Six Faces of Murugan

Lord Muruga is also known as Arumugam meaning 6 faces, through which he has the ability to see towards East, West, North, South, Sky and Earth. The 6 faces are made up of the 5 faces of Lord Shiva ( Panchavaktra Shiva) plus the Face of Goddess Uma Devi. The 6th face can only be seen by the learned. This is symbolic of the 5 senses that lead to the 6th sense which is represented by ‘Atho mugam‘.

Lord Shiva, the 5 faces, blesses people with the goodness of the other world while Goddess Parvati, the 6th face, blesses people with the goodness of this world. Lord Muruga in this form blesses people with the comforts of both the worlds. He is the God of Nature, as He directs Nature. He protects all living creatures in it.

Nakkirar in his Tirumurugatruppadai (A classic book of the Sangam Age) describes the following :

1) the first face of Murugan removes ignorance and spiritual darkness engulfing the world
2) the second face of Murugan boons on devotees who follow dharma,
3) the third face protects and watches the pujas and offerings of devotees and blesses those devotees offering it with a pure mind,
4) the fourth face of Murugan helps those in search of self realization and helps those investigating the truth of Pranavam or Om.
5) the fifth face annhilates those who practice Adharma
6) the sixth face of Murugan glances with love towards the face of his wives

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