Maha Skanda Sashti

Maha Skanda Sashti is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga. This festival is observed mainly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and some places in North India. Skanda Sashti is celebrated in honour of Lord Muruga defeating the demon Surapadman after an intense fight for six days.

Skanda Sashti Vratam begins from first day or Prathama of Tamil month Aipasi and ends on the sixth day which is known as Soorasamharam day. Soorasamharam day is Maha Skanda Sashti on Sashti tithi. It falls in the month of mid-October to mid-November.

Legend

Skanda Sashti is the day Lord Subramanya (Lord Muruga) defeated the demon Soorapadman and saved the Earth from his evils. When the Devas couldn’t tolerate the evil doings of this demon, they approached the younger son (Lord Muruga) of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Skanda, son of Lord Shiva, symbolizes valour and was made as the General of the Army of Devas. Skanda received a powerful Vel (lance) from his mother and went on a war against Soorapadman. The war was waged for six days at the end of which the Lord vanquished the demon. He threw his weapon (Vel) at Soorapadman and he split into two halves. One half became a peacock, which became Lord Muruga’s vaahana (vehicle) and the other became a cock and was transformed into Lord Muruga’s flag. Lord Muruga fought the armies of Simhamukha, Surapadman, and Tarakasura and vanquished them on the Sashti day.

Significance of Maha Skanda Sashti

Devotees undertake fasts, prayers, and worship to Lord Muruga. The offering of Kavadi on Skanda Sashti is a form of worship. People celebrate Maha Skanda Sashti vrata by observing fast for 6 days from Prathama to Soorasamharam day. Many recite Skanda Sashti Kavacham and Subramanya Bhujangam. People also read scriptures related to Lord Muruga. Many devotees see the Vratam as an opportunity to clean the body and get rid of unwanted toxic elements. ‘Vrata’ or ‘Vratam’ in Sanskrit means ‘vow.’ Vratam should not be misunderstood as mere fasting. By observing Vratam a person is trying to purify his mind through meditation, worship and by sticking to some ‘vow’ that one has taken. This vow can include fasting, practicing truthfulness, kindness etc. A vratam should be seen as a deliberate attempt to bring back discipline into your life. Whoever fasts for these 6 days of Skanda Sashti and prays to Lord Muruga would get the blessings of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga gives energy, wealth and knowledge to the Maha Skanda Sashti observers.

Spiritual Significance of Maha Skanda Sashti

Lord Muruga is considered by sacred scriptures as:

• A Master over all divine qualities and attributes
• Capable of bestowing all Siddhis (supernormal powers)
• The God of the 3rd Eye (wisdom)
• The Lord of Kundalini
• The highest intelligence, symbolized by his 6 heads that correspond to 6 parts of the brain
• The guardian of all esoteric knowledge

Lord Muruga is a ray born of the Divine Consciousness of Lord Shiva. Valli and Devayani are His two wives. They represent the power of action and the power of knowledge respectively. He is a Godhead easily accessible in this dark age of ignorance and lack of faith. The Vel is in a contour of sharp edge, wide upper part and very depth in its length. This expansion, the breadth, the width actually represents the broadness of the mind. The sharp pointed end represents the sharpness of knowledge. The length depicts the Depth of our thought and mind. The number six is the symbolic representation of Lord Muruga. Skanda Shasti spans 6 days, Lord Muruga’s form has 6 heads, He has 6 power houses (energy vortices), His powerful mantra has 6 syllables ‘Sa Ra Va Na Ba Va’ and He represents our 6th sense. During these 6 auspicious days of Skanda Sashti, Lord Muruga’s power is accessible for victory over the three primary hindrances of human suffering, represented by the demons Muruga was born to slay. They are Karma (destiny), Maya (illusion) and Ego (separation from God).

According to the scriptures:

• Prayers rendered to Lord Muruga during the 1st day of Skanda Sashti helps to improve business and relationships.
• Prayers during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th days of Skanda Shasti brings relief from health problems and brings positivity in life.
• Prayers on the 5th and 6th days of Skanda Shasti brings spiritual bliss, financial favours and also growth in career/profession.