Over to the Other Brother

Check out the theme here: A Retelling of Valli and Karttikeya’s Love Story

This post is a part of BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026.

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Valli walked to the field the next morning and was quite relieved when she didn’t find the ascetic there. She didn’t mind being rude to the hunter, who was only a few years older than her, but it was different with the ascetic. He had shared many stories with her and taught her a lot. She started her routine, letting her thoughts wander to Skanda as they always did. Soon, she forgot about everything else.

Meanwhile, Skanda was still in Ceruttani. He didn’t want to continue with the disguise any longer. What use was any of it if he couldn’t even touch her? Valli now knew all there was to know about Tanikai and the other world. He had even shared the secrets with her, though she hadn’t guessed it.

He could reveal his true identity, and they could marry right away. However, Narada muni arrived again with a knowing smile.

Skanda let out a short laugh as he welcomed him. “You came to stop again, haven’t you?”

Narada inclined his head with a mischievous grin. “I didn’t think you would be this impatient, son of Shiva.”

“Impatient? I spent weeks in disguise!”

“And yet, not once did you try to impress her with your skills. O yes, Valli liked your storytelling, but you are the commander of Devendra’s army. Did you show her a glimpse of your prowess? No, instead you became an old ascetic like me and told tales!” Narada admonished him.

Skanda shook his head in surrender. “I can’t win an argument with you. I won’t try to. Please advise me what to do next.”

“Son of Agni, Narayana is my only love, and I never had to impress him. What do I know that would appeal to Valli? She is the daughter of a hunter-chief. Think about it!” Narada said and disappeared.

It took only a second for Skanda to come up with an answer. He also realized another mistake. Sitting on a mat made of kusa grass, Skanda folded his arms and prayed to Ganesa, his brother. “Vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha, nirvighnaṃ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā.”

Ganesa appeared beside Skanda and touched his shoulder. “Tell me, brother. What made you think of me today?”

Skanda stood and hugged him. They sat on the hills as a stream of devotees climbed their way to the top. Though brothers, their births were totally different, and so were their appearances and personalities. Skanda was muscular and lean, while Ganesa was curvy and round. He had the head of an elephant instead of a regular face owing to an impulsive and ignorant act by their father. While Skanda rode a peacock as his vahana, Ganesa had a mouse as his vehicle, and half the time carried the little one in his hand. There was time when young Skanda thought he was better than his brother, but he realized the truth soon. Since then, they shared a healthy respect and love for each other.

“I forgot to invoke you before starting on my mission to woo Valli, and it hasn’t been successful so far.”

Ganesa smiled. “You have my blessings. I’m eager to welcome the new bride into our family.”

“I will need your help for it, Vinayaka,” Skanda said and explained his plan.

Ganesa was always ready for some fun and mischief, so he agreed immediately. “Let’s go this instant. Why waste time when on an auspicious task?”

The brother vanished from Ceruttani and reappeared near Valli’s family field. However, Valli wasn’t at the millet farm. Skanda searched for her with his senses and found her beside a nearby river. She seemed alone as she washed strings of beads, the ones she wore around her neck, arms, waist, and ankles.

Ganesa, too, saw her in his mind. “Why don’t you hide somewhere in the vicinity? I will play my part and nudge her into your arms.”

Skanda hid himself behind a large tree and waited, watching Valli in the meantime. He had wanted to greet her in his divine form, but Ganesa suggested that he first appear in a disguise she already knew and then reveal his true self. It would do no good to overwhelm her, especially since their plan included a bit of danger.

“Come, Ganesa! Valli is leaving!” Skanda said to his brother in his mind.