Murugan

When the demonic personage SUrapadman and his associates who were then ravaging
the world, saintly spirits went to Lord Siva and pleaded with him to do something about the havoc: and so was Murugan born. He emerged when a spark from Siva's third eye merged with Agni in a forest of thickets (Sharavana). We see the parallel with the genesis of Rama when VishNu was thus approached at a time when RAvaNa was playing mischief. Murugan is taken as the Tamil equivalent of KArttikeya.
The sacred history of Murugan, from birth to the final defeat of SUrapadman who,
upon repentance, was transformed into a peacock which became Murugan's vehicle,
is narrated in the magnificent Tamil epic by Kacciyappa SivAcArya. Known as Kanda PurANam and composed in the 14th century, this work has all the majesty and meaning of other great epics. In its massive content of 10,345 verses, we not only read of exploits of grand proportions, but also savor the delights that Tamil can offer, and recognize deeper meanings of relevance and value in the conduct of everyday life: For that is the ultimate goal of sacred history.
And there are hidden meanings as well behind the exciting episodes. Thus, when we read that Murugan won two brides, VaLLI and Deiva-yAnai, one may wonder how a God could engage in bigamy. But as we probe deeper, we find a symbolism here.
Deiva-yanai was a daughter of Indra. She sought Murugan's hand and obtained it.VaLLi was raised by a hunter. When Murugan in disguise went to have her as his consort, she resisted at first. Upon being frightened by an oncoming wild elephant, she rushed to Murugan's arms. The symbolism here is that the Supreme Principle takes unto itself not only those evolved souls (Indra's daughter) who seek it, but also the unevolved (hunter's daughter) ones whom it seeks out. When we are unable to recognize the Divine in its many forms, fright and fear sometimes draw us to it.
Murugan is known by many other names in the Tamil world. They include Kandan,
Guhan, VElAyudan, SubrahmaNian, TangavElu, KumAran, SvAminAthan and Sharavana-bhavan. A great many temples are consecrated to Murugan in the Tamil country and beyond. The more important of them include the temples at Pazani,SvAmimail, Torupparankuram, and Tirukkazukkuram.



Om Sharavana-bhavaya Namaha !

GYaanashaktidhara skanda valliikalyaaNa sundara
devasenaa manaH kaanta kaartikeya namo.astute
OM subrahmaNyaaya namaH !