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Stories of Murugan – 9 Lord Muruga Stories

This is a collection of stories of Muruga, who is known as Kartik, Subramanian, Skanda, etc. Lord Muruga stories are based on Hindu Puranas. Son of Shiva, Muruga is Deva Senapati, the commander of the Devas. He is worshipped widely in South India especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Karnataka. Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Africa have huge followers of Lord Muruga.

Story of Devasena Consort of Muruga

Story of Devasena, consort of Muruga, is found in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata. Indra was once defeated by the demons and he went into exile. One day while he was thinking about ways to regain his lost glory, he heard the cry of a female. The female was calling for help.

Indra soon discovered that the woman was being forcibly carried away by demon Kesin. Indra asked the demon to release Kesin but he did not budge. The demon threw a mace on Indra.

Indra cut the mace with his Vajra and chased the demon away.

The woman then told Indra that she was Devasena – she represents the strength of the army of the Devas or who follow Dharma. She had a sister Daityasena – she presents the strength of the army of the demons or who follow Adharma.

She then said that the demon Kesin wanted to marry her but she ran away from him. Her sister was already married to the demon.

She then requested Indra to secure her a proper husband who would be able to overcome all the enemies of Dharma.

Indra then took Devasena to Brahma and asked Him for a suitable husband. Brahma promised to help Devasena and this led to the incarnation of Muruga. He later became the commander of the army of the Devas and married Devasena.

Lord Muruga Stories

The Story of Muruga and Valli

Valli is the wife of Hindu God Muruga and the devotional hymn, Tirumurukarruppatai, narrates the love story of Muruga and Valli. Muruga, the Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is popularly known as Kartik in North India. He is the commander of the Gods and is one of the most popular deities in Dravidian culture.

Legend has it that Nambi, a tribal chief, who was blessed with many sons longed for a girl child. Once Nambi stumbled upon a hole that was dug to find roots and yams in the forest. In the hole he found a beautiful girl child and she was named Valli as she was found in the hole dug for yams and roots. The tribal chief brought her up as his daughter and she grew up to be a beautiful young lady.

Young Valli was assigned with the duty of guarding the millet farm of the tribe. Lord Muruga who was residing on the Palani hills came to know about the beauty of Valli from Sage Narada.

Muruga took the form of a young hunter and tried to impress Valli. But she was hesitant and their first meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Nambi and his sons. Muruga took the form of a tree and went unnoticed.

Muruga then took the form of an old man and asked her for food. She fed him. Satisfied with her, the old man asked her to marry him. But she was hesitant.

Suddenly a rogue elephant came to the scene and a scared Valli took refuge in the arms of the old man. Muruga then revealed his true form and Valli was happy to be the beloved of Muruga. Legend has it that Lord Ganesh took the form of the rogue elephant to help His brother.

Muruga and Valli continued to meet in the millet field and their love blossomed. Soon the harvest time approached and Valli was taken back to the village by Nambi, the tribal chief. Nambi’s wife soon found out that Valli was in love with someone but she would not divulge his name.

When Muruga came to the millet field, he found it deserted. He thought that Nambi was coming between His love. He then went to the village and carried Valli away to the hills.

Nambi and his army marched toward the hills thinking some imposter had kidnapped his daughter. On the hills, the army had to face Muruga’s Rooster. It crowed so hard that the entire army including Nambi was killed.

Valli could not bear the death of her father. Sage Narada then reminded Muruga that the consent of the parents were necessary for the love to be truly divine.

Muruga then brought back the dead to life and revealed himself before Nambi. The tribal chief who worshipped Muruga was only happy to give his daughter in marriage to his Lord.

Symbolically the story celebrates devotion, love, passion and lust without the barriers of any religious restraints. Instead of staying high away from the people, divinity mingles with them.

Story of Devasena Consort of Muruga

Story of the Origin of the prayer Subrahmanya Bhujangam and Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

Subrahmanya Bhujangam is a prayer dedicated to Muruga or Kartik. This prayer was composed by Adi Shankaracharya. The popular belief is that Jagadguru Adi Shankara composed this prayer at the famous Tiruchendur Murugan Temple at Tirunellveli in Tamil Nadu.

Legend has it that Adi Shankaracharya was suffering from Kasa Roga (severe cough). He tried various medicines and mantra to control the cough. But He could not check the persistent cough with mantra and medicine. Searching for a cure, He reached the Tirchendur Murugan Temple.

At the temple He stood before the presiding deity and composed Subrahmanya Bhujangam in 33 shlokas and offered it to Muruga. As soon as He finished the prayer, the cough disappeared.

Murungai Kai and Lord Muruga – Origin of Drumstick in Hindu Tradition

Murungai Kai, Moringa Oleifera or Drumstick, is associated with Lord Muruga. It is the vegetable of Muruga, son of Shiva. Muruga is also known as Skanda, Shanmugham, Subrahmanya and Kartikeya. He is the commander of the army of devas. He is also the most handsome god and associated with virility.

The widespread belief is that Murungai Kai was given to all living beings on earth by Muruga. The vegetable gets its name from Murugan and Kai. Kai means vegetable. It is the vegetable that appeared from the hand of Muruga.

