Lord of Five Hills

Sabarigiri vasa 

Ayyappa is popularly known as sabarigiri vasa, meaning the lord of sabarigiri who stays on sabarigiri. Just like lord venkateswara, who is called as lord of seven hills, ayyappa is known as lord of five hills.  There is a reason which needs to be understood why ayyappa is known as lord of five hills. Also he is popularily known as boothanatha. One needs to understand why he is known as boothanatha.

When proceeding to Sabarimala, after climbing the eighteen sacred steps of the shrine and step in to the front yard of the temple, what greets everyone  first is the huge inscription in Sanskrit and Malayalam “THATH THVAM ASI”, one of the four Mahaa-vaakyas, the great sayings, of the Vedas that reminds you: “Your are essentially That – the Supreme Reality”.

In realising this maha vakya, the major hurdle one faces is the ego. There are basic six internal enemies (Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya) inside us, which we need to conquer to be victorious in the path to realise the self. Apart from these basic six enemies, we have another major enemy within us known as ego, which is a major hurdle and very difficult to conquer. There are various methods suggested to weaken the ego. The deeksha had been designed in such a way that we can weaken the ego and conquer our mind and by the grace of ayyappa become victorious in path of knowing the self.

Abstinence is one of the ways to weaken Ego

 They are

1. Abstinence of food (fasting) for small period of time. - Earth Element.

2. Abstinence of food without taste -salt-less, sweet-less, avoiding meat-foods or any favorite food  - water element.

3. Abstinence from  Sex - Fire element

4. Abstinence from an addictive ( favorite or sensually entertaining ) activity - Air element

5. Abstinence from talking- Silence -Space element.

All these five elements are observed in Sabarimala which makes this a wonderful pilgrimage to purify the body and the mind. The power of Abstinence if not clearly  understood, will give an impression that pilgrimage is a meaningless torture of the body and mind.

The five elements or Pancha Bhootas

The Boothanaathopaakhyaanam is the main Puraana related to Dharma Saastha or Ayyappa. Dharma Sastha is also known as Boothanaatha, because from Him-the supreme Reality – evolved the Pancha bhootas, the five elements, or the five phases of evolution from the subtlest to the grossest, as Aakaasa (the physical space), Vaayu (the gaseious stage), Agni (the fiery stage, or the stage of chemical combination), Apa (the stage of liquidity) and Prithvi (the stage of solidity).

Through the five abstinence practices one can transcend the Ego and realize the Consciousness the uncaused cause of all manifestations. Only through the purification of the body, mind and Ego , can one attain Self-realization. This is indicated by the 18 steps of Sabarimala. The 18 steps are considered to be the 18 things which we need to conquered to realise the self/ayyappa. 

We can consider it in this way also, that each year we conquer one quality or submit one quality at the feet of lord by taking mandala deeksha and doing sabari yatra. To identify that a person has conquered all his 18 qualities which were a hurdle in his self realisation, he will plant a coconut tree at sabari mala in his 18th year deeksha. If a person had really submitted a quality at the feet of the lord or conquered the quality which was acting as an hurdle in his self-realization, his life is a transformed life and he is a tool in the hands of the lord, and he doesnt find difference between him and the lord. He will see the lord everywhere and he will not have any differences between the various forms of the lord. 

To mark the significance of this, generally we associate 18 hills with sabarimala, which are around the sabarimala and the list of the 18 hills are as given below.

The 18 Hills associated with sabarimala.

