Skanda, Lord of Infinite Grace

by V.S. Krishnan

Skanda Purana, authored by sage Vyasa, is one among the 18 scriptures that constitute the essence of spirituality. While it deals with many aspects like cosmology, mythology, moral values, Dharma, etc., it describes Skanda elaborately, about the purpose, origin and nature of his manifestation.

Skanda was not born in the usual sense of the term. His appearance was just an incident and Kalidasa termed it as the Kumāra Sambhavam. Kanda Purānam written by Sri Kachiappa Sivacharyar traces the origin of Kanda’s descend on earth.

After intense tapas, the demon Śūrapadmā obtained a boon from Lord Siva that no power on earth and no one who has taken natural birth, could harm him. Aspiring supremacy over the whole universe, he started oppressing the Devas and their head Indra in the celestial world.

When they appealed to Lord Siva for protection, a powerful flame appeared from the third eye of Siva. Carried by Lord of Air (Vayu) and Lord of Fire (Agni), the flame was deposited in the Ganga from where it reached Saravana Poigai in the Himalayas. The flame was transformed into six beautiful babies. The Krittikas, wives of sages shining as stars, came down and nursed the babies.

Goddess Parvati came, embraced the babies, and merged them into one, the child came to be known as Skanda. Parvati held him in her lap and fed him with milk which served as the milk of knowledge (Jnana Pal).

As the child grew up like a handsome youth, the mother gave him another gift: the Vel to remind him that the purpose of his appearance in the world was to put an end to evil forces represented by Soorapadman and his brothers.

Sooran was adept at taking different forms. He took the form of a tree and tried to deceive the solders of Muruga. Murugan as Commander in Chief directed the war and brought victory. Lord Krishna describes Skanda as the brave solder (Senanim, Aham Skanda).

The Vel pierced through the tree dividing it into two parts. When these two parts fell at the feet of Muruga, signifying Sooran’s surrender, the ever-merciful Lord accepted him and gave him the privilege of serving the Lord as vehicle (peacock) and banner (rooster).

The Vel is not a mere weapon of destruction. Because it was given by Mother Parvati, the embodiment of Sakti, it signifies the power of knowledge (Jnana Sakti). The light that radiates from Vel removes the stains of impurities from the mind, dispels the illusion arising out of Maya and enlightens the vision.

Arunagirinathar, the author of Thiruppugazh, describes the infinite qualities of Vel, the lance, the peacock, the transport and rooster, the ensign in his hymns called Vel, Mayil and Seval Virutham. He described the Vel as vinai theerkkum kadir vel , the spear powerful enough to ward off karmas (consequences arising out of action).

The Vel comes as a guardian while one takes the last journey. “As one walks alone, the Vel remains as an eternal guard, day and night and from all directions.” (Thanithu vazhi… Vel Vakuppu 3). The Vel removes the fear of death. It guides the devotees to cross the ocean of Samsara (material life) and attain liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death.

The lower part of the Vel that runs long shows the depth of knowledge. The wider portion at the center represents the vastness of the knowledge and the pointed edge signifies the sharpness of Jnana. The Vel has the inherent power to succeed. The word vel is derived from the Tamil word, velluthal, meaning victory. An integral ally of Murugan is peacock which defies description in its beauty and power. While peacock is His Vahana (transport) the rooster is His ensign. It is the same rooster that sounds the Omkara mantra in the morning.

His Names

Skanda is also known by a host of other names, including:

• Murugan, a name derived from the root Tamil word murugu, a term associated with beauty, divinity and youth.
• Subrahmanya, where ‘Su’ signifies sacredness and ‘Brahmanya’ signifies the eternal reality, Brahman.
• Jnāna Pandita by the knowledge he symbolizes;
• Karunākara by his qualities of love and compassion;
• Velāyudha by the spear he wields;
• Mayilvahana by the peacock he travels;
• Ceval Kodiyon by his ensign of rooster;
• Kadamba by the garland he wears;
• Dandāyudhapani by the staff he holds at Palani;
• Shanmukha by his six sacred faces;
• Gangeyan since he was carried by Ganga;
• Kārttikeya since He was nursed by stars from the constellation Krittika
• Skanda as Parvati combined the six babies into one;
• Kaliyuga Varada since he came to remove the sorrows of the age of Kali;
• Saravanabhavan since he came up among the sacred bush of reeds in the river Saravana Poigai;
• Swāminātha since he taught his own father, Lord Siva;
• Thambiran, the leader;
• Andi, the renounced saint;
• Guhan who resides in the cave of the heart of devotees; and
• Kumāra who is ever youthful.

