The three powerful demon brothers—Tarakaksha, Viryavaan, and Vidyunmali—built three mighty flying cities called Tripura. Protected by a special boon, the cities could be destroyed only when they aligned together at a rare moment.

When the demons began troubling the gods and disturbing the balance of the universe, Lord Shiva prepared to end their tyranny. At the destined moment, when all three cities came into a single line, Shiva released one divine arrow and destroyed them instantly.

Because he destroyed the three cities (Tripura), Lord Shiva became known as Tripurari—the great destroyer of Tripura and the restorer of cosmic balance.

Kārttikeya led the celestial army against Tārakāsura. After a fierce battle, Kārttikeya confronted Tārakāsura directly and struck him with his divine śakti/vel (spear).

Tārakāsura was killed, the devas were freed from his oppression, and cosmic order was restored.

The central point of the story is that Tārakāsura’s own boon made Śiva’s son the only person capable of killing him—and Kārttikeya fulfilled that condition.

Tarakasura received a boon that only a son of Lord Shiva could kill him. The gods therefore prayed for the birth of Shiva’s son.

When Shiva and Parvati united, Shiva’s immense divine energy was released. Agni carried it, and it was later deposited in the Ganga, from which it reached a forest of reeds (Sharavana).

There, Kartikeya (Skanda) was born. He was nurtured by the six Krittika mothers, and therefore became known as Kartikeya and Shanmukha (the six-faced one). The gods appointed him commander of their army,.