|| Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa ||
Hello Everyone,
In our last blog, we explored the Mandala Vritham, the 48-day spiritual discipline, and its significance. Today, as a prequel to that, let’s unravel the story of Swami Ayyappa. Many of us are familiar with his name, but how well do we truly know the essence of Lord Ayyappa? The divinity of Lord Ayyappa is such that, while we know him, we don’t fully grasp his mysteries. Let’s embark on this spiritual journey to understand him better.
The story begins in Pandalam, a town nestled along the banks of the holy Pampa River in Kerala. King Rajashekara Pandyan, a devout follower of both Vishnu and Shiva, ruled the Pandalam dynasty. Though his reign was peaceful, his heart carried the sorrow of having no children.
One day, while hunting near the Pampa River, the king heard the cry of a baby. Upon searching, he discovered an infant with a shining gem tied around its neck. Some legends say that it was the brilliance of the gem that attracted the king.
Confused and unsure of what to do with the child, King Rajashekara turned to his beloved deities for guidance. In a divine moment, Shiva appeared before him in the form of an ascetic and spoke: “Rajan, do not worry. This child is a blessing from Hari and Hara. Take him home; he will bring joy and fulfillment to your life.”
With peace in his heart, the king brought the child home, naming him “Manikanta” after the gem (Mani) around his neck. The ascetic also warned the king, “This child is no ordinary being. His birth has a divine purpose. His mission will unfold in the future.”
Manikanta grew up in the palace and was loved by all. The queen, too, later gave birth to another son. Manikanta was sent to a gurukul to complete his education, and upon returning, the king, filled with joy, announced that Manikanta would be crowned as the next ruler. Preparations for the coronation began.
However, the chief minister, feeling threatened, conspired with the queen. He convinced her that her own son would be sidelined if Manikanta ascended the throne. The queen, initially reluctant, was persuaded when the minister played on her fears.
On the day of the coronation, the queen feigned a severe stomach ache. The royal physician declared that only the milk of a tigress, given willingly, could cure her condition. King Rajashekara, at a loss, wondered how anyone could bring such milk from a tigress who would voluntarily provide it.
At this moment of despair, Manikanta stepped forward, determined to complete this impossible task. He ventured into the forest, and as he entered, the gods and goddesses appeared before him, reminding him of his divine mission. He was to vanquish Mahishi, a demonic buffalo with a boon from Brahma that made her invincible. Mahishi had wreaked havoc in all three worlds, tormenting sages and disrupting the peace of the universe. The sages, gods, and goddesses prayed for divine intervention, and Vishnu, in the form of Mohini, united with Shiva. From their union emerged Shaastha (Ayyappa), the child who would bring balance to the universe.
Ayyappa, realizing his mission, confronted Mahishi and defeated her. The place where her body fell is known as Erumeli (Erumal in Malayalam means buffalo). From Mahishi’s body emerged a nymph who wished to marry Ayyappa. However, as Ayyappa was an eternal celibate (Naishkik Brahmachari), he declined her offer, promising that if there were ever a year during the Makaravilakku festival when no first-time pilgrims (Kanni Ayyappas) came to his temple, he would marry her. He also granted her a shrine in Sabarimala, where she is worshipped as Maaligapurathamma.
Ayyappa’s divine form is closely linked with the deity Shaastha, and in some regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Shaastha is depicted with two wives, Poorna and Pushkala, symbolizing completeness and balance. In some temples, he is seen alongside Prabha, his consort, and Satyaka, his son. However, in the Sabarimala tradition, Ayyappa remains a celibate, dedicated to penance and spiritual purity.
After Mahishi’s defeat, Ayyappa, accompanied by the gods disguised as tigresses, returned to Pandalam. The king, recalling the sage’s prophecy, bowed to Ayyappa, and the queen, realizing her mistake, sought forgiveness. She requested Ayyappa to rule, but Ayyappa, ever detached, declined, saying, “My mission is complete. I seek not the throne, but the union with the Divine. I will renounce material pleasures and enter the forest for penance.”
The king, deeply moved by Ayyappa’s devotion, pleaded with him to stay. In response, Ayyappa promised, “Every year on Makara Sankramana, I will emerge from my penance. On that day, I will adorn myself with jewels from your palace and reign as the king.” This tradition is known as the Thiruvabharana Yatra, where the royal family sends jewels to Sabarimala for Ayyappa’s worship.
Ayyappa instructed the king to build a shrine at the place where his arrow would land. The shrine would be consecrated by Parashurama, and pilgrims would have to climb 18 sacred steps (Pathinettampadi) to reach his idol. These 18 steps represent the trials of life and the path to spiritual enlightenment. The shrine was built at Sabarimala, in the midst of 18 holy hills.
Ayyappa, as the Kaliyugavarada (protector of the Kali Yuga), continues his penance in Sabarimala. He is not just a deity but a symbol of love, discipline, and spirituality. Through his stories, I have learned invaluable lessons, one of them being the importance of self-control. These lessons are the reason I call him my Gurunatha.
Want to know more about the teachings of Lord Ayyappa and how they shaped my spiritual journey? Stay tuned for the next blog!
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|| Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa ||
|| Sarvam Shree Krishnarpamasthu ||
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