Vaikasi Vishakam (June 2, 2012) - Lord Subrahmanya

Lord Muruga, also known as Shanmuga, Skanda, Kartikeya and Subrahmanya, is the primordial energy, created to save the world from the asuras (dark and negative forces). He is the Lord of the army of Devas. 

According to Puranas he was instrumental for the Soora Samharam (destruction of the evil asura Soora Padma).  He is also the lord of Serpents and is worshipped as Kukke Subrahmanya Swamy.  According to the legend, Subrahmanya Swamy is said to have given protection to the serpents Vasuki and others from Garuda. Hence he is worshipped as the lord of Serpents in Kukke Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, Karnataka. Skanda Sashti is a very important festival celebrated all around the world by the devotees.

According to the Hindu calendar, Lord Muruga’s birthday is celebrated on the Vishaka Nakshatra which falls in the Vaikasi month. He is the son of Shiva and Uma Devi (Parvati).  Muruga’s Vahana is the Peacock and with one of his hands he holds his weapon, the spear (Vel) and with his other hand he holds a flag with rooster symbol.

Being the Lord of courage, valor, beauty and intelligence, he blesses his devotees with the same characteristics. He is also called the six-faced lord Arumuga Swamy.  With his six faces (5 faces of Lord Shiva and one face of Goddess Uma Devi), he is said to protect his devotees in all the 6 directions: East, West, North, South, Skyward and also the Earth.  Being the son of Shiva and Uma Devi, he is said to bless people with the comforts of this world and also the other world.

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Six is a very powerful number associated with Lord Muruga and the six syllable mantra “SARAVANABHAVA”, was revealed by Lord himself, to Sage Agastya.  The six syllables are said to mean:

SA – power to attract good people into your lives
RA – power to attract wealth
VA (HA)– power to destroy negative energy like diseases and debts.
NA – Power to eliminate enemies and problems.
BA – power to attract positive energy  

VA – Power to eliminate the negativity and influence caused by bad placement of planets in one’s horoscope.

While you chant this mantra (either silently or out loud), visualize Muruga’s Peacock, Rooster symbol on his flag and his Vel (weapon) forming a protective shield around you. This year Vaikasi Vishaka also happens to be a Sani Pradosham day. (Pradosham falling on a Saturday).

On this day, special poojas like Archana (reciting of Lord’s names) with fresh flowers and Abhisheka is performed by devotees with water, milk and other abhisheka materials like honey, chandan, panchamrut etc. Singing of various hymns and bhajans in praise of Muruga helps devotees overcome their obstacles and attain health, wealth and prosperity by his grace.

SubrahmanyaSahasranamam – Thousand names of Lord Muruga

SubramanyaBhujangam by Adi Shankara. (Read with meaning)

References:

http://www.palanitemples.com/english/vaikasi_vishakam.htm#

http://www.kukketemple.com/

http://www.ambaa.org/pdf/sb_san.pdf

http://www.zaped.info/Murugan

 *****

Yadakshara

Yadaksara-pada-bhrastam

matrahhinantu yad bhavet

tat-sarvam ksmyatam deva

Srimate Narayanaya Namo Namah

Meaning: 

Whatever syllable or word or syllabic instant has been left out, 

may they be returned back correctly as each should be.

May all that be forgiven Oh divine Narayana. Salutations to you,

To the glorious Narayana, salutations, salutations.

*****

Prayer -Lingashtakam - Hymn in Praise of Sri Shiva

Hindus (Shaivites or Shaivaas), who belong to the sect Shaivism are popularly known as the Smartaas and they worship upon Shiva. Maha Shivaratri is a major annual festival celebrated by the followers of Shiva.  Bilva Patra, sacred leaf is offered to Shiva.

Lord Shiva (शिव), also known as Rudra, Pasupati, Maheswara (Maha Eashwara) is a major Hindu deity and is said to be the Creator, Preserver, destroyer, concealer and Revealer of the whole Universe.
  

Even though most people consider Shiva as the destroyer or Transformer among the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), Shiva means “the auspicious one”. He is said to be living a life of a sage with his consort Parvati Devi, at Mount Kailash in the Himalayas in India. His weapon is the Trishul (trident) and his vahana (mount) is the Nandi (Bull). Lord Ganesh, Kartikeya (skanda) and Ayyappan are said to be his children.

Worship of Shiva is done in any of the following forms: a Lingam (pillar of light) is the main shiva symbol like Shaligram for Vishnu, in the human form as a Murti,  the river Ganges, his place of abode the Mount Kailash or as the formless one.  There are 12 Jyotirlingam (Shiva in the form of light) temples in India.

