Muruga -- The Ever-Merciful Lord
- by SRS Ayyar
Extracted from Chapter One of the book Grandeur of Thiruppugazh: The Hallowed Hymns of Arunagirinatha (Bombay: Bharata Vidya Bhavan, 1996) with the author's permission. [For information on how to order this book, go to Skanda Publications page.]
"The fiery Mass That stood as Brahman
That hasth no beginning
Assuming a form from formless,
From several unto One,
Thus rose a TirumurugaWith six merciful faces and twelve eyes,
For the universe to get rescued."
That hasth no beginning
Assuming a form from formless,
From several unto One,
Thus rose a TirumurugaWith six merciful faces and twelve eyes,
For the universe to get rescued."
In the Holy Pantheon of Hindu gods and goddesses, Muruga has been given pride of place. 2 This is particularly discernible in the southern parts of India and some countries in the Far East where Tamil-speaking people form a significant segment of the population. Lord Muruga is considered essentially as the Tamil God (Tamizh Kadavul). He is the repository of Jñana (Knowledge) and the very fountainhead of the three branches of Tamil literature -- prose (iyal), verse (icai) and theatre (natakam). Great sages like Agasthya had worshipped Him and secured His grace.
The dwarfish Agasthya, according to legends, had gone to Podiyamalai in the South and maintained the earth's equilibrium at Lord Siva's command. The occasion was Siva's marriage with Parvati when large multitudes of sages and devotees flocked to Kailasa, causing sinkage of the earth's north side (Himalayas) and upturn of the southern portion.3 Nakkeerar, Poyya Mozhi, Auvvaiyar, Kacciyappa Sivachariyar, Kumara Gurupara and Arunagirinatha are the other names instantly coming to one's mind; they were all close to Muruga's heart and who composed priceless and soul-stirring devotional gems in Tamil.
Muruga's glory and pre-eminence arise due to three reasons: He 'arrived' on this planet as the son of Lord Siva, as the younger brother of Lord Ganesa and as the nephew of Lord Narayana. He is venerated as Kaliyuga Varada, the God who blesses and protects those who ardently seek His grace (in this Age of Quarrel).4 Kausalya, Lord Rama's mother invoked the blessings of Skanda when Rama took leave of her prior to his departure to the forest as per King Dasaratha's wish.5 And in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares that among all commanders, He is Skanda.6 Muruga contains in Himself the three divine eternal functions -- creation (sristi), protection (sthithi) and destruction (samhara) as evidenced by the three first letters in His name: MU -- Mukundan (Vishnu),RU -- Rudra (Siva) and KA -- Kamalan (Brahma).
The three integral elements of Muruga's personality are spear (vel) in His hand, peacock as His mount and cock adorning His banner. Vel signifies jñanasakti (power of wisdom); this was given to Muruga by His Divine Mother. Parvati wishing Him victory over asuras (titans) led by the tyrannous Surapadma. The glittering spear of Muruga is venerated by devotees asSakti Vel or Veera Vel signifying its extraordinary power and strength. Cock and peacock represent nada and bindu. The peacock displays the divine shape of Omkara when it spreads its magnificent plumes into a full-blown circular form, while the cock proclaims loudly the Pranava sound OM. Muruga shines as the very essence of the Vedas and mantras.7
The epic Skanda Purana, one of the eighteen puranas created by Veda Vyasa, vividly narrates the circumstances which led to the divine 'appearance' of Muruga, His glory and heroic achievements.12 He 'rose' to protect gods who were subject to extreme tormentation and cruelty by demon Surapadma. They all appealed collectively to Lord Siva to come to their rescue. Moved by their plight, Siva willed to bring forth a powerful divine personality, an element of Himself, but yet distinct from Him, Who would have unparalleled bravery and Who alone would be able to slay Surapadma and his clan.
The extremely powerful spark which emanated from His third eye was carried by the Fire God (Agni) and was deposited in Saravana ('stand of reeds') Lake; there arose six cute tiny tots who were looked after by six Krittika maidens; the six forms later united to become a single Six-Faced Child with resplendent beauty. Added to Siva's five faces Sadhyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusa and Ishana wasAdhomurka; thus He became Shanmukha. He is known as Saravanabhava as He emerged out of Saravana Lake, and Karttikeya since six Krittika maidens took the six babies in their arms and showered affection on them.
