Krittikai / Adi Krittikai / Thai Krittikai
The Krittikai Nakshatram (star) is considered highly auspicious to worship Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga also known as Kartikeya is the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Krittikai is a Star. Krittikai should be considered when Krittikai nakshatra prevails for a longer period. Adi Krittikai is celebrated on the day when Krittikai Nakshatra prevails in the Tamil month of Adi (4th month in Tamil calendar). Thai Krittikai is celebrated on the day when Krittikai Nakshatra prevails in the Tamil month of Thai (10th month in Tamil calendar).
Legend
According to Skanda Purana, Lord Muruga was born from third eye of Lord Shiva as a spark of fire. Since the heat generated by the spark was immense, Agni Dev (God of Fire) was asked to carry it. Agni Dev himself was unable to bear the heat and dropped the spark in a water body that later came to be known as Saravana Poigai. When the hot spark touched the cold surface of the water, it speckled to 6 sparks, each taking the form of a beautiful baby boy. Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati appeared there and summoned the Krittika star from space. Astronomically, Krittika is a group of 6 stars. They came down as 6 young women and each was given one baby to take care of. Hence Krittikai has dual importance: one being the birth star of Lord Muruga and another is he was brought up by 6 Krittikai women. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati granted a boon to Krittikai women that special poojas for Lord Muruga will be held on every Krittika nakshatra.
Significance of Krittikai / Adi Krittikai / Thai Krittikai
The Tamil month of Adi falls during the second half of the year known as Dakshinayanam when the Sun transits from the Northern hemisphere to the Southern during July. The transition of the Sun from Southern to the Northern hemisphere happens in the Tamil month of Thai (January) and is known as Uthirayanam. Both these periods have been considered as auspicious for the worship of the Gods and Goddesses. Special poojas are performed to the Lord on all Krittikai days and people offer kavadis in the Murugan temples. People recite or listen to Kanda Sashti Kavacham, Shanmukha Kavacham, Kandar Anuboothi and Subramanya Bhujangam.
Spiritual Significance of Krittikai
Lord Muruga also known as Skanda or Karthikeya is the chief commander of the great divine army and a fearless defender of righteousness. Goddess Parvati presented the Vel to her son Muruga as an embodiment of her Shakthi (Power and Energy) to vanquish the evil asura Soorapadman. The Vel became the symbol of courage and of the triumph of good over evil. Meditating on Vel is considered auspicious. We can access the energy of Lord Muruga by chanting and meditating on the Powerful Mantra “Om Saravanabava“. It signifies the 6 syllables which represents 6 aspects in life:
- SA – Gives you the pleasing quality to attract positive people in your life.
- RA – Gives the opportunity to enjoy prosperity.
- VA – Dissolves any physical discomforts and debts.
- NA – Resolves any problems created by your enemies.
- BA – Brings happiness in life.
- VA – Destroys evil and negative forces.
Lord Muruga fulfils one’s wishes, removes difficulties and liberates when one meditates on him on Krittikai Nakshatram. Many fast on Krittikai. Fasting indicates that one does not surrender to the physical needs of the body. According to the scriptures, fasting helps create an attunement with the Absolute by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. This is important to nourish both physical and spiritual demands.
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