Stories of Murugan – 9 Lord Muruga Stories

Introduction

Muruga, hailed as the Tamil God, is very widely worshiped by the people. This Divine son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati remains a unique combination of great courage and supreme intelligence and can guide one to spiritual evolution.

Here are 9 stories of Murugan that speak about his greatness.

Muruga Overcoming Soorapadman

The Sacred Skanda Purana narrates the fascinating story of Muruga's triumph over Soorapadman. Protected by the boon that only a son born to Shiva can kill him, the mighty demon Soorapadman and his henchmen started harassing the Devas and human beings with unspeakable atrocities. Unable to bear his cruelty, the Devas, on Brahma's advice, took the help of Manmatha, the God of Love, to bring Shiva, in deep meditation, back to world consciousness. And Muruga was born from the sparks that emanated from Shiva's third eye.   

Then Muruga, armed with 11 weapons given by Shiva and the Vel, the mighty spear given by Mother Parvati, commanded the Deva army against Soorapadman. In the fierce battle, Muruga slew the demon's brothers and his army during the first 5 days and took on Soorapadman on the 6th day. Sensing defeat after a long combat, Soorapadman turned into a mango tree, which Muruga split into 2, and made one his peacock vehicle and the other his flag. Muruga's victory is hailed as Soorasamharam and celebrated as the Skanda Shasti festival.

How are the Peacock and Rooster Associated with Muruga?

In the course of his terrible battle with Muruga, demon Soorapadman sensed his defeat and, using his magical powers transformed himself into a mango tree. But Muruga split the tree into 2. Then the demon repented and sought Muruga's forgiveness. And the merciful Muruga pardoned him, turned the 2 parts into a peacock and rooster, and accepted the peacock as his vehicle and the rooster as the emblem in his flag.     

Muruga's Consort Devasena

One of the stories of Murugan is about Devasena. Indra, the Lord of the heavens, rescued from a demon, the young Devasena, who represented the strength of the army of the righteous Devas. And on her request that she be married to the one who protects Dharma and on Brahma's advice, Indra identified Muruga as her husband. After Muruga annihilated Soorapadman and thus saved the Devas, a grateful Indra gave Devasena in marriage to Muruga.    

Muruga-Valli Love Marriage

The tribal chief Nambi brought up Valli, whom he found in a forest, as his daughter. On hearing about her beauty, Muruga accosted her, gradually managed to win her heart, and soon they both fell in love. But thinking that her parents opposed their love, Muruga carried Valli away, and after many trials and tribulations, their marriage took place with her parent's blessings. Thus, their story celebrates the triumph of true love over differences in status and social barriers.   

How Muruga Became Guha?

Guha is one of Muruga's many names. Once Shiva, enjoying cosmic bliss with Parvati, was disturbed by the Devas, who sought his help to end the Asura might. This caused his life energy to drop out involuntarily, which was relayed to river Ganga, who deposited it in the grass on her banks and that nurtured it into the Divine baby Muruga. This incredible birth gave Muruga the name Guha, the mysterious one.

Subrahmanya Bhujangam and Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

One more of the stories of Murugan narrates how Saint Adi Shankara composed the devotional hymn Subrahmanya Bhujangam in the famous Thiruchendur Murugan Temple. Desperate for a cure for his chronic ailment, tuberculosis, Shankara came to this Temple and composed Subrahmanya Bhujangam of 33 slokas as his offering to Subrahmanya (Muruga). And he was completely cured that very instant by Muruga's grace.

Ganesha–Muruga and Mango Fruit

According to one of the stories of Murugan, once Shiva and Parvati got a Divine mango fruit and told their sons that the first to circumambulate the universe would get the fruit. While Muruga went around riding his peacock, the other son Ganesha believed his parents to be the universe, circled them, and won the mango!

But Muruga felt cheated, left the place in anger, and settled on a hill in the south. But the Divine couple pacified him there when Mother Parvati called Muruga, 'Pazham Nee,' 'You yourself are the fruit!' Hence the place itself became Pazhani.

Kavadi (the Devotional Yoke) to Palani Murugan Temple

Kavadi, a unique worship to Muruga, is associated with a legend. Once, Idumban, on his Guru Sage Agastya's instructions, carried 2 hills from the Himalayas to the south at the 2 ends of a pole placed on his shoulder. On reaching Palani, he felt tired and kept the hills down but could not lift them again. There he found a boy sitting on one hilltop claiming ownership of the hills. The dispute resulted in a fight in which Muruga killed Idumban. But he granted Idumban's dying wish that Muruga should fulfill the desires of those who walk to Palani carrying Kavadis, as Idumban did. Muruga agreed, and that started the practice of devotees carrying Kavadi to Palani.    

Muruga and Murungai Kai (Drumstick)

Here is one more of the interesting stories of Murugan. As per belief, the term 'Murugan Kai,' meaning 'Muruga's hand,' only became Murungai Kai, and it is the handsome Muruga who introduced Murungai Kai, the vegetable linked to virility, to earth and its people. The drumstick has much medicinal value, one of which is strengthening the sexual organs.