Tārakāsura

Lore & Background

Tārakāsura was born after his father Vajranga, at the request of Diti, captured the devas. Vajranga performed penance to Brahma, and Tārakāsura was born. Tārakāsura then performed penance to Brahma and asked for two boons: that none shall be his equal in the three worlds, and that only a son of Shiva could slay him. His wish granted, he overran Svarga and declared himself the new Indra. Indra devised a scheme to disrupt Shiva's meditation, but Kamadeva was burned to ash. Parvati performed severe tapas, married Shiva, and gave birth to Kartikeya, destined to slay Tārakāsura. In the battle, Kartikeya was appointed commander of the gods. Tārakāsura summoned billions of asuras, and the devas initially fell. Vishnu and Kartikeya dueled Kalanemi, who swallowed Vishnu and Garuda before being cut open. Vishnu urged Kartikeya to hurl his shakti at Tārakāsura, but Skanda hesitated because Tārakāsura was a devotee of Rudra. After a fierce confrontation, Skanda slew Tārakāsura by piercing his chest with his divine spear, the Vel.

Reader's Guide

Tārakāsura's significance lies in his role as a central antagonist in Hindu mythology, whose boon from Brahma set in motion the events leading to the birth of Kartikeya. His story is the basis for Kalidasa's epic Kumarasambhava. The narrative explores themes of devotion, cosmic order, and the inevitability of destiny. Tārakāsura's defeat by Kartikeya, the son of Shiva, restored cosmic order after the asura had overrun Svarga and expelled the devas. The tale also highlights the interplay between divine schemes, such as Indra's manipulation of Kamadeva and Parvati's penance, and the ultimate triumph of the gods. The literary references, including Rabindranath Tagore's poem, show the enduring cultural impact of this myth.

Did You Know?

• Tārakāsura is the father of Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali, and Kamalaksha, known as the Tripurasura.
• He received a boon from Brahma that only a son of Shiva could slay him.
• He was slain by Kartikeya using the divine spear called the Vel.
• The story is the basis for Kalidasa's epic Kumarasambhava.