Vaikasi Visakam: Why was Muruga born?

Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita: "yada yada yudharmasya glanir bhawati bharata abhuyadyanam adarmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham paritraya sadhunaam vinashayacha dushkritam dharmasanshta panarthaya sambhawami yuge yuge" Lord Krishna’s words declare that whenever vile, corruption and evil become prevalent in this world, He (God) will appear to reinstate righteousness and justice. The legends of Avatars of Vishnu and Shiva born to save the Earth from different disasters confirm the statement of Lord Krishna. On the Full Moon of Vaikasi, also locally known as Vaikasi Poornima(the Tamil month that falls between the months of May-June) and under the star of Visakha, Lord Muruga was born. It is his birthday. He was born to protect Devas and saints and lead the army of Indra against the demons to end their harassments. He is hailed as the God of courage and wisdom. He is also the one who destroys fear, negativity and evil.

Legends of Lord Muruga’s birth:

Our Purānas describe Skanda or Muruga as the son of Lord Shiva. Once when the Devas and saints, the celestial beings were disturbed by increasing arrogance of the demon Tāraka, they sent deputation to Lord Shiva through Agni seeking the Lord’s help. When Agni came to meet Lord Shiva, he was in cosmic embrace with his wife Goddess Parvati. At the sudden intrusion of Agni, his seed fell on the ground. Under Lord Shiva's direction, Agni swallowed it. But unable to retain it, Agni dropped it in the river Ganges. She bore the child and gave birth to a boy. To take care of the boy the seven stars of Krttika (the Pleiadas) constellation took human forms as seven nymphs. Thereby, the boy was known as Kartikeya.

Some legends have it that the boy was born to Agni and Swaha. Knowing about Agni’s affection for Krittika, Swaha is said to have feigned as the seven sisters of Krittika. Another legend also holds that Kartikeya was born as six different babies looked after by seven sisters of Krittika, who were wives of the Saptarishis. The babies were united on the lap of Parvati and the boy was also named Armugam (the one with six faces).

Astrological Significance:

The stars of Visakha constellation are ruled by Indra and Agni and it spans from zodiac Libra into Scorpio. This constellation is signifies qualities of power, might, authority and so on and archetype of Muruga rules the sign Scorpio. The stars of Krittika are ruled by Agni. It is a constellation that spans from zodiac sign of Aries into Taurus. It is the constellation of high potency and vigor that can reduce any negative forces or confusion. Kartikeya or Muruga rules the sign Taurus.

Muruga’s Vel:

Muruga is a warrior god and represented in red color. The weapon known as Vel that Muruga is shown to hold in his hand was presented to him by his mother, Parvati. The spear can pierce through any evil or demon. The God who is robust, energetic and strikes fear in the eyes of demons, also helps in winning over fears when one prays to him with devotion. Muruga subdued arrogance of the two prominent demons tormenting the devas: Supradaman and Tarakasura.