Kartikeya, variously known across regions as Skanda, Murugan, or Subrahmanya, is a prominent deity within Hinduism, particularly in Tamil and South Indian devotional traditions. He is described in the Puranas and epics as the son of Shiva and Parvati, created for the specific purpose of defeating the demon Taraka, who could only be slain by Shiva’s offspring. His iconography as a youthful warrior symbolizes not only martial prowess but also the ideal of disciplined action guided by divine wisdom. He is often portrayed as eternally young—representing purity, strength, and focused purpose—and is deeply revered as a patron of seekers, scholars, and devotees of yoga and meditation.
The peacock, his mount, serves as a symbol of controlled power—an animal that in its natural beauty and vibrancy also signifies mastery over ego and sensual distraction. Kartikeya's spear, the vel, represents sharp discernment—the ability to pierce through illusion. The mantra Om Saravanabhavaya Namaha acknowledges his miraculous birth in the Saravana forest and is widely chanted to invoke his protective, purifying presence. Through myth and ritual, Kartikeya emerges not only as a warrior, but as an archetype of divine intellect and spiritual victory.
