Lord Murugan
The Skanda Purana is one of the eighteen Puranas, and it contains the details of Lord Skanda who is the son of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. The text is considered as very holy by the Kaumara sects of people, who worship Lord Muruga as their chief god. This text describes his war with the demons such as Surapadman, and about his wonderful miracles performed in the life of his devotees, and it also mentions about his brother Vinayaka, and about his parents Shiva and Parvati. Lord Skanda is also called as Muruga, Kumara, Vadivela, Senthil Andava and by various other names, is worshipped mainly by the Tamil speaking people. His six main temples are situated in Tamil Nadu, and they are considered as very sacred temples of Lord Muruga. In this Purana, his marriage with Valli and Devasena is also mentioned, and this famous Purana was written by the great sage Sri Veda Vyasa and Lord Murugan’s vehicle is the divine peacock.
BIRTH OF LORD MURUGA
Lord Muruga was born out of the third eye spark of Lord Shiva, and hence is called as Shiva Kumara. He was brought up by the star goddesses, also known as Karthigai Pengal. The main purpose of the birth of Lord Muruga is to destroy the evil demon Surapadman and his brothers, in order to maintain peace in the entire universe.
NAVAVEERAS
In order to help Lord Muruga during the time of his battle with Demon Surapadman, Nava Veeras were born from the powers of Ma Shakti Devi, and they are the nine great soldiers and the brave divine attendants of Lord Muruga. Their names are Veerabahu, Veera Kesari, Veera Mahendra, Veera Maheswara, Veera Purandhara, Veera Rakkadha, Veera Marthanda, Veera Anthaka and Veeradheera.
BATTLE WITH DEMON SURAPADMAN AND GRANTING SALVATION TO HIM
Since the dreaded demon Surapadman has created lot of nuisance to the entire universe, with the help of the Navaveeras and with the holy weapon spear which was granted to Muruga by his mother Shakti Devi, Lord Muruga killed Surapadman and his army, but due to the request of Surapadman, Lord Muruga has granted salvation to him, by making him as his divine vehicle peacock.
MARRIAGE
Lord Muruga was married with Valli and Devasena, who are considered as the two activating forces of Lord Muruga.
SKANDA LOKA
After performing marriage with Valli and Devasena, Lord Muruga has settled down in his holy Skanda Loka, but, yet his divine powers are still safeguarding his devotees from difficulties and dangers, and he also dwells in his temples, and also in the souls of his pure hearted devotees.
STAUNCH DEVOTEES OF LORD MURUGA
Though there are lakhs and lakhs of staunch devotees of Lord Muruga, yet, the details about some of the sincere devotees of Lord Muruga are as follows:-
- Musukundar
Musukundar was one of the divine attendants of Lord Shiva in Mount Kailasa, and he was also a friend of Lord Muruga. Once, playfully he has thrown Bilva leaves on Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati. Due to his funny act, the divine couple Shiva and Parvati become angry with him and asked him to be born in the earth as a king, Musukunta had realised his mistake and born in the clan of King Harishchandra, performed fasting, worshipped Lord Muruga, and finally he attained the abode of Lord Muruga, the Skanda Loka.
2. Nalliya Kodar
Nalliya Kodar was an ancient king who ruled over the present day Thindivanam town in a prosperous manner. Once he was defeated by an enemy king in the battle, and after praying to Lord Muruga, as per Muruga’s advice, he has thrown some flowers on the army of the enemy king, and those flowers were become divine spears and destroyed the army of the enemy kings, and hence, Nalliya Kodar had attained victory in that battle. After living a pious life for many years, at the end of his life, he attained the lotus feet of Lord Muruga.
3. Murugammai
Murugammai was a noble woman and she was a staunch devotee of Lord Muruga. Once, her husband had doubted about her character and chopped off her both hands. The innocent Murugammai cried and asked Muruga to show mercy on her. Lord Muruga restored both of her arms, and also granted salvation to her.
4. Margasagaya Devar
Margasagaya Devar was a staunch devotee of Lord Mururga, and he wrote many divine songs in praise of Lord Muruga. Once while he was singing a beautiful song about Muruga, Lord Muruga himself appeared before him in the form of a small child, and fully listened to his mesmerising song. After getting the divine vision of Lord Muruga, Margasagaya Devar had dedicated his remaining life towards spreading the “MURUGA BHAKTI” amongst the masses. Totally Devar has written more than 1000 songs, but at present, only a few hundred songs are available in the form of palm leaf manuscripts.
5. Kavirajar
Kavirajar was a sincere devotee of Lord Muruga, and during his life time, he has visited almost all of the temples of Lord Muruga, which are situated in every nook and corner of India, and he has also written and sung lot of songs in praise of Lord Muruga. Similar to the great Nayanmar, Poosalar, he has also built a wonderful temple for Lord Muruga on his mind, and also done consecration ceremony to the mind temple. Praised by his pure bhakti, Lord Muruga had sent his divine vehicle peacock, and brought him to his “SKANDA LOKA”.
6. Chidambara Munivar
Chidambara Munivar, though was a staunch devotee of Lord Muruga, but he suffered from some unknown disease during his middle age due to his past birth bad karmas. But, after he worshipped Lord Muruga by visiting his six famous temples in Tamil Nadu, he had got relieved from his disease, and at the end of his life, he has attained salvation, through the blessings of Lord Muruga.
“OM MURUGA VADIVEL MURUGA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR