Lord Murugan – Karthikeya Katha

LORD MURUGAN Karthikeya Katha

R. VISWANATHANRetired, Deputy Managing Director

State Bank of India, Chennai Tamilnadu

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LORD MURUGAN–KARTHIKEYA KATHA

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First Edition: 2015ISBN 978-93-5138-199-0

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Preface

The slim volume in your hands is an attempt to chronicle in detail the Avatar of Lord Murugan known in north India as Karthikeya, the second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Paarvathi. It includes a brief description of some of the important temples where Murugan is the presiding deity in India and Malaysia. The last chapter tries to illuminate the essence of the philosophical advice given by saint Arunagirinathar one of the chosen and eloquent devotees of the Lord in Tamilnadu. Murugan is one of the innumerable deities worshipped by Hindus. The genius of ancient Hindu sages is that though there are a large number of deities in the pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, most of them are related to each other in some way or the other. There are three main Gods namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, each identified with one job: creation, preservation and destruction. Their respective consorts, Saraswathi, Mahalakshmi and Paarvathi are the power behind the Gods, wielding the powers of wisdom, wealth and will power.

The beauty of Hindu religion is that each practitioner could have one favourite deity (Ishta Devatha) but is free to pray to other God/Goddess whenever needed. Thus, while the deities are many, Hindus do not fight among themselves in the name of one’s favourite path to the same God, unlike some other major religions, where killing in the name of God is not unheard of among the people praying to the same

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God. Of course, no Hindu kills another Hindu because they have different favourite deities. The essence of Hinduism is distilled in the famous Sanskrit saying “Just as the water drops falling from the skies ultimately reach the vast ocean, so the prayers to all Gods will reach one Supreme Being by whatever name called”.

Lord Murugan is the younger of the two sons of Shiva and Paarvathi. It is axiomatic that Murugan has a special place in the hearts of a large majority of Tamil speaking Hindus, whether they live in Tamilnadu or elsewhere. The Lord is known all over south India, but a few Hindus in north India know about him and those who are aware call him by the name of Karthikeya. There is an apocryphal legend about this. Once Lord Shiva was getting tired of listening to prayers from all corners of India. So He devised a neat division of labour among the four members of His immediate family. Murugan was sent to the south, his elder brother Ganesha to the west, their mother Paarvathi to the east and Shiva placed Himself all over the country.

The legend about Ganesha and Murugan (Karthikeya) varies between South and rest of India. In south, Ganesha is a bachelor and Murugan has two wives. In other places, it is the reverse, Murugan being the bachelor and Ganesha having two wives. Married women in Maharashtra would not even go to Karthikeya temple for fear of being abducted!

The story of Murugan was perhaps first chronicled in Sanskrit in Skanda Purana (SP), a mini epic compiled many centuries ago reportedly by many sages (some people in the know claim that it was authored by sage Veda Vyasa, who wrote the epic Mahabharatha). SP was followed by the famous Sanskrit poet Kalidasa’s poem Kumara Sambhava. About 700 years ago, Kachiappa Sivachariar, an ardent Tamil devotee of

Preface vii

Murugan composed a magnum opus, the Kanda Puranam (KP) which describes in vivid detail the Lord’s advent and accomplishments. This monumental work comprises 10,345 poems of four lines each. Legend has it that the poet wrote them at the rate of 100 poems every day. He placed every day’s outpourings before the image of Lord Murugan in a temple and got the approval of the Lord before proceeding further.

KP follows in certain broad aspects SP. There are three main differences. First, in the way Murugan came into being: SP says that he came out of the fire sparks that were emitted by Shiva’s male force and KP asserts that they came straight out of the foreheads of the six faces of Shiva, including one known only to enlightened sages. Second, in SP, Murugan has only one wife Deivayanai, whereas KP describes two wives, Deivayanai and Valli. In fact, Valli is described as a Tamil girl and Tamils consider her as their own Goddess. Third, SP talks of Murugan killing one demon, Tarakasuran while KP describes three demons who are brothers, the chief of them being Surapadman. Some people might trace a similarity with Ramayana, where Rama had to face Ravana and his two brothers. Further, in both the epics, the demons had one sister each who was maimed: by Rama’s brother in Ramayana and by Indrani’s guard in KP.

Even KP is somewhat inaccessible to Tamil speaking people. Many abridged versions of KP in prose in Tamil and a few in English have been published. But a good number of persons with Tamil as their mother tongue are not quite conversant with the Tamil script. This applies especially to those Tamils settled outside Tamilnadu in India and the Tamil Diaspora outside India and Sri Lanka. They are generally comfortable in English. Keeping them also in view, I have attempted this book. I have followed the Kanda Puranam, but have taken

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Contents

the liberty to make some changes. The most important is the manner in which Murugan came out of Lord Shiva’s forehead. Many Hindus are aware that the devas (angels) fervently prayed that Lord Shiva, who was then without a consort, should get married to Paarvathi so that the divine couple could beget a son who will destroy the demon Surapadman. Both SP and KP mention that Manmadhan (cupid) was deputed to induce Shiva to marry Paarvathi and the holy wedding took place. Afterwards when Murugan emerged from Shiva, Paarvathi had no direct role as per SP or KP. In my story, the Goddess makes a small, but significant, contribution to the advent of Murugan. From this change, a plausible rationale has been drawn for the race between Murugan and Ganesha and the subsequent penance of Murugan in the holy Palani hill. I have also vastly abridged the story to suit the needs of fast paced life in the present times.

