Kartikeya and Mars Secret

Shashti Tithi Time and Sadhana Summary

In Vedic astrology Mangal is considered the karaka of blood, energy, courage, land, weapons, competition and conflict. Bhagavan Kartikeya, Skanda, Subrahmanya and Murugan are the deities of this controlled warrior power. They are called Dev सेनapati, the commander of the divine army. The Vel in his hand is not only a weapon. It symbolises one pointed intelligence that pierces ignorance, fear and adharma.

Skanda Shashti is observed on Shukla Paksha Shashti each month. In some traditions Margashirsha Shukla Shashti is considered the principal Skanda Shashti. In South India Subrahmanya Shashti and the annual Skanda Shashti hold special importance. The exact tithi and fasting day should be fixed through the local panchang.

Detail	Special information
Principal tithi	Shukla Paksha Shashti
Principal day	Tuesday or the day on which Shashti prevails at sunrise
Main deities	Bhagavan Kartikeya and Subrahmanya
Mangal connection	courage land blood and victory
Main mantra	Om Saravanabhavaya Namah
Supporting mantra	Om Skandaya Namah
Main offerings	red flowers kumkum fruit and lamp
Special symbols	Vel and peacock
Main dana	red lentils jaggery copper and red cloth
Core vrata	fruits or one sattvic meal

The first step of Shashti sadhana is sankalpa. After the morning bath wear clean cloth. Install an image or idol of Kartikeya. Remember Bhagavan Shiva and Mother Parvati with him. Light a lamp. Offer red flowers. Chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah. Keep a vrata according to capacity. Darshan and abhisheka at a Subrahmanya temple are considered especially fruitful.

This ordered outline of daily sadhana can be followed with ease at home.

• After the morning bath sit facing south or east
• Offer red flowers kumkum fruit and lamp to Bhagavan Kartikeya
• Chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah 108 times
• Recite Skanda Shashti Kavacham or a Subrahmanya stuti
• If Mangal is afflicted donate red lentils jaggery or copper
• Through the day turn anger into seva and valour into discipline

When the Commander of the Devas Gives Mangal Direction

Kartikeya is called the commander of the army of the devas. A commander is not only powerful. A commander is also master of strategy, timing, discipline and decision. Mangal gives energy. Kartikeya gives that energy a goal. Mangal is the desire for war. Skanda is the viveka of war for the protection of dharma.

When Mangal is afflicted energy can burn within. A person may become angry over small matters. Land disputes may increase. Fear of injury or accident may arise. Hastiness or harshness may enter marriage. Kartikeya sadhana turns this fire into valour.

Bhagavan Murugan holds the Vel. Its tip is sharp and straight. It tells that the power of Mangal gives auspicious fruit when the goal is clear. Scattered energy becomes dispute. Focused energy becomes victory.

The Relationship between Bhagavan Kartikeya and Mangal

Mangal is connected with the fire element and blood. It gives activity in the body. It gives decision power in matters of land and property. It gives courage to move ahead in competition. Yet Mangal can also carry impatience. Kartikeya turns that impatience into military discipline.

Bhagavan Kartikeya is also called Shanmukha the six faced one. The six faces are considered symbols of six directions, six kinds of vision and Shashti tithi. In war it is not enough to see only what lies ahead. The whole surrounding situation must be understood. In Mangal Dosha it is not enough to restrain anger. Relationship, body, land and karma must all be seen.

The peacock vehicle of Kartikeya also has deep meaning. The peacock is considered capable of defeating the serpent. The serpent is a sign of fear, hidden energy and poison. The peacock turns that poison into beauty and awareness. For this reason some traditions also connect Subrahmanya sadhana with Naga Dosha and Mangal affliction.

Understanding Mangal Dosha and Angarak Dosha

Manglik Dosha and Angarak Dosha are not the same. Manglik Dosha is considered connected with the house position of Mangal. In many traditions Mangal in the 1st, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house from Lagna, Chandra or Shukra is examined for it. The actual decision must include the strength, aspect, conjunction, Navamsha and cancellation factors of Mangal.

