: Tamil language and literature extol the glory of Muruga and He is worshipped as the Lord of Nature. The Tirumurugatrupadai, an inspired rendering by the poet Nakkeerar, is an ancient Tamil classic which describes the Lord's infinite greatness and His compassion.
This work is a beacon light to the Muruga devotee who is shown the path to worship Him that helps one to lead a life of righteousness and thus get rid of our sins. It is said that Siva caused Muruga to be born from His third eye for the specific purpose of killing the demons who were tormenting the world with their unbridled power.
Soorapadman, Taraka and Simhamuka were the sons of the demon princess Maya and Sage Kashyapa. These demons had done severe penance to gain immortality. Siva responded to their austerity and when they sought protection from death, the Lord said that except Himself none else could have the power to kill them.
In a lecture, Dr. Sudha Seshayyan pointed out that the demons are symbolic of the fundamental defects of the Jivatma — the ego sense, the Karma (effect of past deeds) of the individual and ignorance that prevents the right knowledge from our consciousness.
The Self is by nature the essence of consciousness and bliss and is immortal. But it is born repeatedly to exhaust its past Karma. When it takes birth and begins its life on earth, it gets steeped in worldly matters. It forgets its original nature and believes in the “here and now” of worldly life and identifies itself with the body. This gives rise to the sense of “I” and “Mine”. It's past and present Karma dictate the twists and turns in life. The ignorance of its true nature is the greatest hurdle in its quest for realisation.
Muruga fought the demons relentlessly and quelled their power forcefully. The drawbacks of the Jivatma are as powerful as the demons and have to be eliminated. This is to be done only with His grace.
The celestials and demons symbolise the eternal rivalry between good and evil that are part of life. Evil is a powerful force and easily tempt those wanting to tread the right path.
