In the Skanda Purana, Soorapadman exhibits sheer arrogance, remaining undeterred by the attempts of his sibling, Simhamukha, to dissuade him from initiating war against Lord Murugan. Despite the futile counsel, Tarakasura, another brother with an elephant head, recklessly engages in the battle and meets his demise. Lord Murugan, discerning through Soorapadman's shape-shifting deceit, divides him into two entities, giving rise to a rooster and a peacock. The profound symbolism embedded in this narrative carries profound spiritual significance.
The question arises: Why does Lord Murugan adopt the rooster
as his emblem and the peacock as his mount, portraying a symbolic fusion with
Soorapadman? What elevates Soorapadman to such a distinguished status in this
transformative narrative?
Soorapadman, characterized by arrogance and ego, represents
the innermost layer of the self—the egoistic 'I' that needs to be transcended
for spiritual growth. Lord Murugan's decision to take the rooster as his flag
and the peacock as his vehicle symbolizes the transformation of Soorapadman's
negative qualities into instruments of divine expression.
The rooster, associated with the crowing sound that
signifies the arrival of light, represents the awakening of spiritual knowledge
(jnana) within an individual. Just as the rooster crows at the break of dawn,
the inner light of knowledge dispels the darkness of ignorance. The rooster as
Lord Murugan's flag emphasizes the importance of spiritual enlightenment on the
path to merging with the divine.
The peacock, a majestic bird with vibrant feathers, is
chosen as Lord Murugan's vehicle. The peacock symbolizes the shedding of karmic
layers—the net of one's past sins and virtues. Lord Murugan's riding on the
peacock signifies the mastery over karma and the ability to rise above the
entanglements of one's past actions.
In essence, the story signifies the spiritual journey of a
devotee. To merge with the divine, one must shed the layers of ego
(Soorapadman), transcend the karmic influences (represented by the peacock),
and awaken the inner light of knowledge (symbolized by the rooster's crowing).
The amalgamation of these symbols in Lord Murugan's representation reflects the
transformative process that each individual must undergo to attain spiritual
realization and merge with the divine.