There are many ways of offering prayers like the Shiva Sahasranama, Shiva Astothram, Rudram, Chamakam and various hymns. The Panchakshara beeja mantra is, “OM NAMAHA SHIVAAYA” Initiated through a proper Guru and chanted with a clean body and mind will bring prosperity and well being to the devotees.

 

 Brahma Muraari Surarchita Lingam
Nirmala Bhaashita Sobhitha Lingam
Janmaja Dhukha Vinaashaka Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingam
Kaama Dahana Karunaakara Lingam
Ravana Darpa Vinaashana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

 Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam
Buddhi Vivaardhana Kaarana Lingam
Siddha Suraasura Vandhitha Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

 Kanaka Mahaamani Bhooshitha Lingam
Panipati Veshthitha Sobitha Lingam
Daksha Suyajna Vinaashana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

 Kunkuma Chandhana Lehpitha Lingam
Pankaja Haara Susobhitha Lingam
Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Deva Ganaarchita Sevitha Lingam
Bhavair Bhakhi Bhirevacha Lingam
Dinakara Koti Prabhaakara Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

 Ashta Dalopari Veshthitha Lingam
Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam
Ashta Daridra Vinaashana Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Suraguru Suravara Poojitha Lingam
Suravana Pushpa Sadarchitha Lingam
Paraath Param Paramatmaka Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

Lingashtaka Midam Punyam
Yah Pathet Sivasannidhau
Sivaloka Mahaapnoti
Sivehna Saha Modatheh

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Trymbakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pusti-vardhanam
Urvaruka miva bandhanan mrtyor mukshiya mamrutat

(In the translation of Arthur Berriedale Keith, 1914):
"OM. We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, O Shiva. You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality."

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Puja

http://www.shaivam.org/sanskrit/sslingashh.pdf

http://meerasubbarao.wordpress.com/2007/11/12/lingashtakam-shiva-stuthi/

Lord Bhairava (भैरव)

Weapon - Trishula

Consort - Bhairavi

Divine vahana - Dog (Shvan)

Bhairav means terrible or frightful in Sanskrit. Lord Bhairava is said to be the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation. He is depicted with frowning, angry eyes and sharp, tiger’s teeth and flaming hair, stark naked except for garlands of skulls and a coiled snake about his neck.  His ornaments are twisted serpents, which serves as earrings, bracelets, anklets, and sacred thread (Ajnopavita). He is sometimes shown wearing a tiger skin and a ritual apron composed of human bones. In his four hands he carries a noose, trident, drum and skull. He is often shown accompanied by a black dog.

Dogs (particularly black dogs) were often considered the most appropriate form of sacrifice to Bhairava, and he is sometimes shown as holding a severed human head, with a dog waiting at one side, in order to catch the blood from the head.

Bhairava is the embodiment of fear, and it is aid that those who meet him must confront the source of their own fears. He is also said to safeguard the devotees on all eight directions.

According to Shiv Mahapuranam, an arrogant Brahma tells Vishnu, that he being the supreme creator, everyone including Vishnu and Shiva must worship him.  This angered Shiva who in reality is the creator of all.  He manifested in the form of Bhairava and beheaded one of Brahma’s five heads. Bhairava incurred the Brahmahathi dosha and had to roam as Bhikshatana, until he had been absolved of the sin. Kala Bhairava is depicted as carrying the decapitated head of Brahma. 

It is also said that Brahma created Saraswati from his imagination (Manasaputri), to help solve the cosmic confusion which arose due to the creation of Universe. Shatarupa was born and she presented Brahma with the wealth of knowledge and wisdom.  But Brahma was infatuated with her beauty and pursued her.  He even  sprouted a fifth head to gaze at her continuously.  This unlawful lust caused an imbalance in the universe and Lord Shiva took the form of Bhairava to put an end to this. He confronted Brahma and cut off his fifth head which brought him to his senses. He then performed a yagna to purify himself, reciting mantras with his four heads for salvation.

Bhairavi, the consort of the Bhairava, is also a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi who is virtually indistinguishable from Kali.

Bhairava is said to have eight manifestations: 

Kaala (black & in charge of Time) Bhairava is conceptualized as the Guru of the planetary deity Saturn.

Asitanga (with black limbs) Bhairava

Samhara (destruction) Bhairava

Ruru (hound) Bhairava

Krodha (anger) Bhairava

Kapala (skull) Bhairava

Rudra (atom) Bhirava

Unmatta (raging) Bhairava. 

