SKANDA- MURUGA FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA 

WRITTEN BY LONDON SWAMINATHAN

Post No. 11,567

Date uploaded in London – 20 December 2022                  

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/london-swaminathan

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This is the Third part on Murugan/Skandan in Sangam Tamil Literature

We have already seen Lord Murugan alias Skanda/Kartikeya’s appearance, birth and his worship in Kurinji/ mountain landscape. Now let us look at his ornaments,  clothes , Vahanas (Mounts of Gods) as portrayed in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature.

Some scholars consider Sangam books like Tirumurugatruppadai (Murugu), Paripatal (Pari.) and Kalittokai (Kali) form the latest layer of Sangam period. But word occurrences and the themes in the books prove them wrong. Moreover, whatever said in these so called latest books are already in Pura Nanuru and Aka Nanuru which are considered the oldest layer.

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Vaahanaas (Mounts of Gods) of Lord Muruga/Skanda

Sangam poets described him riding a fast flying Peacock (Pari.18-26) விரை மயில்மேல் ஞாயிறு.

His other vehicle was an elephant named Pinimukam பிணிமுகம்  according to Kuru 1-2; Pura.56-8; Pathitr.11-16; Pari.5-2; 17-44; 21-1; Murugu.78-82

My Vahana research shows that whatever the Vahana is that will be the flag of that God (please read my Vahana research articles). That shows that they are simply symbols and not real vehicles. That will explain how a Fat elephant God can ride a little mouse in Ganapathi iconography.

In Murugan’s case also we see the same; his Vahanas Peacock, Elephant, Cock are shown in his flags s well.

Elephant Flag, Peacock Flag- Pari19-90; Puram 56-7; Murugu 122; Pari.17-48

Rooster/ Cock flag- Murugu 38-39

SKANDA- MURUGA FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA 

What does this show?

Hindus invented these flags and Vahanas for gods which the world follows as Flags and National Emblems of 200++ countries. Even in Vedas we see birds and animal names in Rishis and Gotras. From Himalayas to Kanyakumari we see the same Flags and Vahanas for Gods and Goddesses.

English word Vehicle came from Sanskrit word Vaahana.

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Garlands and Clothes

Murugan wears a Pearl Necklace and it looks like geese flying in the sky in “V “ formation (Akam.120-3; Murugu.104). This simile is copied from Kalidas who lived in First century BCE or earlier according famous Sanskrit scholars.

Hindus not only allocated certain Flags and Vehicles to Gods, but also marked some flowers to each God. From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Vilva/Biva meant Shiva’s leaf and Tulsi meant Vishnu’s leaf.

They allocated Kadamba tree and its flowers along with Valli flowers and Kaanthal Flowers to Lord Skanda / Muruga- Puram 23-3; Murugu.10-11; Pari.21-10; 14-22; Natr.34-8; Murugu.43-44

Muruga is shown also with shining, sparkling jewellery- Kurinji 51; Kurun.1-3.

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Full Description of his Appearance

There is a beautiful picture of him in Murugu 205-214

ஆடும் முருகனின் அழகும் ஒப்பனையும்

செய்யன், சிவந்த ஆடையன், செவ்வரைச்    

செயலைத் தண் தளிர் துயல் வரும் காதினன்,    

கச்சினன், கழலினன், செச்சைக் கண்ணியன், 

குழலன், கோட்டன், குறும் பல்லியத்தன்,    

தகரன், மஞ்ஞையன், புகர் இல் சேவல்அம்   210

கொடியன், நெடியன், தொடி அணி தோளன்  

நரம்பு ஆர்த்தன்ன இன் குரல் தொகுதியொடு,

குறும் பொறிக் கொண்ட நறுந் தண் சாயல்  

மருங்கில் கட்டிய நிலன் நேர்பு துகிலினன்,  

முழவு உறழ் தடக் கையின் இயல ஏந்தி,                215

மென் தோள் பல் பிணை தழீஇ, தலைத்தந்து,

குன்றுதோறு ஆடலும் நின்ற தன் பண்பே. அதாஅன்று, 

——திருமுருகாற்றுப்படை Tirumurugatruppadai (Murugu)

