Kartikeya (also known as Subramanya, Skanda or Muruga) is the son of Shiva and Parvati, and the brother of Ganesha.
Known as the great warrior-general of the Army of Light, Skanda represents man's highest evolutionary attainments and leads spiritual aspirants to victory over the dark forces. In fact, he was born to destroy the demonic forces of the world, and came from the seed of Shiva who embodies the transformational and dismantling aspect of existence.
Although Kartikeya is particularly popular in South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia, we have a mandir also here in Rishikesh. Outside Rishikesh market, there is even a small Kartikeya Ashram for devotees who take care this temple.
The ancient literature of India exist numerous legends of Kartikeya, often citing his other names, such as Skanda.
"Six-headed, twelve-armed and seated on a peacock, Kartikeya is the symbol of empowerment and valour. He also denotes supreme knowledge, which alone can destroy the nescience of ignorance. (...) The peacock stands for the diversified and multifaceted universe. Skanda has conquered the materialistic world of pride, egoism and vanity and thus rides on the peacock. (...) The peacock symbolises the mental equipoise of the liberated person, who is capable of keeping balance between the material and spiritual. When mental equipoise is achieved, the mind becomes content and peaceful. The spear or Vel is pointed at the end and very long. It is a symbol of the mind that has to be single-pointed if it wants to slay the demon of ignorance." – Extracts from “The Lilas of the Sons of Shiva” by Vanamali Mataji at Vanamali
Fascinating his connection to the Pleiadians:
There are various ancient references in Vedic texts. Kartikeya means "of the Krittikas". After Shiva's son appears on the banks of the river Ganges, he is seen by the six of the seven brightest stars cluster in the night sky called Krittikas in Hindu texts (called Pleiades in Greek texts). These six mothers all want to take care of him and nurse baby Kartikeya. Kartikeya ends the argument by growing five more heads to have a total of six heads so he can look at all six mothers, and let them each nurse one. The six heads also stand for his virtues enabling him to see in all the directions — an important capacity that ensures he counters all kinds blows that could hit him. (Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism)
You may check out these books
+ "Skanda" by Hilda Charlton (1906 - 1988), a spiritual teacher, author, dancer and healer. She toured India as a dancer from 1947 to 1950, and stayed in India for 15 more years, studying eastern mysticism and meditation, before she settled down in New York. www.hildacharlton.com
+ "The Lilas of the Sons of Shiva" by Vanamali Mataji, a contemporary Hindu contemplative, teacher and author. https://www.amazon.com/Lilas-Sons-Shiva.../dp/8173053421
Address:
Kartikeya Ashram & Temple
Veerbhadra Marg
off Haridwar Road (NH-58),
Avas Vikas Colony,
Rishikesh
#rishikeshvisitorsguide #rishikeshguide #rishikesh #travelguiderishikesh #rishikeshtrip #Rishikeshtemple #kartikeya #kartikeyamandir #kartikeyarishikesh #skanda #skandatemple
