandi Deva too was nearby. As Lord Brahma eulogised Maha Deva, slowly the latter opened His eyes and described the prevailing situation created by Demon Tarakasura, Brahma’s boon that only Bhagavan’s son could kill him, the efforts made by Himaraja and Devi Girija whose Tapasya of extreme nature was bursting into flames across the Universe, the burning of Manmadha and Sati’s agitation and finally the grand request being submitted to Bhagavan to wed Devi Girija which would eventually lead to the birth of an Illustrious Son who would exterminate the hazardous Demon Tarakasura.Bhagavan replied that as far as Kama Deva was concerned, the decision to burn him off was justified as all the Devas and such other Celestial Beings who had been victims of passion and worldly temptations were unstable of mind and action thas far and after Kamadahan or the destruction of Kama, they would all be like Himself and could all now concentrate in Samadhi the pursuance of Truth and Virtue and seek real bliss of Sat-Chit-Ananda; Bhagavan further said that ‘Kama’ would inevitably lead to ‘Krodha’ or anger, Krodha would lead to ‘Sammoha’or infatuation and rigidity of thinking, Sammoha would further lead to ‘Bhrama’ or Maya / Illusion which would for sure camouflage Reality or Truth or the Everlasting; thus Kama the root cause be better put ablaze. Meanwhile Parvati was fully engrossed in high meditation. Bhagavan Siva was indeed impressed but desired to test her sincerity and unswerving attachment to Him. He took the form of a Brahmachari and enquired from Devi Girija’s associates around her as to who she was and why was she performing such severe Tapasya? The associates replied to the queries and the Brahmachari had a hearty laugh that the Tapasya of such severity was a sheer waste as the Tapaswini was replete with ignorance since Rudra was an abhorable and wild person with a ‘kapaala’ (skull) in hand, a dweller of Smashaan (Burial Ground), an odd exhibitionist of poisonous serpents all over His Body, a bearer of Tiger skin as Loin Cloth, an unkempt and ugly hair style with water flowing from head, always in the highly inauspicious and disgusting company of Pisachas, Goblins, Pramatha Ganas and a typically crazy creation of God! This beautiful and attractive lady coming of a wonderful family background could indeed wed a Demi-God like Indra, Dharmaraja, Varuna Deva, Kubera, Vayu or Agni, but never ever that horrible species like Rudra! Devi Parvati got infuriated with white anger and asked the Brahmachari to be lifted and thrown out at once to have affronted such Mahatma; the stupid and arrogant person was an unpardonable sinner, a Veda-dushak and a brainless brute! Bhagavan Siva then showed up in His real form to Devi Parvati who felt shy and reminded Rudra that She was a reincarnation of Devi Sati and that She gave birth to Devi Meena with the immediate and noble cause of begetting a Son, who alone could free the Universe from the great peril of Tarakasura. On being asked her by Lord Siva for a boon, Devi Parvati desired that Bhagavan should approach her father Himavanta to allow Him to wed her! To this Siva replied that Parvati had indeed declared her real form of Maya or Illusion and that of Maha Tatva which was a display of the interaction of three Gunas of Satva, Rajas and Tamas and that He would never extend His hand to ‘receive’ as Bhagavan was always a ‘Giver’!!However, Bhagavan Siva deputed ‘Sapta Rishis’-the illustrious Seven Sages viz. Marichi, Atri, Angeera, Pulasthya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasishtha- to Himavant’s residence to formally present Devi Parvati and Himavant proposed his daughter to wed Siva after consulting the bride’s mother Mena and the co-Mountains like Meru, Nishadh, Gandhamadan, Mandarachal and Mainak. The Sapta Rishis who conveyed the most auspicious news to Siva and suggested that Lord Vishnu be immediately called and along with Him Lord Brahma, Indra, Dikpals, Devas, Rishiganas,Yakshas, Gandharvas, Nagas, Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Kinnaras, Apsaras and their spouses and cohorts. Sage Narada among the Sapta Rishis was commissioned to personally invite Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and Devas. Gargacharya was asked to supervise the rituals of the wedding and Viswakarma constructed the ‘Mangala Vedika’ or the Auspicious Platform to perform the Wedding and oversee the decorations. Chandra provided coolness in the atmosphere, Surya the luminosity, Vayu Deva blew fragrant airs and Indra organised dance, music and instrumental extravaganza. The Bridegroom arrived on Nandi, accompanied by Vishnu, Brahma and Devas, Maharshis, Pramathaganas, Rakshasas, Ghosts, Goblins, Pisachas and Spirits. Indeed the unprecedented and the Most Glorious Wedding of Siva-Parvati was the unique talk of the entire Universe. At the Wedding ‘Muhurat’, Himavan declared: ‘I, Himavan of the Gotra and clan of Mountains have the greatest privilege of offering the hand of my daughter Devi Parvati to Parama Siva in the august presence of Brahma and Vishnu. In turn, I wish to know the Gotra and Vamsa of Bhagavan’. As Sage Narada lifted his Veena instrument, Himavan stopped Narada not to play on it as a reply about the Gotra and Vamsa of Bhagavan; Narada told Himavan that the Gotra and Vamsa of Maha Siva was ‘Naad’ or Sound and that was why Narada lifted the Veena as a reply! Bhagavan is ‘Naadamaya’or the Embodiment of Naada and one could realise Siva only through Naada, as He has no Gotra and no Vamsa since He is above these nomenclatures and yet belongs to all Gotras and all Vamsas. He has neither beginning nor end; He is the Most Supreme Energy beyond comprehension! Then Himavan gave the ‘Kanyadaan’ or the offering of his daughter saying: ‘Imam Kanyaam thubhyamaham dadami Parameswara! Bharyartham prathi gruhneeshva’ (Parameswara! I am offering my daughter as your ‘Dharma Patni’; kindly accept). After wedding, Maha Deva and Devi Parvathi moved on to Mountain Gandhamadan to a luxurious and lonely place for their honeymoon. As Bhagavan’s virility was so potent that parts of humanity were getting destroyed and Vishnu asked Agni Deva to take the form of a Hermit and asked Parvati to donate it and extended his hand which was immediately consumed by Agni even before Her eyes. Parvati got angry and cursed Agni to become ‘Sarva Bhakshak’ or he who consumes everything. Agni could not bear the brunt of the virility of Maha Siva and begged Him to show a way to pass it on to someone; Siva advised that the same be planted into virtuous women and Sage Narada annotated that such women of high merit taking bath on an early morning in the instant month of Magha would be attracted to Agni and his hot flames and they would be the best choice for the transfer of the virility in particles. As advised by Narada, Krittikas approached Agni seeking warmth from the cold morning and Agni transferred some drops of virility to the ladies through their skin pores. Kritthikas got pregnant and their angry husbands gave a curse to them to roam on the Sky.They became Stars in a constellation and aborted their pregnancies. The major portion of the virility got left however on top of the Himalayas which was lifted by a crane and pushed into Ganges and the drops which were radiant like fire sparks got meshed up in the river bed plants (Sarkhand) of Ganges, who carried the foetus to a secluded place in the bushes thus emerging a Six Headed Child Kartikeya! As soon as the boy of highly chiselled face and limbs was born with extraodinary splendour, there was such illumination that travelled all over the Three Worlds instantly. Siva Deva and Devi Parvati appeared at once on their Vrishaba carrier and were overwhelmed with parental love and affection. Soon Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and the entire Devaloka assembled and so did Rishis, Yakshas, Gandharvas and all Celestial Beings. Veerabhadra and Pramathaganas as also the whole entourage of Maha Deva were ecstatic with boundless rapture. Devas put their chins up with indescribable relief that it would not be far for the greatest menace of Takakasura to be devastated by the new arrival on the scene! The whole atmosphere was of liberation, festivity and celebration. The Deities commenced preparations of war to kill Tarakasura but a Celestial Voice was heard that victory would be assured only under the Leadership of Kartikeya and hence all the Devas requested Skanda to become the Chief of the Army of Devas. Meanwhile, Devasena, the daughter of Mrityu Devata, became his wife and hence Skanda was known as Deva Senapati. Kartikeya led the army of Devas of the rank of Indra, Agni, Vayu, Kubera and Yama Dharma Raja and was seated on an elephant. Tarakasura arrived with a huge army of mighty warriors who dominated and controlled the opponents intially. Indra’s ‘Vajra’ was overpowered by Tarakasura’s weapon called Shakti and wounded Indra. King Muchukunda who fought for Devas and sought to stop the domination of Daityas but Tarakasura felled him on the ground; Muchukunda wanted to use the ‘Brahmaastra’ but was restrained by Sage Narada as that weapon would no doubt create havoc but would be ineffective to destroy Tarakasura and hence Kartikeya would have to be warmed up gradually.Veerabhadra swang into action and slaughtered thousands of Demons; Tarakasura realised that Veerabhadra was not easy to control and thus used his ‘Maya’ and assumed a thousand arms. Lord Vishnu suggested that the time was ripe to kill the Big Demon before he became more powerful and asked Skanda to charge him. With his mighty weapon Shakti on hand, Kartikeya chased Tarakasura but the latter retaliated with his own ‘Shakti’ and even got Skanda unconscious for a while. After quickly recovering his poise, Kartikeya prayed to his parents and released the Maha Shakti which was fortified with the blessings of Bhagavan and Bhagavati and finally annihilated Tarakasura who incidentally was a Great Siva Bhakta! But Siva Himself was so pleased at the valour of the lad who was more than a match to the Greatest Demon of the times who sent shock waves across the Three Worlds! While Devas and Gandharvas were engaged in unending praises and noise of resounding musical notes, Rishis were engaged in Vedic Hymns to please Kartikeya and there was ecstasy across the Globe. Whoever reads or hears the details of the historic victory of Deva Senapati over the obnoxious Demon would be rid of Sins of even great severity and magnitude.Sage Viswamitra recited the following Ashtottara Namavali (108 names) about Skanda Deva on the most significant day of Kartika Pournami of which Kartikaya is fond of as follows
(1)Brahmavaadi (Profounder of Parama Tatvas) (2) Brahma (Creator and the Reciter of Vedas) (3) Brahma Vid (The Exponent and Interpreter of Brahma Gyan) (4) Brahma Vatsala (The beloved of Lord Brahma) (5) Brahmanya ( Brahmana Bhakta) (6) Brahmadeva(7)Brahmad ( The Donor of Brahma Gyan) (8) Brahma Sangrah (The absorber of Vedardha or the Para Brahma’s reality) (9) Sarvotkrushta Parama Teja (The Highest of All of Super Luminosity) (10) Mangala Mangala (The Most Propitious of the Propitious)(11) Aprameya Guna ( He who has countless qualities) (12) Mantra Mantraga (The Quintessence of Mantras) (13) Savitrimaya (Full of Pranava or Omkara) (14) Sarvatra Aparajita ( Always unconquerable) (15) Sarvatmika Mantra (The universally applicable Mantra) (16)Deva (Replete with Divinity) (17) Shadakshara Vatam Vara (The best reciter of Om Namassivaya) (18) Gava Putra (The Illustrious Son of Cow or Ganges) (19) Surarighna (The Destroyer of the Enemies of Devas) (20) Sambhava (He who makes the Impossible possible) (21) Bhava bhaavana (The Creator of the Universe in the form of Brahma) (22) Pinakini ( The Carrier of Pinakini Dhanush in the form of Shankara)(23) Shatruha (The Terminator of Opponents) (24) Swetha ( He assumes the form of a white Mountain or Himalaya) (25) Guudha (Born in a hidden place or He who has latent Shakti) (26) Skanda (He who jumps while walking) (27) Suraagrani (The Chief of Suras)(28) Dwaadasha (Who has twelve eyes and ears) (29) Bhu (Bhu mandala Swarupa or the Form of Earth) (30)Bhuvah ( Antariksha Rupa or Of the form of Sky) (31) Bhavi (Bhavitva Rupa ) (32) Bhuva Putra (Bhumi Putra as Siva’s manliness was absorbed into Earth) (33) Namaskruth (Saluted by one and all) (34) Nagaraja (The King of Serpents)(35) Sudharmatma (Epitome of Virtue) (36) Naka Prushtha (He is the Base of Swarga as He is the Saviour of Devas) (37) Sanatan (He is Eternal) (38) Hema garbha (Born of Siva’s gold-like semen) (39) Mahagarbha (Born of several mothers) (40) Jaya (Victorious) (41) Vijayeswara (The Deity of Victory) (42) Karta (The Performer) (43)Vidhata (The Preserver) (44) Nithya (Everlasting) (45) Nithyarimardana (The constant destroyer of enemies) (46) Mahasena (The Chief of a huge army) (47) Maha Teja (The most Illuminated) (48) Virasena (Commander of a Valiant army) (49) Chamupati (The Leader of Militia) (50) Surasena (The Principal of an intrepid band of soldiers) (51)Suradhaksha (The Supreme Head of Devas) (52) Bhimasena (The Chief of a terrifying military) (53) Niramaya (Devoid of illness) (54) Shouri (The most gallant Son of Shankara) (55) Patu (Smart and Enterprising) (56) Maha Teja (The highly radiant) 57) Viryavan (Personification of Might) (58) Satya Vikram (Courageously Truthful)(59) Tejogarbha (Agni Putra) (60) Asuripu (Antagonist of Demons) (61) Suramurthi (A byword for Devas) (62) Surojit (More gutsy than Devas) (63) Krutajna (Grateful to those who stand by Him) (64) Varada (Bestower of windfalls) (65) Satya (Satyavadi or He who stands for Truth) (66) Sharanya (Protector of those who seek refuge) (67) Sadhu Vatsal (Affectionate and kind to the Good) (68) Suvratha (Benefactor of those who perform good Vrathas) (69) Surya Sankash (Luminous like Sun) (70) Vahnigarbha (Begotten of Agni) (71) Ranotsuk (Enthusiastic of Battles) (72) Pippali (Consumer of Pippali)(73) Seeghraga (Travels at top speed) (74) Roudri ( Son of Rudra) (75) Gangeya (Son of Ganges) (76) Ripudarun (Demolisher of Foes) (77) Kartikeya (Son of Krittikas)(78) Prabhu (Highly accomplished) (79) Kshanth (Forgiving and Patient) (80) Neela-damshtra (Blue Thoated) (81) Mahamana (of large heart disposition) (82) Nigrah(Possessive of Restraint) (83) Netha (Leader) (84) Suranandana (Provider of happiness to Devas) (85) Pragrah (Controller of Enemies) (86) Paramananda (Extremely blissful) (87)Krodhagna (Alleviates the anger of Devotees) (88) Thad (Producer of heavy sound) (89)Vucchrit (High stamper of feet) (90) Kukkuti (Keeper of Cock as chariot flag) (91) Bahuli (Possessor of many useful implements) (92) Divya (Has Divine illumination) (93)Kamad (Fulfilled of desires) (94) Bhurivardhan (Has extreme amusement) (95) Amogh (Unconquerable and ever successful) (96) Amritada (Endower of Amrit) (97) Agni (Agni Swarup) (98) Shatrughna (Terminator of Opponents) (99) Sarvabodhan (Provider of Knowledge to one and all) (100) Anagha (Devoid of sins) (101) Amar (indestructible)(102) Sriman (Highly Prosperous) (103) Unnati (High Profiled) (104) Agni Sambhava(105) Piscacha Raja (King of Piscachas and Siva Ganas) (106)Suryabha (Akin to Sun God in radiance) (107) Sivatma (Siva Swarupa) and (108) Sanatana (Eternal).Phalasruti: Those who recite the Ashtottara of Kartikeya become fearless, contented, and happy; a pregnant woman reads or hears the Ashtottara would be blessed with a son of virtue and fortune; and if unmarried girls read they are sure to secure ideal husbands.
