EAP896/3/3

The events bin about the marriage of Lord Siva to Uma and the birth of Skanda. Kumarasambhava basically talks about the birth of Kumara (Kartikeya), the son of Siva and Parvati. Kumarasambhava literally means "Birth of Kumara". This epic of seventeen cantos entails 'Sringara Rasa', the rasa of love, romance and eroticism, more than Vira rasa (the rasa of Heroism). Tarakasura, a Rakshasa (Demon) was blessed that he could be killed by none other than Siva's son, however, Siva had won over Kama, the God of love. Parvati performed great tapas (or spiritual penance) to win the love of Siva. Consequently, Shiva and Parvati's son Kartikeya was born to restore the glory of Indra, king of the Gods. Kumarasambhava is arguably Kalidasa's finest works to survive. The Mahakavya narrates the origins of Kumara/Subramanya/Murugan starting with birth of Uma/Parvati, His mother and Uma's courtship with Siva, His Father, that leads to their nuptials. As is the tradition in Indian mythology, there is no great event without a divine hand progressing the fate. Taraka, an Asura (a malevolent being), has defeated Demi Gods because of a boon granted to him by Lord Siva that he could be only defeated by son of Siva (who is doing tapas) and also has to be a yogi. Some texts also say that the son should be exactly seven days old. Siva has lost his consort, Sati, who immolates herself in the holy pyre after She had her husband are insulted by Her father, Daksha. Uma/Parvati is incarnation of Sati born to Himavan (or Parvata, thus deriving her name Parvati), who is personification of the Himalayas. This epic poem consists of eight cantos starting from birth of Uma and ending with Uma spending her days happily with Lord Siva as His consort. In the first cantos, Lord of the mountain is blessed with a daughter. She is named Parvati and is also called Uma. She is loved by her family and is adored by everyone else. In Kailasa, Shiva meditates. In second cantos, Lord Siva visits the mountains where Uma offers prayers and respects to the God. Kamadeva, the Lord of Love, awaits to shoot Siva with a flower arrow so potent that it would disturb the ascetic state of mind of the Lord Siva Himself. In third cantos Kamadeva is successful with his mark. Lord Siva notices the shift in his mind as he watches Uma perform her duties and experiences intense attraction towards Her. Being the Lord of Supreme, He sees Kamadeva hiding behind a boulder and directs his third eye at him. Kamadeva is burnt on the spot. The Fourth Cantos is dedicated to Rati, Kamadeva's consort and Goddess of sexual delight. She is lost without her husband and bemoans the position she is in. In Fifth Cantos, Uma dedicates her time selflessly helping Siva perform His daily duties. She finds herself cornered after Kamadeva's death and performs her actions with all the affection she could muster to a God who is relentless in His tapas. Uma wins Him over in the end with her relentless faith. Uma is married to Siva in sixth and seventh cantos. In the final eighth cantos, Kalidasa describes their married life. 'Kumarasambhava' begins with a fine description of that giant mountains, the Himalaya. Kalidasa writes: "Himalaya is rich in life. Living there are the Siddhas, Kinnaras and Vidyadhara beauties. Brahma (the God of creation) himself has made this the king of the mountains."It is not only a place for lovers who want to find happiness in life; it is also an ideal retreat for those who want to meditate. While Siva sat in penance, a 'Rakshasa' named Tarakasura began to trouble the Devas. They, in panic, went to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe and ought salvation. He told them that Parvati had to marry Lord Siva and that the son born out of their wedlock would be able to defeat Demon Taraka. But then, how to make Lord Siva, in deep penance to awake physically and consent to marry Parvati. Indira is the king of the Devas. One of the Gods at his court was Kama (Manmata) whose wife was the beautiful Rati. Kama had the capacity to make any one desire to marry. Indira commanded Manmata to see that Lord Siva would develop a wish to marry Parvati. Kama, Rati and their friend Vasanta (Lord of spring) set about the task. Though it was not the season, Kama created all the glory and beauty of the spring. Mild, pleasant breeze began to blow from the South. Flowers were sprinkling down from 'Ashoka' trees birds and the bees began to savor the fresh flower of the young mango leaves. But all this would not deter Lord Siva from his penance. Kama went there. Siva was doing his penance sitting on a tiger-skin under a 'Devadaru' tree. Kama was overwhelmed on seeing the exquisite grace of Lord and the cupid's bow and arrow fell down without his being aware of it. At this time, Parvati arrived on the scene to attend to her daily chores of service to the Lord. She wore a saree colored like the bright red rays of the Sun. Nice spring flowers adorned her plait. A diamond chain shone on her forehead. Her gait was like that of a delicate flower- creeper. This great beauty of Parvati inspired Kama, who hitherto was somewhat, dejected, again to strive to fulfill his task. Parvati raised her hands to offer her garland of lotus flowers to Siva who also eagerly came out of his penance to accept the offering. Kama was waiting for such a moment and exercised his 'sword of love'. Siva eyed Parvati once and immediately realised that He had been weaned away from his penance. Actually he admired her several fine, noble qualities and her devout penance. Both he and Parvati were performing penance and leading a life of sacrifice -- i.e. 