Kartikeya, or Murugan, is the Hindu god of war and victory in battle. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati. His brother is Ganesh and his mount is a peacock.
Mythology[]
Etymology[]
Kartikeya means "of the Krittikas" in Sanskrit, meanwhile in Tamil his name is Murugan, whose meaning is "Handsome".
Other Religions[]
- In some brachs of Buddhism like Theravada, Mahāyāna, Vajrayāna Kartikeya is know as Skanda/Weito in chinese or Deiten on Japanese is a guardian Buddhist monasteries who protects the teachings of Buddhism.
- The cult of Skanda was introduced in China during the Ming dynasty.
- The Jain Deity Naigamesha have his origins on Kartikeya.
Outside of India[]
- Under his Buddhist name Skanda, Kartikeya was worshiped in several countries like Chinese, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam, Mongolia, Korean and Japan.
- In the Kushan Empire Kartikeya was an important deities under the names Maaseno (Μαασηνο) andSkando-Komaro (Σκανδο-kομαρο).
- Murgan was an important god in Sri Lanka.
Popular Culture[]
Videogames[]
In Shin Megami Tensei Kartikeya is a demon.
| Gods and goddesses of Hindu mythology | |
|---|---|
| Trimurti | Creator: Brahma • Preserver: Viṣṇu • Destroyer: Śiva |
| Tridevi | Creatrix: Saraswati • Preservatrix: Lakshmi • Destructrix: Kali |
| Main Devas | King: Indra • Sun: Surya • Moon: Chandra • Fire: Agni • Wind: Vayu • Ocean: Varuna • Sky: Dyaus • War: Murugan • Wealth: Kubera • Love: Kama • Death: Yama • Rain: Parjanya • Remover of Obstacles: Ganesh |
| Other Devas | Recorder of Fate: Chitragupta • Counsellor to Gods: Brihaspati • Architect of the Universe: Vishvakarman |
| Navagrahas | Sun: Surya • Moon: Chandra • Mercury: Budha • Venus: Shani • Mars: Mangala • Jupiter: Brihaspati • Saturn: Shukra |
| Main Devis | Motherhood: Pārvatī • Earth/Nature: Prithvi • Love: Ratri • Dawn: Ushas • Night: Rati |
| Other Devis | Mother of the Gods: Aditi • Dusk: Saranyu • Death: Yami • Beauty: Shachi • River Ganges: Ganga |