Kartikeya, Murugan the same.....

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for this reply that helped me so much. I knew they had

to be the same because they were both supposed to be brother of

Ganesh and also because they had associations with a peacock.

 

Thanks.

 

Bill

 

********************

, "AnandaYogi" <ozyogi@h...> wrote:

> , "Bill Rogers" <wondermagazine@a...> wrote:

> > Is there any connection to Murugan and Kartikeya? Are they the

same

> > or different? I don't know.

> >

> > Thanks, Bill

>

> Hi Bill

>

> My sincere apologies for not responding any any earlier. Overloaded

> with workload.

>

> Both are same and also know as Subramaniam and Skanda...

>

> This is from..... BB yogi

>

> http://festivals.indya.com/festivals/hindu/skandashashti.html

>

> Skanda - also known as Kartikeya, Muruga, and Shanmukha - is the

son

> of Shiva, and was born for the specific purpose of getting rid of

the

> menace of the asura, Taraka. Skanda, who signifies Shiva's strength

> gained from his yogic meditation and chastity, is an ancient deity,

> and his story is found in the Mahabharata and Siva Purana.

>

> According to legend, Taraka was harassing the devas no end, and

they

> went to Brahma for help. But Brahma had given Taraka a boon, and

told

> the devas that only a son born to Shiva and his devotee Parvati

could

> kill the asura. Since Shiva was in meditation, Brahma asked the

devas

> to get the help of Kama, the God of Love.

>

> Kama agreed to help, and, when Parvati was placing flowers at the

> feet of Shiva, shot an arrow of passion at Shiva. Shiva was enraged

> at being disturbed, and burned Kama to ashes with the rays from his

> third eye. But Kama had accomplished his goal.

>

> Subramanya was born in a reed forest near the River Ganga. Even as

a

> boy, he was made the general of the gods. He engaged the demons

> Tarakasura, Simhamukha, and Surapadma in battle, and vanquished

them

> on the sixth day. This is the day which is celebrated as Skanda

> Shashti.

>

> In connection with Skanda Shashti, devotees undertake pilgrimages

to

> the sacred temples of Subramanya, apart from fasts, prayers and

> special pujas. The six sacred hilltop shrines of Subramanya, known

> as , witness extensive celebrations and pujas. Thousands of people

> are fed at the temples.

>

> At many places, scenes of Shoora-samharam, or the killing of the

> demons, are enacted. Effigies of the demons are taken round the

> streets in great pomp. In the middle of it, the idol of Lord

> Subramanya makes its appearance, and the news travels to the

demons.

> There follows a chase. When Subramanya catches up with the demons,

a

> battle ensues. At the end of it, Subramanya kills the demons with

his

> vel, or lance, and there is much celebration all round.

>

> In many places, festivities last for six days, ending on Shashti

day.

> Thousands of devotees carry the kavadi, which is considered the

most

> potent rite undertaken to propitiate Subramanya.

>

> The kavadi comes in various shapes and sizes, but basically

consists

> of two containers with offerings to the lord. The offerings are

> traditionally collected through begging. Once the required quantity

> has been collected, the devotee carries it on his shoulder, slung

> from a wooden stick.

>

> The kavadi is hoisted on the shoulders after a puja, and is to be

> removed only after the devotee reaches the shrine. Often, the

kavadi

> carrier is considered to be one with the lord while he carries the

> kavadi.

>

> Besides Skanda Shashti day, the sixth day of all the bright

> fortnights, all Fridays, and all the Kartika nakshatra days, are

> observed in the honour of Subramanya.