VEDA GYAN - 17

LORD AYYAPPA – THE EPITOME OF ADVAITHA

After the Krishna avathar, the people of Sanatana Dharma were taken into the grip of the Kali Yuga, resulting in the foolish debate and fight between themselves. They were into two groups.  The followers of Lord Vishnu were known as Vishnavits and those of Lord Shiva were known as Shivites.  Vishnavites were claming that Lord Vishnu is superior to Lord Shiva, and the Shivites were claiming that Lord Shiva was superior to Lord Vishnu. The ignorance and arrogance of the man created by the Lord reached so high that they were virtually killing each other on this ground.

It as at this juncture that Lord Shiva took the avathar as Jagad Guru Adi Sankaracharya, as a Philosopher and teacher, to teach the world, that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu should not be seen as a two different entity.  In order to make people understand more better, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Mohini.  Lord Ayyappa was born of Mohini as mother and Lord Shiva as father.

Kerala, which had the blessings of the avathar of Jagad Guru Adi Sankaracharya, also had this blessings of the birth of Lord Ayyappa on the banks of the river Pampa.

Lord Ayyappa is the epitome of Advaitha.  Lord is the manifestation of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in a single form.  This avathar was to give the knowledge to the world that both Hari and Hara is inseparable.  It is the unlearned people and the semi learned self styled gurus who separate the Hari and Hara.  With the life so small, the Vedas and the greatness of the Gods, so vast, who are we to judge the greatness of any God over the other?

Lord Ayyappa took the avathar as Hari Hara Suta (son of Hari and Hara).  The main temple of Lord Ayyappa is situated in the hills of Sabarimala (Sabari Hills), in the district of Pattanamtitta, in Kerala.  This is the hills where Sri Ram met Sabari.  It was the place where Sugriva resided when He was exiled by his brother Bali.  This place is called Balikeral Mala, found before reaching the abode of Sabari, the Sabaripeetam.

One has to take Vrat for 48 days before going to the temple of Lord Ayyappa.  There is no road beyond the river Pampa.  Every devotee has to trek around 5 Km in the hills.  Ladies between the age of 10 to 50 are not allowed to go to this temple.  There are many special rituals to be done before going to this temple, which is very unique in the whole of India.

The importance of this temple is that it is opened only during the two months period from around November 15 to January 15 (Makar Sankaranti).  Rest of the period, except on the first day of the Kerala Malayalam calendar and Mesh Sankaranti – Vishu, the temple is closed.

The greatest fact is that people of any religion can go this temple.  Lord Ayyappa’s main guard is Vavar Swami – a Muslim who infact came to attack the kingdom of Lord Ayyappa.  Lord Ayyappa defeated Vavar in the battle, and instead of killing him pardoned him.  Vavar realized his mistake and surrendered to Lord Ayyappa and sought His refuge.  Lord Ayyappa made Vavar his chief of guards, and made him Vavar Swami. All those devotees who go to worship Lord Ayyappa, has to worship Vavar Swami also.  The temple of Vavar is situated downstairs across the temple of Lord Ayyappa.  Thousands of Muslim devotees also throng to this temple every year.

To write about Lord Ayyappa, and the temple of Sabarimala, could take many pages.  To read about His instant answers to the prayers of His devotees, requires still many more pages. 

Lord Ayyappa is the Kali Yuga Murthi.  Worshipping Lord Ayyappa by going to the temple of Sabarimala once in a year, is a great remedy for the bad effects on their planetary transit of Sani Bagawan, in their horoscope or Chandra Chara, viz., Sade Sati (seven and half years of transit of Saturn in their 12th, 1st and 2nd houses), Kandak Sani, Ardhaashtama Sani etc.

Hari Om !!