(This is an excerpt from my book “Four Eras of The Battling Gods & Mortals.” The book can be obtained from Amazon. The is also available at Kitab Ghar, Gaiety, Shimla. The Amazon link is given below):

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390758173?ref=myi_title_dp

 

Indra and Kartikey as The Gods of Battle 

 

Indra as the God of Battle

Indra was the eldest of the thirty-three sons of Kashyap, one of the mindborn sons of Brahma, and Aditi, the eldest daughter of Prajapati Daksh. He was the elder brother of Vishnu and is also sometimes described as the twin brother of Agni.

There are also several stories in the Vedas, Brahmanas and Upnishadas about him. At the time of Indra's birth, somehow, his mother felt that he was incapable of being killed. So she decided to abandon him. Fearing trouble for herself, she asked the child to leave her and go to some other place. Indra refused to do so and followed her to the house of Tvastha. There he drank the juice of the soma plant and gained strength to kill his enemies. But unaware of this, his mother, tried to keep him concealed.

Indra was one of the most important god mentioned in Rig Ved. In all the allegories, myths and stories mentioned in Vedas, Upnishad and Puranas, his presence can be felt ubiquitously throughout all the Four Eras, even prior to when Krit Yug began. He is above all the god of battle against Daityas and Rakshasas. He was frequently propitiated and praised by the Aryans before going into battle. He always emerged as unconquerable hero and warrior, defending his Aryan clan against Mallechh onslaughts. He was celebrated as the slayer of enemies, fierce in attitude and rather cruel by nature. He used to destroy the enemy with an utter and total lack of sympathy. There was always an element of fear while offering the prayers. Indra had occupied one of the most eminent places among the gods. He was also a god who bestowed cattle, horses and wealth on those who worshipped him, but as king of the gods he was generally benevolent, generous to his worshippers, assuring peace and prosperity and delivering beneficial rainstorms to end droughts also.

He had divine weapons at his command. His weapons included Vajra, discharging lightning and thunder, made by Tvastha. He hurled hot stones against his enemies. He had golden wheel chariot pulled by the horses whom he controlled with golden whip. He was constantly travelling about in the sky in his golden viman made by Ribhus and driven by Vayu. This viman speeded through the air swifter than the thought. Indra's bow was said to be the rainbow and his sword was Paranjaya.

Indra performed one hundred sacrifices at the place called Indratirth and came to be known as Shatkratu.[1] 

In the war against the Asuras, Rakshasas and Daityas the Aryas regularly seek the help of Indra.  Sages have sung unendingly about the exploits of Indra. Indra was Vajrapani who had slain the Asuras like Vritra,[2] Shambar, Namuchi, three headed Vishvaroop,[3] Puloma and others. He destroyed twenty kings and 60099 soldiers with his chariot wheel. Indra sent his chariot with his personal charioteer Matli to help Shri Ram kill Ravan.[4]

 

Kartikey as the Commander of the Army of Devatas

Kartikey was born to Parvati as the son of Shiv, most sought after and waited by Brahma and Devatas who would kill Tarkasur. Since the child looked at the six Krittikas one after the other, it developed six faces, and since it was breast-fed by Krittikas it came to be known as Vishakh, Shadhvktra and Kartikey as well.[5] As the son of Ganga he was known as Kumar, as son of Parvati known as Skandh, as he was born in forest of reed grass he was known as Sharvan.

Kartikey wall sculpture byLate Prof SK Chatterjee

 

Soon after his birth, while still in infancy, Brahma, Indra, Vishnu, Surya and all the Devatas crowned him as the commander of their army.[6]

The Devatas presented the new commander with valorous army; Vishnu provided divine weapons, Kuber gave him army of ten lakh Yaksha, Agni provided him the fiery arms, Vayu gave vehicles, and Tvastha the metamorphic cock, that changed shapes at will.[7] He is a victorious commander of the Indra’s army, who killed Tarkasur, and one who with his prowess may shatter even Meru Mountain.[8]

The consecration of Kartikey as Commander of the army kindled a new hope and enthusiasm in the Devatas. Tarakasur, Mahish, Banasur, Tarakasur’s three sons Tarakaksh, Kamalaksh, and Vidyunmali re-entered the battlefield.

In the furious battle that ensued, Tarakasur was killed along with his sons. In the subsequent battles, rest of the Asuras like Banasur and Pralambasur also met their fateful end at the hands of Kartikey.

Other important Asura warriors like Mahish, Tripaad and Hradodar were also killed.[9] Shiv also consecrated him as king paramount of the Bhutas also.[10]

Kartikey even confronted the Devatas. On occasion of the burning of the Khandav forest Kartikey had a fight with Shri Krishan and Arjun. He used his weapon called Shakti against them.[11] 

Perceiving the abundant influence of Kartikey as Commander, Indra feared loss of his place and confronted him with his Vajra. He hit  Kartikey on his right chest and from the wound emerged a young warrior wearing golden armour, divine ear-rings and holding the Shakti weapon in his hand. Frightened by this sight Indra again pleaded for friendship[12].

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[1] Mahabharat, Shalya Parv, Adhyay 49, Shlok 2.

[2] Skand Puran, Maheshwar Khand, Kedar Khand, Adhyay 17.

[3] Skand Puran, Maheshwar Khand, Kedar Khand, Adhyay 14.

[4] Skand Puran, Brahm Khand, Dharmaranya Mahatamya, Adhyay 30.

[5] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 159, Shlok 3.

[6] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 159, Shlok 6, 8.

Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 231, Shlok 28, 54.

Mahabharat, Shalya Parv, Adhyay 46, Shlok 108.

[7] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 159, Shlok 9-10.

[8] Shiv Puran, Vayviya Sanhita, Uttarkhand, Adhyay 31, Shlok 72.

[9] Matasya Puran, Adhyay 160.

Shiv Puran, Rudra Sanhita, Kumar Khand, Adhyay 12, Shlok 3.

Mahabharat, Shalya Parv, Adhyay 46, Shlok 74-76.

[10] Mahabharat, Shanti Parv, Adhyay 122, Shlok 32.

[11] Mahabharat, Adi Parv, Adhyay 226, Shlok 33.

[12] Mahabharat, Van Parv, Adhyay 227.