Sasthi and Skanda

In religion, there are three parts viz philosophy, mythology, and ritual.Philosophy is the essence of religion. It sets forth its basic principles or fundamental doctrines or tenets, the goal and the means of attaining it. Mythology explains and illustrates philosophy by means of legendary lives of real men or supernatural beings.Ritual gives a still more concrete form to philosophy so that everyone may understand it.The Puranas contain various myths.Skanda Purana is one of the most important of the Puranas.

The Skanda Purana richly illustrates the advent of Lord Murugan and His Lilas. It states that at one time the Devas were strongly oppressed by the Asura Sooran, and his brothers, Tharagan and Singan. Being unable to bear their ill treatment they prayed to Lord Siva and out of His abundance of compassion ejected six sparks from his third eye, the inner eye of intuition and threw them in the Ganges, but as Ganges could not bear the intensity of the heat, threw them into the Saravana Poykai. This is where Lord Murugan was born, hence He is called Saravanabhavan. The six sparks took the form of six babies and they were brought up by Karthigai Pengal. Thus, He is called Karthikeyan. God Mother Umadevi embraced all together and Lord Subramanya took a form with six heads and 12 hands. He is also called Guhan,Murugan, Shanmugan, and Velayutham. Guha’ means “one who dwells in the cave of the heart” or “In-dweller of the heart.”

Lord Murugan killed Tharagan and Singan at first.They represent Karma Mala, and Maya Mala. Soorapathman represents Anava Mala (ego). According to Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy, Anava Mala is not completely destroyed but remains dormant when the soul attains bliss. Skanda Purana reveals that when Lord Subramaniya’s Velayutham killed Soorapathman by splitting his body into two parts, one part took the form of a cock and adorned His flag, while the other took the form of a peacock and became His chariot.

Soorapathman was killed by Lord Murugan on the Sashti Day i.e. the Sixth day after the new moon in the month of Ipasi (October—November). That is the day on which He bestowed boon on all His devotees. All the six days
including the Sashti day are regarded as auspicious days for worship and all those who fast and pray to Lord Murugan receive special boons from Him. It is said devotees who fast on all six days get the following exils eradicated: Kama (desire), Grotha (anger), Loba (miserliness), Moha (avariciousness), Matha (ego), and Macharium (jealousy).

Lord Murugan is another manifestation of Lord Siva –born as a ray of light from Sivan’s pure consciousness.Valli and Deivayanai are His two wives. They represent the power of will (ichcha-sakthi) and the power of action (kriya-sakthi), respectively. The six heads represent the six rays or attributes. They also indicate Murugan’s control over the five organs of Knowledge as well as the mind. That His head is turned in all directions signifies He is all-pervading.They indicate that He can multiply and assume forms at His will.