Brahma, the Creator, happened to slight the young Muruga during one of his visits to Kailasa. Muruga wished to teach a lesson to the Creator for his act of imprudence. He asked the four-faced Creator the meaning of the Pranava. When he could not explain satisfactorily, Muruga taunted Brahma and not content with that imprisoned him too. He concluded that Brahma was not fit to perform the assigned job. He then assumed the role of the Creator! Muruga freed Brahma from prison when Siva, Vishnu and Indra prayed at His lotus Feet and requested for the release of the Creator.13
Muruga turned a guru or teacher when He explained the essence of Pranava to His Father who received the upadesa in all humility as a disciple. He thus came to be known as Swaminatha.14
Another interesting anecdote links Muruga's taking a full round of the universe mounted on His mighty peacock. the legend has it that sage Narada once visited Kailasa, the abode of Siva, and presented Him with a divine pomegranate fruit. As is usually the case with fathers, Siva wanted to give it to His children Ganesa and Muruga rather than consuming it Himself. In this process, He hatched a plot as a prelude to an eventful drama. He would not allow the fruit to be shared by two brothers. Instead, He announced that the fruit would be given to either of the two who returned first after taking a round of the universe.
No sooner had Siva said this than young Muruga started off riding on the back of His peacock. His elder brother Ganesa acted in a different manner. To Him, His eternal Parents Siva and Parvati represented the world and circumambulating them would be equivalent to circling the world. With this well-reasoned thought fixed in His mind, He took a round of His Parents and instantly annexed the prized fruit. Muruga, on return from His whirlwind trip around the universe, learnt that His elder brother had already won the competition.
A disappointed Muruga left Kailasa and proceeded straight to Palani Hill in South India. The name Palani is in fact the derivative of Pazahm Nee (Thou art the Fruit of Jñana) as addressed by His Parents who rushed to Palani to soothe the enraged Muruga.
Surapadma, who had the temerity to confront Muruga despite being forewarned, became prey to His powerful Vel (spear) after a stiff fight. Muruga acted as Supreme Commander (Deva Senapati) and freed the gods from their captivity. The ever-compassionate Lord converted the two portions of His slain enemy as an integral part of Himself -- one becoming Peacock, His mount and the other the Cock adorning His banner.
Muruga's consorts are Valli and Devayanai. They represent Inch Sakti and Krill Sakti. They were in reality Sundaravalli and Amudavalli, who were born out of the tears of joy of Narayana when He incarnated as Trivikrama. Both the celestials damsels did intense penance with the object of attaining the exalted status as Muruga's consorts. Pleased with their prayers, Muruga appeared before them and ordained that Amudavalli would be born in Devaloka as Indra's daughter, while Sundaravalli would take birth on the earth in a hunter tribe.15 The Lord promised to marry both Valli and Devayanai.
The marriage of Muruga and Devayanai took place at Tirupparankundram attendant with full Vedic rites. Devayanai was in fact gifted to Muruga by Devendra in grateful acknowledgment of heroism and valour displayed by Muruga as the Supreme Commander of divine forces and His triumph over the deadly race of titans.16 Deva Senapati (General of the Gods) thus becameDevasena Pati (Husband of Devasena).
Muruga's wedding with Valli is replete with many interesting interludes. Muruga chose to engage in a few frolics before accepting Valli as His Consort. King Nambi Rajah of Chittoor, the head of the hunter tribe, had seven sons and he was aspiring to have a daughter. He was deeply devoted to Muruga. The sage Sivamuni, who was doing tapasya in the forest, chanced to see a female deer and his mere sight resulted in the animal becoming pregnant.17 The animal delivered a beautiful baby girl and left the place. King Nambi, who had gone to the forest with his sons to hunt, saw the bewitching babe and brought it home and began to foster the child as his own daughter. As the girl was found among valli creepers, she was named Valli.18
Valli ceaselessly nurtured the thought of Muruga even from her tender age and was determined to have Him as her Husband and none else. When she became of marriageable age, Nambi Rajah, in tune with the hunter tribe custom, sent her to 'tinaippunam' (field growing tinai [millet]). She was to keep vigil perched on a high rise rostrum and protect the crop from wandering birds until the crop was ready to harvest.
It was at this time that Valli got guru diksha from sage Narada who met her and said to her that Muruga would be the ideal match for her. The words of the sage pleased Valli highly. She was in fact having this very thought for years! Narada went to nearby Tiruttani where the Lord was in repose mood after the fierce battle with Surapadma. The sage reminded Muruga about His assurance to marry the two maidens and told that one girl remaining to be wed, Valli, was yearning intensely and persistently for Him.
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At that moment, Murugan invoked the help of his brother Vināyaka who appeared behind Valli in the shape of a frightening elephant. The terror-stricken girl rushed into the arms of the Saiva ascetic for protection. Painting fromTiruttani Devasthanam.
