While lord Siva was immersed in his rigorous penance, the devatas led by Indra and Agni approached Brahma. Paying homage to the great one they said "At the beginning of creation you granted us the chief of armies, who is now engaged otherwise in deep penance along with Uma his consort". Brahma putting their fears to rest said, "The curse of Uma that you will not father any children is an inviolable truth, let there be no doubt about it.But there is Ganga flowing in the celestial regions. She will beget a son, fathered by the god of fire, Agni, and that son will lead your armies and destroy enemies. He will also become very dear to Uma". Relieved and grateful, the devatas bidding a reverential farewell to Brahma went on to mount Kailas to request Agni to grant a son to Ganga fathered by him.Agni met Ganga, who transformed herself into a divine human form. Where upon Agni pervaded her, releasing in her the creative energy. Ganga then spoke, saying that this great vitality in her was burning her, that it was unbearable and that she could no longer hold it.Agni told her to deposit it on the slopes of the Himalayas and Ganga expelled the tremendously radiant embryo from her body.
As the embryo was falling to earth, its luster was that of molten gold, from which derived gold and silver, along with metals like, copper, iron, tin and steel.The embryo placed on the mountain slopes emitted a wonderful light, engulfing the surroundings in a golden glow and in that brilliance materialised Kumara.The devatas led by Indra brought six nymphs to nurse the divine baby.As these Krittikas mothered and nursed the baby the gods declared the divine effulgence as Karthikeya who became famous in all the three worlds.
The Krittikas produced milk copiously to feed the child who was a manifestation of unsurpassed power and energy.He grew six heads and suckled milk with all his six mouths at once. A day's nourishment produced in him such indomitable power and energy, that he was able to vanquish hordes of demons. Though his body was still tender like that of a child, his vast in-born talents were awe-inspiring and the devatas appointed Karthikeya as chief of their armies.
This story of Ganga is auspicious and brings merit to those who worship Karthikeya. They will also enjoy a long life, blessed with sons and grandsons and will live in the same world as that of Skanda in the life hereafter.
As the embryo was falling to earth, its luster was that of molten gold, from which derived gold and silver, along with metals like, copper, iron, tin and steel.The embryo placed on the mountain slopes emitted a wonderful light, engulfing the surroundings in a golden glow and in that brilliance materialised Kumara.The devatas led by Indra brought six nymphs to nurse the divine baby.As these Krittikas mothered and nursed the baby the gods declared the divine effulgence as Karthikeya who became famous in all the three worlds.
The Krittikas produced milk copiously to feed the child who was a manifestation of unsurpassed power and energy.He grew six heads and suckled milk with all his six mouths at once. A day's nourishment produced in him such indomitable power and energy, that he was able to vanquish hordes of demons. Though his body was still tender like that of a child, his vast in-born talents were awe-inspiring and the devatas appointed Karthikeya as chief of their armies.
This story of Ganga is auspicious and brings merit to those who worship Karthikeya. They will also enjoy a long life, blessed with sons and grandsons and will live in the same world as that of Skanda in the life hereafter.