What Is Kanda Sasdi Or Kanda Sashti?
Kanda Sasdi, also known as Kanda Shashti, is a festival celebrated to honor Lord Murukan, who is an avatar of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. During this festival, devotees observe a vow of austerity (viratam), keep a fast, sing the Kanda Sasdi Kavasam, and perform the Kanda Sasdi Pooja.
It is one of the major festivals in the southern region that glorifies Lord Murukan.
According to the Kanda Puranam, demons under the command of Tarakasura, along with Sinkamuka and Surapadman, wrought havoc in the celestial abodes of various gods and goddesses. It was Lord Murukan who defeated all these demons and liberated the deities.
As far as the Kanda Sasdi Viratam (vow of austerity) is concerned, the auspicious tithi (lunar day) is when the Sasdi Tithi coincides with the Panchami Tithi. The Kanda Sasdi Viratam may be observed on the Panchami Tithi.
Kanda Sasdi is the sixth day (Sashti Tithi) of the Shuklapaksha in the month of Kartika (October – November)
The birth of Lord Murukan
According to legend, Lord Siva released six intensely hot sparks from his third eye. These sparks entered the cooling waters of the Saravana River and manifested as six divinely charming children. Six celestial maidens, known as the Kartika sisters, nurtured and raised these babies in the pond.
On one occasion, Mother Parvathi visited the six children growing in the pond and embraced them all together. At that moment, the six babies merged into one entity with six faces, thus giving birth to Lord Murukan. This is why devotees affectionately refer to him as 'Arumukan,' meaning the six-faced one.
The miraculous origin of Lord Murukan from the union of Lord Siva's powerful sparks and the nurturing embrace of Mother Parvati is celebrated and revered by devotees during festivals and rituals dedicated to this beloved deity.
How to observe Kanda Sadi Viratham or Fasting
Kanda Sasdi or Skanda Shasti Viratam is an important observance dedicated to Lord Murukan. It is observed in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October or November) and most devotees fast during the 6-day period.
There is no common method of Kanda Sasdi fasting. Different devotees observe it differently. But there are some basic rules followed by all the devotees.
- Non-vegetarian food is completely avoided during the period.
- Some people also avoid garlic and onions.
- Those who are observing the fast make it a point to read scriptures related to Lord Muruka nor recite the Kantha Sasdi Kavasam or Subramaniya Bhujangam.
- Most devotees also visit Murukan temples during the period.
- When it comes to Kanda Sasdi fasting, some devotees only take a single meal a day.
- Some take the meal at noon and others at night.
- Some devotees confine to fruits and juices during the 6-day period.
- There are several Kanda devotees who see the Viratham as an opportunity to clean the body and get rid of unwanted toxic elements.
- Such devotees confine to water, coconut water and other fruit juices.
The fasting ends on the Sixth day.
It must be noted that ‘Vratam’ or ‘Viratham’ in Sanskrit means ‘vow.’ Viratam should not be misunderstood as mere fasting. By observing a Viratham a person is trying to purify his mind through meditation, worship and by sticking to some ‘vow’ that he/she has taken. Now, this vow can include fasting, not telling lies, not getting anger etc. A Viratham should be seen as a deliberate attempt on your part to bring back discipline into your life.
Fasting should be voluntary and it should not be done unwillingly. If you are taking medicines, do not observe intense fasting and stick to the routine suggested by your doctor.
Tharaka Sooran
Sinkamuka Sooran
Soorapathman
Murukan defeats the demons.
On his way to Veera Mahendrapuram, the city of the demon Surapadman, Murukan killed his brothers Simhamukan and Tarakasuran. There was a fierce battle between the Loard Murukan and Surapadman. In all his mercy, Lord Murukan severed the body of Surapadman into two with his lance and a peacock and cock came out of him. The peacock became the vehicle of Lord Murukan and the cock entered his flag to sing the Lord’s praises.
Raku Kala Pooja (Tuesday)
Ther Thiruvila (Chariot Street Festival)
Benefits Of Kanda Sasdi Viratham
- To please Lord Murukan and receive his blessings.
- Helps overcome delays or disharmony in marriages, accidents, high temper, debts, difficulties through children, and losses in business.
- Balances the effect of planet Mars (Mangal) and removes Mangalya Dosham from the horoscope.
- Helps people suffering from Raku, Kethu, Kala Sarpa Dosham and those having Sarpa Shraap.
- Brings courage, fearlessness to gain victory over one’s enemies.
Kanda Sasdi Kavasam
It is said that one must recite or at least read Kanda Sasdii Kavasam or Skanda Sashti Kavasam on thisday. It is a devotional song glorifying Lord Murukan. It was composed in Tamil by a student of Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai in the 16th century. The student was Bala Devaraya Swamigal. Beginning with the first four lines called kaappu, it has two-hundred and thirty-eight verses that are knownas kavacham. By chanting it regularly, one establishes themselves in a pure devotional mood. During the Kanda Sasdi Viratham, it should be chanted, recited, or read thirty-six times a day.
Meaning Of Kanda Sasdi Kavasam
The Kanda Sasdi Kavasam is a prayer to Lord Murukan. The devotees who recite this Kavasam enjoy prosperity in abundance and all their sufferings vanish as the verses in the Kavasam suggest. It invokes Lord Skanda to shower His grace on the devotees while some verses describe the most beautiful form of God and ask for protection.
Benefits Of Kanda Sasdi Kavasam
- Reciting the Kanda Sasdi Kavasam regularly showers the blessings of Lord Murukan on the devotees.
- It protects the devotees from all the agony and miseries since it acts as protection.
- The Skanda Kanda Sasdi can be recited by devotees with fertility issues to have a child.
- Marital discord is also resolved by chanting this Kavasam.
- Singing the Kavasam every day brings peace in the home.