Vaikasi Visakam is important to the Saivites, Vaishnavites and the Buddhists. To the Saivites, it is the day of the descent of Murugan; to the Vaishnavites it is Periyalvar’s jayanti and to the Buddhists it is the day of the great miracles of nativity, enlightenment and maha samadhi of Buddha.
Descent of Murugan
The descent of Murugan is referred to as the Shanmuga avatāram. This descent was in answer to a prayer by the devas to rid the world of adharma caused by the three asura brothers, Soorapadman, Singamuhan and Tārakan. These brothers had obtaind great powers through intense penance and were harassing the devas. The devas appealed to Siva for help. Tradition has it that Siva added a sixth face to the existing five faces and this incident is spoken of in the celebrated work of Saint Kumaraguruparar as:
Ainthu mukaththodatho mukamum thanthu
Tirumukangal ārāki.
Saint Tirumular in his Magnum Opus, the Tirumantiram, over two thousand years ago referred to this Divine incident as:
Āme pirān mukamainthodu māruya
Rāme pirānuk kathomukamārula.
Story of his Birth
From the forehead, Siva emitted six sparks of fire which enveloped the world with lustre. These sparks were carried by Vāyu and Agni to the Ganges which pushed them into Lake Saravana Poigai filled with lotuses and reeds. Philosophically the lotus represents the pure heart and the reeds represent the network of nerves in man’s physical body. Symbolically, the Divine Effulgence in the lake with its lotuses and reeds, are within each one. As Light and Life this Reality abides in the body, breath, senses, mind, intelligence and ego. These six facets of the human complex represents the six faces of Shanmugan.
In the Lake the sparks became six Divine children and were nursed by six Kārtika maidens popularly called as Karthigai Pengal. These children were embraced by the Divine Mother and became One with six faces and twelve hands. And thus descended Shanmugan, the incarnation of pure consciousness and divine knowledge on the pournima (paruvam) in the month of Vaikāsi.
Saint Kachchiappah Sivachariyar beautifully portrays the descent as, ‘With form and formlessness, without a beginning and as one and many, stood the column of Light, the Supreme Brahman, who with six merciful faces and twelve arms took the Divine Incarnation as Murukan for the redemption of the world,’
Aruvamum uruvumāki anāthiyāi palavāi onrāi
Brahmamāi ninra sothi pilambathor meniyākak
Karunaikoor mukangal ārum karangal pannirendu konde
Oru thiruMurukan vandhāngu udhiththanan ulakam uyya.
He then goes on to say, ‘That ever pure, Omnipresent Siva, who cannot be comprehended by speech or mind or even by the Vedas, assuming the form of six sweet babies, was gracefully seated on six lotus flowers in the Saravana Lake.’
How Murugan is Worshipped on Vaikasi Visakam and other days
Devotees worship Murugan by calling Him various names, such as Subramanyan, Shanmugan, Karthikeyan, Guhan, Saravanapavan, and Arumugan. As Murugan, He remains ever youthful and radiant; as Subramanyan, He embodies the omnipresent spirit of the universe, the essence from which all things emerge, exist, and eventually dissolve. He rides a peacock and wields His Vel (spear), often appearing alongside His Divine Consorts, Devayani and Valli. As Shanmugan, Murugan descends to destroy adharma (unrighteousness), while as Karthikeyan, the Kārtika maidens care for Him. Known as Guhan, He resides in the depths of one’s heart. Saravanapavan signifies His association with Lake Saravana Poigai, and Arumugan refers to His six faces.
Traditionally, people describe Murugan as Ceyon, a deity with a reddish hue. However, the Sri Tattvanidhi depicts Him as dark blue, holding the Vel and sometimes accompanied by His consorts, Devayanai and Valli. Next to Him, the peacock grasps a snake in its claws, symbolizing infinity. The blue color reflects the infinite, much like the vastness of the sky or ocean. Murugan, as Guhan, represents this infinite reality within the heart, expressing Itself through the mind and the five senses, symbolized by His six faces – Shan (six)-mukham (faces).
Symbolism of the Peacock, Vel, and Serpent
The peacock symbolizes vanity and pride, while the serpent represents ego and the worldly desires that distract the mind. Ego, born out of ignorance, must be restrained and transformed to seek the truth. The peacock gripping the serpent conveys this message. The Vel, Murugan’s spear, represents wisdom and the power to eliminate negative tendencies that obscure the divine self. The Vel symbolizes Jnāna Sakti (power of knowledge), His consort Valli embodies Ichchā Sakti (power of will), and Devayanai represents Kriya Sakti (power of action and immortality).
These three divine powers help eradicate the ego, symbolized by the demon Soorapadman. Murugan’s incarnation serves the purpose of eradicating adharma brought by the asuras (demons), and His battle with the asuras forms the essence of the Skanda Shashti fast. Shanmugan’s manifestation represents the eternal victory of truth over falsehood and dharma over adharma. Murugan’s faithful warriors, who battle these forces within or around them, reflect His divine essence (Muruga amsam).
We celebrate this significance on Vaikāsi Visākam, the day Murugan descended for a divine purpose.
However, the message goes beyond that event, reminding us that this divine avatar continuously unfolds within every individual. Saint Arunagirinathar advises that one should draw strength and knowledge from meditating on Murugan’s sacred form, even for half a minute, to receive His blessings.
Sarana kamalalayaththe arai nimisha neramettil
Tavamurai Dhyānam vaikka…
Vaikasi Visakam Pooja
Vaikasi Visakam is celebrated for ten days in Lord Muruga temples with special pujas and homas. A chariot festival, where devotees pull the chariots, takes place on this day.
At home, families perform special pujas for Lord Muruga. They clean and decorate His idols, portraits, and paintings. We follow regular puja rituals and make Sarkarai Pongal, as a special prasad. Devotees also visit nearby Murugan shrines to perform pujas and offer prayers.
Chanting prayers on Vaikasi Visakam such as Kanda Sashti Kavacham, Subrahmanya Bhujangam, and Shanmukha Kavacham is common on this day. Some people organize elaborate Sahasranama Archana and invite priests to conduct special pujas.
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