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Muruga's leela began now.19 He first appeared as a hunter and did not find any positive response from Valli to His clever approaches. He turned into a giant venkai tree when Valli's father suddenly appeared on the scene. Thereafter, He took the form of a trembling old man and ate millet flour and honey mixture offered by Valli feigning that He was feeling very hungry. He proposed to wed her, much to the chagrin of Valli. Finally, Muruga invoked the blessings of His elder brother Ganesa for success of His mission. On the fervent appeal of His younger brother, Ganesa appeared as a wild elephant in the forest and began to chase Valli. Terrified by the mighty pachyderm's menacing advance, Valli ran for protection and came straight into the arms of Muruga.20
Muruga's abodes are countless. He resides mostly at hilltops.21Among His holy abodes, six are prominent and these are known asAaru Padai Veedugal. A vivid portrayal of these six sacred places is found in the opera Tirumurugatruppadai composed by Nakkeerar, the famed poet. The six holy abodes of Muruga are: Tirupparankundram, Tiruchendur, Tiruvavinankudi (Palani), Tiruverakam, Kundrutorādal (Tiruttani and several other hills) and Pazhamutircolai.
In this Kali Yuga, chanting of Muruga's Name acts as a panacea to all sufferings.22 Those who display love to one and all, devoid of hatred, jealousy, passion, anger and avarice and are steadfast in devotion to Muruga, invariably get mental tranquility and everlasting bliss. They do not even fear death.23 The pious saints who lived amidst us and who got Muruga's infinite grace had in fact been in direct communion with Muruga and their experiences with the ever-merciful Lord have found expression in their devotional outpourings. They have attained immortality and serve as a medium for the worldly-minded who are after ephemeral pleasures to become seekers of perpetual spiritual bliss.
ENDNOTES
1. "Aruvamum uruvamāki anādiyai palavai onrai
Brahmanai ninra jotip pizhampador meniyāki
Karunai koor mugangal ārum karamadu
Pannirandum konde
Oru tiru Murugan vandu ānku vudittanan vulakamuyya"
Brahmanai ninra jotip pizhampador meniyāki
Karunai koor mugangal ārum karamadu
Pannirandum konde
Oru tiru Murugan vandu ānku vudittanan vulakamuyya"
2. Also known as Subrahmanya, Karttikeya, Visakha, Shanmukha, Kumara, Skanda, Guha and Saravanabhava.
4. "Skandasya kiirtimatulām Kalikalmasha nāshiniim" (Skanda's sacred story removes all sins and bestows fame and name). - Skanda Purana
7. A Vedic intonation on Muruga ends thus: "Subrahmanyoham, Subrahmanyoham, Subramanyoham." The repetition of Muruga's name thrice implies the reigning supremacy of the Lord.
8. Arunagirinatha says in one of his Chidambaram Tiruppukazh hymns Yezzhu kadal manalai ('Number of distressful life forms have I assumed over several births would exceed the sands of seven seas.").
9. "Births and deaths by turn do I face,
In mother's womb lie I again and again.
Ocean of life this, impassable and boundless is.
Oh Murari, have mercy and protect me!
-Adi Shankara in Bhaja Govindam
In mother's womb lie I again and again.
Ocean of life this, impassable and boundless is.
Oh Murari, have mercy and protect me!
-Adi Shankara in Bhaja Govindam
11. Note the title of Kalidasa's masterly literary piece on Muruga. He calls it Kumara Sambhavam ('The appearance of Kumara') and not Kumara Jananam ('The birth of Kumara').
12. The credit for translating this magnum opus into Tamil, and that at the command of Muruga, goes to Kachiyappa Sivachariar, who lived in Kanchipuram and was the priest in the temple of Kumarakottam. It is believed that his sacred book has the stamp of approval of the Lord.
13. "Piqued at his ignorance (of the substance of Pranava)
Once did Thou dishevel the tuft of the Four-faced Brahma in the twink of an eye;
The Threesome beseeching Thee at Thy twin feet
Did Thou set free Brahma from captivity..."
-Tiru Ezhukkootrirukkai (Arunagirinatha)
Once did Thou dishevel the tuft of the Four-faced Brahma in the twink of an eye;
The Threesome beseeching Thee at Thy twin feet
Did Thou set free Brahma from captivity..."
-Tiru Ezhukkootrirukkai (Arunagirinatha)
14. Gurunatha Who preached upadesa mantra into the two ears of Siva to His heart's content" (Sivanār Manam Kulira) from Tiruvavinankudi (Palani) Tiruppukazh.
15. A different version the author happened to hear is that she was the daughter of Upendra, younger brother of Indra. However, the Ashtothara Satha Namavali dedicated to Davayanai refers to her among other names as Vajri Sutā (daughter of Vajrapani [Indra] which contradicts this version. That Devayanai was the daughter of Indra is confirmed by Arunagirinatha when he refers to Devayanai as Vajrapanik-kumari in his Bhuta Vetala Vakuppu and to Muruga's wedding to "Indra's daughter" in Tiruchendur Tiruppukazh'Padar Buviyin'.
