Shanmukha Subramanyaswami

SHANMUKHA SUBRAMANYASWAMI: This print from the Ravi Varma Press represents Subramanya as Shanmukha or six faces. He is seated on his vehicle- the peacock (mayura) and has twelve hands. He embraces his consort Devasena and Valli. The hands to his left carry a shield, a bow, a noose and a cock. The hands on his right carry a sword, an arrow styled like a crescent, a trident and in the form of boon bestowal (abhaya). Subramanyaswamy’s spear or Vel is seen between his right hand and Maha-Valli.
This print from the Ravi Varma Press probably follows the description of Shanmukha as found in the Matsya-purana.