Thus Spake the Divine - Ayyappan

Thus Spake the Divine

Ayyappan

Lord Shiva is enamoured with Mohini (Vishnu) and Ayyappa is born! Go through the narration of Ayyappa’s birth in the magical words of Poojyasri Maha Periyava.

Paramatma, the one Supreme Brahmam, has manifested and taken the forms of Shiva and Narayan (Vishnu). In the form of Shiva, He manifests as the epitome of wisdom and as Narayan, He is engaged in protecting the world. Though tasks related to these forms might vary, it does not mean that Shiva and Vishnu are different identities or Vishnu does not possess the power of wisdom or Shiva is not capable of carrying out the activities of protection.

Let us try and understand the distinct variations between these two forms. Being the Cosmic Guru, the First Guru, who bestows wisdom, Shiva is either sitting under the banyan tree or is on the snowy mountain. He has applied Vibhuti (sacred ash) all over His body. He has the tiger skin on His waist and is covered with Elephant skin. His dense hair is knotted over the head (jatamudi). He is sitting with absolute silence in a Jnyana Mudra (posture of wisdom with index finger touching the base of the thumb). His persona, location of residence and attire exhibit the characteristics of a Guru or Jnyani. This is the Cosmic Guru, who preaches absolute wisdom. This is the profession of a Preceptor.

Protection of the world is the prime duty of a king. That is why we adore Vishnu as an Emperor in Vaikuntha. He is dressed with silk clothing, precious gems on his chest (Kausthubam), golden Crown on his head, a flower garland of exotic fragrance and above all Lakshmi, His Consort, placed on his chest! Thus, Vishnu is the King of Kings.

Lord Shiva is very fond of bathing constantly. This is the reason why a pot of water is tied over the Shiva Linga in Shiva temples of Northern India, which keeps dripping water on the Shiva Linga. Maha Vishnu is fond of decorating himself with silk clothing and jewellery. That is why it is said, “Alankara Priyo Vishnu: Abhisheka Priyo Shiva.”

Thus, the charm of Lord Shiva soothes the mind, whereas the beauty of Vishnu enchants the onlooker and makes him dance joyously. One cannot lift his eyes from the exotic charm of Lord Vishnu. The beauty that He has absorbed in the incarnation of Sri Ram and Sri Krishna still remains in Him. With such an ocean of beauty, if He takes the avatara of Mohini (meaning “Inducer of Desire”), which is a female form, Vishnu must have looked very beautiful, enchanting the minds and hearts of onlookers.

Even Lord Shiva, who is the Cosmic Guru, is enchanted by the appearance of Mohini and her overwhelming beauty. When Lord Shiva and Mohini unite, there emerges Ayyappan with the combination of serenity of Lord Shiva and beauty and compassion of Lord Vishnu. Ayyappan is also known as Harihara Putran (Son of Hari and Haran), Sastha and Ayyanar.

Ayyan means ‘Most Reverent”. Who could be more reverent than the one who is born out of Shiva and Vishnu? Both wisdom (aspect of Lord Shiva) and benevolence (Lord Vishnu) are the pre- requisites for our salvation. Both these qualities have descended on Ayyappan from Shiva and Vishnu. Though Pilliar and Kumaran, are addressed as Lord Shiva’s children, the third child Ayyappan alone is mentioned as “Ayyanar” to signify reverence.

Sastha is known as Saththan in Tamil. The main deity in many of the temples in Sathanur is Ayyappan. In Tamil Nadu, there is an Ayyanar temple in almost all villages. He is worshipped as Village Guard (Grama Devata). Ayyappan is guarding us. He protects us from black magic. More than these, he has acquired the power from Narayan to protect our lives and the power from Shiva to liberate us from worldly ties. In Kerala, Ayyappan worship is very popular. In independent India, the prominence of Ayyappan is growing by the day. On one hand atheism is growing to a great extent using Freedom of Expression guaranteed under the Constitution. On the other hand devotees of Ayyappan are growing by leaps and bounds. Ayyappan who is seated in Sabari Mala in Kerala is slowly expanding His presence in Tamil Nadu and other states. Worship of Ayyappan has emerged as the medication for eradication of atheism.

Let us seek His blessings!

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.