Elements of Hindu Iconography v4.c26.2

v4.c26.2

The birth of Kārttikēya or Subrahmaṇya is given at some length in the Bālakāṇḍa of the Rāmāyaṇa. Śiva, after he was married to Umā, began to indulge in gratifying his love towards her; a thousand years of the gods passed thus but no issue was born. The gods in the meanwhile becoming alarmed that the offspring which might be born to Mahādēva would be of an extraordinary character, entreated him to practise austerity. Śiva acceded to their prayer but inquired what would become of the seed which he had already discharged. The gods replied that this should be received by the earth and Agni and Vāyu should enter it. Agni accordingly entered it and produced a white mountain, where Kārttikēya was born. Out of gratitude, the gods worshipped Śiva; the consort of Śiva cursed the gods that their wives should become barren, because she was denied the pleasure of becoming a mother.