| Kartikeya, the
second son of Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvati is also known as Subramaniam, Skanda, Guha,
Shadannana or Sanmukha (because he has six faces). He
represents a person of perfection. He is the war God, the Hindu equivalent of Mars
and Ares. He was created by all the Gods to lead the heavenly hosts and destroy the
demons. He is the most masculine and fierce of all the Gods. He is also fire, Agni and is
very Pitta (fiery) in nature. While Ganesh removes all obstacles, Skanda bestows all
spiritual powers, particularly the power of knowledge.
In one hand he carries a spear called sakti which symbolizes
the destruction of negative tendencies in humans. With his other hand he always blesses
devotees.
The Lord's vehicle is a peacock which is capable of destroying
harmful serpents (symbolizing harmful ego and bad desires of people). |
