Indian Mythology

Kartikeya

Skanda — Six-Faced General of the Gods

Kartikeya is an Indian god of war, associated with the realm of heaven. Kartikeya belongs to the hero generation of the pantheon. Roughly equivalent to Mars in cross-pantheon mapping. Symbolised by the spear.

Historical Note

Six-headed war-god — the gods needed a general only their own offspring could provide, so Shiva's seed was carried by Agni, by the Ganges, and by six nursing-mothers (the Krittikas) before he was born. Slew the demon Tarakasura at six days old.

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