Shiv Puran Rudra Samhita, Kumara Khanda: Kartikeya, Tarakasura and the Birth of Ganesha

The Kumara Khanda is the story of the two sons of Shiva and Parvati: Kartikeya, commander of the gods, who slew Tarakasura, and Ganesha, remover of obstacles, who is worshipped first in every auspicious undertaking.

The birth of Kartikeya

After their marriage Shiva and Parvati lived long in seclusion on Kailash. The gods, suffering under Tarakasura, grew impatient and sent Agni. Agni received Shiva's radiant seed but could not bear its heat and placed it in the Ganga; she too could not bear it and set it in a forest of reeds, Sharavana. There a radiant child appeared.

Just then the six Krittikas, goddesses of the Pleiades, came to bathe. Each wished to nurse the child as her own, and he took six faces to drink from all six. So he is called Kartikeya (son of the Krittikas), Shadanana (six-faced), Sharavanabhava, Skanda and Kumara. Hearing of it from Narada, Shiva and Parvati brought him to Kailash with great celebration.

The slaying of Tarakasura

The gods made the boy Kartikeya their commander. Shiva gave him the shakti (spear), and the peacock became his mount. A terrible war followed. Tarakasura drove back Indra, Vishnu and the other gods, but in the end Kumara Kartikeya slew him with his spear, and the gods regained heaven. Kartikeya also protected the Krauncha mountain from Banasura and slew Pralamba and other asuras.

The birth of Ganesha

Once Parvati was going to bathe. Her companions Jaya and Vijaya said that Nandi and all the attendants belonged to Shiva; they had no attendant of their own who would obey them. From the paste of her own body Parvati made a handsome, strong boy and gave him life. She called him her son, placed him at the door and said, "Let no one in without my permission."

Then Shiva arrived. The boy, who did not know him, stopped him. Shiva sent his attendants; the boy defeated them all alone. The gods came, even Vishnu, but the boy did not yield. At last, in battle, Shiva cut off the boy's head with his trident.

Parvati's anger and the elephant head

Hearing this, Parvati was enraged. She brought forth many shaktis who began to destroy. The gods and sages, terrified, came with Narada to ask her forgiveness. She said there would be peace only if her son was restored to life and honoured among all the gods.

Shiva sent his attendants north, telling them to bring the head of the first creature they met. They found an elephant with a single tusk. Its head was placed on the boy's body and Shiva gave him life. Shiva accepted him as his son and made him lord of his ganas, Ganapati, Ganesha.

The boon of first worship

All the gods blessed Ganesha. Shiva granted that he would be worshipped first in every auspicious act and puja, and that work begun without worshipping him would not succeed. He would be called Vighnaharta, remover of obstacles. The Ganesh Chaturthi vow is linked to this episode; the fourth lunar day is dear to him.

Going round the parents

When the two sons grew up, the question of their marriage arose, and both wanted to marry first. Shiva and Parvati said whoever first went round the earth and returned would be married first. Kartikeya set off at once on his peacock. Ganesha's mount was a mouse. He thought, bathed, seated his parents, worshipped them and walked round them seven times.

He said: "The scriptures say going round one's parents equals going round the earth; for me you are the whole world." Pleased with his wisdom, Shiva and Parvati married him to Siddhi and Buddhi, the daughters of Prajapati Vishvarupa, and he had two sons, Kshema and Labha.

When Kartikeya returned and saw this, he was hurt and went away to the Krauncha mountain. His parents went to meet him there, and that place became the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga (told in the Kotirudra Samhita).

What this section teaches

• Ganesha faced even Shiva to obey his mother's command; devotion to duty is a great virtue.
• Wisdom is greater than strength; Ganesha won the race even with the smallest mount.
• Parents are the greatest pilgrimage; serving them equals all pilgrimages.
• Ganesha first in every good work means wisdom and forethought about obstacles first.