Kandha Sashti 2011: Put theory into practice
Energise yourself by praying to Skanda on the final day of Kandha Sashti 2011!
Day 6 of Kandha Sashti
Today is the final day of Kandha Sashti, when Skanda succeeded in finally defeating Padmasura, allowing the return of peace across the universe.
Hopefully, you have used the time productively and pro-actively to kick start any new ventures or as a period of intense introspection and meditation to neutralise your own inner ‘demons’.
The Subramanya/Shanmugha Gayatri Mantra
You can continue to worship Skanda even after Kandha Sashti using the following Gayatri Mantra.
Transliteration:
“Om Tat Purushaya vidmahe,
Mahasenaya dhimahi,
Tanno Shanmugha prachodayat”
Semi-literal translation:
“We know that being (man)
We meditate on the Supreme Commander
May the Six-faced one inspire us.”
Benefits:
- Powerful leadership qualities
- Relief from a malefic Mars in horoscope (Mangal dosha)
- Enthusiasm, energy, drive and ambition
- Devotion to Skanda
- Hastens marriage
- Hastens conception of a baby
Kandha Sashti 2011: The 6 Boons of Lord Skanda
Let the Vel protect and guide you! Start your Sashti Sadhana today!
Day 3 of Kandha Sashti
In the prior posts, mantras and potential sadhanas were presented to the reader.
But what are the benefits and attributes of praying to Lord Skanda over the Kandha Sashti period?
There are 6 main boons provided by Skanda:
1. Wisdom and Intelligence. The young Skanda is said to have initiated his own father Shiva into the secrets of the Pranava mantra – Om! You can be blessed with such spiritual wisdom and intelligence when praying to Him.
2. Powers of Attraction. Along with Sri Krishna, Skanda is known as an extremely attractive and charismatic God to His devotees. Praying to him as the all attracting one will allow one to gain the blessings of a magnetic personality.
3. Courage and strength. Skanda is known as the God of War – a fierce warrior ready to do battles against the demons within and without. Pray to Him for courage in your day to day life and help in making big bold decisions.
4. Peace. Peace is a scarce commodity in these days and times. Allow yourself to become a channel of Skanda’s peace.
5. Self-control. One cannot lead without setting an example to your co-workers and subordinates. Master yourself and gain discipline by praying to Skanda for help.
6. Moksha. Skanda is known as a deity with the full authority of Heaven to deliver aspirants to Moksha (release from birth and death). The true spiritual aspirant will have this as the ultimate goal and sole purpose of their prayers.
Follow me on Twitter: @MantraYogi
Kandha Sashti 2011: Set Up Your Sadhana!
Let the Vel protect and guide you! Start your Sashti Sadhana today!
Day 1 of Kandha Sashti
There are many ways to benefit from Skanda’s grace during Kandha Sashti, including fasting and japa.
Japa is the focus of this blog. In starting a coherent plan of action for Kandha Sashti, two paths are suggested (which are in reality not mutually exclusive).
1. Recite the Kandha Sashti Kavach 36x per day for 6 days. A lighter version of this sadhana is to recite it 6 times per day, totalling 36x by Sashti.
2. Chant malas of Om Saravanabhavaya Namaha. Attempt at Laghu Anusthan – ie 27,000 counts. This is equivalent to 4,500 times per day or about 42 malas.
There are many meditations on Skanda
One take time over Kandha Sashti to meditate on the various attributes of Skanda – the contrasting themes of his extreme benevolence to devotees and playful nature relative to his reputation as the God of War and master strategist.
Follow me on Twitter: @MantraYogi
Don’t be a talker, be a doer! Tap into your true Power
Tap into your Power by worshipping Ganesha and Muruga!
Action is true Power
What is power to you? Is it physical or political prowess? The ability of a musician to hold a concert hall full of people spell-bound? The authority of a nation’s leader?
The dictionary definition is beautifully succicnt:
“Power: The ability to act.”
This is the definition we will work with.
Power has two halves
If power is the ability to act, is it not sufficient to ‘act powerful’ to get your way? Of course, things are never so simple. The prospect (or threat) of action, must be backed by something tangible. For example, in war, this is an army or arsenal of weaponry, for politicians, this is making good on the promises from their election campaigns, for musicians, its that hit single that lingers in the charts.
How is this relevant to the ordinary person?
We have spoken in metaphors thus far, but getting to the point, the idea to be conveyed is that: action is critical to make sure our dreams become reality.
A person may think they know what to do to achieve their dreams, make detailed plans and talk about their ideas to everyone, but are poor in execution: they just dont do the things that are required to get them there!
A great example is the smoker. He wants to stop smoking. Has the support of his friends and family, feels he must, lest he fall victim to lung cancer, knows it is bad for him, has purchased nicotine patches, but refuses to try to stop smoking!
What is within the realms of possibility is simply theory until knowledge is applied.
How is this relevant to mantra and prayer?
There is theory and practice in both mantra and prayer, just like in the real life example described above.
For mental ability, will power, intelligence and foresight, all of us pray to the great Ganesha. And our prayers will undoubtedly be fruitful in enhancing our abilities in these regards. Click here for the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra.
But when it comes to execution and carrying out our thoughts with actions, one must pray to Lord Skanda, the brother of Ganesha and the God of War, General of Heaven’s Armies and Patron of Marriage and Child Birth. He is also called: Muruga, Kartikeya, Kumara, Saravanabhava and Shanmukha.
Don’t just be a person of theory
How many times have we caught our friends lying to themselves about what is realistic? How many people we know are ‘all talk’ and no action? Are we not guilty of procrastination?
Resolve to act. Here is a powerful mantra to help energise and enthuse you into action!
Transliteration:
“Om Sarabhavaya Namaha”
Translation:
“Prostrations to Saravanabhava”
The number 6 is very auspicious to Skanda. Try to chant the mantra in multiples of 6. Tuesday is the best day to pray to Skanda.
Benefits:
- Energy, enthusiasm and vigour
- Hastens marriage
- Increases your chances of being blessed with children
- Lessens enemies
- Nullifies the malefic effects of Mars
The Original Mantra: the Pranava - OM
Swami Mantra Yogi 