Let’s joyfully offer golden shield (Thanga Kavacham) to the deities, so that the deities would act like a protective shield to us. Similar to wearing rich garments like royal coat by us, the great almighty also likes to wear the glittering golden shield, since it adds more beauty to the idol and also it covers some portion of the idol. The practice of adorning golden shield to the deities took place even before several centuries ago. Ancient Chola, Chera and Pandyan Kings used to offer golden shield to the deities, in order to get good protection from them.
Some kings used to wear the golden shield during battles, in order to safeguard themselves from dangerous weapons. Staunch Murugan devotees like Chengalvaraya Pillai, Pambal Swamigal, Sri Vallimalai Swamigal and Kirupananda Vaariar Swamigal initiated Murugan devotees to present Golden shield to the wonderful Lord Muruga, as a token of expressing our gratitude over him.
Sometimes we even used to spend our money for some unnecessary purposes. Instead of doing like that, let us allocate some portion of money for doing spiritual activities like offering of Golden Shield to the deities. Rich parents used to decorate their children with costly ornaments and garments, and they used to do it, in order to show their love and affection towards them, likewise, we can also consider the deities as our precious children, and we can decorate them with nice golden shield.
As per legend, once a king who ruled the present day Thiruvallur District had suffered from severe chest pain. Even after consulting several physicians, he didn’t get relieved from the terrible pain. Hence, he sincerely prayed to his Kula Devata (Family Deity) who was none other than our beloved Lord Thiruthani Murugan. One day night, Lord Murugan has appeared in the dream of the king, and asked him to adorn a Golden Kavacham to him at his Thiruthani Temple. The King has sincerely done the great act, and immediately he got recovered from his chest pain.
Those who suffer from heart related diseases, and those have sufficient money, can donate golden shield to their family deity, in order to get rid from their diseases. But due the advanced improvement in science and technology, whenever we suffer from any kind of diseases, instead of approaching the Divine Doctors, who are our respectful deities, we are fast approaching the Human Doctors. By considering the following spiritual quotes in our mind, we must have to first approach our highly respectful spiritual doctors, and after getting their blessings, then we can approach the human doctors.
“VAITHIYAM PADHI VEL MURUGAN PADHI”, we have to first rely on Lord Murugan for getting relieved from our diseases, and then only we have to consult a good doctor.
“VAITHIYANATHAN IRRUKKA VAITHIYAR EDARKKU”, when Lord Shiva who is in the form of Lord Vaithyanathan is there to cure our diseases, then why we have to rely on the ordinary physicians.
“MARUNDEESWARAR IRRUKKA MARUNDU EDARKKU”, when Lord Shiva who is in the form of Lord Marundeeswarar is there to cure our diseases, then why we have to consume the medicines given by the doctors.
“OM SRI VAITHYANATHA SWAMY NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR