Unravel the puzzle that is the mysterious and misunderstood son of
Mahadeva-KARTIKEYA. Kartikeya was born from the flames of a desperate
need, an ardent desire, and an utmost devastation. In him was distilled
the terrible powers of Mahadev, at its fiercest and most deadly.
Although he fought many wars and slew many tyrants, yet his gifts to
humanity have always been those of mercy, compassion and love. What
makes this possible? For Kartikeya, there have always been more
questions than answers. Did he really walk away from his family over a
piece of fruit? What about the women in his life-was he the ravisher he
is at times accused of being, or the protector of women? Was he the
violent warrior who revelled in bloodlust, or a gentle family man? What
was his relationship with his more popular sibling, Ganesha? Anuja
Chandramouli weaves together myth, imagination and folklore while
looking to answer these questions, and recreates for modern readers the
story of one of the most enigmatic gods-Kartikeya.