Om Saravana Bhava!

When we visualize Lord Murugan, we invariably see Him holding the majestic, shining Vel (Spear). For a casual observer, it may look like a weapon of war. But for a devotee, the Vel is much more than a tool of destruction—it is the ultimate symbol of Jnana Shakti (The Power of Wisdom).

At the Texas Murugan Temple, the Vel is worshipped with as much reverence as the Lord Himself. But what does this divine instrument truly represent?

A Gift of Divine Power

The Vel was not forged by ordinary smiths. According to the Kanda Puranam, it was given to Murugan by his mother, Goddess Parvati (Parasakti), before his battle with the demon Soorapadman. This signifies that the Vel embodies the energy and power of the Divine Mother. It represents the convergence of Shiva (Pure Consciousness) and Shakti (Pure Energy).

The Anatomy of Wisdom

The shape of the Vel is not arbitrary; it is a profound psychological and spiritual diagram. Every part of the Vel corresponds to an aspect of human knowledge:

• The Sharp Tip: Represents Sharp Intellect (Koormathi). It signifies that our focus must be singular and piercing to understand the ultimate truth.
• The Broad Blade: Represents the Breadth of Knowledge (Visalamana Arivu). True wisdom is not narrow; it is vast, encompassing, and tolerant.
• The Long Stem: Represents the Depth of Knowledge. It signifies that wisdom must be deep-rooted, connecting the intellect to the foundation of the soul.

Thus, the Vel teaches us that for success in life, our knowledge must be Sharp, Broad, and Deep.

Piercing the Veil of Maya

In the battlefield of life, our true enemies are not people, but our internal demons: Ego (Ahankara), Karma (Fate), and Maya (Illusion). The demon Soorapadman represents the stubborn ego that refuses to yield.

When Lord Murugan threw the Vel at Soorapadman, He did not kill the demon. Instead, the Vel pierced the demon’s ignorance, splitting him into two. The demon was transformed into a Peacock (to serve as the Lord’s vehicle) and a Rooster (to serve on the Lord’s flag). This teaches us a beautiful lesson: The Divine Vel does not destroy the sinner; it destroys the sin and transforms the soul.

Worshipping the Vel at Austin Temple

Chanting “Vetri Vel, Veera Vel” invokes the victory of wisdom over ignorance in our daily lives. At the Austin Murugan Temple, we perform special Vel Archana to invoke clarity of mind and protection from negativity.

We invite you to visit the temple and meditate upon the form of the Vel. Let it pierce through your confusion and fear, leaving behind only the pure light of wisdom.

Vetri Vel Muruganukku… Haro Hara!