Matsya Purana’s Skandopaakhyaana now: Brahma Manasa Putra Prajapati Dhaksha married Veerini and they were blessed with sixty daughters; of these daughters, ten were married to Dharma, thirteen to Maharshi Kashyapa, twenty seven to Chandra Deva, four to Arishtanemi, two to Bahuka and two to Krushaswa. Kashyapa’s wives were Aditi, Diti, Danu, Vishwa, Arishta, Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Taamra, Krodhavasha, Ira, Kadru and Muni. Aditi begot Devendra, Upendra, Surya and all Devatas. Diti gave birth to Hiranyakashipu and innumerable Daityas. Danu gave birth to Danavas; Surabhi the cows and other animals; Vinata the birds like Garuda; Kadru the Nagas and other repitles; and so on. As Devas and Daityas developed mutual hatred and enemity, there had been periodical battles and each time Daityas defeated and occupied Swarga for long spells of time, Devas with the help of Narayana were regaining Swarga again and there had been as a result mass killings of Daityas and Devas had been enjoying the last laugh! Diti was unable to bear this let-down time and again. Kashyapa Muni taught to perform a severe Vrata which she performed meticulously for thousand years and after some time got pregnant. Indra came to know the purpose of Diti’s Vrata viz. to bless her to conceive a boy who could terminate Indra and Devas, Indra ultilised his powers / Siddhis of Anima and Parakaya; entered her womb and cut the foetus with the help of his Vjrayudha seven times making seven slices from each of the seven parts thus making forty nine ‘Marudganas’. After this tragic end, Diti once again prayed to Kashyapa to grant her a son who was indestrcutible even by a Vajra and as result of ten thousand years of Tapasya there was a mighty Daitya called Vajranga was born to Diti. As per Diti’s instruction Vajranga brought Indra imprisoned to his mother. But Brahma and Kashyapa asked Vajranga to release Indra by saying: Apamaano Vadhah proktah Putra Sambhaavitasyacha, Asmadvaakyena yo mukto viddhitam mrutamevacha/ (Son! Respectable personalities like Indra ought to feel humbled and humiliated; hence release Indra on my instruction.). Brahma also created Varangi so that Vajranga would wed her. Brahma instructed the couple to perform Tapasya in dfficult situations, some times by raising hands, sometimes sitting with Panchagnis around, sometimes sitting in deep waters and invariably without food and even water. Finally, the couple was blessed with a mighty and unique son, named Tarakasura. Fully understanding the purpose of his birth which his parents had strived for after performing thousands of years of Tapasya as also to fulfill the singular ambition of his grand mother to destroy Indra and Devas, Tarakasura took a vow at a grand conference of Daityas and Danavas-the descendents of Diti and Danu- and proceeded to Paritraya Parvat (the western side of Aravali and Vindhya mountain range and observed strict Tapasya during hundred year time-slots by rotation by way of ‘Niraahaara’ (without food), Panchagni ( in the midst of Five huge Fire bodies) in sizzling summers, ‘Jala madhya’ inside in chilled running water in the worst winter nights, eating only fallen dry leaves, etc. Brahma had no option but to present himself and ask for his boons. He bargained of absolute invincibility and deathlessness but finally agreed that only a seven days long boy could kill him, if at all! Not far from the day when Brahma bestowed the boons, Tarakasura redesigned and reformed his lines of Military Forces and attacked Indraloka. A long-drawn and ferocious Devasura-Daitya ensued when there was considerable blood-shed in either side. Danaveswara Grasan and Yama Dharma Raja, Jambha and Kubera, Durjaya and Varuna, Mahishasura and Chandra, Kalanemi and Surya were the prominent opponents. As it looked that Devas were at the moment of collapse under the leadership of Tarakasura, Lord Vishnu sat on Garuda Deva and alighted on the battle field. All the Asura-leaders surrounded Vishnu and rained Astras against him in one go; Kalanemi shot sixty arrows, Nimi hundred arrows, Mathan fired eighty arrows, Jambhaka seventy, Shumbha ten powereful Astras, and many others as many as they could at just one target , viz. Narayana. Bhagavan Vishnu responded to all these arrows and shot severally and on one-to-one basis. The battle continued on and on; inspired by Vishnu Deva, Indra regrouped Deva Sena by strenghening patches and enlarging the volumes of the Deva Sena by recalling Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras who brought their own powerful weapons. Vishnu called up for the assistance of Ekadasha Rudras viz. Kapali, Pingala, Bheema, Virupaksha, Vilohita, Ajesha, Shasana, Shasta, Shambhu, Chanda and Dhruva. The Rudra Swarupas dominated the battle field by annihilating thousands of Daityas. Maha Daitya Gajasura was torn into pieces and his skin was draped over the body of Kapila Rudra the Daityas made ‘hahaakaaras’ when they ran helter-skelter. Indra attacked Daitya Nimi and thumped his chest with his ‘Vajraayudha’. At the humilation of the death of Gajasura by Rudra, Jambhasura challenged Indra and after a fearful skirmish, Lord Indra shot Brahmastra and the Daitya was killed instantly. But fully armed by the boon of invincibility, the end result was that Tarakasura over powered Devas, Vishnu was indeed aware of the boon to Tarakasura and withdrew from the battle and the defeated Indra and Devas were dislodged from Swarga.Indra and Devas reached Satyaloka to seek Brahma’s help and the latter predicted that soon the King of Himachala would be blessed with a daughter named Parvati who would be married to Parama Shiva and the couple woud beget a child named Skanda; that boy after attaining seven days should kill Tarakasura. Brahma further told Devas that meanwhile they would have to be patient and that he had already chalked out action plans till the objective was achieved. Having assured Devas thus, Brahma called for Devi Vibhavari ( Ratri Devi) and briefed her that Shiva’s earlier wife Sati Devi had immolated herself as she could not control her emotions arising out of her own father’s (Daksha Prajapati) misdeeds of insulting Bhagavan Shiva, that the latter avenged Sati’s self-immolation by destroying Daksha Yagna and Daksha and that Shiva was at the moment not in a mood to remarry but that the Sacred Wedding between him and Devi Parvati was of top urgency since the child of their union could save the entire universe as their son could only kill Tarakasura as per the boons that the Demon secured. The instruction of Brahma to Devi Vibhavari therefore was as follows:
Virahokanthitaa gaadham Hara sangama laalasaa, Tayoh sutapta tapasoh samyogah swaacchhubaananey/ Garbhastaaney cha tanmaatruhu swena ruupena rajjaya/
As both the ‘Tapaswinis’ would be tempted to unite with each other, she should enter Devi Parvati’s ‘garbha’ and imprint Shiva Deva’s manly image ther).
Then the virility so discharged would be carried by Agnideva and the Sarovara’s reefs that would carry the drops would help Krittikas to bring up the boy from the spills-over of Shiva’s virility; Devi Parvati would then retire to bed and would know only later that she gave birth to a boy. In the action plan, the next step as devised by Indra was to stimulate Shankara with feelings of romance and to create favourable situations around; indeed Kamadeva was able to succeed momentarily but when Shiva understood the game plan; Manmatha was burnt into ashes by Shiva’s ‘humkar’ followed by the opening of third eye in a split-second!Devi Rati was stunned at the sudden turn of events, since she felt that the Act of Madana Kumara was to usher in propitiousness and happiness as the worst menace of three Lokas would be rid of by the end of Tarakasura, pursuant to Shiva- Parvati’s wedding and the hastening of their son’s auspicious birth. Unfortunately, her husband became the victim, for no fault of his, as the entire drama was enacted by Indra Deva, who too could not be blamed since each step in Lord Brahma’s Action Plan was for the great advantage of the Universe as a whole. She stooped down at her husband’s ash-heap and while crying incessantly prayed to Bhagavan Shiva as follows:
Namah Shivaayaastu Niraamayaaya Namah Shivavaayastu Manomayaya/ Namah Shivaayaastu Suraarchitaaya, Tubhyam Sadaa Bhakta Kripaaparaaya/ Namo Bhavaayaastu Bhavodbhavaaya, Namostu tey Dhwasta mano bhavaaya/ Namostutey goodha mahaa vrataaya, Namostu Maaya Gahanaashrayaya/ Namostu Sharvaaya Namah Shivaaya, Namostu Siddhaaya Puraatanaaya/ Namostu Kaalaaya Namah Kalaaya, Namostutey Jnaana vara prasaadaaya/ Namostutey Kaalakalatigaaya, Namo Nisargaamala bhushanaaya/ Namostvameyaandhaka mardakaaya, Namah Sharanyaaya Namo gunaaya/ Namostutey Bheemaganaanugaaya, Namostu Nanaa bhuvanenakartrey/ Sarvaavasaaneyhyavi naasha netrey, Namostu Naanaa Jagatey Vidhhaatrey, Namostu tey Chitra phala Prayoktrey/ Namostu Bhaktaabhimata pradaatrey, Namah sadaa teybhava sanga hatrey/ Ananta rupaaya sadaiva tubhyamasya kopaaya namostu tubhyam/ Shashaanka chihnaaya sadaiva tubhya mameya maanaaya namah stutaaya/ Vrishendrayaanaaya Puraantakaaya, Namah prasiddhaaya Mahoushadhaaya/ Namostu Bhaktya -abhimata pradaaya, Namostu Sarvaarti haraaya tubhyam/ Charaachara vichaaravar maachaarya mutprekshita bhutasargam/ Twaamindu moulim sharanam prapanna Priyaaprameyam mahataam Mahesham/ Prayacchamey kaamayashah samruddhim, Punah Prabho jeevatu Kamadevah/Priyam binaa twaam Priya jeeviteshu, Twattoparah ko bhuvaneshwahaasti/ Prabhuh Priyaayaah prasavah priyaanaam, Praneetaparyaaya paraparaarthah/ Twameyvameko Bhuvanasyanaatho Dayaalurnmeelita bhakabheetih/
Parama Shiva! My salutations to you; you are the Spotless; the mental reflection of all the Beings; worshipped by all the Devas always; the epitome of kindness to the devotees; the Supreme Creator of the World; you burnt up Kamadeva, my husband and my deferential apologies to you for the diturbance caused when you were in a confidential Vrata. Kindly accept my devotion since you do protect those and who take refuge as they become victims of the forests of ‘Maya’; You are the Punisher as well as the Provider of Propitiousness; the Kala Swarupa /Appraiser of Time as also of Achievements since you are the Supreme Gyani / with the knowledge of those who transgress limits of time; You are the Form of Nature and the Wearer of Sacred and Untainted Ornaments; You possess spontaneous Might and destroy Evil Forces like Andhakaraasura; the Nirguna devoid of features and the point of ultimate refuge; You are the Creator of several Worlds and the Scripter of many Universes; the bestower of multiple benefits, the patented destroyer at the time of Pralayas as also the saviour of a few Beings at such extreme situations; the Enjoyer of the due ‘Yagnaphala’ which is liberally distributed to devotees; the demolisher of worldly desires; you possess myriad forms but your anger is unbridled; you are the coolness of Moon, the Symbol of self-esteem , the eulogy to all, the carrier of Nandi, the obliterator of Tripuras, the Source of ‘Aushadhis’/ medicines, the donor of desires, the remover of all difficulties, the Ultimate Regulator of ‘Achaaras’/ ‘Vichaaras’-traditions and customs; The ‘Acharya’or the Unique Guide to the Moving and Immobile Object; The Over Seer of the entire Srishti; the Provider of Coolness and radiance to the Moon of his head; the Unparalelled Personification of Pure Love, Maheshwara! do kindly bestow everlasting fame and name to my husband Kama Deva with which he would get back to life; You are the one and only Saviour who could bring blossoms to his ashes; who else in the Universe could be competent to get my husband back to Life!.
Pleased by the ‘Stuti’ of Rati Devi, Maha Deva cooled down from his anger and pacified her to assure that she would secure her husband back after some time and would be popularly called ‘Ananga’. Disturbed by the happenings that happened as Kama Deva was burnt by Maha Deva and Devi Rati’s distress, Devi Parvati was rather disllusioned and decided to proceed to perform Tapasya. Her father gave her encouragement and said: Umeti Chapaley Putri! na kshamam taavakam vapuh, Sodhum klesha swaruupascya Tapasah Soundarya darshiney/ (My daughter, you are too restless; ‘U’-stands for THIS and MA-stands for: ‘do not do this’; in other words: ‘you do not have to perform ‘Tapasya’; Your slender and tender body is not capable of withstanding Tapasya). As Himavan was pleading to his daughter not to think of Tapasya thus, there was a Celestial Voice (Akasha vaani) addressed to Himavaan which asserted that Parvati should not think in terms of Tapasya; Umetinaama tey naasyaa Bhuvaneshu Bhavishyati, Siddhim cha Murtimatyashey Saadha vidhyanti chintitaam/ (Himaraja! what you uttered was that your daughter was really ‘Chanchala’or highly unsteady and wavering; in the entire Universe her name shall be everlasting and would always be bestowing boons to the fulfillment of her ‘Bhaktas’). Indra Deva who was anxious to take further steps in expediting Shiva-Parvati’s wedding, called up the illustrious Sapta Rishis to ascertaining the mind of Devi Parvati by visiting her personally and once convinced to visit Parama Shiva too to find out his inclination too. The Chief Negotiators were thus engaged in the delicate task which however had to be given a soft and swift push; they reached Parvati first and presented to her a negative picture of Shiva stating that he was perhaps not an appropriate candidate befitting her beauty and grace and that she might as well seek of another ‘greater’and more presentable and qualified husband; they argued that he was a semi-clad, uncouth, funnily dressed, resident of ‘Smashaanas’/ grave yards, kapala dhari / wearer of skulls, bhikshukh / mendicant, with frightening eyes, apparently looking mentally unsound! Devi Parvati was rather annoyed and even surprised at the opinions expressed by the Sapta Rishis of their popular standing and affirmed:
Naaham Bhadraah kileycchaami Rutey Sharvaat Pinaakinah, Sthitamcha taaratamyena Praaninaam paramam twidam/ Dheebalai –shvaryakaaryaadi pramaanam mahataam mahat, Yasmaatra kinchitaparam sarvey yasmaat pravartatey/Yasvaishwaryamanaadyantam tamahamsharanam gataa, Eshamey Vyaavasaayascha deerghoti vipareetakah/
Bhadra Purusha Saptarshis! I am not at all ready to wed any unsteady and petty-minded entities, excepting Pinakadhari Shankara Maha Deva; despite what might be described about the greatness of other suitors, I am most emphatically anchoring my hopes on him, as he is the most certainly outstanding Maha Purusha, whose might, mind and magnificence are unparalelled. This unflinching resolution of mine might look odd to you; you may either concede or quit!.
As the Saparshis heard Devi Parvati, they were overjoyed; they said they were only testing her resolve before approaching Maha Deva to sound his mind. May this determination of yours be fulfilled soon! After all, how could the radiance of Surya be without Surya! How could the sparkle of a diamond be without the diamond! How could the meaning of ‘Aksharas’ (letters / alphabet) be detached from their ‘meaning/ implication’! Similarly how Devi Parvati could be disconnected from Maha Deva! So saying, the Saptarshis proceeded to Himalaya Mountain peak to meet Parama Shiva to sound him on the subject of the most auspicious wedding of Shiva-Parvati. They met the Veeraka the Dwarapalaka and sensitised him about the purpose of their visit and in course of time, Bhagavan met the Saptarshis. The latter being an Omniscient he said:
Jaaney loka vidhhanasya Kanyaa satkaarya mutthamam, Jaataa praaleya shailasya samketaka nirupanaah/ (I am aware that for the welfare of the whole world, the role of this damsel is quite significant; she is the daughter of Himavaan and you are desirous of proposing her for this task). Satya mutktah kanthitaah sarvey Deva kaaryaarthamudyataah, Teshaam twaranti chetaamsi kinthu kaaryam vivakshitam/ (This is indeed true that there has been considerable enthusiasm and haste, yet there would be some slow down in completing the task). Lokayaatraanugantavya viseshana vichakshanaihi, Sevantey they yato Dharma tat pramaanaayaat parey sthitaa/ (The Vidwans would do well in properly following the formalties and the established traditions of ‘Dharma’, since this action plan would constitute a regular standard to the posterity).
The implication of what Maha Deva stated was fully understood by Sapta Rishis and they left to the Palace of Himavanta instantly. They conveyed to Himavanta and his wife Mena the exciting news of Maha Deva’s implicit consent to offer himself as the bridegroom to Devi Parvati. Mena said that normally the parents of the bride would propose an alliance but the bridegroom proposed instead! Anyhow, she asked that they might as well approach Parvati directly. The Rishis replied that the ground was already prepared and Parvati was in fact performing Tapasya only to accomplish Shiva’s hand. In any case, they would approach her as a formality and in response, Parvati terminated her Tapasya and came back home. Parvati felt so anxious that the previous night before the wedding preparations commenced was like ten thousand long nights. Next morning at the ‘Brahma Muhurta, the propitious acts were initiated; the ‘Shadritus’or the Six Seasons arrived; Vayu Deva and Varuna Deva took up the cleaning operations of the huge mountain range to receive the Wedding Guests; Devi Lakshmi set various arrangements including the golden and silver vessels required; Chitamani and many other jewels were spread all over; Kalpa Vriksha and Kamadhenu were pressed into service; all kinds of ‘Aoushadhis’, ‘Rasaayans’, and ‘Dhatus’turned up to be of use in the food preparations.There at the ‘Gandhamaadana’ Mountain range, assemblies of Maha Munis, Nagas, Yakshas, Gandharvas and Kinnaras started hotting up. Brahma intiated the make-up of Parama Shiva and for a start, combed the ‘Jatajutas’/ the coarse hair and set the position of ‘Chandra Khanda’ right; Devi Chamunda decorated a big ‘kapaala’on one side of Shiva’s broad head and said that once a son was born from the wedding, the latter should fill up the skull with the blood of Tarakasura and gift that Kapala to her to enjoy the drink! Vishnu arrived with a golden ‘Kirita (‘head gear) studded with ‘Nava Ratnas’ and well-ornamented with live snakes which added to the luster of the ‘Sarpa Manis’on the heads of the snakes; Indra arrived in haste with the ‘Gaja Charma’/ Elephant Skin and draped it on the body of Shiva; Lord Vayu took over the charge of Nandeswara and took great pains to swathe a gold-laced white silk bejewelled with nine gems decorated on the back to make a cushioned seat on which Maha Deva could be seated comfortably; ‘Loka Sakshis’( Ready Universal Evidences) Surya, Chandra and Agni Devas lit up the ‘Three Netras’/Three Eyes with renewed radiance and radiation and garnished them with dark clouds as eye-tex; Preta Raja Yama Deva embellished Shiva’s broad forehead with ‘Chita bhasma’ in three straight lines and ornamented his fore arms and wrists with strings of human bones; Kubera gifted invaluable jewellery made of nine gems studded in pure gold worn along with a heap of live and hissing snakes, while Varuna brought special ‘Kundalas’/Ear rings with coiled Vasuki and Taksha serpents. As the bride groom got ready and sat comfortably on Nandeswara, the procession commenced with firm and dignifiedly slow steps and Bhu Devi was in shivers with each step of Nandeswara carrying the Supreme Lord of Trilokas, and behind him were Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, Dikpalakas, the Nava Grahas, Devas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Pramatha Ganas and so on each with their wives, unless they had already reported to duty at the bride’s Palaces. Veerak, the Dwarapalaka of Maha Deva, in the lead was addressing hoarse the surging crowds ahead of the ‘Ratha’ to make way and let it pass; after all, when Maha Deva was himself moving ahead, could any one in the hysteric mass of humanity resist the temptation of catching a glimspe of Bhagavan! Behind the Dignitaries following the procession were the celebrations of singing Gandharvas, dancing Apsaras, and the tuneful Kinnaras, further followed by Maharshis, Sages and Brahmanas reciting Vedas and Sacred Hymns. The whole Universe was charged with myriad emotions as the groom’s party arrived at the bride’s palace.At the ‘Kalyana Mandapa’, the Parvarta Raja Himavan was in a state of dazed ecstacy since Parama Shiva himself was his son-in-law.
