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STORIES · THE RĀMĀYAṆA · Bāla

Kartikeya's birth

Classical

Six faces so he could nurse from six mothers at once.

Gods led by Indra and Agni ask Brahma for an army commander since Shiva is in penance with Uma. Agni's fiery seed of Shiva is placed in the Ganga, which deposits it on Himalayan slopes where it becomes a radiant child and turns the forest golden. The Krittikas nurse him; he grows six faces to feed from all, earning the names Skanda and Kartikeya. The gods anoint him commander.

Who: Kartikeya, Agni, Ganga, Krittikas, Shiva

Bound to

Uma's curse: gods' wives shall bear no children causes

Places: Himalaya

Where this comes from

• valmiki · Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kanda (valmikiramayan.net translation) sarga 37

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