Meditation, readings, puja to Skanda with singing of devotional chants
Listen to the audio recording of 2019 Skanda Shasthi
ॐ
Subrahmanya Skanda, the form of heroic wisdom that manifests as valiant Self-inquiry in those who intensely pursue the Realization of Brahman.
In his upper right hand, he holds the traditional representation of his vel, or Sakti (spear), symbol of the power of jñana, spiritual knowledge, and the same all-conquering power of knowledge, in a more explicit depiction, is nestled in his arms.
His lower right hand displays the gesture of fearlessness, abhaya mudra, for true knowledge destroys illusory duality, the cause of fear, and thus grants freedom and peace.
His upper left hand holds a vajra, the thunderbolt, displaying the immense, illuminative power of this wisdom,
And his lower left hand is in the pose indicating firmness and steadiness.
His peacock, said in Skanda Purana to dance to the sound of thunder and to be a natural enemy of snakes,
May be understood to be the experience that accords with this wisdom and destroys the passions of ignorance.
For more details concerning Subrahmanya, see Advaita Devatam.
