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The son of Shiva, Kartikeya,
is also known as Kumara, Skanda, Subramanya, Shanmukha or Murugan (used in Tamil
Nadu). As Kartikeya he is designated the deity of war, guarding right and
destroying evil. As Shanmukha, the six headed, he teaches that we have five
senses and the mind, and only when all six are in harmony is there spiritual
growth. As Subramanya, he has two consorts, Valli and Devasena, who embody
Jnana Shakti, the power of knowledge and Kriya Shakti the power of action. He
rides the peacock who struts around admiring his own beauty. Murugan places
himself on top of the peacock suppressing it, reminding us not to let pride and
egotism get the better of us. In his hand he holds the Vel or sharp spear,
symbolizing the developed sharp intellect. He uses the vel to guard the
spiritual progress of the world. |
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