Legend of Subrahmanya Swamy
According to Hindu mythology, Adi Parashakti, The Creator, in the form of a feminine Goddess, Devi, is also the Supreme being. She is also known as ‘Parama Satya’ or the Supreme Truth, as per many Shakta texts.
The ‘Devi Bhagavata Mahapurana’ suggests that Adi Parashakti is the original creator, observer and destroyer of the whole universe. As per Shaktism, Adi Parashakti appeared as Divine pure eternal consciousness, expressing herself as Shoonya Bindu, the divine nothingness of feminine energy which then transforms as ‘Prakriti’, the visible universal nature. She is also depicted as the Supreme mother. It is believed that Adi Parashakti, Prakriti, nurtured ‘Purusha’, in the form of a child Subrahmanya. This ancient temple is thus, dedicated to the purest form of love and innocence, between a mother and her child.
Lord Subrahmanyan, also known as Murugan, Skanda, Kartikeya, Kumara Swamy etc, is the Hindu god of war. He is the Commander in chief of the Army of Devas, the positive forces, and is depicted as the son of Shiva and Parvathi.
Lord Subrahmanyan holds a ‘vel’ or spear in his hand, a symbol of power and prestige. It indicates that he is the ruler of the universe. He rides his vehicle, a peacock, signifying the conquering of pride, egotism and vanity. There is a cobra under his feet, indicating fearlessness, immortality and wisdom.
Historically, Subramanya Swamy was immensely popular in the Indian Sub-continent. One of the major Puranas, the ‘Skanda Purana’ is dedicated to him. In the Bhagawad Gita, Krishna, while explaining Omnipresence, names the most perfect being, mortal or divine, in each of several categories. While doing so, he says, “Among generals, I am Skanda, the lord of war”.
The Pattathanam Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple is one of the oldest, historically prominent temples in Kollam, Kerala, where Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as a child. The role of this ancient temple in the spiritual, social and cultural consciousness of society is exemplary.
“Skandasya keerthim athulyam, kali kalmasha nashini”, goes a shloka. There is no parallel to the glory (keerthi) of Skanda, enabling one to destroy (nashini) the impurities (kalmasha) caused by the illusion of time (kala). Destroy the enemy within, which causes all illusions. Set yourself free! Thus Skanda is described as the lord of wars. The war within all of us, being the biggest. Skanda Purana is the largest Mahapurana, a genre of eighteen Hindu religious texts. It is the only purana prescribed, to be offered as ‘Danam’, like the offerings of food, cow, dress etc.
In our culture, we owe our spiritual wealth not just to the sages, seers, masters and enlightened beings, who walked the path, but also to the community that nurtured them. In our tradition, serving spiritual seekers and saints was of utmost importance. The most beautiful expression of this is the ‘danam’ or the offering in its various forms, to fellow human beings.
