Om Hreem Sri Gurubhyo Namah ЁЯЩП
Hey North Indians! When and why did Kumara, the younger son of Shiva, disappear from your temples and homes?
Sri Krishna declared, "Of military generals, I am Skanda." Yet, as Kali Yuga cast its shadow, we drifted into darkness. Now, having reached the depths, we are rising once more.
It’s time to welcome Murugan back into your homes and temples! Velan, the mighty warrior, stands as your protector—shielding you and your family from evil and enemies. He is the one who burns away bad karma, guiding you toward spiritual upliftment.
As Arumugam, the six-faced one, born of Shiva’s six divine sparks and raised by the Pleiades sisters (Krittikas), he is Kartikeya. He is the fiery spark of inner consciousness, the awakening of Kundalini. A warrior of light, he vanquishes demons within and without, dispelling darkness with his radiant valor. He rises, victorious and resplendent!
I bow to you O Lord Muruga, you are the warrior powered by Mars, bring us out of Kali Yuga. You who are the supreme Guru of even the Siddhas, come and bestow your grace, O Guha!
*****
Parvati and Shiva have two sons, Ganesh and Kartikeya. Though Kartikeya has many names, some of which are discussed here, I will refer to Him as Kartikeya. This chapter for me was a discovery of Kartikeya, and then realizing that He is me and I am Him. Not just me, but He is in all of us. This is true knowledge, that I am what I seek, and this realization is symbolized by Kartikeya. It is not that Kartikeya is someone outside, true devotion is feeling the presence within, and merging with the divine that we seek. Divinity frees us from fear. So reclaim your divinity. True knowledge cannot be attained without the blossoming of devotion, and melting of the heart.
The first understanding I wanted to gain, is to translate the story of Kartikeya's creation from the six flames of divine light that emerged from Shiva's third eye. These six sparks of light were carried within Agni (element of fire), by Vayu (element of air), to Ganga (knowledge) and then to a pond named Saravana, and raised (incubated) by the six Krittika nymphs (beings) represented by the Pleiadian star cluster. Later, Maa Parvati merged the six babies into one being known as Arumuga (Kartikeya).
If you remember in the chapter on the Siddhas we discussed that there are seven subtle Naadi channels within the Sushumna. There is another school of thought that there might be six. Regardless, each sub-Sushumna Naadi represents a Chakra and a color. At the Ajna Chakra, which is the sixth Chakra, there is a merging of the Sushumna with Ida and Pingala Nadis. These sub-Naadis can be seen as subtle light or fire of the Kundalini. When the six sparks descend and take form, they signify the journey of the soul from ignorance to enlightenment, mirroring the awakening of Kundalini energy as it rises through the Chakras. The third eye itself is the seat of supreme knowledge (Guru Tattva). Its fire, known as Jnana Agni, burns through illusion to reveal the ultimate truth. This is the meaning of 'Skanda', another name for Kartikeya and he is known as 'Gyan Pandita' or master of Supreme knowledge.
The journey within begins with the awakening from material attachment, followed by the purification of lower desires, exhausting our Karmas, the strengthening of inner power, the opening of divine wisdom, mastery over illusion (Maya), and finally, the realization of non-duality. Ganesh represents the Muladhara chakra energy that propels us towards the Kundalini awakening. Vices and impurities are symbolized as demons (Rakshasas and Asuras) in spiritual stories, and virtues are angels (Devas, Avatars). These vices and virtues are in us and also in the collective consciousness. The story goes that the Devas asked Shiva to birth a son who would kill the Asura (demon) Surapadma (Sooran) and his two brothers, Tarakasura and Simhamukh. Surapadman represents the ego, Tarakasura represents Karma, and Simhamukha represents Maya (delusion). That is why we pray to Kartikeya for protection, to overcome fear, and to vanquish our Karmas. When Surapadman is slayed by Kartikeya, he is split into a peacock and a rooster. The peacock becomes Muruga's vehicle, and the rooster is given a place on Kartikeya's army flag.
In the wisdom traditions of Bharat, the male deity represents the formless consciousness as the source, and the divine feminine deities represent energy or expression of consciousness. Kartikeya is represented with two energies, on his left side is Devayani (Devasena, daughter of Indra) who represents Kriya Shakti, or the force of action, and she also represents the Ida Nadi, which is the lunar energy channel in our body. On his right is Valli, who is the Iccha Shakti, or the energy of pure desire, and she also represents the Pingala Nadi, which is the solar energy channel in the body. Kartikeya himself being the Sushumna, the three of them (Ida, Pingala, Sushumna) merge in the Ajna chakra.
