excerpts from "Skanda"

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excerpts from "Skanda" by Hilda Charlton

 

This book includes forty powerful directives of wisdom presented to

Hilda by Lord Skanda, son of Shiva, who represents man's highest

evolutionary attainments. Known as the great warrior-general of the Army

of Light, Skanda leads spiritual aspirants to self-realization and

victory over the dark forces. These messages were delivered by Hilda

over a five-year period at the Hindu Temple Society of North American in

Queens, New York. Also included is a section from Sri Ganesha, the

first-born son of Shiva, who makes it easy to overcome obstacles.

 

"Hilda was at all times in contact with the celestial beings. When she

came to the Hindu Temple each month with her group, that was the time

when the temple acquired a new quality of vibration, a sanctity and a

presence of divinity far greater than on any other occasion."

 

Dr. Alagappa Alagappan, Founder, The Hindu Temple Society of North

America

 

The Origin of the Legend of Skanda, or Murugan

 

Bhagavan Sri Skanda is known as Murugan and by numerous other names in

different parts of India and Ceylon. His story dates back centuries

before Christ. The scene of Skanda's birth is set in the Himalayas. His

birth and life are written in the Skanda Purana, an epic poem which

dates from the fifth century A.D.

 

In India, countless shrines are dedicated to Him, but there are six

major ones, each with a separate name. These six as a whole are known by

the title Arupaddi Veedu.

 

In Ceylon, in the heart of a forest with roaming elephants, leopards

and other beasts, is the Sri Skanda shrine of Katragama, famed for its

many healings and miracles. The fire-walking ceremony is one of the many

unexplained phenomena that regularly occur there. The many forms of

Skanda are worshiped in numerous ways. The priests worship Him in

elaborate rites and ceremonies. The aboriginal Vedda invokes Him with

dances in the primitive manner of the woods. The philosopher meditates

on Him in silence as the Supreme All-Pervading Spirit of the Universe,

the Essence from which all is manifest.

 

In Chapter X of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, "Know me as

Skanda, the Warrior Chief."

 

In Sri Sathya Sai Baba's book, Songs of Sri Sathya Baba, he says,

"Subramanyam [skanda], Son of Shiva, is the personification of the

highest possible state to which the law of evolution leads. His name

means `He who tends the spiritual growth of aspirants.' Knowing Him in

all His aspects amounts to knowing the spiritual possibilities latent in

man. `Through the Son, the Father is known.'"