The Marriage of Kartikeya and Valli

Once upon a time, in a small tribal kingdom, there was a king named Nambirajan. One day, while wandering in the forest, he found an abandoned baby girl. The king, who was childless and wished for a daughter, decided to adopt the child and brought her home. He named her Valli, and she grew up to be a beautiful, brave, and strong young woman.

Far away in the heavens, Lord Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati, was destined to cross paths with Valli. Known for his valor and might, Kartikeya was the commander of the celestial armies and deeply admired among the gods.

One day, while traveling in the earthly realm, Kartikeya spotted Valli and was captivated by her beauty and grace. Wishing to win her love, he decided to meet her but in a clever way. Kartikeya disguised himself as an old man and approached Valli in the forest.

As the disguised Kartikeya started talking to her, Valli’s brothers, who were fiercely protective, noticed her speaking with a stranger. When they approached angrily, Kartikeya quickly escaped to avoid confrontation.

Determined not to give up, Kartikeya returned several times, each time in a new disguise. He even disguised himself as a saint, but Valli always managed to escape his advances. Kartikeya realized he needed another approach and prayed to his brother, Lord Ganesha, for assistance.

One day, when Valli was out in the forest alone, Ganesha disguised himself as a wild elephant and chased after her. Terrified, Valli ran, seeking safety. At that moment, Kartikeya, in his true form, appeared before her and offered protection. Grateful for his help, Valli developed feelings for him, and Kartikeya took the opportunity to ask for her hand in marriage.

Realizing that Kartikeya had saved her and seeing his valor and devotion, Valli agreed to marry him. Their union was celebrated joyfully, and Valli’s family blessed the couple. Thus, Kartikeya and Valli were married, uniting divine and earthly love in a bond of bravery and devotion.

—

**Moral:** This tale of Kartikeya and Valli highlights the importance of patience, courage, and cleverness in pursuing one’s love. It also shows that true love often requires determination and the help of loved ones to overcome obstacles.