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6

Shashthi

षष्ठी • Shashthi

"Sixth"

6th Tithi Nanda Kartikeya (Skanda/Murugan) Auspicious

Shashtha (six) + I (suffix) = The sixth one

Chhath Sashti Shashti
Group
Nanda
Group Meaning
Joyful
Ruling Deity
Kartikeya (Skanda/Murugan)
Nature
Auspicious
Element
Air (Vayu)
Ruling Planet
Venus
Quality
Victorious, Youthful, Energetic

Kartikeya (Skanda/Murugan)

Kartikeya is the god of war and commander of the divine army. Son of Shiva and Parvati, he represents victory, youth, and valor.

Calculation Details

Shukla Paksha 60° to 72° elongation of Moon from Sun
Krishna Paksha 240° to 252° elongation of Moon from Sun
Formula Tithi = (Moon longitude - Sun longitude) / 12
Duration Approximately 19-26 hours (varies)

Shukla & Krishna Paksha

Shukla Paksha (Waxing)

Sixth day of waxing moon - victory and children's welfare

Excellent for competitive activities and child-related matters

Special Days
Skanda Shashthi
Margashirsha
Major Kartikeya worship day
Sitala Shashthi
Various
Worship of Goddess Sitala for children's health

Krishna Paksha (Waning)

Sixth day of waning moon - protective energy for children

Good for children's protection and health

Special Days
Chhath Puja
Kartik
Major Sun worship festival (both Shashthi days)

Auspicious & Inauspicious Activities

Auspicious Activities

  • Coronation and assuming leadership — Kartikeya is commander of divine army
  • Meeting influential and powerful people — Victory energy supports authority
  • Starting military or competitive activities — Kartikeya is the war god
  • Sports competitions and athletic events — Victory-oriented energy
  • Children-related activities and ceremonies — Kartikeya protects children
  • Kartikeya/Murugan worship — His special tithi
  • Starting training and discipline — Kartikeya represents discipline

Inauspicious Activities

  • Long journeys in certain directions — Some traditions advise caution
  • Peaceful negotiations requiring compromise — Victory energy not suitable for compromise

Associated Festivals

Chhath Puja

Kartik Shukla

Sun worship festival; major in Bihar, UP, Jharkhand

Skanda Shashthi

Margashirsha/Kartik Shukla

Kartikeya's victory celebration

Sitala Shashthi

Various Both

Goddess Sitala worship for children

Shashthi Shraddha

Bhadrapada Krishna

Shraddha for ancestors who died on Shashthi

Spiritual Significance

Represents divine youth, victory, and the power to overcome obstacles through valor

Practices

  • Kartikeya/Murugan Puja
  • Skanda Shashthi Vrat
  • Chhath Puja (Sun worship)
  • Sitala Mata worship
Meditation Focus: Focus on victory, courage, and protecting the young

Health & Profession

Health

Focus Excellent for children's health matters
Advice Good day for pediatric treatments
Caution Worship Sitala Mata for protection from childhood diseases

Profession

Military and defense Sports and athletics Leadership and management Children's products and services Competitive businesses

All competitive and leadership activities

Remedies

  • Worship Lord Kartikeya/Murugan
  • Offer red flowers
  • Recite Skanda Shashthi Kavacham
  • Visit Murugan temples

Mantras

Kartikeya Mantra

Om Saravana Bhavaya Namah

Skanda Mantra

Om Skandaya Namah

Tithi Mantra

Om Shashthyai Namah

Classical References

Brihat Samhita Shashthi is ruled by Kartikeya; excellent for victory and children
Skanda Purana Devoted to Skanda (Kartikeya); his exploits and worship
Muhurta Chintamani Good tithi for competitive activities

Regional Variations

Bihar Chhath Puja is the biggest festival
Tamilnadu Skanda Shashthi major Murugan festival
Maharashtra Sitala Shashthi for children's protection
Bengal Jamai Shashthi - sons-in-law honored
Astronomical Note

Shashthi occurs when the Moon has moved 60-72 degrees ahead of the Sun (Shukla) or 240-252 degrees (Krishna). Moon approaching first quarter phase.