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Birth of Lord Karthikeya:

This is the story about birth of Lord Muruga, born from the third eye of Lord Shiva.

There was an Asura (Demon) Soorapadman who defeated devas and was full of evil thoughts. Devas headed by Indra sort the help of Brahma, but brahma said to Indra that Soorapadman can't be defeated because he got grace from me by deep penance. He can be defeated only by the hero, created from the spark of Lord Shiva. So all went to Shiva, but he was at deep meditation. They sort the help of Parvati mata and Kama to make Lord Shiva out of meditation.

Parvathi accepts and decides to perform deep penance to attain Shiva's attention. Kama also agreed and made himself towards a desperate attempt to make him out from his Samadhi. Kama shot his arrow of love towards Lord Shiva, which made Shiva out of his meditation. The anger fired from the third eyes of Lord Shiva made Kama into ashes.

None of the can bear his arose fire of anger of Lord Shiva the spark of six such as Sathyojatham, Vamadevam, Thathpurusham,Eesanam, Aghoram and Atho enter into the mouth of Agni and received by Ganga and she returns it to the Saravana lake, thus the Saravanabava was born. He is also called as Skanda (Shiva's power of chastity).

Skanda was raised by the six Krithikai mothers; Karthikeya divided into six babies to bring up by six mothers. He became Shanmukha (one body with six faces) while parvati took him to the Kailash. He becomes Kumara- young and handsome.

War between Asura and Lord Skanda:

Skanda appointed has the general head of the army of Devas. He Saravana was gifted a Vel from Parvati. Lord Shiva gifted with Eleven Rudras and Eleven Weapons. The team headed by Lord Muruga went to the battle. The war starts and it waged for six days. On the sixth day from the new moon day of Ayipasi (sashti) Lord Skanda assassinates the team of Asura and eradicates the evil power Soorapadaman.

Soorapadman into two halves and made apart aspeacock and another one as cock. Peacock as Skanda vehicle and cock as emblem in flag. This day is celebrated as Skanda Sashti and Devas started to live in divine world with purity.

Lord Murugan Thirukalyanam:

The next day of soorasamharam is the Thirukalyanam (Marriage of Lord Murugan with Devayanai). Devayanai is the daughter Indra. Skanda married Devayanai as the reward of wining in the battle against asuras. Devayanai is also called as Devasena represents the Kriya Sakthi (Power of action).

Skanda Sashti Viratham:

Vratam is a Sanskrit word Vrata means Vow, in extension it is adhering to certain principles and disciplines. Skanda Sashti ritual is celebrated for six days; especially fasting is a part of it. The devotees observe fast for all the six days before the Sashti day. Lord Muruga defends us from all certain difficulties during Vrat. Skanda afford us with all energy and power to observe fasting. Lord Skanda and his Vel protect us from any kind of difficulties. During Vratam mind and soul should be focused totally on Lord Skanda.

Skanda sashti viratham procedure

•  Skanda sashti vrata is for Lord Muruga and fasting should be for six days. Devotees should fast all the six days. Only liquid foods like fresh juices and fruits can be taken.  If not possible to fast without food, one time food is recommended.
•  To preserve purity one should not have any foods or juices from outside.
• Purify yourself daily and do puja in the morning and evening for Lord Muruga. Recite Skanda Sashti Kavasam daily during puja.
• Avoid non-veg food items, alcohol, indulging in any unwanted quarrels.
• Fasting is not to purify body alone it is to purify the mind also so do meditation, believe in god totally.

Skanda Sashti kavacham mahima:

Skanda Sashti Kavasam recitation is the important step in Sashti Vratam. Sashti kavacham is more powerful mantra which is written by Devaraya Swamigal. Devaraya swamigal is the student of Meenakshi sundram pillai and he wrote two great epic Kuselo Bakkiyaanam and Suutha Sangithai.

Devaraya swamigal got incurable stomach ache and decided it can be cured only by God grace. So he prayed to Lord Senthilnathan (first day of Sashti). His pain reduced day by day and it was cured. So Swamigal decides to wear Kalaadai (Kavi dress) and start to sing Six Kavacham and completes it on the Sashti day.

Sashti Kavacham is more powerful reciting it 36 times a day showers us with wealth. Devotees can attain Blessings of Lord Skanda, Strength, Good health, Wealth, Protection from evils, cleanse negative thoughts and one can feel the divine strength alongside while the recitation of the Sashti Kavacham.

Sashti kavacham with lyrics