Murugan: The Warrior-Sage

Key idea: Murugan (Kartikeya, Skanda) is youth, valour and wisdom in one. He is the commander who defeated the demon Surapadman, and the teacher who explained the meaning of Om to his own father. In Tamil culture he is thebeloved deity.

Symbolism

• Vel (spear): knowledge that pierces ignorance

• Peacock (Mayil): pride conquered and turned into a mount

• Rooster banner: the dawn call of awakening

• Six faces (Shanmukha): mastery of the senses, and the six directions of vision

Temples

• East: no major temple

• West: Kukke Subramanya Temple, Karnataka (the western coast)

• North: Kartikeya Temple, Pehowa, Haryana

• South: Palani Dhandayuthapani Temple, Tamil Nadu (one of the six Arupadai Veedu abodes)