Angarak Dosha is generally connected with the conjunction of Mangal and Rahu. The fire of Mangal and the unsatisfied shadow of Rahu together may create intense anger, haste and uncontrolled reaction. The conjunction of Mangal and Ketu may show another form of sharp energy, accident fear or sudden severance. It should not be read through one rule alone.

Yoga	Main indication	Sadhana direction
Mangal Dosha	marriage land anger and blood	Kartikeya and Shiva upasana
Mangal Rahu conjunction	Angarak energy and agitation	Kartikeya Durga and discipline
Mangal Ketu conjunction	sudden severance and accident fear	Ganesha Kartikeya and caution
Weak Mangal	lack of courage and fear in decisions	Skanda mantra and physical seva
Excessively strong Mangal	anger and conflict	vrata silence and dharmic action

There is no reason to become afraid on seeing Mangal Dosha in a chart. Benefic aspect of Guru, own sign or exalted Mangal, a partner with a similar condition and other cancellation factors may reduce the effect. Decisions about marriage or property should not be taken by seeing one dosha alone.

Krittika Nakshatra and the Tejas of Murugan

Krittika Nakshatra is connected with fire and purification. The name Kartikeya is linked with the mothers called Krittika. Six Krittika mothers raised the child Skanda. For this reason he is called Shanmukha. One meaning of the katha is that many powers of life join one focused consciousness and become a commander.

The fire of Krittika does not only burn. It separates impurity. This is what is needed in Mangal sadhana. Understanding the difference between anger and courage. The difference between revenge and justice. The difference between authority and responsibility.

For those whose Mangal is placed in Krittika, Mrigashira or Chitra, Kartikeya upasana may be done with special feeling. Yet the result is not decided by nakshatra alone. Sign, house, Navamsha and dasha must also be considered.

The Spiritual Importance of Shashti Tithi

Shashti tithi is held sacred to Bhagavan Kartikeya. The number six indicates his six faces and six directions. In Shashti sadhana a person may practise observing six main weaknesses within. Anger, laziness, fear, falsehood, greed and pride.

Vrata does not mean punishing the body. Vrata means giving direction to desire. Fruits or one sattvic meal may be taken. The vrata should be modified according to health. A sick person, pregnant woman, elderly person or a person taking medicine should not keep a severe fast.

The simple method of Shashti puja is as follows.

• After the morning bath take a sankalpa for the vrata
• Install Kartikeya on a clean platform
• Remember Shiva Parvati and Ganesha
• Perform abhisheka with water or panchamrit
• Offer red flowers kumkum and fruit
• Chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah
• Recite Subrahmanya stuti or Skanda Shashti Kavacham
• Perform aarti in the evening and take sattvic prasad

In the South Indian tradition special abhisheka, Vel puja and Kavacham recitation are performed in Murugan temples during Skanda Shashti. A simple home puja may also be performed with shraddha.

Senapati Yoga and Victory in Career

The worship of Mangal and Kartikeya is considered inspiring for those working in the army, police, defence, sports, engineering, surgery, land, construction and administration. Senapati Yoga does not mean only a military post. It means the ability to lead, decide and carry responsibility in difficult situations.

If Mangal is connected with the 10th, 6th or 11th house and receives benefic strength, success in competition, service, technical work or leadership may be possible. Kartikeya upasana reminds the person that discipline comes before position.

The practical form of Kartikeya sadhana in the workplace is as follows.

• Begin the day with a clear goal
• Give priority to difficult work
• Do not decide in anger
• Exercise regularly to keep the body healthy
• Follow rules in competition
• Respect the team and guru after success

Land Gain and Property Disputes

Mangal is the karaka of land. Therefore the strength of Mangal is connected with property, construction, agriculture and immovable wealth. Afflicted Mangal may bring land dispute, quarrel with neighbours, documentary problems or delay in construction. The tradition of worshipping Kartikeya through land and commander energy developed for this reason.

