
Lord Kartikeya
कार्तिकेय
The God of War and Commander of the Divine Army
1 mantras available
About Lord Kartikeya
Lord Kartikeya, also known as Murugan, Skanda, Subramanya, and Shanmukha, is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the elder brother of Ganesha. He is the commander-in-chief (Senapati) of the army of the Devas and was born specifically to slay the demon Tarakasura, whom no other god could defeat. In South India, he is worshipped as Murugan, one of the most popular and beloved deities, with six major temples (Arupadai Veedu) dedicated to him in Tamil Nadu.
Kartikeya is depicted as an eternally youthful warrior, handsome and radiant, riding a peacock (Paravani) and wielding a divine spear (Vel or Shakti). His six faces (Shanmukha) represent the six directions, the six yogic chakras, and his ability to see and protect in all directions simultaneously. He was raised by the six Krittikas (Pleiades star cluster), from whom he derives his name Kartikeya.
Kartikeya mantras are chanted for victory over enemies, courage in battle (both outer and inner), overcoming difficult challenges, and Mars-related astrological remedies (Mangal Dosha). He is the patron deity of soldiers, athletes, and those facing intense competition. His worship is especially prominent in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Sri Lanka, and among the Tamil diaspora worldwide.