Devas (divine beings) came to Kailash requesting Lord Shiva to save them from the Demon Tarakasura. A boon was given to Tarakasura by Lord Brahma that he will only be killed by a son of Lord Shiva.Lord Shiva heard the plight and promised the Devas, a child will be born to rescue them from this situation. It is believed that Lord Murugan was born out the six sparks that emanated from the third eye of Lord Shiva. It is said that Agni (Fire God) carried these sparks and placed them in a pond called Saravana, where six babies were born on a lotus each. Six Kritikas, the stars of the constellation Pleiades, nursed and raised the babies. This is the reason why Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya (“Son of Krittikas”). When Parvathi and Shiva came, Parvati took all six babies and hugged them into one being with six heads. The Devas rejoiced at the birth of this child and when the child was grown he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Devas. Everyday Gods Series: 09/365