'Skanda Sashti Kavacham' in English: Know the meaning of this auspicious prayer

Shri Kanda Sashti Kavasam is a Tamil langu devotional song composed by Devaraya Swamigal. Skanda Sashti Kavasam is a valuable treasure which is sung and intended to help one to be successful in his or her life. In this devotional song, poet prays and worships Lord Murugan (Kartikeya) to shower his grace on devotees. It is also said that if Skanda Sashti Kavasam is chanted every day, it helps in resolving all predicaments of life and resolves all of ir problems.

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This prayer, Skanda Sashti Kavasam consists of a total of 244 lines, including four introductory lines kwn as "Kaappu,". Also followed by a couple of meditational lines and main song portion consisting of 238 lines kwn as "Kavacham. Here is English translation of Skanda Sashti Kavasam prayer.

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Here is translation of Skanda Sashti Kavasam in English:

Declaration of Purpose

May karmic sufferings and worries cease
Wealth and spirituality grow and
Prayers are granted
For those who chant this Kandhar Sashti Kavasam.

Dedication to Lord Kumaran, who ended woes of Devas, On his lovely feet shall we meditate...

Kavasam Invocation

1-16
He who fulfils wishes of his devotees,
Whose twinkling anklets produce melodious sounds
He who approaches me in slow and graceful steps,
Rider of peacock
Come and protect me with your Vel
Welcome to e, Lord of Vel
Welcome to e, O Rider of peacock
Beginning with Inthiran, Devas of all eight directions pay ir obeisance to You
Wielder of mighty Vel,
Son-in-law of vendran,
Welcome You, who are in mind of loving tribal maiden, Valli,
Welcome Lord, You who are six-faced,
Welcome Lord, whose forehe is orned with sacred ash,
Come every day, Lord of Sira Malai, Lord Velayuthan,
Come quickly, Lord of Saravanabava, come w!

17-22
six letters of Lord Muruga's name (Sa, Ra, Va, Na, Ba, Va) are interchanged and ir interplay gives rise to se rhythms of melody that accompany graceful approach of Lord on His peacock.
Lord Muruga embodies form of se six letters. Thus, He is also referred to as 'Lord Saravanabava'.
Salutations are offered to brave Lord of Saravana Poykai, who is approaching on His Vahana, peacock.
Salutations are offered to brave War Lord of Devas in ir battle against Asuras.

23-26
You who assumed Lordship over me, in your twelve hands
You hold twelve weapons, twelve 'Paasa' and 'Ankusamum.'
With your twelve wide-opened, shiny eyes, throw your protecting glance on me,
O Lord, and grant me grace of your protection.

27-31
This refers to 'bija' mantras, 'im,' 'kilm,' 'saum.'
A 'bija' or seed is a significant word or series of words which give it a special power or 'Sakthi.'
bija-mantras have a significant inner meaning which is subtle and mystic.

32
O Lord of Kundalini Sakthi, son of Sivan, and Indweller of heart, come daily to protect me.

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Meditation on Divine Form

33-46
O Lord, You are six-faced, with your six bejewelled crowns, your vibhuti-orned forehes and long eye-brows, twelve eyes and ruddy lips, you wear various pearled jewels!
With dainty ear-rings on your twelve ears, various flower garlands and diems, pearled ornaments and nine-gemmed chains,
You wear sacred investiture thre across your bejewelled chest and beautiful abdomen.
Your silken sash and girdle encircle your full waist, with a nine-gemmed diem orning your silken robes.
Your beautiful legs and anklet feet produce a harmonious blend of melodious tes most pleasing to ear.

55
O Rider astride peacock, come quickly.
56
O Lord of three letters, come!
57-63
O Lord who resides in Swamimalai and grants Darshan from rein, grant me, your child, your favour.
I turn to You for salvation and prostrate before Your Holy Feet in submission, protect me, O Lord, for my life is but Your own.

64-81
With your twelve eyes, protect your child!
Protect face - O beautiful Vel
Protect Vibuthi orned forehe - O pure Vel!
Protect two eyes - O shining Vel!
Protect two ears - O Lord of Vel!
Protect two strils - O good Vel!
Protect thirty-two teeth - O piercing Vel!
Protect tongue - O perfect Vel!
Protect two cheeks - O brilliant Vel!
Protect neck - O sweet Vel!
Protect chest - O bejewelled Vel!
Protect shoulders - O sharp Vel!
Protect nape - O great Vel!
Protect back - O Vel of grace!
Protect sixteen rib bones - O youthful Vel!
Protect stomach - O ever victorious Vel!

82-83
Protect umbilicus - O benevolent Vel!
Protect organs of reproduction and excretion - O good and beautiful Vel!

84 -92
Protect two thighs - O great Vel!
Protect knees and calves - O bright Vel!
Protect toes and feet - O Vel of grace!
Protect two hands - O Vel of mercy!
Protect two forearms - O strong Vel!

93-104!
Grant that Lakshmi resides in my arms!
May Saraswati abide in my speech!
And may Hridaya Kamalam ( ten-petalled lotus of heart; Jivatma's abode) be protected by benevolent Vel!
May Ida, Puriggala, and Sushumna (nerve currents) be protected by victorious Vel!
For as long as my tongue can utter your name (as long as I am alive), may your golden Vel come with speed of lightning to protect me!
May Vachiravel protect me each day and night, every day!
May He protect me in early hours of night, mid hours of night, and predawn hours,
During dawn and dusk, protect me, O ever-vigilant Vel!

