Lord Muruga
won the battle against Surapadma, the demon, on the sixth day of the
waxing moon in the Tamil month of Aipasi (Oct-Nov) and incorporated
Surapadman as the rooster for His staff and as the peacock for His
mount. Thus he is replete with mercy even for His foes! This day is
celebrated as Kanda Sashti. This great event happened in Tiruchendur and
hence Kanda Sashti is celebrated with grandeur here.
Lord Murugan’s Birth
There are two more reasons for celebrating Kanda Sashti apart from
Surapadman's vanquishment, according to Mahabharatha and Kanda Puranam.
Once some sages conducted a yagna
1 asking for a son who would
be the benevolent protector and benefactor for this universe. The yagna
commenced on the new moon day of the Tamil month 'Aipasi' and went on
for six days. Each day one seed was collected from the fire erupted out
of Yaga Kundam (sacrificial fire altar) for six days. When they were put
together on the sixth day Lord Murugan was born. Thus Lord Murugan's
birth is depicted quite differently in Mahabharata.
In the Kanda Puranam, Kachiappa Sivachariyar says the Devas tormented by Asuras invoked Lord Muruga in a kumbham
2
on the first day of the waxing moon in the Tamil month of 'Aipasi'. The
Devas propitiated Him for six days to confer His grace on them and give
them the courage and strength to challenge the Asuras. Lord Muruga
granted them the boon and Kanda Sashti is celebrated to commemorate
this.
.
Anointment to the Mirror
Victorious Jayanthinathar (processional deity) reaches the sanctum of
Lord Mahadeva in the prakaram (paved corridor around the sanctum
sanctorum of the temple) after Soora Samharam (conquest of Surapadman).
Then a mirror is placed in front of Lord Muruga and abhishekam
3
is performed for the mirror image. This is known as 'Chayabishekam'.
‘Chaya’ means shadow. This is performed to pacify Lord Muruga after the
fierce battle with Surapadma. The tradition is that Lord Muruga enjoys
this 'Mirror Abhishekam'. This is the concluding event of Soora Samharam
(Annihilation of Surapadman) and Lord Muruga returns to His sanctum.
The next day that is the seventh day is the day of celestial wedding.
Celestial King Indira gives his daughter Deivanai in marriage to Lord
Muruga as a token of gratitude for restoring his kingdom by defeating
the demon. He also serves Lord Muruga in the form of a holy peacock. The
marriage took place at Tirupparankunram, the first 'Padai Veedu'.
4
This holy wedding is celebrated at Tiruchendur also on the next day of
Kanda Sashti since it is the place where Surapadman was subjugated and
salvaged.
Theivanai reaches 'Thapasu Mandapam' on that morning and waits
meditating and beseeching Him to marry her. Kumaravidanga (another
processional deity) representing Lord Muruga mounted on His peacock
reaches there in the evening. He garlands and is engaged to Deivanai.
Both reach 'Tirukkalyana Mandapam' (wedding hall) at midnight and the
holy wedding commences. The next day they are taken out in procession in
the streets. For the next three days Lord Muruga gives darshan to his
devotees seated on a beautiful swing (
oonjal)
Turmeric Bath for Lord Murugan
On the last day of Kanda Sashti, Lord with His consort Deivanai goes
out in the streets to meet His people. In the rural areas of Tamil Nadu
there is a customary frolic. Maidens pour turmeric mixed water on the
young boys on whom they have a customary claim of marriage. In the
similar way Lord Muruga is received with fervor. They pour turmeric
water on Him to welcome the 'son of the soil' and His newlywed spouse
and to mollify their valorous Lord's ire after the battle.
The Trinity, Lord Murugan
Lord Murugan incarnated as an aspect of Lord Shiva. He, as guru, taught
the meaning of pranava mantra 'Om' to His father. He incarcerated Lord
Brahma who could not expound the meaning of pranava mantra. He married
Lord Vishnu's daughter after the extermination of Surapadman. He is
bound by the affection of His uncle Maha Vishnu. Thus Lord Muruga is
related to all the three lords (Trimurti). To signify this Lord Murugan
appears as incarnation of the three Lords in Tiruchendur. Lord Muruga
appears as their incarnation during the festivals celebrated in the
Tamil months of Avani and Masi. He appears as Lord Shiva attired in
resplendent red on the seventh day of the festival. The next day He is
dressed up in white to bless us as Lord Brahma. He is adorned with
gorgeous green in the noon and bestows His benevolence on us.
(1) Yagna
Yagna is an ancient ritual of offering and sublimating herbal
preparations into the fire accompanied by chanting of Vedic mantras in
order to propitiate the deities.
(2) Kumbham
An earthen pot or pitcher, full of water with fresh mango leaves and a
coconut atop it is generally placed as the chief deity or by the side
of the deity before starting a puja.
(3) Abhishekam [Holy Bath]
Abhishekam is the process of bathing the deity with sacred water.
Simple abhishekam is bathing the deity using Holy water and elaborate
abhishekam is using milk, honey, curd, coconut water, sugar cane juice
and many other things.
(4) Padai veedu
Holy Abode (literally, ‘battle camp’)
Translated by Malathi Jayaraman
Original article in Tamil by:
Uma Balasubramanian
6/25, Subbu Street
Thiruvaanmiyur, Chennai - 60041
Tel. 044 - 24520306
Mobile No 09962608538
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