| Gods & Goddesses |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
KARTIKEYA |
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| Taraka
is killed Brahma, the creator, was watching the terrible fight. Seeing the defeat and the distress of the angels, he told Kartikeya, "0 son of Shiva, Taraka cannot be killed by any but you. You must at once dispatch him." All the angels joined Brahma in that prayer. Now Kartikeya himself marched on the foe. Small in size, he yet appeared fearless and frightening to the enemies. He confronted Taraka whom, brandishing a sword, shouted to the angels, "You cowards! You have brought this tender boy to face me. Are you not ashamed? Where is your entire valor? Are even Indra,Vishnu and Shiva so naive? Unable themselves to do anything, they have sent this child to fight with me, like pushing a calf into the tiger's mouth! I am certain to kill this boy. But as a great demon like me this is certainly a sinful deed. Taraka then turned to Kartikeya and said - "Look here, boy, you are still so young. If you want the pleasure of a fight, get it from your friends in a game or by wrestling. Go back, and if you wish, send your father to fight me." Kartikeya replied - "Listen, Taraka. True, am young. But my valor is not young. Can darkness persist before even the morning sun? A small spark can destroy the vast forest. The mysterious and spiritual sound 'OM' is just one letter, but its significance is immense. The quality of heroes is to fight on the battlefield with weapons. But you are talking like a mad man. Stop your prattle." The two then engaged in a terrible fight. Both now took up the 'Shakti' weapon. The boy divine, also called Shanmukha because of his six faces, fell down once, with Taraka's ferocious blow. But he rose at once and like an angry lion attacked Taraka, bringing him flat on the ground. When Taraka got up again, all the angels trembled in fear. When again they began the fight, the very air was stilled. The sun became dull and the earth had tremors. Even the mountain- gods like Himavanta, who had come to see Kartikeya in action, were afraid. But Kumara gave them courage. He offered his obeisance to his parents, Shiva and Parvathi, in his mind and as everyone was gazing, he lifted the trident transferring all strength and power to his little hands and hit Taraka on the chest with it. Blood spread out like a stream, the demon's chest getting split. Taraka, the powerful Rakshasa, of whom all were in fear, fell down dead. |
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