In Hinduism, there are many festivals, all having their own legends. Every festival shares a story, but the motive always remains the victory of Divine Power over Demon. Skanda Shasti is one of the festivals that Tamil Hindus celebrate every year in Kartik month. The Skanda Lord, who is also called Lord Muruga, Subramanya, Kartikeya, and Kartik, has its existence in Tamil culture from the old eras as per their scriptures.

The Skanda Puranam says the story of Skanda, and according to it, once there were three demons, Surapadma, Simhamukha, and Tarakasura. Surapadma was granted a boon by Shiva that no one but only the offspring of Shiva can kill him. The demon knew that Shiva was a Sanyasi, so it was impossible for the Lord to have a Son.

This made Surapadma arrogant, and he started harassing Devas with his two brothers. All these demons gathered their armies and became the Demon Kings. This takes a toll on the heaven where Devas used to live. These demons made the Devas leave heaven and obstructed Devas from performing their duties that were essential to run the Earth and the Human world.

Seeing this, Devas went into the shelter of Lord Shiva, who was in a deep meditative state. They then approached Goddess Parvati and asked for help. With the suggestion of Lord Brahma, Kama Deva and Parvati decided to break the meditative state of Shiva. Kama Deva, with his Maya, woke up Shiva from Samadhi.

Shiva, in all fury, opened his third eye and destroyed the Kama. This act created six sparks from his third eye. As no one was to bear the spark of Lord Shiva, Agni Dev accepted these sparks and later gave it to the Ganges. The Ganges then delivered these sparks in the forest Saravana where six mothers raised these six sparks in the form of children. Later, Mata Parvati transformed these sparks into one, and the child was named Karthikey that we also know as Lord Muruga in South India.

During the entire scenario, the demons continued harassing the demons. Meanwhile, Lord Muruga was adorned with different weapons such as the Vel from Goddess Parvati. Lord Subramanya was also elected as the role of general of Devas, and from there, he took the responsibility to defeat the demons.

Lord Muruga confronted all the demons, and a grand battle took place. The battle with all three demon kings went on for six days, and Lord Muruga defeated them on the sixth day. The last day on which all the demons were defeated got the name “Soorasamharam.”

Since the date, the Skanda festival is celebrated majorly in the Southern states of India along with Sri Lanka as well. Devotees observe fast for six days during this event, which they celebrate in Kartik month. This year the festivity will begin on 15th November 2020 and will go on for six days ending on 20th November.

In some places, Muruga is also celebrated as Swaminatha Swami (The god who taught the god). There is a legend behind it, and according to it, once Lord Brahma was bragging about how he is the creator and the reason for the life of all beings. Muruga found his bragging unpleasant, and he started asking him questions like, “How do you create the Universe?”

Brahma said, “be reciting the Pranava Mantra.” Muruga asked him to explain the mantra, and Brahma couldn’t. This made Muruga imprison Brahma for his arrogant act.

Finding such an incident, all deities went to Shiva and requested him to liberate Brahma. When Shiva appeared in front of Muruga, he asked the reason behind Brahma’s imprisonment. In reply, Muruga explained what happened, on which Shiva asked, “Do you know the Pranava Mantra?”

Lord Muruga insisted Shiva to ask it like a student. Lord Shiva did the same; he asked Muruga the same question as a student asks a teacher. Afterward, Muruga enlightened Shiva with the Pranava Mantra, and thus Muruga is also known as Swaminatha Swami.

Those who worship Lord Muruga on skanda shasti and observe fast receive his grand blessings that make a devotee’s life glorious. Celebrate this year’s Skanda Shasti with pure devotion and a true heart, and surely Lord Muruga will bless you wits his divinity.