Skand Shashthi

Skanda Shashthi Vrat is observed on the Shashthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha every month. Lord Kartikeya is worshiped and fasted on Skanda Shashti festival. This festival is specially celebrated in Indian Hindu religion, but this festival is celebrated prominently in some states of South India.

Skanda Dev or Lord Kartikeya is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. He is the elder brother of Ganesha, and the peacock (Paune) is famous as his vehicle. Kartikeya is also called Murugan, he is the commander-in-chief of the army of the gods.

The importance of worshiping Karthikeya is based on some main grounds:

Manokamna Siddhi: Your wishes are believed to be fulfilled by worshiping Lord Kartikeya. Devout devotees wish to achieve their wishes by performing puja and fasting on this day.

Prevention of diseases and sorrows: Worshiping Lord Kartikeya on the day of Skanda Shashthi provides relief from diseases, poverty, and sorrows. Devotees seek their blessings and blessings on this day.

Symbol of superiority: Kartikeya is considered the commander of the gods and the presiding deity of power. By worshiping him, devotees get military power, bravery, and good fortune.

Salvation of Narada and greed: According to a legend, on the day of worship of Kartikeya, Lord Vishnu rescued the deluded sage Narada and freed him from greed. That's why Lord Vishnu is also worshiped along with Kartikeya.

Worship method:

On the day of Skanda Shashti, begin by taking a bath for purification. Prepare a sacred space for the worship, including a Puja thali, idols or images, incense, lamps, flowers, Naivedya (food offerings), water, Roli, rice, milk, and other necessary items. First, worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha, and Mother Ganga. Chant the mantras of Lord Kartikeya. Then, offer flowers, incense, lamps, and Naivedya to the deities and perform the Aarti. If observing a fast, follow its rules. Listen to or read the Skanda Purana story, and conclude the ritual with charity. Worship Lord Kartikeya with full devotion and faith to attain peace and prosperity.

Story:

When Daksh Prajapati planned the yagya, Sati Mata went without being invited and sacrificed herself in the same yagya because of not seeing the place of her husband Shiva and not being able to bear the insult of Shiva. When the demons heard this news, they started terrorizing. The demon Tarakasura defeated the gods and took control of heaven. The Tarakasura demon had a boon that only Shiva's son could kill him. And Sati being burnt to ashes in the Yagya was a matter of joy for him because now he thought that the birth of a son of Shiva was impossible.

Due to the burning of Sati in the fire, Shiva became very angry and got engrossed in severe penance. All the demons had no fear of any kind, suffering from the terror of the demons, all the deities went to Brahmaji and asked him for the solution to overcome their problems. On the other hand, as a boon of Lord Hari, Mother Sati was born in the house of Parvatraj Himachal, and after some time, Parvati ji was married to Shiva ji.

Parvati ji was once walking on the banks of a lake, that lake was beautified with golden lotuses. She was sitting on the bank of the lake along with her friends, she wanted to drink the pure and beautified water of the lake, when she saw six masterpieces like the sun, taking the water of that lake from the lotus leaf, when she went to her home. When it started, Goddess Parvati became happy and said - Ladies! I also want to see the water kept in the lotus leaf.

She said- Sumukhi! We can give you water on one condition that the son born from your beloved womb should be considered our son and that son should be important to us and be our protector. After listening to him, Parvati ji said - Well it will happen like this. Krittikas were very happy to receive this answer and they gave some of the water present in the lotus leaf to Mother Parvati. Along with him, Mother Parvati also drank that water respectively.

Immediately after drinking the water, a beautiful and wonderful child, who could cure all diseases and sorrows, was born from the right womb of Goddess Parvati. The body of that child was filled with light like the rays of the sun. He was holding sharp power, prong, and curb in his hand. The child who was bright like fire and fair like gold appeared to kill the demons, hence his name 'Kumar'.

He appeared along with Sakhao from the water given by Krittika. Those auspicious branches were spread in the form of six faces, for all these reasons that child became famous in all the three worlds by the names Visakha, Skanda, Shadanan and Kartikeya. After that, after praising and urging the deities, Kartikeya Maharaj killed a demon named Tarak. When he killed the demon Tarakasura, the gods were pleased and blessed Kartikeya Maharaj that the most intelligent person who listens to or narrates this story related to Kartikeya will be successful, his life will increase, he will be fortunate, fearless of all beings and free from all sorrows. will be free.

Thus, since Lord Kartikeya was born on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha, Skanda Shashti fast is observed on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha.

Verified from Purana......

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