Yet
oe more: Another fantastic legend narrated that once Agni
appeared before Siva and Parvathi, when they were absorbed
in the act of copulation. the sudden appearance of Agni
made Siva discharge his seed abruptly. Angry Parvathi asled
Agni to bear that seed. He humbly accepted, infear of severe
consequences, but he could not bear it longer. He threw
it into the river Ganges and the later transferred it to
the six enchanting young girls called Kritikas, who were
bathing in it. they gave birth to children, each one. All
the six were combined into one with six heads and twelve
arms but with one neck and one belly. Later his peerless
career crowned him with the generalship of his celestial
army along with Devendra's daughter as wife.
Another
legend narrates that was also called Saravanabhava due to
the fact of the seed of Siva thrown into the forest of Sara
of seeds, where he was born according to another story.
Whatever
may be his orgin, he was undoubtedly the most courageous
among the celestials, and with his help along Devendra killed
Taraka. Surapadma , Mahisha etc. Moreover, he is represented
as Kumara of great beauty and of irresistible attraction.
He is the Prince charming among gods. He accepted the cock
to adorn his banner and Mayura as his mount, the two forms
of Surapadma at the time of his death at his hands.
There
are several other myths and legends finding coveted places
in the scriptures. They bring out the glory of this War
Lord, but strange to find that his worship or popularity
is little known in North India; rather he is not given wide
puplicity as found in the South , especially Tamil Nadu,
which if termed Muruga Nadu, justifies selection, says ine
enthusiast.
