Sri Skanda Leela

Sri Skanda Leela.. Sri Satchidananda Swamigal of Vallimalai was a staunch devotee of Lord Muruga, and he attained Samadhi in the year 1950 at Vallimalai. According to the legend, Vallimalai is the place where Valli, consort of Lord Muruga was born, and it is located in Vellore District, and a temple for Lord Muruga is found in Vallimalai.

Sri Satchidananda Swamigal had spread the fame of Saint Arunagirinathar’s Tiruppukazh songs amongst the people in South India.

Sri Skanda Leela is a holy Tamil text, which consists of beautiful songs from the Skanda Purana. It was written by Sri Vallimalai Swamigal, during 19th century AD, who was one of the famous Murugan devotees in Tamil Nadu. The Skanda Purana is a sacred text, and it tells us about the significance of Lord Muruga, his wonderful Leelas, miracles performed by him and about his childhood plays etc.

The divine text, Sri Skanda Leela, is still read by lot of Hindus, especially by the Tamil people, and they consider it as the Mahaprasad(PANCHAMIRTHA) of Lord Muruga. This text would be recited by large number of devotees in the ARUPADAI VEEDU TEMPLES, and also in other Murugan temples during the times of festivals. Sri Skanda Leela contains about the complete details of Lord Muruga and this beautiful work was completed by Sri Vallimalai Swamigal at the Tiruvannamalai Temple, Tamil Nadu, through the blessings of Lord Muruga. Sri Skanda Leela tells us about the elimination of evil forces by Muruga, the grace showered on his devotees, and about his supreme powers.

The “chanting” of Sri Skanda Leela is believed to heal various mental and physical diseases, and also it would remove all sorts of doshams of the devotees. Discourses on Skanda Leela were held during last century, but as of now, it is not being done. Through this text, Sri Skanda Leela, Vallimalai Swamigal had spread the “SRI MURUGAN BHAKTI” amongst the people, and lot of people had become Murugan devotees.

Hence, it is advisable for all the Hindus to recite Sri Skanda Leela during Shasti, Tuesdays, Karthigai Deepam and other festival days, in order to succeed in their life. Lot of devotees have experienced good changes in their life, after reciting Sri Skanda Leela. We can recite Sri Skanda Leela in the temples or otherwise in our homes itself with full of devotion in our mind.

Some of the songs from the holy text, Sri Skanda Leela are as follows:

Oh, Muruga, the bright son of Lord Shiva, you are very much capable of destroying the demons like Surapadman and Tarakasuran. You gave joy to everyone in the universe, and we praise you for ever in our lives. Even if you give me poison from your lotus hands, it would taste me like the divine nectar.

You have been seen decorated with various flowers, which adds much more beauty, and those flowers have attained great significance since you were worn those on your head. Even if you really fight with me, I would consider it as one of your playful activities.

Oh Muruga, You, are shining with sparkling garlands and jewels. You contain dark hair and you contain a very bright face which can be compared to thousands and thousands of suns. Even without applying scent, your body gives a good smell, which attracts everybody. Even if you remove my eyes with your little hands, I would never hate you, since I would be able to see your divine beauty through my soul. Your hair is wonderfully decorated with peacock feathers. I want to see you once again in your child form, and I want to witness your lovely sleep in a comfortable bed. Even if you hate me, I would consider it as the love shown by you.

I am finding very much happiness by singing your songs, Hey Muruga, you are called by various names such as Subramanya, Senthil Andava, Kandasamy, Arumuga, Velayudham and Palani Samy. Even if you make me to starve without food, I would imagine myself as if I ate food from your lovely hands.

I offer my humble salutations to the great Lord Muruga who loves his cowherd friends, who contains golden complexion, oh my Skanda Raja, please protect me, and kindly relieve me from this difficult life, and help me to cross this ocean of life. Even if you make me to take birth as an ant, with my tiny mouth, I would carry some food particle, in order to give it to you in your temple.

I salute you, My Lord Skanda, who is the giver of happiness and the remover of sorrows.
You have been praised in all the fourteen worlds, and appear more beautiful even than the celestial Devas. Even if I have been surrounded with thieves, I would never worry for that, since my dear immortal thief, Lord Muruga, the one who used to steal our souls, is there to protect me always from these mortal thieves.

Oh, my handsome sweet Muruga, you are the gentle god, who used to kindly treat everyone.
Please come to this earth to take care of us. Even if I have been asked to sleep in the bed of thorns, I would consider it as a bed of rose flowers, since due to your grace, even the thorns appear to me in the form of rose.

Oh Muruga, your thoughts are fully filled up in my heart, oh I am really scared that whether you have been suffering from any evil eye problems, since most of the people are jealous on seeing your divine beauty. Even if I suffer from any dangerous disease, my mouth would always keep chanting about you, till my death.

Oh Muruga, I do not have any desire,
except to see your beauty again and again, and the music which comes from your flute increases my heart beats, and it makes me to listen to your mesmerising voice again and again. Even if I take the birth of a small insect, I want to dwell only on your idol.
Oh, my handsome Muruga, you are very playful,
but you contain very good qualities, like sharing your food with your friends, animals and birds. Even if I lose my legs, with my hands I would crawl like a child, in order to visit you at your temple.

Let us praise Lord Muruga for his greatness, kindness and holiness and be blessed.

“OM MURUGA VADIVEL AZHAGA”
WRITTEN BY
R. HARISHANKAR