Krittikas

In Hindu mythology, the Krittikas are a
group of six minor goddesses who are
the personification of the constellation
Pleiades. Their important mythic
appearance is as the foster mothers of
the god Skanda. Skanda is considered
the son of the god Shiva, but is born in
an unusual way. When Shiva and Parvati
are disturbed while making love, Shiva
inadvertently spills his semen on the
ground. In Indian culture semen is seen
as a man’s concentrated essence.
Because he is a deity, Shiva’s semen is
inordinately powerful, capable of
destroying the earth. The semen is first
held by the god Agni, who is fire personified, but it proves too powerful for him.
Agni puts the semen in the river Ganges.
After 10,000 years, a shining child is discovered in the reeds along the riverbank.
The child is discovered by the Krittikas,
each of whom wants to nurse him. To
oblige them, the child Skanda grows five
extra heads. As a mark of their care, one
of his epithets is Karttikeya.