A story is told showing how Kartikeya was outwitted by his brother Ganesa. As the two brothers fell in love with two ladies named Siddhi and Buddhi, it was agreed that whoever first travelled round the world should have them. Ganesa proved by his logical talents and aptness at quotation that he had done this, and obtained the prize long before his brother returned from his weary pilgrimage, to the disquiet of both families when Ganesa's sophistry was discovered.

We have still another account [**] of the origin of Kartikeya: "Siva emitted sparks of fire from his eyes, which, being thrown into the lake Saravana, became six infants, who were nursed by the wives of the Rishis, who are seen in the sky as the Pleiades. When Parvati saw these children, she was transported with their beauty, and embraced all of them together so forcibly that their six bodies became one; while their six heads and twelve arms remained."

Kartikeya is better known in South India under the name of Subramanya. The "Skanda Purana" gives a full account of his war with Sura, and relates how he was sent by his father to interrupt Daksha's sacrifice; and how, at the instigation of the latter, he was delayed on his journey by beautiful damsels, who entertained him with dance and song. Hence it is the practice for dancing girls, who are attached to the pagodas, to be betrothed and married to him; and, though allowed to prostitute themselves, cannot marry any one.

Footnotes

^323:* "Asiatic Researches," i. 227.

^324:* Moor's "Hindu Pantheon," p. 169.

^325:* Wilson's Works, iii.

^327:* Kennedy, "Hindu Mythology," p. 353.

^328:* Kennedy, "Hindu Mythology," p. 353.

^329:* Kennedy, "Hindu Mythology," p. 354.

^331:* Kennedy, "Hindu Mythology," p. 493.

^331:+ Hindus of whom Ganesa is the supreme object of worship.

^332:* "Asiatic Researches," vii. 381.

^335:* Muir, O. S. T., iv. 364.

^335:+ Ibid., iv. 350.

^338:* Moor's " Hindu Pantheon," p. 51.

^339:* Many of these forms of penance are resorted to, with some modifications, at the present time; these devotees may be seen at Benares, and other shrines.

^341:* Garrett's "Classical Dictionary of India."