“Somaskanda”- sa (with), Uma (Parvati), and Skanda (Karttikeya or Murugan), is one of the forms of Shiva, popularized in Indian sculptures and art as a symbol of the conjugal bliss of Shiva and Shakti and the auspiciousness that emerges out of it, in the form of Skanda, depicted as a young boy.
On a rectangular pedestal, the divine family appears in this bronze statue from Swamimalai. Shiva with a towering Jatamukuta, strings on his neck, sacred thread, Makara-shaped earrings, a third eye on his forehead, and the crescent moon in his tresses, is represented as Pashupati, or the Lord of all beings. Seated to his left, Uma appears as Bhogashakti, who is desired by Shiva, an aspect associated with the fortunate and fecund powers of the great goddess. The apple of their eyes, Skanda is shown on an extension of the throne, holding two lotus buds in his hands, completing the sacred image of familial bliss and auspiciousness.
According to the Puranas, Skanda was born from Shiva and Shakti as an answer to the prayers of gods, to become their guardian and annihilate Tarakasura. Accompanied by his mother and father, Skanda in this iconography seems to be meeting the universe, as Shiva and Uma proclaim him as their son and rejoice as the parents of a virtuous son.
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