Kanda Sashti: A Divine Experience
V.S. Krishnan
Puranas are the sacred texts that contain the wisdom of the ancient sages who revealed the truth after intense introspection. Sage Vyasa compiled these works which serve as a spiritual guide for all. Among the 18 Puranas, Kanda Purana, which describes the origin, purpose and divine qualities of Kanda, is considered as an invaluable treasure of knowledge.
Kanda was not born in the normal sense of the term. Six sparks emerged from the third eye of Lord Siva which, transformed as six babies, combined as one and so are known as Kanda. This ascendence from fire signifies the importance of Kanda. Fire is the symbol of Jnana and Kanda radiates the light of Jnana from his abode at Swami Malai.
The immediate purpose of Kanda was to put an end or reform the super-demon Soora Padman who was disturbing the peace of the heavenly Devas. Kanda possessed the lance (Vel) which his mother Parvati had presented him. He went to the shore of the ocean near Tiruchendur where the demon Sooran was hiding.
The Vel that Kanda hurled hit Sooran who had assumed the form of a mango tree. It only hit his ego and not the divinity within him. When the Vel pierced through, the tree fell into two parts. Kanda, full of compassion, transformed the two parts into a peacock and a rooster and adopted them as his vehicle and ensign.
The purpose of Kanda’s appearance was not merely to eliminate evil forces, but to establish peace and order on earth, to lead the people to the path of Dharma and direct them to the path of ultimate salvation.
The Vel that Kanda had hurled at Sooran was not a mere weapon. It is a powerful spear that removes darkness and radiates knowledge (Jnana Vel). It removes fear. It discards desire. It eliminates ego. It helps to overcome the consequence of karma and last, but not least, it liberates.
Kanda Sashti marks the dawn of an era that heralds the beginning of a new era of peace, happiness, and prosperity. It is the day when the Vel of Murugan serves as a shield to protect the devotees from all obstacles. It is the day when the devotees resolve to follow the path of Dharma, the path of devotion and the path of eternal happiness. The event is celebrated on a grand scale at Tiruchendur.
Nakkeerar who composed Thirumurugatrupadai
There were many who hailed the glory of Kanda, like Kachiappa Sivacharyar who composed Kanda Puranam, or Nakkeerar who composed Thirumurugatrupadai or Sri Arunagirinathar who composed the immortal verses, Thiruruppugazh.
Devotees perform anga pradakshina at Tiruchendur during Kanda Sasti.
After worshipping Kanda at Tiruchendur, Adi Sankara said: “Salutations to Sri Subrahmanya. Oh Lord, just as the huge waves that appear in the ocean subside when they reach the shore, the suffering faced by the devotees would also disappear the moment devotees come in your presence. I would meditate on you, Oh Guha, who reside in the cave of the heart.”
Arunagirinathar, the author of Thiruppugazh says: “The paddy fields in Tiruchendur were ruined by the jumping fish. The minds of young women were ruined by their desire for the fragrant kadambu flowers. By the touch of the Vel hurled by the Lord mounted on his peacock, the demon Sooran was destroyed and by the touch of Muruga’s feet on my head, the words written by Brahma, the Lord of creation as my fate were also destroyed (Selpatt azhinthadhu Kandar Alangaram 40).
Just as the feet of the Lord are worthy of reverence, the feet of the devotees of Murugan are equally venerated. Those are the feet that walked miles and miles. Wearing saffron attire, with chain of Rudraksha beads round their neck, vibhuti smeared over their forehead, they walked, braving rough weather, without food or rest, reciting Kanda Sashti Kavacham, with the only aim of having a glance of the Lord of Tiruchendur. Doing service to devotees is equal to doing service to God. It is heartening to note that there are organizations working for many years to take care of devotees visiting Tiruchendur and provide them with food (annadanam).
There are five significant locations, known as sabhais, where Lord Nataraja performs his cosmic dance; Chidambaram, Madurai, Tiruvalangadu and Tirunelveli. The fifth, located at Kutralam, known as Chitra Sabhai is famous for the hall of paintings. We find wonderful mural paintings here. We are all getting the blessings of Senthil Andavan located at the eastern end of Tiruchendur.
Another form of Senthil Andavan has been blessing the devotees from the northern border also, which is designed on the same pattern of Chitra Sabhai at Kutralam. This is named as Sri Murugananda Sangeeta Thiruppugazh Chitra Sabhai. Here, we find beautiful paintings that depict the manifestations of Murugan in different roles. Here Thiruppugazh songs are explained through colorful paintings and pictures. For instance, the beginning song of Thiruppugazh, ‘Kaithala Niraikani’ is picturized with Ganesa holding the fruit on his trunk.
Most of the Thiruppugazh songs are explained through colorful pictures. Devotees visiting Tiruchendur this Kanda Sashti are advised to visit Chitra Sabhai also where they would find Thiruppugazh song vividly explained through beautiful images.
