After their marriage, Lord Shiva and Parvati resided on Mt. Gandhamadana. During an intimate moment, a small quantity of Shiva’s vital fluid fell to the ground, generating intense heat that threatened the world. On Brahma and Vishnu’s advice, Agni consumed the fluid, but Parvati, feeling insulted, cursed him to become omnivorous and suffer unbearable inflammation. For a deeper look into their divine relationship, see Shiva’s consorts and cosmic unions.
To alleviate the curse, Shiva instructed Agni to transfer the fluid to a womb. Agni passed it to the Krittikas, who gave birth to Kartikeya, born from six mothers, thus having six heads. His connection to divine lineage and elemental forces reflects wider themes across Hindu mythology—such as the origin stories of celestial beings like Adisesha, who also embody the link between cosmic order and divine birth.
This story highlights the complex connections between divine actions, cosmic forces, and the eventual rise of Kartikeya, one of the key figures in Hindu mythology, as the protector and leader of the gods in their eternal battle against evil.