16. Asurar Kulantaka (Yama to the Asura race), so eulogizes Arunagirinatha in one of his compositions.
17. Sage Sivamuni and the deer were none other than Lord Visnu and Śrī Lakshmi; sage Kanva had cursed them to take these births.
19. It is seen from the Tiruppukazh song Talai Mayi Kokkukku... (Pazhamutircolai) that Muruga proceeded to wed Valli without the knowledge of Devayanai.
20. "Lord who came as elephant and blessed young Muruga to marry that hunter girl (Valli) that very moment" runs a Tiruppukazh song in praise of Vinayaka (Kaitala Niraikani)
22. Muruga Himself is said to have told Narada, "Those who have sought refuge in Me have no fear, they won't be left with any wants; those who are devoted to Me have no enemies, they have no diseases..."
23. Arunagirinatha in the concluding verse of his Kandar Alankaram says:
Never shall I fear Yama who follows (me) holding soola and whipping his rope.
Hath I the true help of Vel and the holy Hands of the Six-faced God,
The offspring of the Lord Who consumed the venom that gushed out of the ocean."
Never shall I fear Yama who follows (me) holding soola and whipping his rope.
Hath I the true help of Vel and the holy Hands of the Six-faced God,
The offspring of the Lord Who consumed the venom that gushed out of the ocean."
Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, Murugan and Subramaniyan, is the Hindu god of war. He is the commander-in-chief of the army of the devas (gods) and the son of Shiva and Parvati.
Murugan is often referred to as "Tamil Kadavul" (meaning "God of Tamils") and is worshiped primarily in areas withTamil influences, especially South India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Malaysia, Singapore and Reunion Island. His six most important shrines in India are the Arupadaiveedu temples, located in Tamil Nadu. In Sri Lanka, Hindus as well asBuddhists revere the sacred historical Nallur Kandaswamy temple in Jaffna and Katirkāmam Temple situated deep south.[1] Hindus in Malaysia also pray to Lord Murugan at the Batu Caves and various temples where Thaipusam is celebrated with grandeur.
In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Kartikeya is known as Subrahmanya with a temple at Kukke Subramanya known forSarpa shanti rites dedicated to Him and another famous temple at Ghati Subramanya also in Karnataka. In Bengal andOdisha, he is popularly known as Kartikeya (meaning 'son of Krittika').[2]
Contents
[hide]Other names[edit]
Like most Hindu deities, Subrahmanya is known by many other names, including Senthil, Vēlaṇ, Kumāran (meaning 'prince or child or young one'), Swaminatha(meaning 'smart' or 'clever'), Saravaṇa, Arumugam or Shanmuga (meaning 'one with six faces'), Dhandapani (meaning God with a Club), Guhan or Guruguha(meaning 'cave-dweller'), Subrahmanya, Kartikeya and Skanda (meaning 'that which is spilled or oozed).[3][4] He was also known as Mahasena and the Kadamba Dynasty kings worshiped him by this name.[5]
Historical development[edit]
Vedas[edit]
The Atharva Veda describes Kumaran as 'Agnibhuh' because he is form of 'Agni' (Fire God) & Agni hold in his hand when kumaran born. The Satapatha Brahmana refers to him as the son of Rudra and the six faces of Rudra. The Taittiriya Aranyaka contains the Gayatri mantra for Shanmukha. The Chandogya Upanishad refers to Skanda as the "way that leads to wisdom". The Baudhayana Dharmasutra mentions Skanda as 'Mahasena' and 'Subrahmanya.' The Aranya Parva canto of theMahabharata relates the legend of Kartikeya Skanda in considerable detail. The Skanda Purana is devoted to the narrative of Kartikeya.[6] The Upanishads also constantly make a reference to a Supreme Being called Guha, the indweller.
Hindu epics[edit]
The first elaborate account of Kartikeya's origin occurs in the Mahabharata. In a complicated story, he is said to have been born from Agni and Svaha, after the latter impersonated the six of the seven wives of the Saptarishi (Seven Sages). The actual wives then become the Pleiades. Kartikeya is said to have been born to destroy the Asura Mahisha.[7] (In later mythology, Mahisha became the adversary of Durga.) Indra attacks Kartikeya as he sees the latter as a threat, until Shiva intervenes and makes Kartikeya the commander-in-chief of the army of the Devas. He is also married to Devasena, Indra's daughter. The origin of this marriage lies probably in the punning of 'Deva-sena-pati'. It can mean either lord of Devasena or Lord of the army (sena) of Devas. But according to Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, in his master work on Shiva[8] and other works, Kartikeya was married to Devasenā and that is on the ground of his name as Devasena's husband, Devasenāpati, misinterpreted as Deva-senāpati (Deva's general) that he was granted the title general and made the Deva's army general.[9]
Sangam Tamil literature[edit]
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Tolkappiyam, possibly the most ancient of the Tamil literature mentions him as "Seyon", the three other gods referred inTolkappiyam are "Maayon", "Indhiran" and "Kotravai. Extant Sangam works, dated between the 3rd century BCE and 5th century CE glorified Murugan, "the red god seated on the blue peacock, who is ever young and resplendent," as "the favoured god of the Tamils."[10] The Sangam poetry divided space and Tamil land into five allegorical areas (tinai) and according to the Tirumurugarruppatai ( c. 400–450 AD) attributed to the great Sangam poet Nakkiirar, Murugan was the presiding deity the Kurinci region (hilly area). (Tirumurugaruppatai is a deeply devotional poem included in the ten idylls (Pattupattu) of the age of the third Sangam). The other Sangam era works in Tamil that refer to Murugan in detail include the Paripaatal, the Akananuru and the Purananuru. One poem in the Paripaatal describes the veneration of Murugan thus:
But for thy grace beatific, love and virtuous deeds."
