கந்தர் சஷ்டி கவசம்

Kantha Sasti Kavasam (Tamil: கந்த சஷ்டி கவசம்) is a Hindu devotional song composed in Tamil by Devaraya Swamigal (born c. 1820), a student of Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, on Lord Muruga, the son of Lord Shiva, in Chennimalai near Erode. Kantha Sasti Kavasam was composed in the 19th century. The song has been composed in praise of the Lord, seeking to shower his grace. This is a rare and valuable treasure that helps one to be successful in day-to-day life.

In Kantha Sasti Kavasam the author prays to Lord Muruga to shower His grace. It is certain that by regular chanting of this Kavasam all the predicaments of life are resolved. People without children will enjoy fertility. Prosperity and plenty will abound. Peace will prevail at home. The devotee will enjoy every good fortune under the sun. As a warrior going to battle puts on armor to protect himself, so Kantha Sasti Kavasam helps one to be safe in day-to-day life.

Sasti is the day that Lord Muruga defeated the demon Soorapadman. When the devas could not tolerate the evil doings of this demon, they approached the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati for his assistance. He fought Soorapadman for six days, at the end of which the Lord vanquished the asura. He threw his weapon at him and split Soorapadman into two halves. One half became a peacock, which he took as his Vahana. The other became a rooster and was transformed into his banner.

The devas rejoiced—they praised the Lord and prayed to him for six days. Devotees usually narrate the Kantha Sasti Kavasam during this period. Whoever fasts and prays to Lord Muruga for the six days of Kantha Sasti is believed to receive Muruga's blessings. Those who are unable to fast all day are permitted to eat once per day during this period.

Devotees believe that regular chanting of this song causes the predicaments of life to be resolved and that chanting the full song 36 times a day brings wealth.

The song consists of a total of 244 lines, including four introductory lines known as "Kaappu," followed by a couple of meditational lines and the main song portion consisting of 238 lines known as the "Kavasam." The grammar employed in the introductory part is the Naerisai venba and that of the meditational part is the Kural venba, widely known to the Western world for its exclusive usage in Tirukkural. The "Kavasam" part follows the grammar of Nilai Mandila Aasiriyappaa.

Though several artists have sung and released recordings, the one sung by Soolamangalam Sisters Rajalakshmi and Jayalakshmi is popular and played in most places. The composition is set in Ragamaliga consisting of Abheri, Shubhapantuvarali, Kalyani, and Thodi.

The song employs Nilaimandila aasiriyappa, one of the poetic forms in the Tamil language. The armor and meditation parts of the Introduction section employ the Venpa metre and Kural venba metre, respectively.

Most of the information is collected from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanda_Shasti_Kavasam