'Tapasya'. Both were embodiments of purity. Born to them was Kumara. His parents' penance fortified him with strength to destroy the demon Taraka. The birth of Kumara / Karthikeya is explicitly shown with vivid details. The paintings are studied in two sets. The eastern half portion is complete and the western half is incomplete and difficult to understand the subject. The events bin about the marriage of Lord Siva to Uma and the birth of Skanda. Kumarasambhava basically talks about the birth of Kumara (Kartikeya), the son of Siva and Parvati. Kumarasambhava literally means "Birth of Kumara". This epic of seventeen cantos entails 'Sringara Rasa', the rasa of love, romance and eroticism, more than Vira rasa (the rasa of Heroism). Tarakasura, a Rakshasa (Demon) was blessed that he could be killed by none other than Siva's son, however, Siva had won over Kama, the God of love. Parvati performed great tapas (or spiritual penance) to win the love of Siva. Consequently, Shiva and Parvati's son Kartikeya was born to restore the glory of Indra, king of the Gods. Kumarasambhava is arguably Kalidasa's finest works to survive. The Mahakavya narrates the origins of Kumara/Subramanya/Murugan starting with birth of Uma/Parvati, His mother and Uma's courtship with Siva, His Father, that leads to their nuptials. As is the tradition in Indian mythology, there is no great event without a divine hand progressing the fate. Taraka, an Asura (a malevolent being), has defeated Demi Gods because of a boon granted to him by Lord Siva that he could be only defeated by son of Siva (who is doing tapas) and also has to be a yogi. Some texts also say that the son should be exactly seven days old. Siva has lost his consort, Sati, who immolates herself in the holy pyre after She had her husband are insulted by Her father, Daksha. Uma/Parvati is incarnation of Sati born to Himavan (or Parvata, thus deriving her name Parvati), who is personification of the Himalayas. This epic poem consists of eight cantos starting from birth of Uma and ending with Uma spending her days happily with Lord Siva as His consort. In the first cantos, Lord of the mountain is blessed with a daughter. She is named Parvati and is also called Uma. She is loved by her family and is adored by everyone else. In Kailasa, Shiva meditates. In second cantos, Lord Siva visits the mountains where Uma offers prayers and respects to the God. Kamadeva, the Lord of Love, awaits to shoot Siva with a flower arrow so potent that it would disturb the ascetic state of mind of the Lord Siva Himself. In third cantos Kamadeva is successful with his mark. Lord Siva notices the shift in his mind as he watches Uma perform her duties and experiences intense attraction towards Her. Being the Lord of Supreme, He sees Kamadeva hiding behind a boulder and directs his third eye at him. Kamadeva is burnt on the spot. The Fourth Cantos is dedicated to Rati, Kamadeva's consort and Goddess of sexual delight. She is lost without her husband and bemoans the position she is in. In Fifth Cantos, Uma dedicates her time selflessly helping Siva perform His daily duties. She finds herself cornered after Kamadeva's death and performs her actions with all the affection she could muster to a God who is relentless in His tapas. Uma wins Him over in the end with her relentless faith. Uma is married to Siva in sixth and seventh cantos. In the final eighth cantos, Kalidasa describes their married life. 'Kumarasambhava'begins with a fine description of that giant mountains, the Himalaya. Kalidasa writes: "Himalaya is rich in life. Living there are the Siddhas, Kinnaras and Vidyadhara beauties. Brahma (the God of creation) himself has made this the king of the mountains."It is not only a place for lovers who want to find happiness in life; it is also an ideal retreat for those who want to meditate. While Siva sat in penance, a 'Rakshasa' named Tarakasura began to trouble the Devas. They, in panic, went to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe and ought salvation. He told them that Parvati had to marry Lord Siva and that the son born out of their wedlock would be able to defeat Demon Taraka. But then, how to make Lord Siva, in deep penance to awake physically and consent to marry Parvati. Indira is the king of the Devas. One of the Gods at his court was Kama (Manmata) whose wife was the beautiful Rati. Kama had the capacity to make any one desire to marry. Indira commanded Manmata to see that Lord Siva would develop a wish to marry Parvati. Kama, Rati and their friend Vasanta (Lord of spring) set about the task. Though it was not the season, Kama created all the glory and beauty of the spring. Mild, pleasant breeze began to blow from the South. Flowers were sprinkling down from 'Ashoka' trees birds and the bees began to savor the fresh flower of the young mango leaves. But all this would not deter Lord Siva from his penance. Kama went there. Siva was doing his penance sitting on a tiger-skin under a 'Devadaru' tree. Kama was overwhelmed on seeing the exquisite grace of Lord and the cupid's bow and arrow fell down without his being aware of it. At this time, Parvati arrived on the scene to attend to her daily chores of service to the Lord. She wore a saree colored like the bright red rays of the Sun. Nice spring flowers adorned her plait. A diamond chain shone on her forehead. Her gait was like that of a delicate flower- creeper. This great beauty of Parvati inspired Kama, who hitherto was somewhat, dejected, again to strive to fulfil his task. Parvati raised her hands to offer her garland of lotus flowers to Siva who also eagerly came out of his penance to accept the offering. Kama was waiting for such a moment and exercised his 'sword of love'. Siva eyed Parvati once and immediately realised that He had been weaned away from his penance. Actually he admired her several fine, noble qualities and her devout penance. Both he and Parvati were performing penance and leading a life of sacrifice -- i.e. 'Tapasya'. Both were embodiments of purity. Born to them was Kumara. His parents' penance fortified him with strength to destroy the demon Taraka.

The ceiling of the Amman temple presents us with an esoteric set of scenes from the epic Kumarasambhava. In front of the Amman temple, there are two sets of paintings from the legend and incomplete paintings depicting the marriage of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi. The birth of Kumara / Karthikeya is explicitly shown with vivid details. The paintings are studied in two sets. The eastern half portion is complete and the western half is incomplete and difficult to understand the subject. Lord Muruga was born out of a flame from Lord Siva’s third eye and it’s unique and not seen in any other art work in Tamil Nadu.