Kanda Shasti Kavasam
Kanda Shasti or Skanda Sashti is a festival celebrating Lord Skanda, an Avatar of Kartikeya son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. In this festival, devotees observe fasting, keep Vrats, and perform Subramanya Shasti Pooja. While people know about the Lord Ganesha festival, few know about Kanda Shasti. However, it is one of the major festivals in Tamil Nadu that glorifies Kartikeya or Lord Skanda. As per the Skanda Purana, when the demons under Tarakasura, Surapadma, and Simhamukha created havoc in the abode of Gods and Goddesses, Lord Skanda defeated and freed the Gods.
Kanda Shasti Kavasam is a prayer offered to Lord Skanda. It is a sacred hymn that prays to solve life difficulties and receive divine protection. The prayer has simple words but is more than just words; it has great spiritual significance as it transforms your journey in your search for God’s grace. Here, you can explore the meaning of Kanda Shasti Kavasam and its role in enlightening the soul.
What Is Shasti Kavasam?
Kanda Shasti Kavasam is among the devotional poems to Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan is a deity known to protect devotees from enemies and bring victory. Kavash means shield in Tamil and showcases the hymn’s power to prevent evil things from its doer. Composed by Bala Devaraya in the 19th century, this poem has 224 lines, and when recited with devotion, devotees can get protection from mental, physical, and spiritual adversities. It is customary to recite this hymn for all six days of Skanda Sashti, a festival to celebrate Lord Skanda’s victory over the demon Suprapadma.
Origin Of Kanda Shasti Kavasam
Lord Murugan is depicted as a Youthful War Lord in Hindu mythology. He is described as a fearless and strong warrior with a Divine weapon (Vel) in his hand and riding on a Peacock. He is a symbol of valor and wisdom. His is deemed an epitome of victory over evil, wisdom over ignorance, and light over darkness. Son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, he is an amalgamation of cosmic energies, by invoking the blessings of Kanda Shasti Kavasam, the qualities of vigor and power possessed by Murugan are evoked by his devotees.
Kanda Shasti Kavasam is a prayer deeply rooted in Tamil spirituality. Lord Skanda, or Murugan, is a warrior deity in Hindu mythology who destroys evil forces and protects his devotees. This Kavasam is a song asking for help, a warning, and blessings for inner power. The verses implore Skanda to protect using his spear (Vel) and provide wisdom and courage to attain victory over evil. The hymn invokes Divine energy and creates blessings that remove karmic obstacles to allow devotees to travel on the spiritual path.
Benefits of Kanda Shasti Kavasam Chanting
There are many spiritual and materialistic benefits of chanting Kanda Shasti Kavasam. Here are a few:
- Power: Devotees consider this hymn powerful and grant devotees Divine intervention to heal both emotionally and physically.
- Safety: It is believed that chanting this hymn regularly protects from negative forces, enemies, accidents, and diseases.
- Clearing mind: Reciting this prayer can help an individual clear his/her mind of worries, which aids in inner peace and mental clarity.
- Overcoming challenges: When someone is having inner conflicts or battling life challenges, Kanda Shasti Kavasam helps build courage and determination to overcome all obstructions.
- Removes marital discord: Chanting Kavasam removes all relationship problems as it overcomes negative energies.
- Spiritual development: Repeating the Mantra often provides the doer with cosmic powers that help develop spiritual insights and qualities.
How To Chant Kanda Shasti Kavasam Properly?
- Start purifying your body by taking a ritualistic bath before chanting the mantras.
- Place a Murugan statue on the Pooja altar and recite it with reverence and humility. Ensure you fully surrender yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally to chant without interference.
- Many devotees fast for the six days of the Kanda Shasti festival. It is believed that observing fast cleanses the soul and body and heightens the benefits of chanting.
- Early mornings are the most suitable time to recite as the mind is at its best for spiritual practice. Evenings are also a good time if there is no time in the morning.
Follow the above practices to experience Lord Murugan’s grace and feel the spiritual impact of Kanda Shasti Kavasam.
Follow the above practices to experience Lord Murugan’s grace and feel the spiritual impact of Kanda Shasti Kavasam.
Conclusion
To conclude, Kanda Shasti Kavasam is not just a hymn but a spiritual armor and Divine protection for inner transformation. Regular chanting invokes Divine blessings and protection to overcome challenges in life with courage and valor.