1. Ponambalam medu

2. Kundall mamala

3. Sundara mamala

4. Nagranezum mala

5. Ingiparakota

6. Karinira mamala

7. Mayiladum mamala

8. Chittambalamala

9. Sripadam mala

10.Pudhusheri mamala

11.Madangga mala

12.Kalkimaleshwara mamala

13.Nelakkal shivamala

14.Thalapara mala

15.Devar mala

16.Kalakatti mala

17.Neelimala

18.Sabariponnmala Sabarimala

Om Sri Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa

Om Sri Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa

Om Sri Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa

Kanne Swamy - ayyappa swamy deeksha

Who is a kanne swamy

Kanne Swamy - the person who is taking ayyappa swamy deeksha for the first time. He has got a special place for himself among the ayyappa devotees. Because, lord ayyappa had given word for maalikapuramma that, he will marry her the year when kanne swamy doesnt come to his sannidanam.  Kanne Swamy is the choicest one for Lord ayyappa. Ayyappa loves to be in yoga mudra from where he can save his devotees and lift them up to the state of realising the "Tattwamasi".so he preferred not to get married and the year a kanne swamy comes to his abode, he can continue to be bachelor and not get married, thus continue his work of sitting in his yoga mudra. A kanne swamy will pierce an arrow known as saram, during his sabari yatra at sarangutti as an indication that a kanne swamy had visited the sabari this year. Every year maalikapuramma is taken to this sarangutti to check if any kanne swamy had visited sabari and pierced a saram at sarangutti.

Others dimesion towards kanne swamy

As kanne swamy is the choicest of ayyappa,there are so many instances where words spoken by kanne swamy turned out to be true. So for this reason, kanne swamy should always think positively and speak positively. Guruswamy's always look for a kanne swamy in their troupe for sabari yatra. It is thought that kanne swamy in a troupe is like lord ayyappa himself accompanying them. Most people will make the kanne swamy perform the puja in their padi pujas. Even in swamy pujas, kanne swamy is considered as a special guest as if ayyappa himself is attending the puja in the form of kanne swamy.

Kanne swamy dimension

Generally a person who is taking ayyappa swamy deeksha for the first time, will not be knowing anything and he might be taking deeksha for various reasons like - he might have seen his friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues etc taking this deeksha, he might have prayed ayyappa that he will take the deeksha if some of his desire is fulfilled, he might have seen somebody transformed in their life after taking swamy deeksha,he might be having some wish which needs to be fulfilled etc. Whatever the reason may be, but it is clear and evident that one cannot take deeksha without the blessings and permission of ayyappa. The entire deeksha is bound with guru tattwa and self realisation, which is possible only with the guidance of a guru. Even ayyappa is known as guruvan guru (Guru of gurus). For the same reason, the person who gives mandala deeksha to swamy's by putting mala and taking the swamys to sabari yatra is known as guru swamy.

so it is the responsibility of a kanne swamy to know the niyamalu (rules) of the deeksha and get answered all his doubts from guru swamy and perform the deeksha with devotion and sincerity.The experience one has from his sabari yatra depends on how he had performed his deeksha. If one is sincere in his deeksha, he is bound to get transformed in his personal life in all aspects.

Om sri swamiye saranam ayyappa

Om sri swamiye saranam ayyappa

Om sri swamiye saranam ayyappa

Pampa River

The River Pampa (Southern Ganga)- The Divine River

The pampa River considered as the Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganges) due to its association with Kerala's Largest Pilgrim Centre - Sabarimala is the third longest river in the South Indian state of Kerala after Periyar and Bharathappuzha and the longest river in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore.                    

Sabarimala and Pampa

Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa is located on the banks of the river pampa. The River pampa enriches the lands of Pathanamthitta District and the Kuttanand area of Alappuzha District. Pampa originates at Pulachimalai hill in the Peerumedu plateau in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 1650 metres and flows through Ranni, Kozhenchery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Kuttanad, Karthikapally, and Ambalappuzha Taluks (approximately 176 Kms)  and finally empties into the Vembanad Lake.A famous Anjana temple is situated near this bank. This river enriches the Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha districts of Kerala state. Kuttanad, an important rice cultivating area in Kerala gets the irrigation water from the pampa river. The pampa basin is bounded on the east by the Western Ghats. The river shares its northern boundary with the Manimala River basin, while it shares the southern boundary with the Achankovil River basin.Lord Ayyappan (Sri Dharmasastha) appeared to the Pandalam Raja as a child on the banks of the pampa River.

The pampa River has been venerated as Dakshina Ganga, and devotees of Lord Ayyappan believe that immersing oneself in the pampa is equivalent to bathing in the Holy Ganges River.  Bathing in the river, believed to absolve one's sins, is a requirement before commencing the trek through the forest to the Ayyappan Temple atop Sabarimala (pampa snanam, sarva paapa vinasanam) .The Pampa water purifies one from curse and evil. Neelimala, Appachimedu, Sabareepeedam, Saramkuthi are the other divine places enroute. At Pampa also there are a few pilgrim sheds. 