சிவந்த மேனி= RED BODY

சிவந்த ஆடை= RED CLOTHES

செயலையந்தளிர் அணிந்து ஆடும் காது= TENDER SHOOTS IN HIS EAR

இடுப்பில் கச்சு= CLOTH BELT IN THE WAIST

காலில் கழல்= FOOT ORNAMENT ANKLET/KAZAL

தலையிலே வெட்சிப்பூக் கண்ணி= VETCHI FLOWER WREATH ON HIS HEAD

குழைந்திருக்கும் தலைமயிர் – கொண்டு விளங்கினான் = BEAUTIFUL CURLY/WAVY HAIR

கொம்பு முதலான பல சிறு இசைக்கருவிகளைத் தோளில் மாட்டிக்கொண்டிருந்தான் = HE HAS HORNS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS HUNG FROM HIS SHOULDERS

சேவல் கொடியைக் கையில் வைத்திருந்தான் = HOLDING ROOSTER FLAG IN HIS HAND (ALSO FLAGS O FRAM AND PEACOCK)

உயர்ந்த உருவம்= TALL FIGURE

தொடி அணிந்த தோள்= ON SHOULDERS HE HAS THODI/BRACELET  JEWEL

யாழ் போன்ற குரலால் பலரும் பாடும் பாட்டைக் கேட்டுக்கொண்டு ஆடினான் = HE DANCED LISTENING TO LYRE VOICED PEOPLE

உடம்பெல்லாம் புள்ளி போட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கும் மேனி- HE HAS PAINTED DOTS ON HIS BODY

(

குதிபுரள இடுப்பில் கட்டிய ஆடை=THE WAITST CLOTH WAS HANGIG DOWN UPTO HIS FEET

கை அடிக்கும் முழவோசைக் கேற்ப அடியெடுக்கும் நடை= HIS RHYTHMIC STEPS WERE BASED ON THE BEATS FROM THE DRUMS

இப்படிப்பட்ட நிலையில் 

வேலனோடு சேர்ந்து கொண்டும் 

மகளிரின் தோளைத் தழுவிக் கொண்டும் 

தலைமையேற்று முன்னே நின்றுகொண்டும் = ALONG WITH HIM, DAMSELS JOINED SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

குன்றிருக்கும் இடமெல்லாம் 

கூடியாடி நிற்றலும் அவன் பண்பாகும்.

அதுவுமன்றி . . .= THIS IS WHAT HAPPENING WHERVER THERE IS A HILL BECAUSE THAT IS HIS NATURE TO DANCE WITH THE HILL TRIBESMEN AND TRIBES WOMEN.

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NOW A TRANSLATION FROM KAUMARAM..COM

[“(VElan) is of fair complexion; he dons a red garment, cool asOka-shoots behind ears, a girdle, anklets, and vetchi-wreaths; he plays the flute, blows the horn, and other small instruments of music; he has a ram, peacock and flag of rooster; he is tall; he wears an armlet on his forearm; he is with damsels whose sweet voice sounds like the melodious tune of stringed instrument; and he is wearing above the sash around his waist a fragrant shawl trailing upon the ground.”]

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COMMANDER IN CHIEF

In Sanskrit literature Lord Skanda (Murugan) is shown as the Commander in Chief of the Divine Army (of Devas). So he is described as heroic, valorous with a stern look.

Tamils also described him as furious, ferocious and ready to spring in action- Puram 16-12; Akam 158-16;Pathi.26-11; Poruna.131 சீற்றமும் சினமும் மிக்கவன்.

God with great power and skill ஒப்பற்ற பெருந்திறல் வாய்ந்தவன்- Natri.225-1; Akam.181-6

Stands in the front in the battlefield and attain fame – போரிலே முன்னின்று புகழ்பெறுபவன் Akam 1-3; Puram.14-19; Malaipadu.493.

Always victorious – விறல் வெஞ்செய் Puram 22-29; 120-21

These epithets were used for heroic kings and youths as well.

To be continued……………………………………….

Tags. Murugu, Peacock rider, Skanda, Pinimukam elephant, Red dress, fair complexion