Drumstick has numerous medicinal uses. It is believed that Murungai Kai helps in strengthening of the sexual organs.

Story of taking Kavadi to Palani Murugan Temple

Story of taking Kavadi to Palani Murugan Temple is associated with Sage Agastya, Muruga and Idumban.

Legend has it that Sage Agastya commanded his disciple Idumban to take two hills from the Himalayas down South. Idumban balanced the two hills on either end of a stick —this ended up being the Kavadi that devotees carry for Muruga.

When Idumban reached Palani, he was tired and decided to take rest and set down the two hills.

After a while, when Idumban decided to lift the hill he could not do so. Soon he discovered that a small boy was sitting atop one of the hills.

Muruga then appeared in front of Idumban and told him that he now owned hills.

Idumban disagreed and a battle ensued between them.

Muruga killed Idumban, whose dying wish was that anyone who carried a Kavadi and walked up to Palani should be granted whatever they wished for.

Muruga agreed to the wish of Idumban and this is the reason why devotees carry Kavadi to Palani Murugan Temple.

Story of Muruga Defeating Demon Soorapadman

Demon Soorapadman attained the boon that only a son born of Shiva will kill him. Lord Shiva had gone into deep meditation after death of Goddess Sati. The demon had thought that Shiva would never return to earthly life. The story of Muruga defeating demon Soorapadman is found in the Skanda Purana.

After getting the boon, demons under the leadership of Soorapadma, Simhamukha and Tarakasura defeated the Devas and took over the earth. They found immense pleasure in torturing the Devas and humans. They went on a massive rampage and destroyed anything that belonged to the Devas.

On the advice of Lord Brahma, Devas took the help of Kamdev or Manmatha in bringing back Shiva into worldly life. The child that was born was Muruga.



Before going into the battle against Soorapadman, Shiva gave eleven weapons (eleven manifestations of Rudra), and Goddess Parvati gave the Vel or Spear to Muruga.  Vel, or sacred spear, is the weapon associated with Muruga.

During the first five days of the battle, brothers of Soorapadman and all other demons were vanquished.

On the sixth day, Soorapadman confronted Muruga. After a long battle, the demon took the form of a mango tree.

Muruga split the mango tree into two killing the demon. One part became a peacock and the other part became a rooster. He took peacock as his vehicle and the rooster became the symbol on his flag.

This divine event is observed as Skanda Sashti festival. The final day is observed as Soorasamharam.

How Lord Muruga Got the Name Guha?

Guha is one among the numerous names of Lord Muruga. He is the son of Shiva and is popularly known as Kartik in North India and as Muruga and Subrahmanya in South India and among Tamil and Malayali communities around the world. Here is how Lord Muruga got the name Guha?

Shiva and Goddess Parvati was engaged in cosmic bliss for many eons and was disturbed by Devas who wanted his help to defeat demon Tarakasura. Shiva thus accidentally dropped his semen.The fiery seed that fell from Shiva could not be held by Earth. Mother Earth cannot bear the heat. She took the help of Agni, the Hindu God of Fire. Agni took the form of a dove and swallowed the fiery seed.

But he too could not tolerate the heat. He deposited it in the Himalayas. Himavan the king of mountain could not bear the fierce heat that emanated from the seed. So He deposited it in the River Ganga.

Ganga Maa carried the seed and deposited it on clump of grass on its banks. The grass acted as womb and nurtured the fetus. And Muruga or Kartik was born.

Sage Vishvamitra happened to see the divine child and was amazed to see his brilliance.

On being asked about the parentage of the, the child replied that know him to be Guha – they mysterious one.

Muruga got the name Guha due to his unusual and mysterious birth.


How Peacock and Rooster Became Symbols Associated with Muruga?

Peacock and Rooster (cock or adult male chicken) is associated with Muruga – also known as Kartik, Kartikeya and Murugan. Legend has it that Muruga appeared to annihilate the demons that were spreading Adharma in the world. The chief of the demons was Soorapadman and he was defeated by Muruga at Tiruchendur.

Soorapadman had captured numerous Devas, saints and human beings. Murugan first deputed Veerabahu as a messenger and asked Soorapadman to stop his atrocities. But the demon paid no heed to the words of Muruga.

In the war that ensued, the demon army was easily overpowered by Muruga. Soorapadman performed many magical acts to deceive Muruga. Finally, the demon took the form of a tree, Muruga hurled his Vel (lance) on the tree and it split into two parts.

The demon then repented and asked Muruga for forgiveness. Muruga showed mercy and compassion and accepted Soorapadman as his vehicle (peacock) and banner (rooster).

The two half took the forms of peacock and rooster and constantly stays with Muruga.

Ganesha – Muruga and Mango Fruit

Legend has it that Shiva and Goddess Parvati once got a single sweet mango fruit. The divine couple told their two sons, Ganesha and Muruga, that the first to circle the world will get the mango fruit. Muruga set off on his peacock. Ganesha circled his parents, symbolically meaning that his parents are his world. Thus Ganesha won the sweet mango.

Muruga felt dejected and renounced his family and retired to a hill in south India. The divine couple came down to pacify their son and goddess Parvati pacified him by calling the fruit of wisdom – ‘pazham nee’ which became Palani.