In a property problem mantra alone is not enough. Document checking, demarcation, legal advice and calm dialogue are necessary. Puja gives patience. Law protects rights. Both should move together.

On Tuesday or Shashti red lentils, jaggery, copper vessels or red cloth may be donated. Take a resolve not to increase unnecessary disputes over land. Do not exploit a weaker party. This is giving Mangal a dharmic direction.

Blood and Physical Energy Balance

Mangal is regarded as connected with blood, muscles, courage and physical activity. When Mangal is afflicted fear of injury, blood pressure, swelling, accident or blood related problems may be experienced. Medical examination is necessary in these conditions. Kartikeya sadhana may give mental courage. It is not a substitute for medical care.

Treat the body as a temple during sadhana. Regular exercise, balanced food, sufficient water and sleep give Mangal a healthy direction. Turn anger into breath practice and physical work. Blood donation may be a higher form of seva for an eligible person. Such action should be done according to medical rules.

The power of Kartikeya prepares the body not for war but for dharmic action. This is the pure form of blood energy.

What to Do and What to Avoid

Clear limits help Kartikeya and Mangal sadhana.

Do	Do not
Keep vrata and Skanda puja on Shashti	severe fasting against health
Chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah	treat mantra only as a weapon for victory
Donate red lentils jaggery and copper	display dana with pride
Exercise and keep discipline	violence in anger
Check land documents	sign agreements without reading
Take medical and legal advice	treat every problem only as planetary dosha

Moonga is considered the gemstone of Mangal. It should be worn only after examining the house position, ownership, dasha and planetary relationships of Mangal. If Mangal is already fierce a gem may increase its intensity. Qualified astrological advice is necessary.

The True Meaning of Courage and Victory

Victory through Kartikeya grace does not mean only defeating an enemy. True victory is control over anger, decision amid fear, justice in land dispute and following rules in competition. When the tejas of Mangal comes under dharma it becomes Senapati Yoga.

Murugan bhakti teaches that the purpose of power is not to suppress others. The purpose of power is to protect the weak and establish truth. For this reason in South Indian tradition the Vel is considered a weapon of knowledge.

The greatest fruit is that a person becomes the master of energy. One turns haste into patience. One turns anger into courage. One turns conflict into seva. This is the higher form of Mangal.

The Discipline That Remains in Life

When Shashti tithi ends do not limit Kartikeya sadhana to the temple. Examine facts before deciding. Remain humble after receiving power. Keep justice in land and relationships. Respect the body. Do not frighten a weak person.

Mangal is energy. Kartikeya is direction. Mangal is the power of war. Skanda is the viveka of protecting dharma. When energy comes under direction courage becomes victory. In this balance the grace of the commander of the devas is experienced.

FAQ

When is Skanda Shashti observed

Skanda Shashti is observed on Shukla Paksha Shashti every month. Check the local panchang for the principal tithi and worship day. Subrahmanya Shashti and annual Skanda Shashti hold special importance in South India.

How should Kartikeya puja be done for Mangal Dosha

On Shashti take a bath and make a vrata sankalpa. Offer red flowers, kumkum, fruit and lamp to Kartikeya. Chant Om Saravanabhavaya Namah 108 times and recite Skanda Shashti Kavacham.

What is Angarak Dosha

Angarak Dosha is generally connected with the conjunction of Mangal and Rahu. It may increase anger, haste and uncontrolled reaction. The complete chart should be examined before a conclusion.

Does Kartikeya worship give victory in property disputes

Kartikeya worship may give courage, patience and decision power. Document checking, demarcation and legal advice are also necessary in property disputes.

Is Skanda sadhana sufficient for a Mangal related illness

Skanda sadhana may give mental courage and discipline. Blood or physical illness requires medical examination and treatment. Worship should not be treated as a substitute for medical care.