| Gods & Goddesses |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
KARTIKEYA |
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Shiva's Son Come? Taraka was surprised that a messenger like that should come and irritate him. So he thought within himself, I have seen this fellow, Indra's strength so many times. He has so often been beaten by me, so often fallen down and eaten the dirt on that ground, fallen so heavily that even grass could not he grow there later. Because of my great-grandfather Brahma's words and out of pity, I had left the Devaloka to him. And now he exhibits such pride! But how could he get this courage? Of late I have also had a series of ill omens. My left eye has been fluttering. And so much of dirt rises up in the sky. And there are the ugly shouts of wild beasts. Blood has rained from the skies. These ill omens must mean something. A son must have been born to Shiva. It must be only because of that, that Indra shows something like courage." Engrossed in thought, Tarakasura went up the steps and from the high terrace of his palace, looked around scanning the far-off horizon. Then he heard the war cries of the army of the angels, like a distant thunder. He saw a huge army marching on him with all its four divisions, namely, the elephant - borne wing, the chariots, the cavalry and the Infantry.The martial music with different types of drums and trumpets could be heard from a distance. Right in the middle of the marching army, the great hero Kartikeya sat in a bright chariot covered in a white canopy and equipped with all weapons. A saffron pennant with the symbol of a cock fluttered atop the advancing chariot. Taraka now knew that it was the son of Shiva coming to confront him.
He remembered the boon he had asked of Brahma and obtained. He was shaken, thinking that
his end was near. But he did not want to show any fear before his men and pretended to be
unaffected. He sent for the commanders of his army and asked them to make all preparations
for the war. |
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