Kandhar Alangaram - The Divine Spell (12) : The Victorious Rooster

 

Padaipatta Velavanpaal vandha vaagaip padhaagai ennum

Thadaipatta seval siragadikkollach saladhi kizhinthu

Udaipattadhu anda kadaagam uthirndhadhu udubadalam

Idaipatta kundramum Maameru verppum idipattave.

The Lord Murugan, the Mahasena who possesses a mighty army, holds in His hands the Vel and the rooster banner, the symbol of victory. When that rooster beats its wings, the ocean is torn apart, the shell that covers this universe is broken, the stars are thrown into confusion, and Mount Meru and all the other mountains crumble.

Thus, in this verse, Arunagirinathar speaks of the immense power of the Lord’s rooster banner.

Lord Murugan is the embodiment of six perfect divine qualities—wisdom, power, strength, valor, radiance, and prosperity. The heart of the Lord is pure and perfect, filled with purity, peace, generosity, humility, serenity, love, compassion, and clarity, completely free from all attachments.

Whom did Lord Murugan truly destroy? Was it beings with bodies of flesh and blood? No. What the Lord destroyed were the enemies that had taken root within their minds—desire, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and jealousy.

Kama is desire. Desire is natural to human beings. But it should never become a desire that causes suffering to others, creates obstacles for others, or goes against righteousness. Purity of mind is the weapon that destroys kama.

Krodha is uncontrollable anger and hatred. A mind filled with anger does not allow peace to arise within it.

Lobha is greed—the desire that goes beyond ordinary wants. Generosity is what destroys lobha.

Moha is intense attachment. It prevents the mind from recognizing what is righteous. At times, it can even turn aggressive. A clear mind, free from attachment, is the enemy of moha.

Mada is the intense arrogance of the ego—the obsession with “I.” It is such a dangerous affliction that even when one knows what is right, it can prevent one from doing it. Humility is the medicine that can remove it.

Matsarya is jealousy. It can be considered the mother of the other five enemies. Love and the generosity to rejoice in the happiness of others are its opposite.

Jealousy arises when we see the blessings and advantages possessed by others. That feeling of jealousy gives rise to desire. Desire becomes greed, and when that greed remains unfulfilled, it can turn into obsessive attachment. That attachment can become anger, and anger can eventually lead to arrogance.

When these six enemies are born and allowed to grow within the heart, how can one possibly become surrendered to the Lord?

On the final day of the battle, Suran had lost everything—his army, his brothers, and his weapons. Yet he had not lost these six inner enemies. He therefore stood in the form of a great tree.

The all-powerful Lord split that tree into two with His Vel. At that very moment, those six enemies within Suran were destroyed as well.

It was the Lord’s compassion that transformed him into the peacock and the rooster.

Why does the rooster remain upon the banner? Because it represents the enemy that once stood in the way of reaching the Lord—the hostility and inner darkness that had to be destroyed before surrender became possible.

The rooster is a symbol of light that destroys darkness. It is also a symbol of the victory of the Vel.

The Lord holds that mighty rooster banner in His hands so that it may destroy the enemies that have surrounded and imprisoned our minds, and thereby take us into His grace.

With reverence to that victorious rooster, I conclude this reflection.

Shanmugapriya K Sambathkumar