Agastya is a famous sage in Hinduism. His wife is Lopamudra. Sage Agastya is mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata, and also in some ancient Tamil texts. He is one among the seven famous rishis, and also one among the 18 Siddhars. His presence was found in ancient texts, and he possessed super natural powers through the divine grace of Lord Muruga. It is believed that he has lived for several thousands of years in this earth, and he is supposed to be still living in the Pothigai hills!
It is believed that he is the author of Sri Skanda Velashtakam, a wonderful devotional poem written in praise of Lord Muruga’s Vel (Divine Spear).
The Divine weapon “SPEAR” also known as “VEL” in Tamil, contains the powers equivalent to Lord Muruga, and that’s why, in some of the temples of Lord Muruga, the divine spear is installed in the main shrine, in place of the idol of Lord Muruga, and holy bath, flower decorations and puja would be done to that divine spear, by considering it to be Lord Muruga itself!
Some of the excerpts from Sri Skanda Velashtakam are as follows:-
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, Please give your full support to us, you are the chief among the divine weapons, you are created by Ma Parvati, and you are gifted by her to Lord Muruga in order to destroy the demon Surapadman. You are very powerful, compassionate and affectionate towards your devotees. Your radiance can be compared similar to millions and millions of suns, and we want to look at you again and again, due to your stunning divine beauty, and you are also the powerful aspect of Lord Muruga.
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, your extraordinary powers cannot be fully described even by Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati, and your powers cannot be imagined even by celestials like Kubera, Indra, Surya, Brahma, Chandra, Agni and Vayu,
and your name and fame is spread throughout the world through the grace of Lord Muruga.
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, you are the source of everything in the world, through your unlimited blessings, even the dreaded diseases and the sins of your devotees would be removed.
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, your extraordinary powers resembles to that of Lord Vishnu’s SRI SUDARSANA CHAKRA, Lord Shiva’s Trishool (Trident), Lord Ganesha’s Pasha and Lord Indra’s Vajrayudha!
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, you have removed the sorrows of the demi gods like Lord Devendra,
and only with your help, Lord Muruga was able to kill the dreaded demon Surapadman.
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, you are nothing but Lord Muruga himself, and you are most precious, marvellous and darling to Lord Muruga, and he would never leave you alone, since you are the part and parcel of Lord Muruga.
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga, those chant your names and Mantras like “OM SRI VELAYUDHA NAMAHA”, “OM SRI VELAVA POTRAI”, “OM SRI VELAMUDHA POTRI”, would get all sorts of prosperity in their lives, those who worship you in the temples of Murugan, would be considered as worshipping Lord Muruga itself, those who praise you by singing songs in the temples, would be entitled to taste the Holy divine nectar directly from the heaven.
Oh the wonderful VEL (Spear) instrument of Lord Muruga,
those who call you from any part of the world, would be protected by you immediately. Those who go for battles, by worshipping you, would get sure success. Those who keep you on their soul would become your most favourite devotees. Those who grant flowers to you at Murugan temples would be protected by you, those who dedicate their entire life on worshipping you, would become your true Devotees, and through your utmost grace, even the dumb would be able to speak, deaf would be able to hear, blind would be able to see, lame would be able to walk, poor would become rich, sorrows would turn into happiness, and totally, your devotees would lead a heavenly life in this earth itself.
“OM SRI SHAKTI VELAYUDHA MOORTHY NAMO NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR