Long ago there lived an asura or demon called Taraka, who wished to become the most powerful person in the universe. Taraka prayed long and hard to Brahma, and practiced such severe austerities, that Brahma was at last forced to appear before him.

‘What is it you want, that you practice such penance?’ asked Brahma of Taraka.

‘Grant me my wish – that I become the most powerful person in the Universe, and that no one may be able to kill me, except a son of the god Shiva.’ Shiva at that time was unmarried, and it seemed to the entire world that he would always remain so and never have any children. Taraka felt he was safe in making this request of Brahma.

The strength of Taraka’s prayers and penance was such that Brahma had to grant him what he desired. Taraka became stronger and more powerful each day. No one could resist him, and no one could kill him. Shiva remained unmarried, without a son.

Soon Taraka threatened the gods themselves. Indra, king of the gods, had to give up to Taraka his marvellous white horse, Uchchaisraivas; the Rishis had to give him their magic cow, Kamadhenu, that fulfilled every wish; Kubera, the god of wealth, had to give him his thousand sea horses. Vayu, the wind-god, blew as Taraka dictated. Chandrama, the Moon, was so terrified that it remained full all the time, while Surya, the Sun, forgot to give any heat. The world was in chaos, and the gods were terrified.

So Indra called a great council of all the gods where it was decided that somehow the gods would have to convince Shiva to marry and have a son who could then kill Taraka. The gods felt that Parvati, the beautiful, wise and accomplished daughter of the Himalayas, would be a suitable bride for Shiva. However, Shiva was deep in meditation, and completely unaware of either Parvati or the world around.

Once again, the gods held a consultation, and Kama, the god of love, was sent to awaken love in Shiva’s heart. Kama flew to Mount Kailash, where he found Shiva, seated on a rock, deep in meditation, his eyes closed. The world lay still and silent all around – the birds had stopped singing, the grass had stopped growing in awe of the god’s tapasya. Kama hid himself behind a rock and watched, hesitant to disturb Shiva’s meditation. Just then Parvati came by, gathering flowers, and looking so beautiful that Kama felt Shiva was sure to fall in love with her if he saw her. Kama shot one of his arrows straight into Shiva’s heart. Shiva’s eyes flew open in wrath – and Kama was burned to ashes instantly. But his arrow had done its work – Shiva also saw Parvati and fell in love with her.

At the urging of the other gods, Shiva finally married Parvati, much to everyone’s relief and joy. But for many years Shiva and Parvati had no children. In despair the gods sent Agni, the god of fire, to convince Shiva to have a son. Agni disguised himself as a dove, and managed to pick up a seed of Shiva which he carried back with him to Indra. But the seed of Shiva proved too heavy for Agni to carry, and as he flew over the river Ganga, the seed fell into its sacred waters. From the river rose a child, strong and radiant, perfect in every way. This was Kartikkeya, Shiva’s son, born to kill the asura Taraka.

At the very moment that Kartikkeya emerged from the waters of the Ganga, the six Krittikas, the Pleiades, daughters of six kings, came down to the river to bathe. Each claimed the baby for herself and wanted to nurse him. To please them all, the baby grew six heads with six little mouths, and was suckled by all the six Krittikas.

Nurtured by the Ganga, fostered by the Krittikas, Kartikkeya grew up tall and strong. He was a great warrior, and was appointed Commander of the army of the gods. In a long and fierce battle, Kartikkeya slew the demon Taraka, freeing the world of the demon and fulfilling his own destiny. Kartikkeya is also called Tarakajit, the destroyer of Taraka.