The story of Lord Kartikeya's birth is given in Kumar Sambhavam.

Sati, the consort of Shiva

immolated herself at the site of the Daksha Yagna, which was later destroyed by Shiva. Sati
Sati was reborn as Uma, or Parvati the daughter of the mountain king Himavaan (the
Himalayas). Shiva withdrew himself from the universe and engaged himself in yogic meditation
in the Himalayas.

In the meanwhile, the demon Surapadma ravaged the earth and tormented its beings. It was
realized by the gods that only the son born of Shiva and Parvati could lead the gods to victory
over Tarakaasuran, Surapadman and their demon companions. They plotted with Kaama, the
lord of desire, to shoot a flower arrow at Shiva, as he sat in meditation, so as to make him fall
in love with Parvati. When Kaama aimed his arrow at Shiva, he opened his third eye and
burned him to ashes instantly. Upon hearing the pleas of Kama's wife Rati, he brought back
Kama to life, in flesh and blood for her sake, and in a formless state for others.

His penance disturbed, Shiva fell in love with Parvathi. However, the sparks of the fiery seed
of Shiva were unbearable; even the fire God Agni could not bear them; this fire was then
transported by the river Ganga into the Sara Vana forest, where Sara Vana Bhava (Kartikeya)
was born. He was raised by the six Kartika damsels. Parvati combined these six babies into
one with six faces, ie. Shanmukha.

He led the army of the devas to victory against the demons. Kartikeya the second sone of
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati or Shakti is also known as Subramaniam, Skanda, Guha,
Shadannana or Sharmukha (because he has six faces). He represents a person of perfection.

He is the war God, the Hindu equivalent of Mars and Aries. He was created by all the Gods to
lead the heavenly hosts and destroy the demons. He is the most masculine and fierce of all
the Gods. While Ganesh removes all obstacles, Skanda bestows all spiritual powers,
particularly the power of knowledge. He is worshiped for all problems related to Mars,
especially Mangala dosha or Kuja dosha.
He is an embodiment of perfection, a brave leader of god's forces, and a war god, who was
created to destroy the demons, representing the negative tendencies in human beings.
Kartikeya’s other name, Shadanana, which means ‘one with six heads’ corresponds to the
five senses and the mind. The six heads also stand for his virtues enables him to see in all
the directions - an important attribute that ensures that he counters all kinds blows that can
hit him.

The war imagery and the six heads of Kartikeya indicates that if humans wish to lead
themselves efficiently through the battle of life, they must always be alert lest they are
shown the wrong path by crafty people with the six demonic vices: kaama (sex), krodha
(anger), lobha (greed), moha (passion), mada (ego) and matsarya (jealousy).

Kartikeya carries on one hand a spear and his other hand is always blessing devotees. His
vehicle is a peacock, a pious bird that grips with its feet a serpent, which symbolizes the ego
and desires of people. The peacock represents the destroyer of harmful habits and the
conqueror of sensual desires. The symbolism of Kartikeya thus points to the ways and
means of reaching perfection in life.