The important Tamil festival represents the six-day battle between Muruga and the Asuras. The story behind Skanda Sashti also pertains to how Muruga got his vahana and flag.Surapadman, like many antagonists in the Puranas was arrogant and destructive due to believing that he was invincible because of a boon he had received from the gods. Surapadman and his brothers represented the reign of Adharma, which means acting without or against Dharma. Parvati gave Muruga his vel, which embodied her Shakti. The vel is also important because it leads to Muruga’s other important symbols, his peacock and rooster. Muruga was then sent to stop the Asuras. Muruga defeats each brother before confronting Surupadman in a final battle. Throughout the conflict, Muruga demonstrates the belief that all souls deserve compassion; before going to war, Muruga sends a message to persuade the Asuras to change their ways and avoid conflict. Unfortunately, the Asuras did not listen to him. At the end of the battle, Surapadman turns into a mango tree, which Muruga splits in half! Surpadman repents and realizes his error. Muruga forgives him and transforms his two halves into a rooster and a peacock. The peacock becomes Muruga’s vahana, and the rooster becomes his flag. Muruga’s final battle with Surapadman took place at Tiruchendur, one of Murga’s six major abodes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~By Bhuma Ravindraraj
