Question : What is the significance of Karthika Masa.
Coming after Deepavali Celebration, Karthik Masa reinforces the message of Deepavali. While Deepavali carries the message of enlightenment and liberation,
Karthik Masa strengthens our resolve for working towards enlightenment and liberation. Karthik masa is a time of prayer for Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Karthikeyan.
About Karthikeyan
There is story of Birth of Karthikeyan. There was asura called Tarakasura who had boon from Brahmaji - only child born from Shiva and Parvati can kill him. Shiva was in deep meditation in no mood to marry. Paravathi daughter of Parvata raja was doing penace to marry Shivji. Devatas arrange marriage by disturbing meditation of Shiva through Rati and Manmatha.
Shivji marries Parvathi after Manmatha is burnt by opening third eye. Millions of years pass. The child is not born. Agni out of curiousity visits Kailas in the form of bird. Semen of Shiva falls on Agni who drops it in river. The child is born in river. He is taken care by six mothers - Karthika stars.
Spiritual significance of the story
Six faced Lord Muruga is the Adhidevata for six chakras in the body. Agni is Adhidevata for re the Manipura Chakra. Varuna - is the adhidevata for the swadhistana chakra (water element).
Karthika devatas are the bright stars representing the wisdom. Peacock the vehicle of Murugan represents the vehicle of thousands of eyes. The sharpness Viveka required in conquering the forces of darkness - negative qualities in us. His Vel represents the Spinal cord. Six faces of Lord Muruga energize the Six Chakras.
The birth of the Karhikeyan heralds the upward movement of Kundalini energy in Sadhak. Tarakasura - undefeatable demon is the ego which has survived millions of life times. The marriage of Shiva and Shakti in Sahasrar heralds the march of Divine Army lead by Lord Muruga.
Story of Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga
One day, Naradji gifts a mango to Shiva and Parvati. He says the fruit is fruit of wisdom. Whoever eats it, will become the wisest. But the condition is fruit should not be cut.
Muruga and Ganeshji playing nearby start claiming the fruit. Mother Parvathi tells them -"whoever completes the Pradakshina of Universe in shortest time will get the fruit". Before she completes her words, Lord Muruga is on his way with his vehicle peacock at lightening speed. Ganeshji slowly gets on to his vehicle and completes Pradakshina of Shiva and Parvathi. Ganeshji wins the fruit of wisdom.
Spiritual Meaning of the Story
There are two paths for Self realization. Realization of oneness of Shiva and Shakti - Non duality.
These two paths are told by Shri Krishna in Bhagavadgita 3.3 speaks of two paths - Path of Jnana and Path of Action. Jnana Marga represented by Shri Ganeshji leads to enlightenment - oneness of Shiva and Shakti very quickly but you need the qualities of Shri Ganeshji. You need to master your mind represented by the mouse - vehicle of Shri Ganeshji. But for most of us the path represented by Muruga is very suitable. We are fast movers. Jet setters. We are action oriented. Kartha - represents action. Path of Action- Karmayoga is represented by Lord Muruga. We need to follow the path of action involving - Seva (Service), Devotion ( Bhakti), Raja yoga to purify ourselves and defeat armies of Asura ( demonic qualities in us ).
Divine Qualities - Forces of Ligth (Devas)
Srimad Bhagavadgita Chapter no 16 lists the divine qualities - Starting with Abhayam, satva samshuddhi. Right way of paying respect to Lord Karthikeyan will be to study chapter 16 of Bhagavadgita and develop at least some of the qualities in us so that forces of darkness - asuric nature in us is defeated. Let us pray to Shri Karthikeyan for bestowing us the Divine qualities.
Celebration of Karthik festival
To reinforce our commitment to enlightenment and liberation, Karthik masa is celebrated with lighting of lamps. But Karthika masa is call for action. Action orientedness. Karma marga for liberation.
Lord Karthikeyan
Karthikeyan is the Senadhipathi - Commander in Chief of armies of Devas. Devas represent light. Devas are the forces of light of conciousness. All positive qualities or Divine qualities
Kathik Somavar Vratha
The couples who want to observe Somavara vrata wake up early from bed and perform spiritual or ceremonial bath. And they start praying the divine couple Parvati Parameshwara (Uma Maheshwara). The Lord is anointed with Panchamritham (the sanctified mixture of milk, ghee, curd, honey and ocimum leaves) and other sacred substances.
Devotees offer Vibhuthi (Bhasma) and Bilva Patra (Bilva leaves) which are favorites of Lord Shiva. Devotees offer naivedya (food offerings) to the Lord and they perform food charity to their fellow devotees and to the poor.One who observes Somvar vrata would enjoy every pleasure in the world and after death that person would reach Kailasa (Salvation or Moksha or Shiva lok).
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