The Birth of Kartikeya[Shiva's Son]

For a thousand years, Shiva and Parvati lived in wedded bliss, undisturbed by the world and engrossed in each other.

At last, the union of Purusha and Prakriti created a golden embryo, the Hiranyagarbha. * It fell through the sky, blazing hot.

The devas, who had been anxiously awaiting such an event, were dismayed. If it falls unchecked, it will shatter the earth!

Quick. Agni, only you can hold it.

Agni swooped down and caught the fiery egg.

It is burning hot!

It scorched him so badly that he set it down quickly on the icy slopes of the Himalayas.

Not able to bear the burden, the mighty mountain flung the embryo into a thicket of Sara Reeds on the bank of the Ganga.

Ganga sheltered the embryo in her crystal, cool waters till one day, a beautiful, golden-skinned baby boy was born.

What a strong and beautiful boy! Surely, he is of noble birth.

*Hiranya-golden, garsha= womb.

The idea of a golden egg from which sprang all life is used often in Hindu mythology and philosophy. It can mean the creation of life, or the first human, or the cosmos itself.

Six astral mothers called the Krittika’s came to bathe in the river.

Look, a baby! He is mine!

He is mine! I saw him first!

No, he will be my son.

Suddenly, the baby had six heads, instead of one, so that all the mothers could care for him.

The Krittika’s took the baby up into the stars, deep into the constellation Taurus, hidden from prying eyes

They dressed him in fine clothes, nourished him, and sang songs to amuse him.

My turn to sing to him today.

He shines like the brightest star in the Milky Way.

Parvati too longed for her child.

O Shiva, I ache to hold my child in my arms.

Shiva summoned the devas.

Where is the Hiranyagarbha? Our child must be born now.

A search began for Parvati and Mahadeva's child.

I set the Hiranyagarbha down here in the snow, but it is not here!

It was too fiery for me to bear! I flung it into the Ganga.

They found Ganga weeping, also searching for her child.

He was hidden in the Sara Reeds, but has disappeared!

Soma, the moon, provided the answer.

Shiva's son is being cared for by the six Krittikas. They love him as their child.

Shiva sent his ganas, led by Nandi, to bring his son home. They found a handsome, laughing boy, glowing with divine energy.

Child, you are the son of Shiva, the auspicious lord, and Parvati, the eternal, divine mother. They long to meet you and have sent me to fetch you.

The boy bowed to Nandi. Greetings, o venerable Nandineshwara. I will come with you at once, as I must honour my birth parents....

But the noble Krittika’s are also my mother's, as they have sheltered and nourished me. They shall accompany me too.

Nandi proudly carried the youth to Kailasha. All the denizens of the heavens gathered to welcome the splendid son of Shiva.

Conches rang, and there were showers of vermilion and flowers.

The young boy bowed to his parents and sought their blessings.

Rise, my son.

Parvati embraced her child with tears of joy in her eyes.

How I have longed to see you!

As my son, he will be known as Guha, as the son of Uma. He is Skanda, as the son of Agni; he is Agneya, as the son of the Krittikas; he is Kartikeya, as the son of Ganga; he is Kumara. *

Brahmarashi Vishwamitra performed the solemn thread ceremony and installed Kartikeya upon a throne.