Kartikeya Chalisa (Skanda)
श्री कार्तिकेय स्कन्द चालीसा
Forty-verse hymn to the six-headed twelve-armed commander born from the seed of Shiva carried by Agni to the Krittika nakshatra (hence Kartikeya, son of the Krittikas). The chalisa retells his slaying of the asura Tarakasura who could only be killed by a seven-day-old child of Shiva, his peacock vahana (gifted by defeated asura Surapadma), and his vow to remain a celibate warrior — distinguishing him from his married elder brother Ganesha.
Significance
In north India Kartikeya is unusually invoked only by men — north Indian wives traditionally do not visit his temples as he chose celibacy. In south India as Murugan and Subramanya he is the principal Tamil deity, married to Valli and Devasena. The chalisa is the bridge text recited in both traditions. Pehowa is the only major north Indian Kartikeya temple; the chalisa is recited there each Tuesday by army aspirants from Haryana and Punjab.
When recited: Kartik Purnima, Skanda Sashthi (the six-day Shukla Sashthi after Diwali), every Tuesday by men seeking valor, before military service or police recruitment, before any expedition requiring physical courage
Benefits
- Grants valor, military prowess and victory in combat
- Aids recruitment to defence forces, paramilitary and police
- Removes obstacles created by the malefic Mars (Mangal Dosha) for men
- Confers the discipline of the celibate warrior — useful for athletes
- Said to grant a divine son when recited by a couple for 41 Tuesdays before conception
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Kartikeya Chalisa (Skanda) — the most-recited opening section.
जय जय स्कन्द कार्तिकेय, षण्मुख देव सुरसेनापति।
शिव सुत गंगा गोद में पाले, कृत्तिका षट् माता बाले।
मयूर वाहन शक्ति कर धारी, तारकासुर वध कर भारी।
द्वादश भुज षट् मुख शोभा, बल वीर्य अग्नि सम लोभा।
पेहोवा वल्ली कुमारस्वामी, सेना नायक ब्रह्म ज्ञानी।
जो पुरुष पाठ चालीसा करे, शौर्य विजय पथ निर्भर रहे।
Meaning
Victory, victory to Skanda Kartikeya, six-faced lord, commander of the deva army. Son of Shiva, nursed in the lap of Ganga, raised by the six Krittika mothers. Riding the peacock, wielding the Shakti spear, you slew the great asura Taraka. Twelve-armed, six-faced in beauty, with strength and valor blazing like Agni. At Pehowa, with Valli, as Kumaraswamy, leader of the army and knower of Brahman. Whatever man recites this chalisa rests fearless on the path of valor and victory.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: