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Karttikeya: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Lord Muruga Batu Caves.jpg|thumb|Statue of Karttikeya at Batu Caves, Malaysia]] | [[File:Lord Muruga Batu Caves.jpg|thumb|Statue of Karttikeya at Batu Caves, Malaysia]] | ||
In Hindu tradition, Karttikeya is the god of war and commander-in-chief of the army of the gods. He is also known as Skanda, the son of | In Hindu tradition, Karttikeya is the god of war and commander-in-chief of the army of the gods. He is also known as Skanda, the son of [[Shiva]]—and as Kumara, “the holy youth.” In the Chandogya Upanishad (7.26), Skanda is identified with the Vedic sage '''[[Sanat Kumara]]'''. | ||
According to Yogic teachings, he represents the power of chastity. Margaret and James Stutley write in ''Harper’s Dictionary of Hinduism'' that he was born when Shiva, who, “having attained complete mastery of his instincts, applied his sexual energy to spiritual and intellectual ends.”<ref>Margaret and James Stutley, ''Harper’s Dictionary of Hinduism: Its Mythology, Folklore, Philosophy, Literature, and History'' (New York: Harper and Row, 1977), p. 282 n. 3.</ref> This is illustrated in the many legends that tell of Karttikeya being born motherless and from the seed of Shiva that fell into the Ganges. | According to Yogic teachings, he represents the power of chastity. Margaret and James Stutley write in ''Harper’s Dictionary of Hinduism'' that he was born when Shiva, who, “having attained complete mastery of his instincts, applied his sexual energy to spiritual and intellectual ends.”<ref>Margaret and James Stutley, ''Harper’s Dictionary of Hinduism: Its Mythology, Folklore, Philosophy, Literature, and History'' (New York: Harper and Row, 1977), p. 282 n. 3.</ref> This is illustrated in the many legends that tell of Karttikeya being born motherless and from the seed of Shiva that fell into the Ganges. | ||