 Kalabhairav Ashtakam

 Deva raja sevya mana pavangri pankajam,
Vyala yagna suthra mindu shekaram krupakaram,
Naradadhi yogi vrundha vandhitham digambaram,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 1

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who is adorned by lotus-feet which is reverred and served by Indra (Devaraj), Who has a Yagya-thread made up of snake, Who has the moon on His forehead, Who is the abode of mercy, Who has been sung by Narad and other celestial singers, and Whose clothes are the directions.||1||

Bhanu koti bhaswaram, bhavabdhi tharakam param,
Neelakanda meepsidartha dayakam trilochanam,
Kalakala mambujaksha maksha soola maksharam,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 2

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who is resplendent like millions of sun, Who absolves the ocean of cycle of rebirth, Who is supreme, Who has a blue neck, Who bestows us with our desires, Who has three-eyes, Who is the end of Kaal, Who has lotus-like eyes, Who has immortal monodent weapon, and Who is immortal.||2||

Soola tanga pasa danda pani madhi karanam,
Syama kaya madhi devamaksharam niramayam,
Bheema vikramam prabhum vichithra thandava priyam,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 3

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who has monodent, spade, a cord and punishment in His hands, Who is the cause behind the beginning, Who has a grey (smeared) body, Who is the first Deva, Who is imperishable, Who is free from illness and health, Who is immensely mighty, Who is the Lord, and Who loves the special Tandava dance.||3||

Bhukthi mukthi dayakam prasashtha charu vigraham,
Bhaktha vatsalam shivam* , samastha loka vigraham,
Vinikwanan manogna hema kinkini lasath kateem,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 4

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who is the bestower of desires and salvation, Who has an enticing appearance form, Who is endears His devotees, Who is static, Who takes various manifestations and forms the world, and Who has a beautiful golden waist-thread with small melodious bells.||4||

Dharma sethu palakam, thwa dharma marga nasakam,
Karma pasa mochakam , susharma dayakam vibhum,
Swarna varna sesha pasa shobithanga mandalam,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 5

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who is the maintainer of righteousness, Who is the destroyer of unrighteous paths, Who liberates us from the ties of Karma or deeds, Who bestows us with shyness, Who is splendid, and Whose organ-groups are decorated with a beautiful cord of golden color.||5||

Rathna padukha prabhabhirama padayugmakam,
Nithyamadwidheeyamishta daivatham niranjanam,
Mrutyu darpa nasanam karaladamshtra mokshanam,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 6

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who has feet adorned by two sandals made of gold which is possessing a resplendent shine, Who is eternal, Who is induplicable, Who bestows our desires to us, Who is without desires, Who destroys the pride of death (as in is supreme to death), and Who liberates soul by His teeth.||6||

Attahasa binna padma janda kosa santhatheem,
Drushti pada nashta papa jala mugra sasanam,
Ashtasidhi dayakam kapala malikadaram,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 7

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Whose loud roar is enough to destroy all the manifestations created by the lotus-born Brahma, Whose (merciful) glance is enough to destroy all the sins, Who is the powerful ruler, Who gives the eight-powers¹, and Who wears a garland of skull-caps.||7||

Bhootha sanga nayakam, vishala keerthi dayakam,
Kasi vasa loka punya papa shodhakam vibum,
Neethi marga kovidham purathanam jagatpathim,
Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 8

I sing praise of Kalabhairav, Who is the ruler of the city Kashi, Who is the leader of the ghosts and spirits, Who showers immense glory, Who absolves people dwelling in Kashi from their sins and righteous deeds, Who is splendor, Who has explained the path of righteousness, Who is eternally old, and Who is the controller of the universe.||8||

Phalastuti
Kalabhairavashtakam patanthi yea manoharam,
Jnana mukthi sadhanam , vichithra punya vardhanam,
Soka moha dainya lopa kopa thapa nasanam,
Thea prayanthi Kalabhairavangri saniidhim druvam. 9

Those who study these eight verses on Kalabhairav — which is enticing, which is a source of knowledge and liberation, which increases righteousness of a person, and which destroys grief, attachment, depression, greed, anger an heat — move towards the proximity of the feet of Shiv (Kalabhairav), necessarily.||9||

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhairava

http://srimuneeswarar.tripod.com/bhairavar.html

http://nithyananda.net/profiles/blog/show?id=6298039%3ABlogPost%3A31077&commentId=6298039%3AComment%3A31220