Skanda Shasthi

Just a few days ago the monastics celebrated the final day of Skanda Shasthi with an abhishekam to Lord Skanda in Kadavul Temple. This was a perfect opportunity for Namrata Ragade to receive Mantra Diksha for Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, pledging to chant the Panchakshara mantra 108 times each day without fail.

About Lord Skanda From DWS:

Lord Karttikeya, Murugan, first guru and Pleiadean master of kundalini yoga, was born of God Siva's mind. His dynamic power awakens spiritual cognition to propel souls onward in their evolution to Siva's feet. Aum.
Lord Karttikeya flies through the mind's vast substance from planet to planet. He could well be called the Emancipator, ever available to the call of those in distress. Lord Karttikeya, God of will, direct cognition and the purest, child-like divine love, propels us onward on the righteous way through religion, His Father's law. Majestically seated on the manipura chakra, this scarlet-hued God blesses mankind and strengthens our will when we lift to the inner sky through sadhana and yoga. The yoga pada begins with the worship of Him. The yogi, locked in meditation, venerates Karttikeya, Skanda, as his mind becomes as calm as Saravana, the lake of Divine Essence. The kundalini force within everyone is held and controlled by this powerful God, first among renunciates, dear to all sannyasins. Revered as Murugan in the South, He is commander in chief of the great devonic army, a fine, dynamic soldier of the within, a fearless defender of righteousness. He is Divinity emulated in form. The Vedas say, "To such a one who has his stains wiped away, the venerable Sanatkumra shows the further shore of darkness. Him they call Skanda." Aum Namah Sivaya.

Aum Saravanabhavaya Namah

Before the puja, Lord Muruga is oiled with sesame oil

The abhishekam starts as Saravananathaswami pours pranic substances such as milk, curd and honey over Lord Muruga\

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Many Devotees, some still here following Mahasamadhi celebration, attend the puja

Muruga receives countless baskets full of fruits and flowers

Yogurt from our monastery cows is offered to Lord Skanda

Monks chant during the abhishekam

Panchamritam (\"five nectars\") is offered. We use the recipe of honey, milk, ghee, banana and jaggery

Vibhuti is next, and is always a beautiful sight

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami sits upfront

Our attending monks and premonsatics meditate on Lord Skada\

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Following the abhishekam, Satguru gives Mantra Diksha to Namrata

She now pledges to chant the sacred Namah Sivaya mantra 108 times each day

Satguru initiates her

He then signs her mantra booklet

And he blessed her with vibhuti and flowers

Aum Skandaya Namah. Aum Namah Sivaya. Tune in tomorrow to learn of another initiation given on Lord Muruga\

s sacred day'
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