Skandha Shashti

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MURUGA SARANAM

 

Dear Members..

 

Today (Friday) is Skandha Shashti, a holy day for Murugan Bhakthas, a day of victory of Good over Eveil. If you were fortunate enough to visit a Murugan Temple nearby, kindly share your experience when time permits. I came across the following article when I was looking for Shanmukah Prabandham as someone had asked for it. It says that you have to put your best efforts before you ask God for help, as He helps those who help themselves.

 

 

May All Glories be to the Lord of Tiruchendur !!!

 

MURUGA SARANAM

 

With Best Regards

Meyyappan S

 

 

http://www.dlshq.org/download/shanmukha.htm

 

 

Guru is Skanda-Sakti

Upon this human plane, the Guru or the spiritual preceptor or guide, who is to help us and to lead us to victory in our battle with Avidya or our lower nature, is the counterpart of Lord Skanda. He is the personification of Skanda-Sakti. Skanda is the personification of the total Sadhana-Sakti or Yoga-Sakti in this world. It is through Yoga-Sakti that one can attain perfect victory over all the forces of darkness that comprise Ajnana or ignorance and attain the fullness of wisdom. The law which has been demonstrated by the Skanda Avatara is, in actual life, brought out by the representation of Skanda in the form of the Guru, by the representation of the Devas or the celestial party in the form of the aspirant who has purified himself and attained the Sadhana-Chatushtaya and thus has become an Adhikari in order to approach the Guru and try to get his Grace.

We have to consider the next stage in the unfoldment of Skanda Lila. The Devas did not at the very outset approach the Lord and say, "Lord, there is a battle to be fought between ourselves and the Asuras. In this battle we desire to have victory. Therefore, you should help us." First and foremost, they had recognised that there was a certain force to be opposed, and they had recognised that that force was something undivine and against their real nature, which should be overcome. In thus doing, they gave out two laws. One is that we have first to recognise the presence of the lower self and that we are distinct from it; and that the lower self is an obstacle within us, an undesirable element within our nature. And we must align ourselves not with that force but with the divine forces. The second is the truth that mere recognition of this or acceptance of the fact that the lower self is undesirable and must be overcome is not enough; we must put this recognition into dynamic action. We must manfully set about trying to do this process of breaking down all these elements of the evil, lower nature with all our heart and all our might. God helps those who help themselves, is a well-known old adage. This is very true upon the spiritual path. Unless we demonstrate our sincerity and completely rid ourselves of the impurity, unspiritual and undivine, by means of practical effort and actual striving, we have not yet attained the fitness to ask for grace. We must exert; then we become deserving. Then we can desire to obtain the help of the higher powers. This is a law which the majority of seekers are prone to disregard because recognition and acceptance of this law is very uncomfortable and inconvenient. For, it implies that we have to strive and to make effort, and the lower nature will not easily sanction this, inasmuch as in the beginning of the spiritual practice, to a great extent, the personality of the seeker is under the habitual dominance of the lower nature, its old tendencies, old habits, inclinations, etc. There may be a desire or even sincerity; but it is all theoretical and the Tamoguna which is the prominent feature of the lower nature will not easily allow the aspirant to put forth right exertion. To bring out this law in a telling manner, we are told that the Devas again and again gave battle to the Asuras, not once but time and again; and it was after repeatedly being worsted in battle that they found that, in spite of their earnest and sincere practical efforts to overcome the evil forces, they were yet not crowned with victory. Then it is that the celestial hosts turned to the Supreme Lord and prayed for His Grace. And, it is only when these conditions are fulfilled that the Lord will hear this prayer and bestow His Grace.