According to the Tamil devotional work, Thiruppugazh, "Murugan never hesitates to come to the aid of a devotee when called upon in piety or distress". In another work, Thirumurukkarrupatai, he is described as a god of eternal youth;
The references to Murugan can be traced back to the first millennium BCE. There are references to Murugan in Kautilya's Arthashastra, in the works of Patanjali, in Kalidasa's epic poem the Kumarasambhavam. The Kushanas, who governed from what is today Peshawar, and the Yaudheyas, a republican clan in the Punjab, struck coins bearing the image of Skanda. The deity was venerated also by the Ikshvakus, an Andhra dynasty, and the Guptas.[6] The worship of Kumāra was one of the six principal sects of Hinduism at the time of Adi Shankara. The Shanmata system propagated by him included this sect. In many Shiva and Devi temples of Tamil Nadu, Murugan is installed on the left of the main deity. The story of His birth goes as follows:
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- Sati immolated herself in a pyre as her father King Daksha had insulted Shiva, her Lord. She was reborn as Parvathi or Uma, daughter of the King of Himalayas, Himavan. She then married her Lord Shiva. The Devas were under onslaught from the Asuras whose leader was Soorapadman. He had been granted boons that only Lord Shiva or his seed could kill him. Fearless he vanquished the Devas and made them his slaves. The Devas ran to Vishnu for help who told them that it was merely their fault for attending Daksha's yagna, without the presence of Lord Shiva. After this, they ran to Shiva for help. Shiva decided to take action against Soorapadman's increasing conceit. He frowned and his third eye- the eye of knowledge- started releasing sparks. These were six sparks in total. Agni had the responsibility to take them to Saravana Lake. As he was carrying them, the sparks were growing hotter and hotter that even the Lord of Fire could not withstand the heat. Soon after Murugan was born on a lotus in the Saravana Lake with six faces, giving him the name Arumukhan. Lord Shiva and Parvati visited and tears of joy started flowing as they witnessed the most handsome child. Shiva and Parvathi gave the responsibility of taking care of Muruga to the six Krittika sisters. Muruga grew up to be a handsome, intelligent, powerful, clever youth. All the Devas applauded at their saviour, who had finally come to release them from their woes. Murugan became the supreme general of the demi-gods, then escorted the devas and led the army of the devas to victory against the asuras.
Puranas[edit]
Though slightly varying versions occur in the Puranas, they broadly follow the same pattern. By this period, the identification of Shiva/Rudra with Agni, that can be traced back to the Vedas and Brahmanas, had clearly made Kartikeya the son of Shiva.[citation needed]
The Skanda Purana narrates that Shiva first wed Dakshayani (also named Sati), the first incarnation of Adi Shakthi the granddaughter of Brahma, and the daughter of Daksha. Daksha a Vishnu devotee never liked Shiva, who, symbolizing destruction of evil, detachment, who lives a simple life . Daksha publicly insults Shiva in a Yagna ceremony, and Dakshayani immolates herself. The Yagna is destroyed although protected by all the other Gods and the rishis. Taraka believed that, because Shiva is an ascetic and his earlier marriage was conducted with great difficulty, his remarriage was out of the question, hence his boon of being killed by Shiva's son alone would give him invincibility.