Pranateynaachalendrena Pujitotha Chaturmukhah, Chakaara vidhinaa Sarvam Vidhimantra purah saram/ (Parvata Raja performed puja with respects to Brahma and with the full course of formal Mantras, the wedding was celebrated in tradition and dignity); Sharveyna Paanigrahana maagneena saakshikamakshatam, Daataa Mahibhrutaam Natho hotaa Devaschaturmukhah/ Varah Pashupati Saakshaat Kanyaa Vishaaranistathaa (Then Parama Shiva wedded Parvati with Agni Saakshi or in the presence of Agni, when Daata / donor was Himavaan, Brahma as Hota (the Head Priest), Shiva as the bride groom and bride as Aranibhuta Devi Parvati.).
Devas were extremely happy that the best was yet to happen; Indra gifted a golden umbrella, Gandharvas sang tuneful songs, Apsaras danced to their best, Kinnaras organised instrumental extravaganza and the whole world cebebrated, but of course Daityas and Danavas who had ruled for thousand years were highly dejected quite understandably. After a few days the new couple of Shiva and Devi Parvati took permission of Parvata Raja Himavaan and moved back to Mandarachala. Years passed by and Shiva and Parvati continued to enjoy their marital bliss. Out of fun, Bhagavan Shiva teased Parvati once as follows:
Shareerey mama tatwaangi sitey bhaasya sitadyutih, Bhujaangee vaasita shuddhaa samslishtaa chandaney tarow/ Chandraatapena sampruktaa ruchirambaraa tathaa, Rajaneevaasitey pakshey drushti dosham dadaasimey/
Devi Parvati! As your physical colour is rather dark and mine is fair, it looks that a dark serpent is circling a chandana tree! Also, there is a similie -comparison- of a shining Moon against the background of dark cloud on the sky!
Understandably, Parvati was not amused, and in fact, badly hurt, when Shankara made these remarks even as a joke. Instantly, she left out home and proceeded to perform ‘Tapasya’ to Brahma for a number of years to change her body colour. Any amount of pleading and supplication by Shiva did not change her mind. Meanwhile, the son of Andhakasura and the brother of Bakasura called ‘Aadi’ performed strict ‘Tapas’ to Brahma Deva and asked for the boon of ‘Amaratwa’ or immunity from death. As Brahma could not grant this advantage, Aadi amended the request that he should be able to convert his Body Form as per his wish; Brahma agreed provided that the Daitya could do so only twice. As Veerak was guarding the Entry Point of Shankara and as it was not possible to enter ‘Shiva dwar’, Aadi converted his Form as a snake and entered Shankara’s abode through an under ground hole and slithered in; thereafter Aadi assumed the Form of Devi Parvati, approached Maha Deva and pretended that she had given up Tapasya as the severity of meditation just to change of body colour from ‘Krishna Varna’ to ‘Gaura Varna’ was not worth the strict regimen. Parama Shiva was happy initially that she changed her mind and returned back to him. But on second thoughts and knowing that Parvati would not take a flippant decision to return without achieving her objective, he suspected the fake Parvati and killed the ‘Mayavi’ Daitya. The original Parvati Devi’s Tapasya pleased Brahma Deva and blessed her to change her body colour as she pleased either as of Gaura ( white)Varna or of Shyama Varna; Parvati returned home to Maha Deva but the unwitting Veeraka, the ‘Dwarapalaka’ refused her entry to her own house! As any amount of convincing did not help Veeraka, Devi Gauri was tired out to reason him and finally gave a ‘Shaap’ that he would be born as a human and after the duration of the curse would return to her again. Parama Shiva was so excited as Gauri entered his interior bed room that a delegation of Devas headed by Indra was turned out saying that he was busy. Indra detailed Agni Deva to take the form of a parrot and peep in through a window as to what was happening inside their bed-chamber. Exactly at that time, the parrot peeped in when Shiva-Parvati were actually seen in action on their bed; Shiva noticed the parrot and recognised Agni. He scolded Agni and said now that he created ‘Vighna’ (obstacle) between him and Parvati and hence he might as well rectify the situation by drinking up his virility. The highly explosive drops shining like molten gold punctured Agni’s belly and got spread over the Maha Sarovar nearby. Several lotus flowers which got sprouted all over in the deep waters emitted strong and fragrant scents and the intoxication affected ‘Krittikas’who happened to bathe in the Sarovar; the Krittikas desired to take the lotus leaves home but Devi Parvati jocularly remarked to the Krittikas that she could take the drops of water on the lotus leaves as well. In turn Krittikas joked that they would take the water home, provided the child born of the water consumed by them should have equal right to the motherhood of the boy so born! As the deal was struck between Kritthikas and Parvati, the Krittika damsels gave the lotus leaves as also the water drops to Parvati. Subsequently, Devi Parvati drank up the water around the lotuses and from her right and left ‘kukshis’ gave birth to two male children later united into one and the child who had the extraordinary radiance of Surya Deva; each of the Six Krittikas shaped up one head each of the child; thus the boy was named ‘Kumara’ by Parvati; ‘Kartikeya’, ‘Shanmukha’, ‘Shadvaktra’ by the Krittikas and as ‘Vishakha’ or the different ‘Shakhas’/ branches of the lotus leaves that carried the golden drops. On Chaitra Shukla Shashthi, the child was declared as the ‘Deva Senapati’/ the Commander-in- Chief of Devas.Vishnu gifted varieties of ‘Ayudhas’/ Arms and ‘Astras’or Mantrik Arrows. Kubera presented him a lakh-strong of yaksha army. Vayu Deva gave him a ‘Mayura Vahana’/ Peacock Carrier, while Twashta Prajapati gifted a toy in the form of a Cock which could change its form as the boy wished. All the Devas presented souvenirs, prostrated before Skanda and extolled him:
