Vaikasi Visakam

Vaikasi Visakam is observed as the birthday of Lord Subramanya or Lord Muruga during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (Mid May – Mid June). Visakam is considered to be the birth star of Lord Muruga and so he is also known by the name Visakan. Lord Muruga is the God of courage and strength and he is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. On Vaikasi Visakam devotees take out procession and carry milk to Subramanya temples to perform milk Abhishekam to the deity.

Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated during Visakam Nakshatra in Tamil month Vaikasi. Vaikasi is the second month of Tamil Calendar and Visakam is the fourteenth nakshatra of the 27 nakshatras (astrological stars).

Significance of Vaikasi Visakam

Lord Muruga was incarnated to destroy the demons Surapadma, Tarakasura, and Singamugha. They were causing misery to the Gods and the Gods approached Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva meditated and six sparks of fire emanated from his third eye. The sparks transformed and Lord Muruga manifested as six babies on six lotuses that bloomed in the Saravana pond. They were nursed by the six nakshatras called Krittikas, who are the stars of the constellation Pleiades. Hence he is called Kartikeya, son of Krittikas. Then Goddess Parvati embraced the six babies and made it as one with six heads and 12 hands. So he is also called as Aarumuga. There are numerous symbolism regarding the six heads of Lord Muruga. The six heads of Karthikeya represent his six attributes. They are: Jnana (wisdom), Vairagya (detachment), Bala (strength), Keerti (fame), Shree (wealth), and Aishwarya (divine powers). It is believed that the six faces of Lord Muruga represents five elements ether, fire, water, earth, air and the sixth the sprit that infuses life into the beings formed by the elements. On this special day devotees pray to Lord Subramanya to seek his auspicious blessings in their lives. Devotees carry Paal kudam (milk pots) to do milk abishekam to the Lord and vow to carry kaavadi (a decorated yoke) on their shoulders in procession to the temple. Special pooja, homa, aarti and abishekam are done to Lord Muruga to seek his blessings. The divine wedding of Lord Muruga to Goddess Valli is conducted on this day in many temples. It is very auspicious to conduct or see this wedding as all problems relating to marriage will be solved and happiness and auspiciousness would be conferred upon by the Lord. People recite Kanda Sashti Kavacham, Subrahmanya Bhujangam, Thiruppugazh, Shanmukha Kavacham and other hymns in praise of Lord Muruga.

Spiritual Significance of Vaikasi Visakam

Lord Muruga can be invoked by reciting the six syllable fire mantra: SA RA VA NA BA VA. Reciting the mantra protects us from all evil and grants good merit. Lord Muruga was incarnated for a divine purpose. Saint Arunagirinathar says we should bear this in mind and meditate on his beautiful form to be blessed by his grace. The saint says that he is the infinite reality residing in the cavern of our heart as Guhan, who will protect us and lead us in the path of wisdom and light. He is the God of all knowledge and imparted the meaning of the primordial cosmic word OM to his father, Lord Shiva.

In the Sri Tattvanidhi4, Lord Muruga is described as dark blue in color holding the Vel (Lance). Sometimes He is depicted with the two consorts, Devayanai and Valli. Besides Him stands the peacock gripping a snake with its claws. This entire picture is in itself a narrative description in which every aspect symbolizes a deeper meaning. The blue indicates infinity. To the human perception all infinite expanses for example the sky or ocean, appear blue. Lord Muruga is the Infinite Reality existing in the cavern of the heart. This reality expresses itself through the mind and together with the five sense organs which forms His six faces. The peacock is symbolic of vanity and pride. The serpent represents ego. The ego is created by ignorance of people and this must be kept in check to discover the Truth. The peacock holding the serpent within its claws conveys this Truth. And finally the Vel, is symbolic of the removal of the negative and evil tendencies which conceals the true Divine Self. Lord Muruga’s Vel is a symbolic representation of wisdom, power and higher intelligence. The Vel was given to him by his mother, Goddess Parvati, to fight against injustice. Lord Muruga with his Vel destroys bad karma, ignorance, negativity, and diseases. The luminous Vel drives out our bonds of karma and blesses us with infinite intelligence. His Consort Valli is the power of Will and is the personification of Divine love and Devayanai is the power of action and is the personification of deathlessness.

The manifestation of Shanmugan is the everlasting testament of victory, of Truth over falsehood, of Dharma over adharma. And those who fight against adharmic forces within or around themselves, are said to be the ‘Faithful warriors of Muruga’. Lord Muruga is the Lord of Kundalini and guides his devotees to attain perfection in life.