The Devas manage to get Shiva married to Parvati (who was Dakshayani, reborn), by making Manmatha (also known asKama), the God of love awaken him from his penance, but Manmatha incurred the Lord's wrath indicated by the opening his third eye – "Netri Kann", and being destroyed and resurrected. Shiva hands over his effulgence of the third eye used to destroy Manmatha to Agni, as he alone is capable of handling it until it becomes the desired offspring. But even Agni, tortured by its heat, hands it over to Ganga who in turn deposits it in a lake in a forest of reeds (sharavanam). Then GoddessParvati, took the form of this water body as she alone is capable of taming the Tejas of Shiva, her consort. . The child is finally born in this forest (vana) with six faces: eesanam, sathpurusham, vamadevam, agoram, sathyojatham andadhomugam. He is first spotted and cared for by six women representing the Pleiades — Kritika in Sanskrit. He thus gets named Kartikeya. As a young lad, he destroys Tarakasur. He is also called Kumara (Sanskrit for "youth").[citation needed]
Legends[edit]
Given that legends related to Murugan are recounted separately in several Hindu epics, some differences between the various versions are observed. Some Sanskrit epics and puranas indicate that he was the elder son of Shiva. This is suggested by the legend connected to his birth; the wedding of Shiva and Parvati being necessary for the birth of a child who would vanquish the asura named Taraka. Also, Kartikeya is seen helping Shiva fight the newborn Ganesha, Shiva's other son, in the Shiva Purana. In the Ganapati Khandam of the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, he is seen as the elder son of Shiva and Ganesha as the younger. In South India, it is believed that he is the younger of the two. A Puranic story has Ganesha obtain a divine fruit of knowledge from Narada winning a contest with Murugan. While Murugan speeds around the world thrice to win the contest for the fruit, Ganesha circumambulates Shiva and Parvati thrice as an equivalent and is given the fruit. After winning it, he offers to give the fruit to his upset brother. After this event, Ganesha was considered the elder brother owing as a tribute to his wisdom. Many of the major events in Murugan's life take place during his youth, and legends surrounding his birth are popular. This has encouraged the worship of Murugan as a child-God, very similar to the worship of the child Krishna in north India. He is married to two wives, Valli and Devasena. This lead to a very interesting name : Devasenapati viz. Pati (husband) of Devsena and/or Senapati (commander in chief) of Dev (gods).
Symbolism[edit]
Kartikeya symbols are based on the weapons – Vel, the Divine Spear or Lance that he carries and his mount the peacock. He is sometimes depicted with many weapons including: a sword, a javelin, a mace, a discus and a bow although more usually he is depicted wielding a sakti or spear. This symbolizes his purification of human ills. His javelin is used to symbolize his far reaching protection, his discus symbolizes his knowledge of the truth, his mace represents his strength and his bow shows his ability to defeat all ills. His peacock mount symbolizes his destruction of the ego.
His six heads represent the six siddhis bestowed upon yogis over the course of their spiritual development. This corresponds to his role as the bestower of siddhis.
Worship through ages[edit]
Tamil Nadu[edit]
In Tamil Nadu, Murugan has continued to be popular with all classes of society right since the Sangam age. This has led to more elaborate accounts of his mythology in the Tamil language, culminating in the Tamil version of Skanda Purana, calledKandha Purānam, written by Kacchiappa Sivachariyar (1350–1420 AD.) of Kumara Kottam in the city of Kanchipuram. (He was a scholar in Tamil literature, and a votary of the Shaiva Siddhanta philosophy.)
He is married to two deities, Valli, a daughter of a tribal chief and Deivayanai (also called Devasena), the daughter of Indhra. During His bachelorhood, Lord Murugan is also regarded as Kumaraswami (or Bachelor God), Kumara meaning a bachelor and Swami meaning God. Muruga rides a peacock and wields a bow in battle. The lance called Vel in Tamil is a weapon closely associated with him. The Vel was given to him by his mother, Parvati, and embodies her energy and power. His army's standard depicts a rooster. In the war, Surapadman was split into two, and each half was granted a boon by Murugan. The halves, thus turned into the peacock (his mount) and the rooster his flag, which also "refers to the sun".[12]
As Muruga is worshipped predominantly in Tamil Nadu, many of his names are of Tamil origin. These include Senthil, the red or formidable one; Arumugam, the six-faced one; Guhan and Maal-Marugan, the son-in-law of Vishnu. Murugan is venerated throughout the Tamil year. There is a six-day period of fast and prayer in the Tamil month of Aippasi known as the Skanda Shasti. He is worshipped at Thaipusam, celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide near the full moon of the Tamil month Thai. This commemorates the day he was given a Vel or lance by his mother in order to vanquish the asuras. Thirukarthigai or the full moon of the Tamil month of Karthigai signifies his birth. Each Tuesday of the Tamil month of Adi is also dedicated to the worship of Murugan. Tuesday in the Hindu tradition connotes Mangala, the god of planet Mars and war.
Other parts of India[edit]
Historically, God Kartikeya was immensely popular in the Indian subcontinent. One of the major Puranas, the Skanda Purana is dedicated to him. In the Bhagavad-Gita (Ch.10, Verse 24), Krishna, while explaining his omnipresence, names the most perfect being, mortal or divine, in each of several categories. While doing so, he says: "Among generals, I am Skanda, the lord of war."