Six virtues manifest as Muruga’s six faces, known as Shanmukha, each representing a unique force of divine consciousness: wisdom, detachment, inner strength, peace, radiance, and bliss. Muruga is not merely a warrior deity but the embodiment of supreme knowledge, a Guru who guides seekers beyond duality into direct realization. Muruga embodies the true fearlessness that we seek. If our mind is guided and used to express our divine qualities and higher Self, it becomes beautiful, joyous and dances like a peacock, on which Muruga resides. That is why Muruga is seen riding a peacock, it shows the awakening of the Self mastering the ego and attachment.
The Secret Mantra of Kartikeya
Lord Shiva, in my Prashna Kandam on July 14, 2025, said to me that I gave my son six letters, one more than my five letters (Na-Ma-Shi-Va-Ya). Why? Because he can do anything. I might destroy the enemy, but he will forgive, keep even his enemy with him, because he has so much love. His powerful mantra "Sa Ra Va Na Ba Va" represents:
- Sa – Maha Lakshmi. The Earth Element (Muladhara Chakra)
- Ra – Saraswati. The Fire Element (Manipura Chakra)
- Va – Liberation, Mukti. The Air Element (Anahata Chakra)
- Na – Remove all the enemies. The Water Element (Svadhisthana Chakra)
- Ba – Mrityunjaya, to be remembered even after death. The Ether Element (Vishuddha Chakra)
- Va – Liberation, Mukti. The Supreme Consciousness (Ajna Chakras)
Each one of these letters is also associated with each one of the six temples for Muruga. Chanting this mantra awakens the chakras and leads to spiritual enlightenment.
There is a well known story about Shiva's family. One day Maa Parvati told her two sons Ganesh and Kartikeya that whomever goes around the world fastest three times, will get the mango as a prize. Skanda set out on his peacock in the wink of an eyelid, while Ganesh sat near his parents. When he saw his brother Muruga starting his third round, he quickly went around his parents three times and completed before Kumara. Shiv and Parvati were very pleased with the wit of Ganesh and gave him the fruit, while Kartikeya was very upset, as he thought he'd been cheated. Known for his anger, he left the abode of his parents in Mt. Kailash and headed to south India, vowing never to return. Parvati Maa ran after him and said to him, you are the fruit, meaning "Tat Tvam Asi", you are That, why do you seek an external fruit? Muruga renounced everything and went to the hills of Palani.
Kartikeya is shown as a renunciate who becomes a King. This is to signify that only one who has no attachments or bondage, who wants nothing, who feels everyone is his own, has immense compassion, and does everything for the good of the whole, can be a great leader.
Kartikeya is Shiva's own manifestation. As the world cannot know what Shiva's story was, who was He like as a child, Shiva creates Kartikeya as His reflection for the world to know Him. Kartikeya had gone to Lord Brahmadev asking Him the meaning of Om, but Brahmadev did not give the proper meaning so Kartikeya gave him some difficulties so He could learn from it. Then one day, Shiva asks his son, Kartikeya, about the meaning of Om. So Kartikeya says, since I am the Guru I will sit higher in the Guru's seat, and you as the Shishya (student) need to sit below me (so the knowledge flows down), then I will tell you. So Shiva sits and Kartikeya whispers the knowledge of "OM" to Shiva in his right ear. Then Shiva says, now you whisper the same knowledge in my left ear. Why? Because Maa Parvati occupies half of Shiva's body on the left side, so she would also get the satisfaction of hearing this knowledge. This story came at the beginning of my Sukshma Sukshamam Naadi reading on July 14, 2025.
But why would the Supreme Being ask his own son? Would He not already know?
To understand this beyond the literal story, we must look at the nature of Paramashiva (the Supreme Consciousness) or Parabrahman. He is beyond creation, untouched—much like the observer of a dream. When creation begins, the first manifestation is a vibration in consciousness, which resonates as Aaaammm (AUM). From this primordial sound, the seven Lokas (dimensions) emerge, corresponding to the seven chakras, reflecting the microcosm within the macrocosm.
Now, what does Murugan represent? He is closely associated with the number six, symbolizing the six chakras up to the Ajna. And what is the sound that resonates at the Ajna chakra? Om.
Kartikeya’s Vel, the spear, gifted by Maa Shakti, represents the Kundalini Shakti, with fire from her third eye at the center of the Vel. How do we reach the Ajna chakra? By ascending the Kundalini. Once the ascension has been experienced, the Vel represents Self knowledge. In some parts of India like Karnataka, Kartikeya is represented as the cobra, which is also the Kundalini.
But here lies the deeper question: How can Shiva, the creator of this cosmic dream, truly experience and understand His own creation? The answer is profound—He understands it through His own creation. Kartikeya, His son, descends into creation, experiences it, ascends through the chakras to the Ajna—the seat of the inner Guru—and having fully integrated his wisdom, becomes Swaminatha (the Guru of the Supreme Being). Only then can he turn to Shiva and say, "This is the meaning of what You have created."
