still wondering

[Guest guest]

Is there any connection to Murugan and Kartikeya? Are they the same

or different? I don't know.

 

Thanks, Bill

[Guest guest]

, "Bill Rogers" <wondermagazine@a...> wrote:

> Is there any connection to Murugan and Kartikeya? Are they the same

> or different? I don't know.

>

> Thanks, Bill

 

Hi Bill

 

My sincere apologies for not responding any any earlier. Overloaded

with workload.

 

Both are same and also know as Subramaniam and Skanda...

 

This is from..... BB yogi

 

http://festivals.indya.com/festivals/hindu/skandashashti.html

 

Skanda - also known as Kartikeya, Muruga, and Shanmukha - is the son

of Shiva, and was born for the specific purpose of getting rid of the

menace of the asura, Taraka. Skanda, who signifies Shiva's strength

gained from his yogic meditation and chastity, is an ancient deity,

and his story is found in the Mahabharata and Siva Purana.

 

According to legend, Taraka was harassing the devas no end, and they

went to Brahma for help. But Brahma had given Taraka a boon, and told

the devas that only a son born to Shiva and his devotee Parvati could

kill the asura. Since Shiva was in meditation, Brahma asked the devas

to get the help of Kama, the God of Love.

 

Kama agreed to help, and, when Parvati was placing flowers at the

feet of Shiva, shot an arrow of passion at Shiva. Shiva was enraged

at being disturbed, and burned Kama to ashes with the rays from his

third eye. But Kama had accomplished his goal.

 

Subramanya was born in a reed forest near the River Ganga. Even as a

boy, he was made the general of the gods. He engaged the demons

Tarakasura, Simhamukha, and Surapadma in battle, and vanquished them

on the sixth day. This is the day which is celebrated as Skanda

Shashti.

 

In connection with Skanda Shashti, devotees undertake pilgrimages to

the sacred temples of Subramanya, apart from fasts, prayers and

special pujas. The six sacred hilltop shrines of Subramanya, known

as , witness extensive celebrations and pujas. Thousands of people

are fed at the temples.

 

At many places, scenes of Shoora-samharam, or the killing of the

demons, are enacted. Effigies of the demons are taken round the

streets in great pomp. In the middle of it, the idol of Lord

Subramanya makes its appearance, and the news travels to the demons.

There follows a chase. When Subramanya catches up with the demons, a

battle ensues. At the end of it, Subramanya kills the demons with his

vel, or lance, and there is much celebration all round.

 

In many places, festivities last for six days, ending on Shashti day.

Thousands of devotees carry the kavadi, which is considered the most

potent rite undertaken to propitiate Subramanya.

 

The kavadi comes in various shapes and sizes, but basically consists

of two containers with offerings to the lord. The offerings are

traditionally collected through begging. Once the required quantity

has been collected, the devotee carries it on his shoulder, slung

from a wooden stick.

 

The kavadi is hoisted on the shoulders after a puja, and is to be

removed only after the devotee reaches the shrine. Often, the kavadi

carrier is considered to be one with the lord while he carries the

kavadi.

 

Besides Skanda Shashti day, the sixth day of all the bright

fortnights, all Fridays, and all the Kartika nakshatra days, are

observed in the honour of Subramanya.