There are different sadanas to attain each of the goals of human existence, namely dharma, artha, kama and moksha. It is held that by propitiating Skanda whose glories are described in the Skanda Purana, one is sure to be blessed to attain all these, pointed out Nannilam Sri V. Rajagopala Ganapadigal in a discourse. Skanda is a multifaceted deity who is the essence of all that is gracious and valiant, while he is also the embodiment of beauty, jnana and compassion.
Sage Vyasa had composed the Skanda Purana and taught it to his disciple Suta Pauranika. Once, Suta Pauranika visits the sacred Kshetra Naimisaranya, where the rishis used to perform many satra yagnas for the welfare of the people and the worlds. Usually, it takes many years to complete a satra yagna. When Suta arrives, the rishis welcome him and request him to narrate the Skanda Purana. They are keen to know about Skanda’s birth and his glories. How is it that Skanda is born of the third eye of Siva? How and why were Siva and Sakti separated and how were they united as Parvati and Parameswara? What are the antecedents of Soorapadman and his asura clan?
Suta explains that the three asuras Soorapadman, Simhamuka and Tarakasura are the sons born to Sage Kashyapa and one Maaya, the daughter of an asura king. She is adept at magical art and trickery and instils in her sons the deep sense of enmity towards the devas. Prompted by their mother, the brothers engage in severe and austere penance and invoke Siva’s grace. They get from Siva unlimited powers, weapons, etc. Soorapadman also gets a boon that he shall not be killed by any forces other than Lord Siva’s power. So Skanda is born as the very essence of Siva’s greatness and vanquishes the three brothers.
