Subramanian and his wives, Mahavalli and Devasena (Shri Shanmukha Subramania Swami)

The eldest son of Shiva and Parvati is Skanda, the peacock-riding god of war. He has many epithets; here, he is identified as Shanmukha (“Six-Faced”) Subrahmanya, a multifaced representation much favored in Tamil Nadu. He is accompanied by his two wives, Devasena and Mahavalli, who hail from North and South India respectively, emphasizing his universality. Together they ride his peacock, framed by an aureole of radiant tail feathers. Skanda is rarely shown in his warrior character; artists often conceive of him as a beautiful and gentle youth. He is much loved by female devotees, who direct their devotion (bhakti) toward him.