“Vel, which is the lance that Muruga carries, can erase your karma — your Money Karma, your Relationship Karma, your Health Karma, your Disease Karma.” – Dr. Pillai
Among the many sacred emblems of Lord Muruga, the Vel stands as the most radiant and transformative symbol. It represents divine light, piercing intelligence, and the fire of consciousness that destroys ignorance and burns karma.
As part of the Symbols of Muruga series, this teaching explores the Vel — its mythology, inner meaning, and its direct spiritual application as revealed by Dr. Pillai.
The Origin of the Vel: Gift of the Divine Mother
In ancient Tamil tradition, Lord Muruga is worshiped as the Son of Shiva and Parvati — the embodiment of both divine wisdom and supreme energy (Shakti).
When the balance of the universe was disturbed by the demonic brothers Surapadman, Singhamukhan, and Tarakasuran, the Devas prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. Out of His compassion, Shiva emitted six sparks of light that became six divine infants, later united by Goddess Parvati into a single being — Muruga, the six-faced warrior of light.
To empower her son to overcome the Asuras, Goddess Parvati gifted Him the Vel, the Divine Lance. It was infused with Her own Shakti and the combined power of all the gods — a weapon of light that nothing in the universe could resist.
With this Vel, Muruga destroyed the forces of darkness. When the demon Surapadman finally transformed into a mango tree, Muruga split it with His Vel and mercifully converted him into His peacock mount and rooster emblem, symbolizing the transformation of ego into divine energy.
Thus, the Vel became not just a weapon of war, but a symbol of spiritual redemption and inner victory.
Dr. Pillai on the Vel: The Radiant Fire That Erases Karma
“Here is Arunagiri talking about the Vel:
“Vinai oda vidum kadhirvel maravean — I will never forget the Vel, the lance of Muruga.” – Dr. Pillai
The great Tamil Siddha saint Arunagiri Nathar praised the Vel as Kadir Vel, the Radiant Vel that makes karma run away. “Kadhir” means light and heat — the blazing brilliance of divine energy.
Dr. Pillai explains that this light and heat from the Vel dissolve karmic imprints not only within the soul but also within the brain. When karma, the dense dark energy of past actions, comes in contact with the radiant Vel, it disintegrates.
“Once karma is diffused by the Vel, then the mindset will change. Most people have a mediocre mindset attracting only scarcity. The Vel can change that.” – Dr. Pillai
Through chanting or meditating on the Vel, one begins to rewire the mind away from limitation and towards the divine frequency of Muruga’s consciousness — clarity, precision, and victory.
The Vel as a Symbol of the Human Spine
“‘Vel’ represents the spinal column, and the head part is the brain, and it gets out of the spine and then goes out. It is bigger than the sun. This symbol does two things: it burns your karma, and it sharpens your mind.” – Dr. Pillai
In his deeper mystical teachings, Dr. Pillai reveals that the Vel is not only a celestial weapon — it is a symbol of human evolution and inner transformation.
The shaft of the Vel corresponds to the spinal column, through which divine energy (Kundalini) rises. The tip of the Vel represents the brain and consciousness expanding into infinite light.
When one visualizes the Vel as a column of golden fire ascending from the base of the spine into the sky, it activates the inner pathway of divine awakening. This practice burns karmic residues and releases unwanted future experiences encoded in one’s destiny.
“When you visualize the Vel going into the sky from your spine, it will erase your karma — the unwanted experiences that you are going to face in the future.” – Dr. Pillai
This meditation not only purifies karma but also sharpens the mind, increasing focus and intelligence by burning away ignorance and distraction.
Controlling the Mind Through the Vel
“We allow the mind a few minutes, and it will go to the garbage because it likes garbage so much… This is the challenge of humanity — how to control your thoughts.” – Dr. Pillai
Dr. Pillai explains that one of the greatest human struggles is controlling the mind. By visualizing or chanting to the Vel, the wandering mind is brought under the influence of divine light.
Each time one returns awareness to the Vel, the mind becomes less entangled with negative thoughts and karmic memories. The heat of the Vel purifies thought, replacing confusion with clarity.
Symbolic and Spiritual Dimensions of the Vel
In Muruga’s iconography and Siddha philosophy, the Vel carries layers of meaning:
Aspect Symbolic Meaning
Tip of the Vel – Divine knowledge that cuts through ignorance
Shaft – The willpower and discipline of the spiritual warrior
Base – Compassion and divine love, foundation of all victory
Radiance – The light of Parashakti that dissolves illusion
Heat – The fire of transformation that burns karma
In the Symbols of Muruga series, the Vel stands as the representation of light in motion — consciousness that penetrates matter and transforms it into spirit.
How to Worship and Meditate on the Vel
Worship of the Vel can be both devotional and meditative:
Chant the sacred verse:
Vinai oda vidum kadhirvel maravean
(“I will never forget the radiant Vel that makes karma run away.”)
Visualize the Vel rising through your spine and bursting through the crown of your head, radiating light into the universe.
Offer light (deepam) and flowers to Muruga or the Vel symbol.
Perform this practice on Tuesdays (Muruga’s day) and during Skanda Shasti or Thai Poosam, when Muruga’s energy is most accessible.
“This Lance will do it. It will erase karma, and make your mind very sharp.” – Dr. Pillai
Siddha Perspective: The Inner Vel of Consciousness
The Tamil Siddhas experienced the Vel not merely as an external object but as an inner beam of consciousness — a fire that rises within to awaken higher awareness.
For them, Muruga’s Vel is the inner fire of wisdom (Jnana Shakti) — the energy that burns ignorance and brings direct knowledge of the Divine. When invoked, it illuminates the Third Eye and connects the devotee to Muruga’s superintelligence.
Living with the Symbol of the Vel
Among Muruga’s divine symbols — the Vel, the Rooster, and the Peacock — the Vel represents the conquering light of awareness. It reminds us that victory over karma and ignorance happens within.
Every remembrance of the Vel is an act of awakening — an inner fire rising through the spine, connecting the individual to the divine.
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October 24–26 | 3 Empowerments, Sacred Theater & Rituals to Invoke Muruga, God of the Golden Age
Experience the consciousness of Muruga and the mystery of the Vel through mantra, meditation, and sacred ceremony.
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