அறுபடை அழகன் முருகன்
Lord Murugan
Who is Lord Murugan?
Lord Muruga – The God of War or The Guardian God, is the dominant Tamil deity in a form of a beautiful young man. He is the god head with exceptional bravery, courage, valour along with supreme intelligence and knowledge. He is the son of Lord shiva and Goddess parvati and his brother is Lord Ganesha.
Being a greatest philosopher cum warrior who was created in order to destroy the evil demon on the earth who torture the living beings has also teached the mankind with the meaning and ethics of life and also the theology of the saiva siddhantham. He is known as the Guru of universal guru and called gyana pandita by poetess avvaiyar for his authority and wisdom.
He can be traceable in ancient vedic texts and eras, mainly in and around tamil nadu from sangam age. Besides he is also worshiped throughout the world wherever there are tamilians. He is also found to be noted in ancient north, Buddhism, theravada, Mahayana, sri lanka, China, Jainism and so on.
BIRTH OF MURUGAN:
A legend behind the birth of muruga describes that he was created mainly for the purpose of destroying the evil demons who make the people and devas suffer a lot. Once a wicked asuran called Soorabadman was controlling the people under his evil grip and nobody can defeat him as he got the boon from lord shiva. As Shiva for under meditation and embraced with his consort, the devas sent Manmadhan to divert him in order to make some arrangements to protect them. As manmadhan disturbed Shiva’s meditation, he got destroyed from the forehead eye fire of an angry shiva known as kamadhaganam.
Lord Muruga is considered to be created from the six fire sparks representing 6 stars that came from the third eye of Lord Shiva ( Dula, Nitutni, Abhrayanti, Varshayanti, Meghayanti, Chipunika) which is deposited on the Saravana Poigai.(Sa, Ra, Va, Na, Ba, Va). Each sparks is created a baby on the lotus with 6 primary faces called Tatpurusham, Aghoram, Sadyojatam, Vamadevam, Easanam and Adhomukam. 6 celestial nymphs called Karthigai pengal was created to raise up each baby (Siva, Sabhuti, Priti, Sanmati, Anasuya, Ksama). It is believed that on karthigai deepam, Ma Parvati devi together as a whole made the 6 babies as one called Arumugan with 6 faces and 12 hands.
TRAITS OF LORD MURUGA
Born on Vishaka star, he is portrayed as a handsome young youthful man with indian peacock, weapons and roaster in his flag, along with his two consorts valli and devayani. At some portrayals he is in the form of 1 head or 6 heads because of certain legends behind it. People offer various kinds of poojas, kavadis,paal kudam, undergo various virathams, and pierce their face in order to please him to get his blessings for their wellness of life.
VARIOUS NAMES OF MURUGAN:
He has also got various other names for various specific reasons behind them.Some of them are Kumara, Subramanya, Aaiyyan, Cheyyon, Senthil, Velan, Kandan, Kathirvel, Mahasena, Brahmanya, Vadivela, Vishakan (born under the star visakam), Swaminathan (ruler of gods), Saravanabhava (born among the reeds), Arumugam/ Shanmugam (6 faced lord), Dhandapani (wielder of mace), Guha (cave/secret), Guruguha (cave teacher), Skanda (leaper/ attacker) and so on.
ARUPADAI VEEDU (THE 6 ABODES OF MURUGAN)
- Thiruparankundram (Madurai district)
- Thiruchendur (Thoothukudi district)
- Pazhani (Dindigul district)
- Swami malai (Thanjavur district)
- Thiruthani (Thiruvallur district)
- Pazhamudircholai (Madurai district)
NOTE: Those who visit all the 6 shrines of lord muruga should tonsure their head with the imitation of pazhani deity.
Arupadai Alagan Murugan Brass Statue
THIRUPARANKUNDRAM:
This is considered as the first shrine among 6 abodes of Murugan. This is the place where he got married to Devayani (Indra’s Daughter)who is the daughter of the king of heaven as a result of his victory over soorapadman defeated in war. This is the only place where the main pooja is done for “VEL” for its predominant significance and not for the deity. This is regarded as the most auspicious place for conducting marriages. This temple was built during the pandys dynasty of the 6th century.
Subramaniya Swamy Temple Location in map
THIRUCHENDUR:
Being the 2nd shrine of 6 abodes of Murugan This is situated along the seashore of bay of bengal., This is the place where lord murugan defeated the demon soorapadman and his brothers tarakasuran and simhamugan for rescuing the devas from their evil gold. Accepting his defeat soorabadhaman transformed into a mango tree where the shakthi vel(got from ma parvati before going to war) splitted the tree into two. Pleading for mercy lord muruga transformed one half of the tree as peacock(as his vehicle) and other half into roaster(his emblem in flag). This is the pace where a grand event called “SOORASAMHARAM” takes place.
Tiruchendur Temple Location in Map
PAZHANI:
It is the third shrine among 6 abodes in a form of hill where the bottom of the hill is called as Thiru Avinankudi and the main deity is named as Kulandhai velayutha swamy. Here he takes the form of dhandayuthapani(meditative pose) from coming out of a fight with his family for the divine mango fruit(gnanapalam). The main deity here is made up of Navapashanam by shiddhar called bogar. To reduce his anger, avvaiyar called him as palam nee hence the place got its name as PAZHANI. The main event here taking place is tonsuring heads for various rituals and traditions followed by people. Thai poosam is celebrated here in a huger manner.