105-106
Without any delay, come to O golden Vel to grant protective assistance!
Throw your merciful glance towards me and may your look destroy all my sins!

107-118
May You, O Lord, protect one from ghosts, spirits, and demons!
Reference is me to different kinds of devils and spirits such as spirits that swallow infants, spirits and devils that follow maidens, guardians of cemeteries and spirits of forests.

119
At mention of my name, may se (spirits, and demons) take to ir heels with speed of lightning!

120-135
This refers to charms, spells, and practice of black magic.
May those who indulge in se shudder at mention of my name (for I am your devotee and servant) and may y in humility bow before me (for you are my Lord and protector)!

136-148
May my love for You, keep m in chains!
May y shiver in fear, roll in agony, scream in terror, and flee in utter fear of me!
Protect me, O Lord, from attacks of tigers, foxes, wolves, rats, and bears!
May se flee in fear on sight of me!
May I be relieved from poisons from centipedes, snakes, and scorpions
If se deem to bite me!

149-157
May ailments such as sprains, strains, migraine, rheumatism, diseases due to excessive bile, fits, stomach ailments, lethargy, skin diseases, aches and pains, toothaches, and various or ailments of undefinable source, cease by Your Grace!

158-161
Grant me, O Lord, good relationship with all fourteen worlds!
May both men and women be pleased with me!
May ruling Soverign be pleased with me, I who ore thy great name!

162-171
You who originated from waters of Saravana!
O Lord of Vel, who is enshrined in brightness, whose holy feet are orned with melodious 'Silambu' (anklets)!
Muruha, you sever cords of Samsaric birth!
Nephew of Vishnu and Lakshmi, who helped Devas to protect city of Amarapathi!
Lord Kantha, Lord Guha, O Lord of brilliant Vel, who was nurtured by Karthigai maidens!
Lord Skanda, who wears garland of Kamba flowers!
O Lord, you with your sweet Vel destroyed Kamba and Idumban!
O Lord of Thiruthani, Son of Siva!
O Lord of Kathirgamam, weilder of brilliant Vel!

172-175
O youthful Lord who abodes in Palani!
O Lord of Thiruvavinangkudi, dweller of lovely Vel!
O Lord of Thiruchendur, who is ored as Sengalvaraya!
O Lord of Samarapuri, also kwn as Shanmuga!

176-191
For as long as beautiful Saraswati, who has dark tresses, guards my tongue, I shall sing thy name.
O Lord and Far, I sang and danced, I danced and I sang in ecstasy.
I searched and longed for You from Tiruvavinankudi, that I might, with love, use this Vibuthi which is your Prasam.
That I might, with your grace, break off from bonds of Maya and attachment and attain bliss at thy lotus feet.
Bless me, O Lord Velayuthan, with love, that I might be showered with plenty and live graciously!
Hallowed be Rider of peacock!
Hallowed be sharp Vel in His hands!
Hallowed be He who dwells in hilly abodes!
Hallowed be He with Valli!
Hallowed be He who has Cockrel as emblem on his flag!

192
Hallowed be He and may my poverty cease.

193-199
O Lord, whatever my shortcomings or failures, You as my Far and Guru, forgive me for m and bear with me!
Valli is but Mor, thus as parents, look upon me as your child, be pleased with me and shower me with Your love and blessings!

200-220
He who meditates on this Kavasam daily, both morning and evening after cleansing, and with concentration and devotion on Kavasam and its meaning, reciting thirty-six times daily and who uses Vibuthi of Lord will attain rein se benefits:

Devas of all eight directions will bless him.

 Navagrahangal (astrological planets) will be pleased and confer blessings.

He will be blessed with 'sixteen wealth's' at all times.

This Kanthar Sashti Kavasam, which is equivalent to Lord Murugan's Vel, if recited and used as a path, will confer great spiritual blessings on aspirant:

Truth, kwledge, and Mukti will shine.

Devils would t dare approach se devotees of Lord.

evil will meet ir end, while in good, feet of Murugan shall ever dance.

221-226
You who have understood my heart, of all Lakshmis, You have given new vigour to Veera Lakshmi.
With hands that killed Soorapathman, you have graced twenty-seven Devas by granting m gift of Divine Honey.
You, Lord, have ability to grant moksha (liberation from rebirth) and who as Guru Paran gave Upesha to Lord Swami Himself.
You, who resides in Temple of Palani Hills as a child, at your little holy feet I prostrate.

227-238
O Lord of Vel, You whose loving form has entered my heart and blessed me, praise be to e!
O Warlord of Devas, praise be to e!
O Lord who captivated Valli, praise be to e!
He whose form is strong and dazzling, praise be to e!
He who conquered Idumba and Kamba, praise be to e!
O Lord of Vel, who is garlanded with Vedchi flowers, praise be to e!
O King of Golden Council in Kandagiri (a hill abode of Murugan), praise be to e!
I surrender at thy lotus feet!
I surrender to e, Lord Saravanabava!
I surrender to e, Lord Shanmuga!

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