Skanda Shasti: Muruga’s Ultimate Triumph

Muruga was born from the sparks that Shiva released from his fiery third eye, and his incarnation happened mainly to relieve the universe of the evil forces represented by the three demon brothers Soorapadman, Singamukhan, and Tarakasuran.

Muruga set out right earnest on his life’s mission of taking on the Asuras. Armed with the mighty Vel, the lance, presented to him by divine mother Parvati, Muruga led an army of the Devas, the celestial beings against the three mighty demons and their forces. It was no ordinary battle as the demons were well-protected by some great boons that they had obtained from none other than Muruga’s father Shiva himself.

In the first five days of the war, Muruga and his army overcame the demonic forces, killed Asuras like Singamukhan, Tarakasuran, and others, and destroyed their entire army. Virtually, it was only Soorapadman who was left among the Asuras, and Muruga stated his final battle with him on the 6th day.

But a realization dawned then in Soorapadman that his arch enemy Muruga, who looked to be no more than a boy, is the embodiment of the divine power of his God, Shiva himself. This led to a sense of repentance rising in him, and that manifested in the form of a desire to turn a new leaf and be in the service of Muruga forever.

As per some mythological accounts, it was king Daksha who was born as Soorapadman in his subsequent birth. Muruga’s divine mother Parvati was Daksha’s daughter in her previous incarnation, and this association related Soorapadman and Muruga as grandfather and grandson. This can also be said to have contributed to a change of heart in both the rivals.

Impressed with Soorapadman’s repentance and his resolve to lead of life of virtue from then on, Muruga decided to show to the world that the Gods do not only punish evil but also accept penitence, condone the crimes and provide salvation through their compassionate side.

Hence, when Soorapadman turned himself as a mango tree in the final phase of his battle with Muruga, the Lord pierced it with his sharp Vel, split it into 2, changed those as peacock and rooster, and took both of them into his service. Thus the peacock portion of the Asura became Muruga’s celebrated mount, while the rooster part took its place in his flag of victory.   

The Muruga legend illustrates the great truth that anyone repenting sincerely for his or her sins and praying for redemption will undoubtedly receive divine pardon and blessings.  

Muruga's great victory is remembered as Skanda Shasti, the 6th lunar day dedicated to Skanda (Muruga) and is celebrated on the Shasti day of Shukla Paksha, Moon’s bright fortnight falling in the month of Ashwin (October-November).

The great battle is also said to have been fought in the coastal town of Thiruchendur, and hence the grandest celebration of Skanda Shasti takes place in that sacred place. Muruga’s overcoming of the demons led by Soorapadman is also enacted there on occasion, and this is known as Soorasamharam, which remains as the main attraction of the celebrations there.