Pazhani Temple Location in Map
SWAMIMALAI:
This is the fourth shrine of 6 abodes located on an artificially created hill. This hill has got 60 steps symbolising the 60 tamil years. The temple got its name from a story, where once muruga was not respected by brahma during his visit to kailasa he got angry and imprisoned brahma with the question to answer the meaning of pranava mantra “om”. Shiva asked him to release even though lord muruga didn’t as he cant answer the question properly. Hence lord shiva requested lord muruga to explain the essence of pranava mantra-OM and the father listened to his son like a student from a guru. Hence he is called swaminatha swami for being a teacher to his father. The Vaikasi visakam festival is celebrated here annually.
Swamimalai Temple Location in Map
THIRUTHANI:
This 5th shrine of 6 adobes has got 365 steps representing the 365 days of the year. This place is also called as shanthapuri because lord muruga came here to rest and gain peace after a hilarious battle against defeating the demon surapadman, meanwhile he also met valli here, both fell in love and got married in this place with interesting twists and turns. It is enlightening to believe that when people worship this form of muruga for five consecutive days will be blessed with a better life. Aadi krithigai is celebrated here as the main event for lord muruga along with his love consort valli.
Thiruthani Murugan Temple Location in Map
PAZHAMUDIRCHOLAI:
This the 6th and lst shrine among 6 abodes of murugan. Here lord muruga(nyanashakti) is present with his two consorts valli(iccha shakthi) and devayani (kriya shakti). He has got a face and four hands where his vel is made up of stone. The speciality of this place is where lord muruga tested the patience of great tamil poetess avvaiyar by asking which fruit does she need whether it is roasted or un roasted and this scene took place here expressing his intelligence and wisdom. In general this place is fully surrounded with various unique herbs and springs and people pray here to cure any kind of illness they are suffering from.
Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple in Map
Murugan Brass and Bronze Statues
The brass and bronze statues of Lord Murugan idols is handcrafted and it is very famous in India. We can keep brass and bronze statues of Lord Murugan at temple for energy and prosperity. The brass idols famous Lord Raja Murugan statue is full of courage and Knowledge.
Om and Vel Of Lord Murugan:
Goddess Parvati presented the Vel to his son Murugan as the power to vanquish the evil asura Soorapadman. The Vel defeated all the evil forces of Soorapadman.
TAMIL LITERATURE ON MURUGAN:
- Kumara sambhava by Kalidasa describes the birth of a war god during the 5th century of the common era.
- Tholkapiyam by Nakkeerar has described murugan as SEYYON which means the red attractive and impressive young man.
- Thirumurugatrupaddai describes murugan as MURUKKU which means the god of beauty and youthfulness.
- Thiruppugazh by Arunagirinadhar and other works like skanda puranam, mahapuram and vedic literature etc.
WHY SHOULD WE DO MURUGAN POOJA?
In order to overcome the fearful nature and those who lack the courage to face life can worship lord muruga and do pooja in order to gain confidence and benefit the weak hearted persons with valour and bravery.
This pooja is mainly done in order to win their side any kind of legal issues and litigations one is facing in their life.
BEST TIME FOR POOJA TO LORD MURUGAN?
These poojas can be performed during certain special auspicious day to gain more benefit than usual such as vaikasi visakam(lord muruga’s birthday)(may-june), skanda shasti(oct-nov), krithigai of every month, thai poosam(jan-feb) and panguni uthiram(mar-april). As lord muruga is considered as the overlord of planet mars the weekdays of all tuesday is suitable for doing this pooja.
WHO CAN DO THIS POOJA?
- Anybody can do this pooja. Under certain cases people who are born under the star Dhanishta, chitra and mrigashirsha can do this to get additional benefits.
- Persons who have a weak placement of mars in their natal chart can do this.
- Those who have manglik dosha can do this.
- Those who have to get solution in litigation issues (all kind of property related issues)
- Those who have got poor health issues can do this pooja to get good physique and boost up their energy.
BENEFITS OF MURUGAN POOJA:-
The main benefits of worshipping lord murugan is that he destroys the three impediments of a human’s existence in this life known as Karma( destiny), Maya (illusion) and Ahankar (ego).
Lord Muruga is a kind of divineful personification with supremely high powers who provides us with consciousness, wisdom and helps us to free ourselves from the karmic bondage of past life.
MANTRAS FOR MURUGAN:
Pranava mantra:
“Om”
Murugan Moola Mantra:
“Om Sharavana-bhavaya Namaha”
(chanting this for 108 or 1008 times can produce positive results)
Murugan gayatri mantra:
“Om tatpurushaya vidhmahe
Maha senaya dheemahi
Tanno shanmugha prachodayat”
Murugan slokam:
“Gyaana shaktidhara skanda
Vallii kalyaana sundara
Devasenaa manah kaanta
Kaartikeya namo astute
Om subrahmanyaaya namah”
- Kandha sashti kavasam – acts as a shield from any kind of evil and agony that attacks the people in every possible way.
- Subramanya bhujanga stotram – removes the kuja dosha, any delays in marriage, disputes and clashes, legal issues and disturbed marriage life.
- Sri Subramanya ashtottara sata namavali described the 108 description names of lord muruga.
- Sri Subramanya karavalambam is the popular mantra that provides various benefits.
- Sri Subramanya pancharatnam is a 6 verse prayer which can be chanted every day or on sashti viratham to get positive benefits.