Skanda Shasti Vratam

Skanda Shasti Vratam/Maha Skanda Shasti Fasting

Lord Muruga

2023 - Skanda Shasti starts on Nov 13th and Soorapathman vatham or Maha Shasti is on Nov 18th in USA. In India, Vratham starts on Nov 14th and ends on Nov 19th.

Skanda Shasti is an important observance for Lord Muruga. Shasti thithi falls on the sixth day after Amavasai (new moon) or Poornami (full moon). Shasti Vrat is observed during the growing/waxing phase of the moon (after amavasai/new moon) once a month.

Skanda shasti is celebrated in honor of Lord Murugan defeating the demon Surapathman after an intense fight for six days. This battle happened after Deepavali (Diwali) during the Tamil month of Aipasi (mid Oct- mid Nov) and is called Maha shasti. Typically, those who are interested in starting and stopping this fasting should do so at this time.

Defeat of Soorapathman

The asura brothers led by Soorapathman(Surapathman) got a boon from Lord Shiva they can rule the universe without fear for 108 yugas and can only be killed by Shiva himself at the end. They imprisoned the Devas, tortured and made them do menial jobs. All the gods felt helpless unable to control them and had to blame themselves for disobeying Shiva by participating in Daksha's yagna. As their rule continued, unable to bear the brunt of pain caused, the devas went to Lord Shiva praying to be saved. 

From Shiva's third eye came six fire balls, that were carried and deposited in Saravana poigai in himalayas. The fireballs turned into babies cared by celestial nymphs (pleiades) Karthigai. Upon united into single form by their mother Sakthi, the child muruga was also known as Arumugan (six faces). When the time came to destroy the asuras, Shiva asked his son to lead the army of devas and boodaganas. Parvathi presented him with a Spear (Vel) that can destroy anything in its path.

The battle was immense and Lord Muruga vanquished all the brothers. Finally in Thiruchendur, Lord Muruga worshiped Shiva and went into battle with Soorapathman. Being a skilled warrior, master of illusion and an ardent devotee of Shiva, the asura fought with various weapons and created illusion. Muruga fought him hard and when the asura was defenseless, without killing him, asked him to leave today and come again tomorrow (Indru poi nalai vaa). Being a warrior, he felt killing a defenseless person is a sin as well as with the intention he may surrender realizing his mistakes.

Realizing Murugan is none other than Shiva himself, Soorapathman knew his end is near. The next day he fought vigorously and took various forms by magic and disappeared. Murugan kept up with his techniques and finally he took the form of a huge mango tree. Murugan prayed to Sakthi and threw his spear towards the tree, which split it in half. Soorapathman realized his mistake and asked for mercy. The ever kind Lord Murugan blessed him and made one half of the tree as peacock and the other half as rooster to fly on his flag.

If the lord can bless such a cruel person, think how much kindness he can bestow to his devotees. Pray to lord Muruga to attain his blessings.

The final day of the battle was on Shasti thithi. In Thiruchendur temple, this scene is enacted every year and flood of people can be seen.

During the six day battle, the devas were praying for victory to Lord Muruga and observed fast; paving the way how Maha shasti is celebrated every year.

Vratam means vow. We take a vow to be focused on god and to surrender to him. This does not mean fasting and starving. We follow self-discipline, by focusing our thoughts on him, praying to him, eating less and helping others. The additional benefit of fasting is the cleansing our body to get rid of impurities.

Some common rules for observing this Vratam:    

   * According to skanda purana, maha shasti fasting begins on pradama thithi (after amavasya/new moon) and ends on the sixth day (Sapthami thiti).
   * Non-vegetarian food is avoided and exclusion of garlic and onion is recommended.
   * Fruit or liquid diet is preferred by some for six days.
   * Most prefer to take a single meal for a day (solid food), without salt for all six days.  Skanda purana recommends having jaggery rice (sugar pongal/sakarai pongal) after prayers.
   * Chanting kanda shasti kavacham and visiting murugan temple is recommended. Most murugan temples will have grand abhisekam on the maha shasti day.
   * Juice or some prasad (kesari, sugar pongal etc) can be used to break the fast on the final day.
   * Monthly shasti days follow similar rules, but only for the shasti day.

Shasti fasting is generally considered auspicious for murugan devotees and for couples who are having a hard time in conceiving a child. In Tamil Nadu, there is an old proverb Chattiyil irunthan paiyil varum (சட்டியில் இருந்தால் பையில் வரும்) meaning if its in the vessel, you'll get in the bag. This was somehow transformed from the original "Shastiyil irunthal agapaiyil varum" (சஷ்டியில் இருந்தால் அகப்பையில் வரும்) - meaning - if you fast on shasti, you'll conceive (agapai - womb) with Lord Muruga's grace. [[Source: Kirubananda variyar's discourse]]

Any Vrat is usually time defined, in case of shasti it is one year. But our ancestors recommend doing it for at least 18 months (due to any miss or mistakes that are unavoidable) to get the full benefit.

Other vratams recommended in Skanda purana for lord muruga:

1) Sukiravara vrat: Fridays are auspicious for lord muruga. One who observes friday fasting for three years and prays to the lord, will have his army by their side to defeat any enemy (overcome obstacles).

2) Karthikai or Krithika star vratam: On karthikai star day (once a month), one should control their five senses, celibate, worship lord muruga and chant his stotras. This vrat should be observed for twelve years. Skanda purana quotes this vrat was done by Muni Naradha upon guidance from lord Ganesh to become Mamuni (greatest saint of all seven saints).

Other important days:

1. Vaikasi Visakam (Visaka star during Vaikasai tamil month): Murugan's birth.
2. Karthigai star in Karthikai month - when all six babies where joined to one.
3. Thai poosam - (poosa star during Thai tamil month - mid jan/feb): Receiving Vel (Spear) from his mother Parvathi Devi.
4. Aippassi Shasti: Day when Asura Soorapadman was vanquished (also Maha Shasti)
5. Panguni Uttiram (Uttira Star in Panguni Month): Marriage with Valli.

Kanda Shasti Kavacham (English | Tamil  ) Courtesy: Kandamangalam.com