The first textual evidence of Murugan as on of Shiva appears in Silapadikaram(4 th Century AD).When does the current myth come into Tamil Nadu? Murugan as a mountain god is still maintained with all his temples situated on or near mountains.The fire weapon of North was replaced with Vel which is South Indian tradition.The myth also was made up to represent two kind of marriage, Kalavu – love marriage (a Tamil/Dravidian tradition- Valli and Murugan) and Karpu – arranged marriage (Brahmin tradition- Theivanai and Murugan).Devasena was comfortably converted to Theivanai(Devayanai- Tamil myth says she was brought up by Ayiravatham the elephant of Indra – hence Deva yanai instead of Deva Sena or Deva Senai) a Brahmin girl and daughter of Indra.The eternal bachelor who was married to Devasena(Army of god) was changed to God with two wife to accommodate Valli, which was very famous tradition among Tamil.Taraka the asura in Aryan version was made brother of Surapadman(later name of Cur,Curan).Since Kali /Durga were identified with Parvati the consort of Shiva, Murugan was identified as son of Shiva.The Dravidian mother Korravai was identified with Kali, Durga or Amman as early as Sangam age.The Aryan god had a father but no mother and Dravidian god has mother but no father.The similar traits of both gods are eternal youth and destruction of evil.Some important points in the integrated form:
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The Brahmins have spearheaded this integration. Integration of Dravidian Murugan and Aryan Skanda has taken place when Pallavas came to Tamil Nadu. He was also believed to be god of Love, and often quoted in Sangam literature for his interludes with Valli.He was worshiped as slayer of evil and terror Cur, which later became Curan.He was also god of mountainous region Kurunji.He was worshiped by a form of Dance called Veriyatu.Murugan was believed to posses Velan and give blessings to people.He was believed to posses Katampu tree, hence the name Kadamban.
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He has lover Vali, the daughter of mountain chief with whom he makes sexual union. So here you see Murugan has a mother and not a bachelor. Slayer of enemy cur ,representing fear ,terror and anxiety.Connection with animals like peacock, cock ,elephant and possibly goat and snake.Ability to enter and possess human beings.Prowess in love making (like Kama in Sanskrit).There is no structured myth in Tamil for Murugan, but from various Sangam sources and archeological evidence and by inference, Murugan had the following features and attributes: Some important points to be noted here are: Myth of Skanda arresting Brahma also comes up.He has attributes of attributes of being a teacher (The Chandogya Upanishad refers to Skanda as the “way that leads to wisdom”).His weapon was raging fire, since he was a form of Agni.He is an eternal Bachelor or he is married to Devasena, which means army of gods.He lead the army of Gods(Devas) to defeat Taraka.He is brought up as six children and later in fight with Indra he was combined as one person with six heads.Unbarable to bear handle the heat, the sisu was split into six and put in the Pond in Sara Vana (Saravana Poigai). The Satapatha Brahmana refers to him as the son of Rudra and the ninth form of Agni.The Atharva Veda describes Kumaran as ‘Agnibhuh’ or son of Agni, the fire god.This myth is standard myth known to all Tamilians and explains the concept of Arupadai vedu(Concept of six sacred houses/Temples)। Settled in Thriparankundram as Deity with two wives.Fell in love and married Valli in Palamudhirsolai He freed the Devas and in turn got married to Indra’s Daughter Theivanai in Thiruthani.He received his Vel from Parvathi in Sirakali.He fought for Gyana Palam and became an Aandi(saint) and stood on Palani hills.He arrested Brahma and taught Veda to Shiva in Swamimalai.He was born as six children and later integrated into one.So what are the elements which make him a real Tamil Kadavul? Let us now see his orgin, He is son of Shiva, Parvathi and brother of Ganesha. Shanmuha (one with six faces in Sanskrit)Īs you see all the names is either Sanskrit or Sanskrit derivatives.Kumaran(which means younger one in Sanskrit).Saravana(One who is born in Sara Vana, where Vana means forest).Subramaniyan(Sanskrit form Subhramanya).Kandha (dervative of Sanskrit word Skanda).Now let us make a small survey of names used to denote Murugan, The concept of Murugan as Tamil Kadavul is even expressed in latest film Billa in ‘Seval Kodi’ song. His popularity is very high in south unlike north. Their love for this particular deity is high and he is the most worshiped god in Tamil Nadu.
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Tamil people take pride in naming Murugan a Tamil Kadavul.