Chromolithograph of Kartikeya (Murugan) with his consorts, by Ravi Varma
Kartikeya, in the centre, is the god of war, on either side of him are his consorts Devayanai and Valli. Kartikeya is the son of Parvati and Shiva, brother of Ganesha, and is particularly popular and predominantly worshipped in South India. Kartikeya sits on his peacock vahana and around them fans out the stunning feathers of the displaying peacock tail. In his 12 hands, Kartikeya carries various objects, mainly weapons. In his upper left hand he holds his emblem the cockerel, while the spear, which is his characteristic weapon, rests on his right shoulder. The peacock stands with its talons on a cobra, the snake some say symbolises the ego. Size; 14”x 20” without frame.