Brief outlines of some of the important temples dedicated to Murugan in India and one in Malaysia are included. The last chapter contains some gems of philosophical wisdom handed down to us by one of the greatest devotees of Murugan by name Arunagirinathar, a saint composer nonpareil.

Let me dedicate this book to the innumerable devotees of Lord Murugan, who have found great solace in praying to Him.

In writing this book, all the members of my family offered full support. My profuse thanks are due to Sugunavathi, my wife, Ramya, my daughter, Vidya & Nandini, my daughters-in-law, Rajesh, my son-in-law and Guhan & Kumaran, my sons.

I request the indulgence of dear reader for any inadvertent errors that might have crept in.

CHENNAI R.VISWANATHANJune 2014

Contents

Preface v

Chapter 1 Paarvathi’s Homecoming 1

Chapter 2 Shiva’s Anger 6

Chapter 3 Shiva’s Meditation 10

Chapter 4 Holy Wedding 15

Chapter 5 Advent of Lord Murugan 23

Chapter 6 Murugan’s Enlightenment 29

Chapter 7 Murugan, The Universal Guru 36

Chapter 8 Surapadman 43

Chapter 9 Surapadman’s Triumph 52

Chapter 10 Tarakasuran’s End 59

Chapter 11 Veerabahu’s Mission 65

Chapter 12 Veerabahu’s Exploits 72

Chapter 13 Asuras’ War Council 78

Chapter 14 Holy War—Day One 83

Chapter 15 Holy War—Day Two 88

Chapter 16 Holy War—Day Three 94

x Lord Murugan

Chapter 17 Holy War—Day Four 100

Chapter 18 Holy War—Day Five 108

Chapter 19 Holy War—Day Six 116

Chapter 20 Murugan Weds Deivayanai 125

Chapter 21 Valli Marries Murugan 131

Chapter 22 Some Important Murugan Temples 138

Chapter 23 Arunagirinathar’s Advice 159

Paarvathi’s Homecoming

Mount Kailash spontaneously erupted into rapturous joy and merriment. All the flowering plants blossomed

with the best and most fragrant flowers in a rich tapestry of enchanting colours and shades. The trees were overburdened with the choicest fruits. Thousands of birds sang melodious songs in perfect alignment of tune and tone. All the animals danced with unabounded happiness under the leadership of their best dancer, the peacock. Rivers overflowed with joy. Even the stones emitted the sweetest jingling sound in perfect rhythm by gently rubbing against one another. Word went round, carried by the ever-eager Vayu, the fastest tree-hopping monkey, that the most benevolent empress Paarvathi was coming back home.

Paarvathi had gone to her parents’ place in the Himalayas for celebrating Makara Sankranthi or Pongal, as it is called in south India. It was her first outing (without her husband) after her divine wedding with the Lord of the Universe, Shiva. Her parents had invited Shiva also for the festivities, but he politely declined saying that he had gone to the abode of Paarvathi’s parents only three months earlier for the Deepavali

1

2 Lord Murugan

celebrations. Paarvathi gently teased him, reminding him that her father Himavan was diametrically opposite in character to Dakshan. Dakshan was the father of Sathi (who was reborn as Paarvathi), the then consort of Shiva; he had taken particular pleasure in hurling the choicest abuses at Shiva. Paarvathi added that Himavan would never, even in his wildest dreams, conceive of insulting Shiva. Shiva did not accede to her fervent pleas—he felt that a son-in-law should not often frequent his father-in-law’s place.

Paarvathi went alone to Himalayas for the festival of Pongal, which heralds the beginning of harvest. Crops grow with the bountiful rays and the energy of the sun god and people offer their first crops thankfully to that God. The day also is celebrated as the winter solstice, when the sun begins its northern journey after reaching the low point in the southern hemisphere. That day in the northern hemisphere is the shortest day during the year.* Paarvathi wanted to spend just three days, one before and another after Pongal day. Once she went there, she was overwhelmed with the affection and love showered on her by her parents. Every meal was different and supremely delicious. Her childhood friends regaled her, narrating (with embellishment) the events that had taken place in her absence. Time flew and before she realised it, one long month had passed by. Then one fine morning she realised that she had actually spent 40 days (mandala) in her parent’s palace. Immediately, she sought the permission of her parents to go back to her husband’s abode. With great reluctance

* The winter solstice now occurs in December, but the festival of Pongal is celebrated in January. The shift in date might have happened when the calendars were corrected, at the advent of Gregorian era.