The Atharva Veda describes him as the son of Agni. As already said, in Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says: “Among the warriors, I am Skanda”. Nakkeerar described him as one who has six sacred abodes; as conqueror in Tiruchendur, having family in Tiruttani and Tiruparamkundram, as a youth in Tiru Avinangudi and as a mature married man in Pazhamudir Solai. Places visited by Arunagirinathar

Murugan is always flanked on his right side by Valli, who belongs to the hunter community. She got her name from the valli tuber where she was found. Valli, who hails from a simple background is known for her simplicity, humility, innocence, contentment and ever in happiness, doing her job sincerely.

According to legend, having heard about the qualities of Valli from saint Narada, Lord Murugan went in search of her. On arrival at Valli Malai, the Lord took the form of a tribesman and went straight to the field she was guarding. At an appropriate time, he approached her and expressed his love, but Valli rejected him and chased him away.

Murugan then adopted different methods to win over her; first taking the form of a tree and then like an old man. When he found her stubborn, he sought the help of his brother, Ganesha. Ganesha took the form of an elephant, his original form and approached Valli. The terrified Valli fell at the feet of the old man. Finally, Murugan revealed to her his real form. Valli realized that she was right in front of her lover. Valli felt jubilant that she at last found the companion she had aspired for.

Lord Indira, father of Tevayanai, offered her in marriage to Murugan as a mark of gratitude for having protected the Devas from the atrocities of demons. The marriage with Tevayanai took place in a very spectacular fashion with Lord Siva and Parvati presiding.

While Tevayanai was offered to Murugan in marriage, in the case of Valli, Murugan sought her company and ultimately united with her. Generally, when a devotee seeks unity with God, it is compared with the love exchanged between a lover and his beloved (Nayaka Nayaki approach). When expressed towards another human, it is pure love and when expressed towards the God, it becomes devotion.

The true devotee (Jivatma) aspires to be united with God (Paramatma). Here, instead of the individual Jiva, seeking unity with Paramatma, the Paramatma (Muruga) itself was seeking unity with the individual (Valli). This is the unique phenomenon where the Supreme Power, most revered, most adored, most loved kneels down to seek the Lotus Feet of an individual like Valli.

This unique phenomenon celebrated by Sri Arunagirinathar is hailed by pundits and scholars as ‘Valli Sanmarga’ the ideal way of unity. When a devotee like Valli, who has no aspiration of her own and surrenders before God, the devotee quits his or her individuality and becomes united with the God. Valli Sanmargam gives us the lesson that one who is pure, humble and devoted needs to make only the first move towards God and God would come and bestow His grace.

Many saints like Nakkeerar, Kachiappa Sivacharyar, Avvayar, Tirupporur Chidambara Swamigal, Vannacharapam Thandapani Swamigal, Pakazhi Koothar, Muthuswamy Deekshidar, Pamban Swamigal, Ramalinga Adigal, Kripananda Variyar, et al. have composed beautiful garlands of verses. Sri Arunagirinathar’s Thiruppugazh remain as an outstanding work of devotion towards Murugan.

Festivals

The most auspicious day for Murugan is Kanda Sashti, the day that marks the eradication of destructive forces and the triumph of truth that is celebrated on a grand scale at Tiruchendur.

The other important day is Thai Pusam which falls in the month of Thai (January-February). It was on the day of Thai Pusam, Goddess Parvati gave Murugan the all-powerful Vel. On the day of Thai Pusam, Pazhani hill would witness a mass congregation of devotees.

Panguni Uttiram falls in the 12th month of Panguni (March-April) when the moon shines in full. It is on this day that the wedding of Murugan with Tevayanai took place. Adi Krittikai which falls in the month of August-September and Visakam star on the Vaykasi month (May-June) are other important and auspicious days for Murugan.