After this great victory, the Devas and sages approached Lord Skanda and asked, “O Lord, we live in constant fear of negative forces, diseases, and mental afflictions. Please grant us a shield that protects us at all times—day and night, inside and outside, in waking and in sleep.”
Long ago, in the celestial abode of Mount Kailash, a powerful demon named Surapadman waged a terrible war against the Devas. He had received a boon that made him nearly invincible—he could not be killed by any being other than the son of Lord Shiva. Terrified, the Devas prayed to Lord Shiva, who manifested six sparks of fire from his third eye. The river Ganga carried these sparks to a sacred lake called Saravana Poigai , where they transformed into a divine six-faced baby— Lord Skanda (also known as Murugan, Kartikeya, or Shanmukha).
The child grew swiftly and became the commander of the celestial army. He wielded the divine spear given by his mother, Goddess Parvati. In a fierce battle that lasted six days, Lord Skanda finally destroyed Surapadman and his forces, restoring peace to the universe.