Thus Spake the Divine - Son Who Outshined Father

Thus Spake the Divine

Son Who Outshined Father

Himalayas are expansive and massive; a mustard seed is too tiny. However, whatever is seen inside Himalayas can also be seen in a mustard seed. We can keep on splitting a mustard seed. Eventually, we will end up with an atom. After that, it is not divisible any further. If we want to worship the Omnipresent Shiva and Shakti, who have manifested into innumerable substances in this Universe, in an indivisible form at one single spot, it is the middle of their Heart, from where springs absolute love and compassion. Everything that diverges into different substances converges into this one atom, which is love. Tirumoolar says in his Tamil verse as follows:

“Only the ignorant ones will perceive Love and Shiva as two different identities. Many do not know that Love and Shiva are one and the same. Once they realise that Love and Shiva are one inseparable identity, their mind will come to a standstill with Love as Shiva”. Once we realise that our Manasu is filled with love, our minds will come to a standstill. The minds will absorb love and compassion and become that love. This is what Arunagirinathar, Tamil Saint-Poet who lived during the 15 th Century in Tamil Nadu, was blessed with!

Let us not bother much about scientific formula that Parameshvara is the matter and Ambal is energy and so on. What is the use of talking about all this? What is going to bring us salvation is only the compassion of both Parameshvara and Ambal. Subrahmanya is born as their most precious lovable child only at this point of estuary, where both Shiva and Shakti merge into one. The last child is always most lovable to the parents, isn’t it? Subrahmanya is also known as “Selva Muthu Kumaran”, at the Vaitheeswaran Temple in Tamil Nadu.

Lord Subrahmanya Swami, who is born in the unity of Shiva and Shakti, radiates with glow. He is supremely strong and insurmountable by anyone. He is the one who has emerged to conquer Asuras like Tharaka. We call Him Shakti Vel (Holding the spear in hand bestowed by Parvati, His Mother).

He is also the one who is an embodiment of the power of wisdom. He is called as Jnyana Pandithan (Great Scholar) and Jnyana Skandan to signify his power of wisdom. He acts as Guru to His Father Shiva and is thus called Swami to Father. (As a result of a curse laid on Him by Bhrigumuni, Lord Shiva forgets the “Pranava Mantra”. Subrahmanya Swami teaches the essence of Pranava to His Father, Shiva (Swami) and becomes Swaminatha. The sacred place where this has happened is known as “Swamimalai”)

The most loveable son! That is why Parameshvara feels proud of His son Subrahmanya who, with his treasure of wisdom, has demonstrated that He is superior to Him. “He is a greater Jnyani than I am” and thus He takes the preaching from His own son. “I cannot fight against the powerful Asuras like Taraka or Soora, and I need a son who is stronger than me”. It is for this reason that He creates Subrahmanya!

Let us now see the charismatic beauty of Subrahmanya. When Parameshvara burns Manmatha with His Third Eye, Shakti picks up the sugarcane bow and flower arrows and takes the form of Kamakshi. She looks at Ishvara with love and affection and surrenders these weapons at His feet. Ishvara, seeing this humility, is drawn towards Shakti and they unite with love. Thus was born Subrahmanya Swami! Subrahmanya thus looks as handsome as Manmatha!

In Tamil Nadu, Subrahmanya is addressed as Murugan, which means handsome and ever youthful. God or Brahman is referred to as Sat-Chit-Ananda or Sachchidananda. It means “Being, Consciousness, Bliss”. It is a description of the subjective experience of Brahmam. In this, Sat refers to “Existence”, which is Parameshvara. Chit means consciousness of existence. Ananda is the bliss arising out of this realisation. Here, Subrahmanya is the persona of Ananda.

In Shiva temples, we have a deity called “Somaskandar”, who is the Urchava Murti (The deity that is taken outside the temple for festivals). In this, Subrahmanya is seen seated in the centre, in between Shiva and Shakti.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.