Paarvathi’s Homecoming 3

they sent her the next morning, with escorts and with loads of gifts, sweetmeats and the best dresses for Shiva.

All the inmates of Kailash were told that Paarvathi would be away for just three days. When many days passed by without any sign of her, they became restless and dejected. Paarvathi had totally endeared herself to the stones, plants, fishes, birds and animals of Kailash. She gave a pretty name to each one of them and called them endearingly. Even if the tiniest stone or animal or plant or bird or fish were sad, she would tend to them and make them smile and be happy. So her absence was acutely felt by each one of them. At last, the keen-eyed eagle Jadayu spotted Paarvathi and her entourage from a distance; it immediately passed on the glad tidings to Vayu. Vayu, in turn, joyously broadcast the good news, leaping from tree to tree. The whole mountain Kailash erupted in spontaneous celebration. Each one of the denizens of Kailash greeted Paarvathi and she had to spend some nanoseconds with every one of them. By the time she went to her palace, it was quite dark.

She took a refreshing bath and then went in search of her Lord, Shiva. She searched every nook and corner of the palace but could not locate him. In sheer exhaustion from the journey and the time spent with all the creatures of Kailash, Paarvathi fell asleep. The next morning when she woke up, there was still no sign of her Lord. To her horror, she found out that even the meagre meals that she had kept for his consumption before going to Himalayas were left untouched. Paarvathi started worrying whether anything untoward had happened to him. That worry melted away in a flash, as she knew fully well that Shiva was the Lord of the universe and nothing could affect his personal safety. Like many wives,

4 Lord Murugan

Paarvathi was tempted for a trice to suspect whether Shiva had been enticed by any other woman. That suspicion was also immediately banished, as Shiva had never cast an eye on any other woman before their marriage. In fact after Sathi (Shiva’s earlier consort) had immolated herself because of her father Dakshan’s ill-treatment, Shiva had steadfastly refused to give into the vile machinations of many women.

After a long search spanning the whole of next day, Paarvathi heard the feeble chanting of the mystic syllable Ohm, the primordial spiritual sound, from one remote corner of the vast garden in their sprawling palace. She rushed to that place and found a huge mound of earth in a corner, which was not there when she had left before Pongal. She realized that Shiva had started meditating and was covered by an anthill over many days. From past experience, she knew that if she just took a few dainty dance steps, Shiva would come out of his meditation. She danced gently, but it did not evoke any response from the mound. She then called her Lord with great love and affection to come out of meditation. Even after raising her voice to its highest pitch, there was no movement in the anthill. She went round the anthill and started fervently praying. By then, it was late night and Paarvathi had to reluctantly abandon her attempt at bringing out her Lord from his deep meditation.

The next morning, with the help of Nandi, the divine bull that is Shiva’s mount, Paarvathi slowly dismantled the anthill and removed the debris gently, without disturbing her Lord. Finally, Shiva in his majestic sitting posture emerged. Even then he continued in his meditation. Paarvathi became angry that her Lord did not listen to her pleas. Then she felt pity for him, as he had gone without food for over a mandala. After getting over her emotions, Paarvathi approached her Lord

Paarvathi’s Homecoming 5

with folded hands. She just could not go near him, because an intense heat enveloped her. Knowing that the heat had come from her Lord, she became really worried about his health. With great effort, Paarvathi went close to Shiva. She was astonished to see that Shiva’s face was really red hot, with the forehead swollen and throbbing. Paarvathi, the mother of all universes felt that Shiva’s body was undergoing physical turmoil and to soothe him, went to his left side. Immediately, Paarvathi was absorbed in the left half of Shiva and the two fused into one body, called ardhanari.

From the left half of Shiva, Paarvathi could feel the heat much more intensely. Very gently, Paarvathi touched the forehead with a delicate feather touch. The next moment, the forehead burst out through Shiva’s third eye and a huge ball of fire leapt out. This fire ball was somewhat blocked by Paarvathi’s delicate palm, but it forced its way through the four spaces between the five fingers and two spaces at the extremities to emerge as six balls of fire. Shiva immediately came out of his meditation and Paarvathi separated her body from Shiva. Shiva then came out of his trance.

Shiva: Oh my dearest Devi, what have you done? You cut short my meditation, just about the moment when I was to reap the fruits of the long meditation!

Paarvathi: Oh my Lord, I am really sorry if I have disturbed you. I saw your body in tremendous agony and so came to soothe you and give comfort. My intentions are, as usual, extremely honourable, Lord. Incidentally, could you please enlighten me as to the objective of your meditation? And, what exactly did you lose by my action now?

Shiva: It is a long story.

* * * * * *

Lord Murugan Karthikeya Katha

Publisher : Laxmi Publications ISBN : 9789351381990 Author : R Viswanathan

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