Namah Kumaaraaya Mahaa Prabhaaya Skandaayacha Skandita daanavaaya, Navaarka Vidyutdyutaye Namostutey, Namostutey Shanmukha Kaamarupa/Pinadwi nanaabharanaaya Bhartrey Namo raney Daarudaaranaaya,Namostu teyrka pratima prabhhaya, Namostu Guhyaaya Guhyaaya tubhyam/ Namostu Thrailokya bhaayaapahaaya, Namostutey Baala kripaa paraaya,Namo Vishaalaamala lochanaaya, Namo Vishaakhaaya Maha Vrataaya/Namo Namastestu Manoharaaya, Namo namastestu Ranotkataaya,Namo Mayurojjwala vaahanaaya, Namostu Keyura dharaayatubhyam/ Namo Dhrutodagna pataakiney Namo Namah Prabaavapranataaya testu,Namo Namastey Varaveerya shaalininey, Kripaaparo no bhava Bhavyamurtey/Kripaaparaa Yagnapatim cha stutwaa, Viromirowam twamaraadhi paadyaah,Yevam tadaa Shadwadanam tu sendraa mudaa santhushta Guhastatastaan/
Our Greetings to You, Kamarupa Shanmukha! You are Kumara, the radiant son of Maha Shiva and the destroyer of Danavas; your physical form is the glow of rising son and of the heat of Agni; you are appropriately adorned, the Army Chief of Devas; the dreadful on the battle front; Guhya Rupa, the abolisher of fear in Trilokas in the Form of a Child; gifted with broad and clear eyes; Vishaakhaa! Our reverences to you as the practitioner of Maha Vratas; you are a terror in battle fields although of pleasant visage otherwise; you have a peacock as your carrier and wear a Keyura / wrist bangles; the high flier of flags; the bestower of boons to devotees; the high profile symbol of courage and strength; you possess a Magnificent Form.This was how Indra and Devas extolled Skanda.
Even as Kumara was replying to assure Devas that very soon the desire of retrieving their lost glories would be fulfilled, an emissary of Tarakasura arrived and conveyed their Chief’s message to Indra with a warning not to repeat his past mistakes of challenging a giant Daitya of the stature of that great Tarakaura who shook up the Universe and converted Devas as his servants; he also remarked that instead of playing balls and toys, the baby boy Skanda should gradually get acclimatised to battle fields and face mighty Asuras much later in life! As Tarakasura was in a jocular mood, Skanda Deva said: ‘Taraka! Never under-esimate the ‘Shakti’ of a kid; can you not realise that a baby serpent could perform permanent damage to you and that a boy who has ‘Alpaakshara Gyan’in releasing ‘Astras’ could reach you directly to Naraka! Even while Skanda was conversing like this, Taraka threw a ‘Mudgara’ (hammer) and an agile Kumara destroyed it with his ‘Vajraayudha; Taraka threw a ‘Bhindapaal’ which was destroyed by Kumara’s own hands. Skanda materialised a Gada / Mace and despatched it against Kalanemi Daitya who became furious and rained a stream of Arrows. These arrows had little impact on Skanda. Instead, Kalanemi and his associates were thrashed by Kumara and they had to sprint from the battle lines. Takakasura then appeared center-stage and was furious in releasing a powerful arrow which hurt Kumara Swami’s ‘MayuraVahana’;The infuriated Skanda and threw the most potent‘Shakti Baana’ which was indeed the decisive point that sealed Tarakasura’s fate and the greatest menace in the Trilokas who dominated the scene for thousands of years was finally destroyed, even as Devas sounded ‘dundhubhis’ (large drums) and showered rose petals which filled up the Earth, Sky and the Nether lokas with the fragrance of Parijata flowers from Swarga. Gandharvas and Kinnaras sang melliflous praises of Kumara and his proud parents, Apsaras were ecstatic and Sapta Rishis recited Mangala Mantras.Those who read or hear about the glories of Skanda would neither have sins nor diseases but lead a contented life ahead!
Annexure
Important Lord Murugan Temples
Swami Malai: One of significant six Subrahmanya Kshetras worthy of visit in Dakshina Bharat viz. Tiruttani, Palani,Tiruchendur, Tiruppuramkunnam and Pazhamudircholai is Swami Malai-literally meaning God’s Hill- some 30 km near Kumbhakonam at an elevation of 82 ft. totally dedicated to Swami Nathan, called locally as ‘Tagapan Swami’ or Father God! The legendary background was that the Lord taught the true meaning of OM or Pranava to Maha Deva himself! As Brahma Deva failed to interpret the word adequately to Kumara Swami, he chided him; when Maha Deva asked Kumara to explain in a convincing manner, he analysed the depth of the meaning he did so even as the father learnt it intently as though a Teacher to a Vidyarthi! The Swami Malai Temple performs ‘shat kaala dainika puja’ or six worships a day round the year, besides celebrates many festivals like Krittikai every month, Rathotsava in April , Vishakha in May, Navaratris in May, Kanda Shashthi in October, Kartikai Utsav in November, Taipuccham in January and so on. The Golden Chariot utilised for all the festivals are made of 7 kg of gold and 85 kg of silver-copper alloy with sparkling illumination. There is a SwetaVinayaka Temple made of white foam of Sea representing Ksheera sagara that created Amrit!
Palani: Some 38 km from Trichy and 100 km near Coimbatore is another Subrahmaya Kshetra of the reputed Six as mentioned above, the Abode of Dandayudhapani.There are two mythological references to this Temple; one is that since this Palani Hill was of the ‘amsha’ or of relationship with the highest mountain of the Universe viz. Meru, Sage Narada provoked Vindhyachala that the latter was, after all, not talller than Meru; this hurt Vidhya and tried to grow even taller as one side of the Universe was bright but the other side remained dark for ever since Sun became unreachable to the side at all. Parama Shiva asked Agastya Muni who was a resident of Kashi to teach a lesson to Vindhya; the Muni reached Vindhya who as a reverene to the Muni bent down and the Muni asked Vindhya never to stand. Agastya then moved to Dakshina Bharat to stay at Palani Hills for long before moving down further down to other Southern parts of Bharat. Another explanation about Palani Hills was that Sage Narada visited Kailasa to pay respects to Shiva and Parvati and gifted a Fruit of Jnana or Knowledge; he requested to conduct a test between Ganesha and Kartikeya viz. pradakshina or circumambulation of the Universe. Kartikeya instantly flew by his Peacock Vehicle while Ganesha performed a pradakshina and was rewarded with the Fruit. Kumara on return got furious and made Palani his abode as an ascetic assuming danda or a staff and ‘koupeena’ or loin cloth. Subsequently the parents Shiva and Parvati reached Palani to cajole the Dadaayudhapani saying: Gnaana paam nee Appa! Or ‘Indeed you are the personification of the fruit of Knoweledge yourself, darling son!’ There are daily worships including Kaala and Shanti Pujas- Alankaras-Aariti-Deepa- Swarna Raratha/ Golden Chariot Darshana. Festivals like Thai-Poosam/ Purnima, Tirtha Kavadi Yatras, Diamond Vel or Shula ( javelin) yatras, Pankhuni Uttiram, Vaishakhas, Soora samhara etc. all drawing large crowds, especially due to the rope way facility up the hill, although many climb by steps owing to vows with or without foot wear or by Kavadis slung on shoulders!
Tiruttani: Yet another among the six Subrahmanya Tirthas is of Murugan Temple at Tiruttani, near by the border of Andhra Pradesh and distant by 84 km from Chennai up a hill of 250 ft elevation connected by good hill motorable road. Besides the Sanctum of Muruga, there are Temples of Mkahashasura Mardini, Veera Anjaneya, Arumuga Swami, Narasimha Swami, Mangaleshwara Shiva and so on. Beides Trikala Pujas and Deepa-aradhanas, festivals as observed at other Subrahmanya Tirthas as at Swami Malai are celebrated, especially Kanda Shashti, Nava Ratras, Krittikas and Vishakhas as also Shiva Ratri penances.
From Madurai to about 3 km is Tiruppuramkkundam and nearby there is a small mountain and up there is a cave inside which a Sarovar and a fairly big Mandir with a high rise gopura dedicated to Lord Subramanya , besides Murtis of Shiva-Parvati-Ganesha Idols; the belief is that Kumara’s wedding was celebrated here and a row of Peacocks with Shiva- Parvati-Ganesha Murtis present as the audience! This is one of the six Subramanya sthalas of Dakshina Bharat. Passing by near the southern side of Vaigai river, one encounters a large Sarovara where the Ratha Yatra of Meenakshi-Sundareshwara Parikrama terminates at the Maryamman Koil. Palamoodicholai hardly 2km from Alagar Koyil up the Mountain and this too is one another six Abodes of Lord Kumara as a Tiruppuruk kundam. This too is one of the six Subramanya sthalas of Dakshina Bharata.
Tiruchendur is among the Five most famous and Sacred Subrahmanya Tirthas in Bharat, viz. Swami Malai, Tiruttani, Tiru- chendur, Palani and Tirukundram.Tiruchendur is on the shores of the Sea and normally yatris perform Samudra Snana before entering this Sacred Kshetra, which has a large Mandapa after crossing which only the Main Temple unfolds the Lord’s darshan. The Golden Murti of the Lord Swami Kartikeya is indeed brilliant both in terms readily arresting features and shape as also the artistic attraction readily experiencing inner vibration of feelings.
Vaitheeswara Koil of Angaraka: Dharani garbhasambhutam Vidyurkanti sama prabham, Kumaram Shakti hastam tam Mangalam pranamaamyaham/ Being the son of Bhu Devi Mangala Deva is of the flashy brightness of a Lightning and he too like Lord Subrahmanya the embodiment of Power and Courage ever worthy of worship. The Temple of Lord Vaideeswaran the Supreme Deity of Healing and of Medical Treatment as the key to Arogya or Health is situated some 27 km of Chidambaram and 52km from Kumbhakonam. Built by Kulottnuga Chola of 11th century, Vaideeshwaran Temple encompasses large precincts with a 5tier Gopuram with its principal Sanctum dedicated to Vaideeshwara Linga and a metal image of Muttukumara Subramanya, besides those of Nataraja, Soma Skanda, Angaraka as also stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshina murti, Surya, Jatayu, Vedas and Sampatti. Temples of Taila Nayaki standing with medical oils to cure diseases and another of Dhanvantari and Angaraka are in Place, besides a Vriksha Sthala with medicinal properties in the vicinity.Nadi Jyotisha written in Tamil Script is practised in Vaideeswaran extensively and near the Temple. Brahmotsavas during January- February, Kartigai Festival during November and Kanti Shashtis at Muttukumara Temple are big draws besides on Tuesdays.
Subrahmanya Kshetra: Within the State of Karnataka in South Kanara District is the renowned Koumara Kshetra where Parashu Rama established a Mukti Kshetra like Mookambika, Udipi, Gokarna etc. Mangalore is the nearest Railway Station from where Subrahmanya is some 40 km although the roads are through forests and dusty and rather difficult to reach in rainy season but recommended from November till May. Main Mandir is of Lord Subrahmanya as seated on a Mayuraasana or on a Peacock. On the platform up at the Temple He is a Shadaanana Murti or of Six Heads, with a Pratima of Sarparaja Vasuki in the middle and at the bottom is Sesha Bhagavan and facing theTemple is a Garuda Dwhaja stated to offset the impact of poisonous flames emitted by the Sarpas. There is a Bhairava Mandir to the South, a Mandir for Uma Maheshwara in the northern side, a VedaVyasa Samputa Nrisimha Mandir in the Southern side of the Main Mandir, besides a Parashurama Mandir again in South. In Kerala, the main places of worship are Kasargod, Payyanur, Haripad etc. In Andhra, Skandagiri in Hyderabad is famed while in East Godavari’s Bikka volu is well known for worship of Subrahmanya Swami just as Karnataka has exclusive Temples venerated Him as Kukke Subrahmanya.
Apart from the famed Subrahmanya Khetras in Southern India, there has been a considerable following in North too. Pehova in Ambala of Punjab is the famed Swami Kartik Mandir near Prithishwar Maha Dev who is of Four Faces. Pilgrims worship him with oil and sindur as also perform Pitru Karyas on the banks of Sarasvati River. Swami Malai in New Delhi too has acquired great name for daily abhishakea pujas daily twice to the imposing figure of Lord Murugan at Vasanta Vihar. Worship of Kartikeya especially during Devi Navaraatras and all through the Kartika Month in West Bengal and Odisha is extensive.
In Sri Lanka, there is a huge followingof Murugan, especially at Jafna. Batu Caves in Kaula lumpur and ardent worship of Dandapani on Tank Road of Singapore are widely popular and so are in the Subrahmanya Temples in London, Midlands and Liester. Murugan worship is also widespread in USA, Canada, Australia, not to mention of Mauritius and South Africa.
