Lord Subrahmanya was destined to kill the demon Soorapadman, M.A. Manickavelu said in a discourse. But, He first had to kill Tarakasura, the demon with an elephant face, and Krauncha, the demon in the form of a mountain. Both were the brothers of Soorapadman.
Using his stick, sage Agastya had made holes in Krauncha to cross over it. He told Krauncha that he had made these holes for people to cross over, and when Krauncha gave them trouble, he would be adding to his sins.
Liberation for him would come when he was finally slain by Subrahmanya, said the sage.
Sage Narada told Subrahmanya that killing Tarakasura was winning half the battle, for he was a formidable foe. Initially, Veerabahu goes to fight Tarakasura.
Veerakesari, another warrior in Subrahmanya's army, faints during the fight, but Veerabahu carries on. Tarakasura tells Veerabahu that while he (Tarakasura) is powerful like a lion, Veerabahu has the strength of a mere fox. But Veerabahu uses a weapon, which makes Tarakasura run off from the battlefield. To kill him, Veerabahu prays to Subrahmanya.
In the meanwhile, the other soldiers in Subrahmanya's army are trapped by Krauncha. Realising that none but Lord Subrahmanya Himself can carry the battle to its end, Narada asks the Lord to kill Tarakasura.
When Tarakasura sees Subrahmanya, he says to Him: “Why have you come to fight me? I have no quarrel with you.” He then begins to shoot arrows at the Lord. Seeing that these are of no use against the Lord, Tarakasura and his brother decide to use magic to confuse the Lord. So Krauncha assumes the form of a cloud, while Tarakasura the form of thunder.
When Krauncha appears as an ocean, Tarakasura appears as fire. When Krauncha appears as darkness, Tarakasura appears as the place enveloped by such darkness. When Krauncha appears as an elephant, Tarakasura appears as a loud sound. But they are unable to keep Subrahmanya at bay.
Finally, the Lord's arrows pierce Tarakasura. Tarakasura dies, paving the way for the slaying of Soorapadman.
