Soorapadam

The vanquishing of Soorapadman.
On the fifth day of Kandha Sasthi, Soorapadman, comes to see Lord Muruga and is shown the Vishwaroopam. Only Soorapadman and Arjuna from the Mahabharata have seen a Vishwaroopam and are considered to be very lucky to have witnessed one. Having conceded defeat at the hands of Muruga, Soorapadman remembered that he was of the Asura clan, and as such he would not surrender. As such he faced the son of Shiva nonetheless in battle and was defeated. As a last stand when all his illusions had failed him, Soorapadman became a mango tree in hope of escaping death at the hands of young Lord Kandha. His illusion was brought to light, when with the Sri Vel, Lord Muruga split the tree in two. One half became the peacock, that is Lord Muruga's vahanam (vehicle) the other half became the cockerel that is on the Lord's flag.