If one takes bath in the pampa, he will feel the freshness and as if all his tiresome is removed and he is being rejunevated. One can experience the energy being injected into the body after taking the holy bath in pampa. After walking from Erumely to pampa, if one takes his bath in pampa, one can experience that all the body pains which had been there during the walk will just vanish like anything and one can feel that freshness and vibrant energy flowing into the body. With this rejunevated energy and the eagerness to have the darshan of lord ayyappa one will easily go ahead to sabarimala.The most auspicious part of Pampa is the Triveni Sangamam which is the right of pampa bridge.Two branches of the river merge and this point is called Triveni Sangamam.Triveni offers salvations to forefathers.It is believed that Lord Rama during his stay in the forest reached Triveni and offered tarpan to his father.Due to this devotees take a dip at Triveni sangamam often balitarpan to their forefathers as per the rituals on the sandy banks of the river.Triveni area is  known for its rich herbal wealth and flora and  may be due to its purity and medicinal wealth that augments the health of the devotees.

Responsibility of the devotees and the board

Every year, 2-2.5 crore pilgrims visit the temple town in the forests of Sabari hills. The congregation peaks in November-December and the second week of January. The past few decades have seen a huge rise in numbers. But infrastructure has not kept up with the influx, making it one of the most polluted places in Kerala. Sanitation facilities are inadequate and almost all the solid waste generated around the temple area ultimately reaches the Pampa. Travancore Devasthanam Board is trying its best to keep the sanctity of the river and provide facilities to the visiting devotees (pilgrims). Apart from the board, it is the individual responsibility of the devotees to protect the sanctity of the holy river. Devotees should take care not to pollute the river by dumping all the material into pampa. Use public toilet facilities provided by devasthanam board and not to pollute the river. Let everybody behave responsible to keep the holiness and purity of the sacred river. Previous years, Mata Amritanandamayi mutt volunteers have taken the pampa cleaning drive and removed all the dirt and waste material which had got accumulated in pampa river. But why should one spoil the sanctity of the river and why should someone volunteer to remove the waste material. What if mata amritanandamayi mutt didnt took the initiative and volunteered to clean the river. Why should devotees visiting sabarimala not behave with responsibility. Let everyone should feel that this is our country, our place. Will a devotee do the same thing in his house by dumping all the dirt and waste in his hall,bedroom, kitchen, varandah etc. In the same way, the devotee should feel that sabarimala is his fathers abode and not spoil it and try to keep it pure and clean.

Aranmula temple uthruttathi vallam kali (the snake boat race)

Apart from the pilgrims and devotees taking holy bath in pampa, pampa which is the life line of Central Travancore has also gifted keralites with a cultural gift of Snake Boats(Chundan valloms). The major snake boat races are conducted in the Pampa waters at various localities, via Ayroor, Malakkara, Chengannur, Mannar, Neeretupuram, Payipadu, Pulinkunnu and Allapuzha as well as Aranmula. The snake boat race (chundan Vallom kali) is one of the important "Traditional Game" in Kerala.One of the most important boat races is being conducted at Aranmula in the River Pampa. Aranmula Boat festival is connected to the Annual Onam Festival of Kerala. Annually about 35 Snake boats other wise called 'Palliyodams' participate in the Aranmula 'Uthruttathy Jalolswom'. The Aranmula Jalolswam is steadily and fast growing into a great international event in India. The Aranmula Boat race is the biggest domestic tourist event which attracts millions every year. This spectacular regatta has found its own place in the international tourist map and every year a large number of tourists come over to Kerala to watch this boat race."Palliyodams" are given the sanctity of a temple due to faith in the presence of the deity. "Parthasarathy" (Lord Krishna), of the holy shrine of the Aranmula Temple. Snake boat pageantry is held as a part of the anniversary celebrations of the 'Idol' installation of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple believed to have been held centuries ago on an Uthruttathy day in Chingam, 1st calendar month of Malayalam Era. This legendary festival is a great annual event of Central Travancore. It has religious, artistic and social overtones. No where else in the world would there be such an event with millions of people taking part ( one Eanam and Thalam). It has no parallel as it is commemorative of an ancient tradition rooted about 600 years in history. The Aranmula Jalolswom is steadily growing into a great international event in India and abroad. The "Discovery Television channel has beamed the beauty of the Aranmula Snake boat race all over the World.Aranmula Boat race has manifold significance.

