Book Presentation

108 Names of Kumara

by Dr. K. Parvathi Kumar

The most sublime and divine aspect of Mars is concealed in the spiritual path of Subrahmanya, the Kumara. Kumara is the eternal and divine brilliance, which is ever fresh. Kumara may be envisioned when the six centers in us are brought into alignment. The worship of Kumara is seen as most auspicious.

The booklet “108 Names of Kumara” is a compilation based on the teachings given out by Master K. Parvathi Kumar as part of the Merry Life Teachings. May this effort to compile in brief the meaning corresponding to the 108 names of Sanat Kumara or Subrahmanya help the aspirants relate with greater insight and devotion to the Lord as Kumara.

Dhanishta, Visakhapatnam, India 2023

Sample:

Introduction (extract)

The worship of Shiva-Shakti, or the Male-Female principle is very commonly seen in the southern part of the Indian sub-continent. In addition, the worship of Lord Ganesha and Shanmukha (Kumara) is also very commonly observed. Sage Agastya is the Seer, who has given out this form of worship, even to the commoners.

The eternal and divine brilliance, which is ever fresh, is Kumara. The worship of Kumara is seen as the most auspicious. Kumara may be envisioned when the six centers in us are brought into alignment. For a thousand divine years, there was a deep state of oneness experienced in the blissful communion of Shiva and Shakti. The brilliance that emanated as a consequence of such divine communion is Kumara.

Kumara and Krishna are but one. They are both, the embodiments of divine brilliance. The state of complete manifestation of the principle of Kumara on the planet, is Krishna.

Kumara and Krishna are both embodiments of brilliance, of the Brahman. Such brilliance is called Brahmatejas in Sanskrit. They are the manifestation of highest state of beauty of the divine nature. While peacock is the vehicle of Kumara, Krishna holds a peacock feather on the crown. While the force aspect (Shakti) stays with Kumara as a weapon, with Krishna, it is present as the flute that he holds. They are both Subrahmanya(s). Krishna was a Brahmachari amidst many females, while the female is not drawn proximate to Kumara. There are many such correspondences that can be observed between the energy of Krishna and Kumara. The Knowers know them as One.

Kumara is the brilliance of Lord Siva and hence Siva-Kumara or the Son of the Lord. He is nourished by the Mother Parvathi and hence is also known as Parvathi Kumara. He was held by Agni and is also Agni-Kumara. The sacred Ganges also carried him. Therefore, he is also known as Gangasuta (meaning, the offspring of Mother Ganga). Kumara is also known as Karthikeya as he was nourished by the six mothers of Pleiades (Krittikas in Sanskrit). Since he was delivered on the sacred grass (darbha), he has the title 'samitanaya'. He is the six-faced one, and thus known as Shanmukha. Like this, Kumara is thus extolled through several names and his qualities are worshipped.