Karttikey, sitting on his peacock mount and wielding a spear, led a huge army of the gods against Tarakasur. The sounds of drums, the valiant war cries of the soldiers and the rattling of armour and weapons reverberated through the battlefield. Before proclaiming war, it was an age-old custom to send word to the enemy to wage war according to moral principles and ethics, and also ask for peace. Indra, too, sent a messenger of peace to Tarakasur. The messenger told Tarkasur, “You have wreaked havoc in the world. The Lord of the three worlds, Indra, will destroy you now. If you love your life, then make peace with him. Or else, get ready for a war.” Tarak was furious. “Out of my kingdom!” he thundered. The messenger fled in fear. Tarakasur then went up on the terrace of his palace and gazed into the far-off horizon for any trouble. He heard war cries from a distance.
Karttikey’s Warning to Tarakasur
