Skanda Shasti Vratam

Lord Muruga, also known as Skanda, is a popular Hindu deity, particularly among Tamil Hindus. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the younger brother of Lord Ganesha. He is also known as Murugan, Kartikeyan and Subramanya.

The sixth lunar day, known as Shashti Tithi, is dedicated to Lord Skanda. Devotees observe a fast on Shashti during the Shukla Paksha, or waxing fortnight.

The observance is known as Skanda Shashti Vratam. When Shashti Tithi coincides with Panchami Tithi, the preceding lunar day, the vrata may be observed on Panchami. Thus, depending on the lunar calendar, Skanda Shashti Vratam may fall on Panchami rather than Shashti.

Skanda Shashti is also known as Kanda Shashti.

A Hindu day begins at sunrise and ends at the following sunrise. Accordingly, the monthly Shashti fast begins at sunrise and is broken at sunrise the following day, after obeisance has been offered to Lord Surya. Devotees traditionally visit a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan on Shashti.

Fasting

According to the traditional understanding of fasting in Hindu religious observances, a complete fast entails abstaining from both food and water. Fasting, however, is not merely a matter of refraining from eating and drinking. It should also involve abstaining from activities that distract the mind from God and spiritual contemplation.

These include sleeping during the day, entertainment, watching films, idle gossip, unnecessary travelling, reading newspapers and engaging in ordinary worldly activities that may draw one's attention away from spiritual life.

Nevertheless, not everyone is physically capable of observing a complete fast. One's constitution, health and other physical limitations may make such an undertaking unsuitable.

Those who cannot undertake a complete fast may subsist on water and fruit throughout the day. Ideally, however, even this should be restricted to a single intake, either at noon or at moonrise. The underlying principle is to observe the fast to the extent that one's physical condition permits.

What, then, of those who cannot even manage this, particularly those who have not previously undertaken spiritual disciplines such as vegetarianism, vratas and other religious austerities?

Such people may not have developed a spiritual disposition or religious inclination, but may nevertheless undertake a vrata for a particular reason. They too have a place in this observance.

Lord Sri Krishna Paramatma declares in the Bhagavad Gita, 7:16:

Chaturvidhaa bhajante maam janaah sukritino'rjuna;
Aarto jijnaasurartharthee jnaanee cha bharatarshabha.

“Four kinds of virtuous men worship Me, O Arjuna! They are the distressed, the seeker of knowledge, the seeker of wealth, and the wise, O lord of the Bharatas!”

Although the Lord declares the wise to be dear to Him in Bhagavad Gita 7:17, He does not disparage the efforts of the other three categories. Indeed, He declares in 7:18:

“Noble indeed are all these.”

The implication is clear: even those who cannot observe a complete fast, or manage a single intake of water or fruit, may benefit spiritually from the vrata if they observe it to the best of their abilities.

Those who are not vegetarians should, at the very least, abstain from non-vegetarian food during Shashti and observe a vegetarian diet.

The other restrictions, including abstinence from non-vegetarian food and from the worldly distractions mentioned earlier, should be observed by everyone to the extent prescribed by the vrata.

To devote themselves more fully to spiritual pursuits, aspirants may read and study the Skanda Purana or other authoritative texts concerning Lord Murugan.

It is also customary, and strongly recommended, to recite the Kanda Shashti Kavasam in the morning and again in the evening.

Skanda Shashti Vratam in the Month of Aippasi (October–November)

Skanda Shashti, also known as Kanda Shashti Vratam, is an important religious observance dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aippasi.

Devotees observe a six-day fast, following the principles outlined above. Although every Shashti is dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Shukla Paksha Shashti during the lunar month of Kartika, which falls during the solar month of Aippasi or Karthikai, is regarded as the most significant.

The six-day fast concludes on Soorasamharam, the day commemorating Lord Murugan's victory over Soorapadman. The following day is celebrated as Tiru Kalyanam, marking the divine marriage of Lord Murugan.

The day after Soorasamharam is also referred to as Subramanya Shashti, or Kukke Subramanya Shashti, which falls during the lunar month of Margashirsha.

General rules for the six-day observance

The following are some general guidelines for observing the six-day vrata:

• Abstain from non-vegetarian food. Non-vegetarian food should be avoided throughout the observance.

• Avoid garlic and onions. Please refer to the separate article on garlic and onions for further discussion. Those who are new to vratas, particularly those who are not vegetarians, may find it difficult to observe this restriction strictly. Nevertheless, any food offered to the Lord as prasad should not contain garlic or onions.

• Recite the Kanda Shashti Kavasam. It should be recited in the morning and again in the evening.

• Visit a temple. Devotees should visit a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. If this is not possible, they should, at the very least, visit another temple.

• Observe a single-meal fast. Ideally, devotees should take only one meal a day. Those who are new to the vrata and cannot observe this restriction may continue with their usual meals, provided that they abstain from non-vegetarian food. Alternatively, they may subsist on water and fruit, according to their physical capacity.

Medical Benefits

Besides its spiritual benefits, Shashti Vratam is traditionally believed to offer various benefits to bodily well-being.

Fasting is said to cleanse the body of impurities and to help prevent or alleviate certain ailments.

Such claims should, however, be understood within the context of traditional religious and health beliefs. Fasting should not be regarded as a substitute for appropriate medical treatment.

Other Information about the Vratam

According to the traditional calendrical rule, when Panchami Tithi ends or Shashti Tithi begins between sunrise and sunset, the two lunar days are regarded as being combined for the purpose of determining the observance. In such circumstances, that day is selected for Skanda Shashti Vratam.

This rule is said to be prescribed in the Dharmasindhu and Nirnayasindhu.

Several Murugan temples in Tamil Nadu, including the renowned Sri Subrahmanya Swami Devasthanam at Tiruchendur, follow this rule. Consequently, Soorasamharam may be observed a day before Shashti Tithi when the preceding day is regarded as the appropriate day for the combined observance of Panchami and Shashti.

Temples Dedicated to Lord Murugan

The following six abodes, collectively known as Arupadaiveedu, are the most important shrines for devotees of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, India.

1. Palani Murugan Temple — approximately 100 kilometres south-east of Coimbatore.

2. Swamimalai Murugan Temple — near Kumbakonam.

3. Thiruthani Murugan Temple — approximately 84 kilometres from Chennai.

4. Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple — approximately 10 kilometres north of Madurai.

5. Sri Subrahmanya Swami Devasthanam, Tiruchendur — approximately 40 kilometres south of Thoothukudi.

6. Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple — approximately 10 kilometres south of Madurai.

The Marudamalai Murugan Temple, situated on the outskirts of Coimbatore, is another important shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan.

The Kukke Subramanya Temple, near Mangalore in Karnataka, India, is also a renowned shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan.

End Note

It is important to understand that the Sanskrit word vrat or vratam means a vow. A vrata should not be mistaken for mere fasting.

By observing a vrata, a person seeks to purify the mind through meditation, worship and adherence to a vow undertaken voluntarily.

Such a vow may include fasting, abstaining from falsehood, controlling anger or observing other forms of discipline. A vrata should therefore be regarded as a deliberate endeavour to restore discipline and order to one's life.

Fasting must always be undertaken voluntarily and willingly. Those who are taking medication should not undertake an intense fast without appropriate medical advice and should adhere to the dietary and medical instructions given by their doctors.