Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

planet represented by its geometrical figure: it indicates the urge to penetrate
to and unite with the invisible universal existence though its starting point is
gross physical earth. Being self-confident of his inner potential Kartikeya
abandons even his parents, Shiva and Parvati, and reveals thereby the
characteristic arrogance of Mars on the lower planes and imperious will on
the higher.
In the Shiva Purana the birth of Kartikeya is associated with the destruction
of Taraka, a demon who acquired the benediction of Brahma that he could
not be killed by anyone except a seven day old child of Shiva (see p. 178).
Taraka was thus almost invincible. He oppressed the gods and took control
of the universe. When the gods approached Brahma for subjugating Taraka,
he suggested that no one could, not even Shiva, because Shiva was a celibate
yogi and his having a child was an impossibility. Meanwhile Parvati, the
eternal consort of Shiva, had taken another birth and was united with Shiva
again. The gods wanted to take this opportunity to destroy Taraka.
Indra called Kamadcva, the god of love, for his support. Kamadeva a grecd
and when he shot his arrow at Shiva, Shiva immediately saw it, became
angry and opened his third eye from which fire came forth. Before 'he gods
could intercede, Kamadeva was burnt to ashes. Having learned the altruism
of the purpose, Shiva agreed to restore Kamadeva to life in due course. The
fiery blaze that burnt Kamadeva to ashes, however, proceeded further and
the universe itself was in danger of complete annihilation. With the consent
of Shiva, Brahma stabilized the blaze, transformed it into the form of a white
horse and carried it to the sea. He requested the sea to keep the horse until
the next Pralaya or Deluge when he would come back and resume charge of
it. But, he warned the sea to keep the horse on its surface or he would
completely dry it up.
Having known that the effort of the gods to subjugate him did not succeed,
Taraka's menacing atrocities increased. Considering the time ripe to destroy
the mighty demon, the fiery blaze put in custody of the sea was remembered.
The holy river Ganga brought out the child whom the six sisters of Krittikas
(the Pleiades) had nurtured. For this reason the six-headed child was named
Kartikeya meaning the child of the Krittikas. The war resumed between
Taraka and the gods. The Asuras, under the command of Taraka, in their
invincible pride challenged and confronted the gods. Indra placed Kartikeya
on an elephant, but he preferred his aerial car. During the duel between
Taraka and Vishnu, even Vishnu's thunderbolt was blunted and Taraka was
not killed. The Divine Voice then announced that Kartikeya was the only
force that could subjugate the demon and he should take command,
Kartikeya descended from his airship and confronted Taraka. When Taraka