Evil


Other names-Taarkasur, Tarkaasur, Tarkasoor

Tarkasur was the son of demon King Vrajang. His mother’s name was Vrajangi. Demon Priest Shukracharya educated Tarkasur in demonic ways due to which Tarkasur, like his father became the enemy of the devtas (deities). He used to destroy Yagyas of the Saints and Sages and torture innocent people. With the advice of his teacher Shukracharya, Tarkasur went for penance of Brahmaji to win over Devlok (world of the devtas). Pleased with his worship, Brahmaji booned him that he would be killed only by the son of Lord Shiva and no one else could kill him. Getting this boon, Tarkasur became very much egoistic and an oppressor. Fed up with his torture, the devtas on Naradji’s advice took Kamdev’s help to interrupt Shiva’s penance. With the efforts of Kamdev and Rati, Shiva’s penance was interrupted. Shiva and Parvati got married on the insistence of the devtas. Shiva’s son Kartikeya was born. At the birth of Kartikeya, the devtas gifted him with a celestial weapon.

According to the ancient stories, Tarkasur was worried when he came to know about the birth of Kartikeya and so he tried to kidnap him. His wife Tara tries to explain him not to do so as kidnapping Shiva’s son was inviting enmity with Lord Shiva. But Tarkasur did not listen to her and kept trying to kidnap Kartikeya. He also sent his sons Vishalaksh and Vidhunasur along with many other demons to kill Kartikeya. Devi Ganga favored Kartikeya and many demons were killed in the illusionary war. In the end, angry Tarkasur attacked Devlok (abode of the devtas). Kartikeya got trained by Shiva in the military and arms science and became the army chief of the devtas. A fierce battle was fought between the devtas (deities) and demons. In the end, Tarkasur was killed by Kartikeya.

According to a story in Matsyapurana, Tarkasur was an oppressor demon who lived under the sea hiding himself. He had great enmity with Lord Indra and on and off he attacked Devlok. According to this story, Tarkasur was killed by Lord Vishnu.