He is said to have engaged in intense austerities to propitiate the deity Shiva, who appeared to grant the asura a boon.

Establishing his capital at a city named Viramakendiram located at the eastern sea, he ruled the world.

When Indra and his wife fled to the earth, Murugan sent his messenger named Viravakutevar to urge Surapadma to cease his activities, but to no avail.

Unwilling to concede his defeat, Surapadma retreated to the sea, assuming the form of a mango tree.

[7] In Tamil tradition, Surapadma is conceived with the same origin as Tarakasura, the asura who necessitates the birth of a son of Shiva, Murugan.