Deivathin Kural Series - 128

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 128 of 02 Jan 2007.
1. To-day's title is 'Ayyappan', occuring in pages 565 to 567, in Volume 1 of Deivathin Kural, Tamil version, published by Vanady Padippagam, Chennai.
2. The one Paramatma, takes the form of Siva and Narayana. As Siva He is Gnanamoorthy. As Narayana, he nourishes and protects the world. By saying this, we are not differentiating and saying that they are different entities. Neither does it mean that, Narayana is any less in Gnana or that Siva has no organizational power. This division of work is purely for our understanding.
3. Siva is sitting either under the banyan tree or on a snow covered mountain peak. His whole body is smeared with ashes from the cremation grounds. He is wearing the Tiger skin at the hip and His body is covered by the skin of the Elephant. In his head, his hair is matted and rolled in to a pyramid. His form, decoration and residence, are appropriate for a Gnani. His hand is holding the 'Gnana Mudra'. He and the surrounding areas are immersed in the silence of 'Atma Dhyana'. He is the Original Guru, who instructs in 'Atma Gnana'. He himself is the truth of 'Atma Swaroopa'. His is the job of a Gnani, to impart Atma Gnana.
4. To protect the world is the job of a King. So we think of Narayana as the Emperor of Sri Vaikundam. He is wearing yellow silk, Kousthuba Jewels in the chest, garland made of exotic flowers, golden crown with inlaid gems, ear studs. His effulgence is further enhanced, by his wearing the very Mahalakshmi, his consort, on his chest, as a King of Kings.
5. Like the Rishis who give special attention to cleanliness, Siva is fond of bathing. That is why, all over North India, wherever there is a Siva Ling, they hang a 'dhara pathram', over his head, from which, water keeps dripping. Maha Vishnu on the other hand is fond of decorations. So, we decorate Him with gold and silk. That is why it is said,
"Alankarap priyo Vishnu :
Abhishekap priyo Siva :"
6. Easwara's beauty has the pacifying effect on the observer. Sriman Narayana's has the attractive intoxicating effect of, 'vaseekaram'. Both as Sri Rama and Sri Krishna, he had this magnetic pull of universal attraction. When He took the form of Mohini, it is but natural that in the female form, of Maha Vishnu, must have been very very beautiful and thrilling the onlooker's mind and heart! That name 'Mohinee', itself means 'inducing desire'. Lord Parmeswara's heart, which is normally very calm and cool, could become enamoured of the 'Mohinee Rupa' of Narayana, say the Puranas.
7. (This is not to be considered to be a crude union of two males. Remember that, we are not to think of such infinities of power, as confined to the limitations of the human form.) The loving beauty of Narayana and the peace and quietitude of Siva, combined to form another infinity of power and glory and light, That became 'Ayyappa'. This 'Ayyappa', is called, Saasta or Ayyanar and Harihara Putran.
8. Ayyan is derived from, 'Arya'. Arya means respectable. A child born of a combination of the supreme powers of Vishnu and Siva, has to be respectable! Who else can be more so? The Siva part is Awareness of Gnana and Tapas; the Maha Vishnu part is Love, Beauty and Compassion. In Hari-Hara-Putra, all these qualities have fruitioned in to one. That is why possibly, Siva's two earlier sons are called lovingly as Pillayar and Kumaran; both indicative of children! But in the case of Saasta, He gets the respectable Ayyar. Arya became Ayyar, like Mudaliyar and Chettiyar. Ayyan gets the respectable Ayyanar. Point to note here. Normally, in Tamil Nadu, the Ayyanar Temples are located outside the villages, without a roof, exposed to Sun and rain. In these temples, there is no daily pooja rituals by priests, by the name of 'Ayyar'. The God himself is referred as 'Ayyar or Ayyanar'. This itself is an indicator that all casteism and class differences, being talked about now-a-days, was not much bothered with in earlier times.
9. In Sabari Hills, a place is known as, 'Ariyankavu', Arya's forest! Though there are many Temples for many Gods, other than Saasta, no other Gods are referred as, 'Ayyar or Aryan'. Saasta is Saththan in Tamil. In almost all the 'Saththanur' named towns / villages, the presiding deity is Ayyappan. In Tamil Nadu, in every village, He is the Village Deity or what is called 'Grama Devatai'. In Kerala, worship of Ayyappa has spread in a different way and not as the Grama Devata.
10. He is a protector. He protects us from evil forces. From Sriman Narayana, He has the power to protect and nourish. From Siva, He has the power to give us Gnana. In the modern times, in Independent India, when Agnostic views are being publicised with much fanfare; it is being countered by Ayyappa Bakthi, which is growing with ever increasing vigour, every year.
11. Ayyappa who is having Sabari Malai as His Head Quarters, is making inroads into every South Indian State and expanding His domain. This is a very encouraging sign. Devotion to Ayyappa, is very effective against all Agnostic propoganda. If we also seek His blessing and live deservingly, I am sure that, this country and in turn the whole world will benefit.
Sambhomahadeva.