So it goes full circle. Murugan emerged from the third eye of Shiva, manifested, and then speaks back to Shiva on the meaning of his existence, which is the subtle Om of the third eye which he himself represents.
Interestingly, a British person I know in Wales is writing a book on Murugan and has expressed a similar revelation, delving into intricate details—such as why sacred knowledge is whispered into the ear. As I reflected on this to gain my own understanding, to write this chapter on Kartikeya, I see it as the cycle of consciousness—expression, experience, understanding, and integration.
Merging into Murugan
If you remember from the chapter on the Siddhas, Sri Guru Babaji (Maha Avatar Babaji) began seeing Kartikeya within him as we started reaching the pinnacle of Moksha. Interestingly, Ramalinga Swamigal also saw Kartikeya in the mirror as he progressed to attain his Divya Deha (light body). Babaji and Ramalinga Swamigal transcended their physical body and merged into divine light (Arut Perum Jyothi).
Kartikeya is known as Kumara, the every youthful one, who has the innocence of a child, lack of ego, purity of heart, and yet he is wise. A true Yogi is always youthful. Here also you see the connection with the youthful Babaji and Vallalar. When our Kundalini rises and reaches the Ajna, there is an age reversal within our cells which gives us a youthful appearance.
Could it be that Kartikeya was shown to both these masters to indicate their dropping of the ego, revealing and merging into the state of Murugan, which is the state of enlightenment in the manifest creation? Kartikeya represents the fiery essence of Kundalini that has reached the third eye, Ajna chakra, where one has risen above the mind and attained Self knowledge, the seat of the inner Guru. Both Babaji and Vallalar are true Gurus for humanity.
From there the journey to Sahasrara, or merging into Shiva to become Shiva is by the Grace of Shiva, the Supreme. This state is not possible in the manifest, the state of Shiva is just formless divine light. Therefore the highest level of consciousness that can be attained in the manifest body or creation is that of Kartikeya. These secrets cannot fully be expressed, they are realized through experience as they are beyond understanding.
Feel The Divine Light without
Surrender the "I" Ascend
Experience The Light descend
Be the One Light again
Forever The Supreme Light remain
Uruvai Aruvai
Uruvai aruvai uladhai iladhai, maruvai malarai maniyai oliyai,
karuvai uyirai gadhiyai vidhiyai, guruvai varuvai arulvai guhaney.
The Six Temples for Muruga
The Aarupadai Veedu (роЖро▒ுрокроЯை ро╡ீроЯு) are the six sacred temples dedicated to Lord Muruga (Kartikeya, Skanda, Subramanya) in Tamil Nadu, India. These temples are associated with different phases of Muruga’s divine journey and are central to Tamil devotional traditions.
1. Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple (родிро░ுрок்рокро░роЩ்роХுрой்ро▒роо்)
- Location: Near Madurai
- Significance: This is where Muruga married Deivanai/Devayani, the daughter of Indra.
- Specialty: It is a cave temple, and Muruga is worshipped here in a warrior form.
2. Thiruchendur Murugan Temple (родிро░ுроЪ்роЪெрои்родூро░்)
- Location: Near Tuticorin, on the Bay of Bengal coast
- Significance: The site where Muruga defeated the demon Surapadman during the battle of Surasamharam.
- Specialty: Unlike most Murugan temples on hills, this one is on the seashore.
3. Palani Murugan Temple (рокро┤ройி)
- Location: Palani, Dindigul district
- Significance: Muruga, in frustration after losing a contest with Ganesha, renounced everything and came here.
- Specialty: The idol is made of Navapashanam (a mystical combination of herbs and minerals). Devotees undertake a pilgrimage carrying Kavadi as a form of penance.
4. Swamimalai Murugan Temple (роЪுро╡ாрооிрооро▓ை)
- Location: Near Kumbakonam
- Significance: Muruga is said to have taught the meaning of Pranava Mantra (Om) to his father, Shiva.
- Specialty: The temple is built on 60 steps, representing the first 60 years of life. In the Vedic tradition it signifies a completion of a cycle, and a rebirth of sorts.
5. Thiruthani Murugan Temple (родிро░ுрод்родрогி)
- Location: Near Chennai
- Significance: After the battle with Surapadman, Muruga found peace and married Valli here.
- Specialty: The temple is on a hill with 365 steps, symbolizing each day of the year.
6. Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple (рокро┤рооுродிро░்роЪோро▓ை)
- Location: Near Madurai
- Significance: Muruga blessed the great Tamil poetess Avvaiyar here.
- Specialty: It is surrounded by lush forests and is the only Aarupadai Veedu temple where Muruga is depicted with both his consorts, Valli and Deivanai/Devayani.
These six temples are major pilgrimage centers for Muruga devotees, especially during Thaipusam, Skanda Sashti, and Panguni Uthiram festivals.