Kartikeya's presence in the religious and cultural sphere can be seen at least from the Gupta age. Two of the Gupta kings,Kumaragupta and Skandagupta, were named after him. He is seen in the Gupta sculptures and in the temples of Ellora andElephanta. As the commander of the divine armies, he became the patron of the ruling classes. His youth, beauty and bravery was much celebrated in Sanskrit works like the Kathasaritsagara. Kalidasa made the birth of Kumara the subject of a lyrical epic, the Kumaarasambhavam. In ancient India, Kartikeya was also regarded as the patron deity of thieves, as may be inferred from the Mrichchakatikam, a Sanskrit play by Shudraka, and in the Vetala-panchvimshati, a medieval collection of tales. This association is linked to the fact that Kartikeya had dug through the Krauncha mountain to kill Taraka and his brothers (in the Mrichchakatikam, Sarivilaka prays to him before tunnelling into the hero's house).
However, Kartikeya's popularity in North India receded from the Middle Ages onwards, and his worship is today virtually unknown except in parts of Haryana. There is a very famous temple dedicated to Him in the town of Pehowa in Haryana and this temple is very well known in the adjoining areas, especially because women are not allowed anywhere close to it. Women stay away from this temple in Pehowa town of Haryana because this shrine celebrates the Brahmachari form of Kartikeya. Reminders of former devotions to him include a temple at Achaleshwar, near Batala in Punjab, and another temple of Skanda atop the Parvati hill in Pune,Maharashtra. Another vestige of his former popularity can be seen in Bengal and Odisha, where he is worshipped during the Durga Puja festivities alongside Durga. Lord Subramanya is the major deity among the Hindus of northern Kerala. Lord Subramanya is worshipped with utmost devotion in districts of Dakshina Kannada andUdupi in the state of Karnataka. Rituals like nagaradhane are unique to this region.
West Bengal and Bangladesh[edit]
Kartikeya also known as Kartik or Kartika is also worshipped in West Bengal, and Bangladesh on the last day of the Hindu month of 'Kartik'. However, the popularity of Kartik Puja (worshipping Kartik) is decreasing now, and Lord Kartik is primarily worshipped among those who intend to have a son. In Bengal, traditionally, many people drop images of Kartik inside the boundaries of different households, who all are either newly married, or else, intend to get a son to carry on with their ancestry. Lord Kartik is also associated to the Babu Culture prevailed in historic Kolkata, and hence, many traditional old Bengali paintings still show Kartik dressed in traditional Bengali style. Also, in some parts of West Bengal, Kartik is traditionally worshipped by the ancestors of the past royal families too, as in the district of Malda. Kartik Puja is also popular among the prostitutes. This can probably be linked to the fact that, the prostitutes mostly got clients from the upper class babu-s in old Kolkata, who all, in turn, had been associated to the image of Kartik (as discussed above). In Bansberia (Hooghly district) Kartik Puja festival is celebrated like Durga puja of Kolkata, Jagadhatri puja in Chandannagar for consecutive four days. The festival starts on 17 November every year and on 16 November in case of Leap year.[13] Some of the must see Puja committees are Bansberia Kundugoli Nataraj, Khamarapara Milan Samity RadhaKrishna, Kishor Bahini, Mitali Sangha, Yuva Sangha, Bansberia Pratap Sangha and many more.
In Durga Puja in Bengal, Kartikeya is considered to be a son of Parvati or Durga and Shiva along with his brother Ganeshaand sisters Lakshmi and Saraswati.[14]
Odisha[edit]
Kartikeya is worshiped during Durga Puja in Odisha as well as in various Shiva temples throughout the year. Kartik puja is celebrated in Cuttack along with various other parts of the state during the last phases of Hindu month of Kartik. Kartik purnima is celebrated with much joy and in a grand fashion in Cuttack and other parts in the state.
Sri Lanka[edit]
Murugan is adored by both Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Numerous temples exist throughout the island. He is a favorite deity of the common folk everywhere and it is said he never hesitates to come to the aid of a devotee when called upon. In the deeply Sinhalese south of Sri Lanka, Murugan is worshipped at the temple in Katirkāmam, where he is known as Kathiravel or Katragama Deviyo (Lord of Katragama) . This temple is next to an old Buddhist place of worship. Local legend holds that Lord Murugan alighted in Kataragama and was smitten by Valli, one of the local aboriginal lasses. After a courtship, they were married. This event is taken to signify that Lord Murugan is accessible to all who worship and love him, regardless of their birth or heritage. The Nallur Kandaswamy temple, the Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple and the Sella Channithy Temple near Valvettiturai are the three foremost Murugan temples in Jaffna. The Chitravelayutha temple in Verukal on the border between Trincomalee and Batticaloa is also noteworthy as is the Mandur Kandaswamy temple in Batticaloa. The late medieval-era temple of the tooth in Kandy, dedicated to the tooth relic of the Buddha, has a Kataragama deiyo shrine adjacent to it dedicated to the veneration of Skanda in the Sinhalese tradition. Almost all buddhist temples house a shrine room for Kataragama deviyo(Murugan)reflecting the significance of Murugan in Sinhala Buddhism,
Based on archeological evidence found, it is believed that the Kiri Vehera was either renovated to build during the 1st century BCE. There are number of others inscriptions and ruins.[15]
By the 16th century the Kathiravel shrine at Katirkāmam had become synonymous with Skanda-Kumara who was a guardian deity of Sinhala Buddhism.[16] The town was popular as a place of pilgrimage for Hindus from India and Sri Lanka by the 15 the century. The popularity of the deity at the Kataragama temple was also recorded by the Pali chronicles of Thailand such as Jinkalmali in the 16th century. There are number of legends both Buddhist and Hindu that attribute supernatural events to the very locality.[16] Scholars such as Paul Younger and Heinz Bechert speculate that rituals practiced by the native priests of Kataragama temple betray Vedda ideals of propitiation. Hence they believe the area was of Vedda veneration that was taken over by the Buddhist and Hindus in the medieval period.[17]
Malaysia[edit]
Lord Murugan is one of the most important deities worshipped by Tamil people in Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia. Thai Poosam is one of the important festivals celebrated. Sri Subramanyar Temple at Batu Caves temple complex in Malaysia is dedicated to Lord Murugan.
Temples[edit]
The main temples of Murugan are located in Tamil Nadu and other parts of south India. They include the Aru Padaiveedu (six abodes) — Thiruchendur, Swamimalai, Pazhamudircholai, Thirupparangunram, Palani (Pazhani), Thiruthani and other important shrines like Mayilam, Sikkal, Marudamalai, Kundrathur, Vadapalani, Kandakottam, Thiruporur, Vallakottai, Vayalur,Thirumalaikoil, Pachaimalai and Pavalamalai near Gobichettipalayam. Malai Mandir, a prominent and popular temple complex in Delhi, is one of the few dedicated to Murugan in all of North India apart from the Pehowa temple in Haryana.
There are many temples dedicated to Lord Subramanya in Kerala. Amongst them are Atiyambur Sri Subramanya Temple in Kanhangad Kasaragod, Payyannur Subramanya Swamy temple in Payyanur, Panmana Subramanya Swamy temple inPanmana and the Subramanya temple in Haripad. There is a temple in Skandagiri,Secunderabad and one in Bikkavolu, East Godavari district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka there is the Kukke Subramanya Temple where Lord Murugan is worshiped as the Lord of the serpents. Aaslesha Bali, Sarpa Samskara with nagapathista samarpa are major prayers here. There is a temple called Malai Mandir in South Delhi. Malai means hill in Tamil. Mandir means temple in Hindi.
The key temples in Sri Lanka include the sylvan shrine in Kataragama / (Kadirgamam) or Kathirkamam in the deep south, the temple in Tirukovil in the east, the shrine in Embekke in the Kandyan region and the famed Nallur Kandaswamy temple inJaffna. There are several temples dedicated to Lord Murugan in Malaysia, the most famous being the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur. There is a 42.7-m-high statue of Lord Murugan at the entrance to the Batu Caves, which is the largest Lord Murugan statue in the world. Sri Thandayuthapani Temple in Tank Road, Singapore is a major Hindu temple where each year the Thaipusam festival takes place with devotees of Lord Muruga carrying Kavadis seeking penance and blessings of the Lord.
In the United Kingdom, Highgate Hill Murugan temple is one of the oldest and most famous. In London, Sri Murugan Temple in Manor park is a well-known temple. In Midlands, Leicester Shri Siva Murugan Temple is gaining popularity recently. Skanda Vale in West Wales was founded by Guruji, a Tamil devotee of Subramaniam, and its primary deity is Lord Murugan. In Australia, Sydney Murugan temple in Parramatta (Mays Hill), Perth Bala Muruguan temple in Mandogalup and Kundrathu Kumaran temple in Rockbank, Melbourne are major Hindu temples for all Australian Hindus and Murugan devotees. In New Zealand, there is a Thirumurugan Temple in Auckland and a Kurinji Kumaran Temple in Wellington, both dedicated to Lord Murugan. In the USA, Shiva Murugan Temple in Concord, Northern California and Murugan Temple of North America[18] in Maryland, Washington DC region are popular. In Toronto, Canada, Canada Kanthasamy Temple is known amongst many Hindus in Canada. In Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a suburb of the city of Montreal in Canada, there is a monumental temple of Murugan. The Sri Sivasubramaniar Temple, located in the Sihl Valley in Adliswil, is the most famous and largest Hindu temple in Switzerland.[19]