It has contributed immensely to the communal harmony as it has become a cosmopolitan, social event, participated by people of all religions, age and creed. It attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. Unlike the sporting and competitive aspects of other boat races artistic, social and religious too aspects are given importance. PERUNTHENARUVI  (36 km from Pathanamthitta via Vachoochira)The Perunthenaruvi waterfalls on the banks of the pampa river is a favourite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists MARAMON CONVENTION 

Started in 1896, the Maramon Convention is held annually by the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association (MTEA), the missionary wing of the Mar Thoma Church. It is on the banks of the River pampa at Maramon near Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta District. Usually held in the month of February, the convention is attended by thousands from all over India, and is a centre of Christian culture and influence. The annual weeklong gathering is a great occasion for listening to evangelists and eminent exponents of the Bible from around the world. 

Missionaries of the Evangelistic Association also come and share their experiences with the believers.Maramon and Kozhencherry, on the banks of the river Pampa 7 kilometres. CONVENTION CHERUKOLPUZHA  Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha religious convention is another important annual feature on the river bed of pampa. This famous Hindu religious convention is attended by a large number of people and addressed by prominent religious scholars and cultural personalities PARUMALA

It is here that Mar Gregories Metropolitan the declared saint of Malankara Orthodox Church takes his eternal rest . The ormapperunnal celebrated on the first and second of every November, is very famous at this time a large number of people flock to this place for worship .The Travancore Devasam board has setup here a collage known as pampa college DEVASWOM BOARD PAMPA COLLEGE, PARUMALA 

Devaswom Board Pampa College, Parumala was established in 1968 to offer quality higher education to the students in and around Mannar and the nearby areas in various taluks of Aalappuzha and present Pathanamthitta districts.The college became a Centre of Post Graduate studies with the affiliation of M.Sc.Mathematics course in 1984-85 and in 1995-96, M.Sc. Physics course was started. In 1997-98 a vocational B.Sc. course was started with Botany main and B.A.English vocational was started in 1998-99, followed by M.Sc. Chemistry in 2000-01.The college was affiliated to 12(f) of University Grants Commission, paving way for high standards in education and infrastructure. CHARALKUNNU 

Charalkunnu is a picturesque hill station from where one can have a panoramic view of the low lying areas including that of the sinuous river Pumpa. There is a comfortable camp house which has both rooms and dormitories.Charalkunnu is also renowned as a religious centre for Christians, for its many Convention centers organizing holy preaching from Bible. 

This is a picturesque hill station, where the panoramic view of valleys merges with that of the sinuous river pampa. From rooms and dormitories to comfortable camp houses in dense forests, the place has everything to fulfill your accommodation facilities. KADAMMANITTA 

Kadammanitta, a village only 8 kms away from Pathanamthitta is famous for padayani,which is an important ritual art performed in the premises of the Kadamanitta .Devi Temple. This art from is an offering for the mother goddess. it is celebrated every year from the first day of Medam (Malayalam -era)to the 10th day (pathmudayam). Nearest Bus Station - Patthanamthitta Patthanamthitta to Kadammanitta - 8kms. KAKKI 

Kakki reservoir, set in sylvan background, is a 'tourists' delight. The splendid artificial lake offers exhilarating boating experience . The surrounding forest abounds in tigers, elephants, deers and monkeys.Kakki Reservoir is an artificial lake, located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. 

The lake, which was created when Kakki and Anathode dams were built, is on one of the tributaries of pampa, the Kakki tributary. The dams were built in 1966 as part of the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric project. Full reservoir level (FRL) is 981.45 meters above sea level according to  the operators of the "twin" reservoirs, the Kerala State Electricity Board.The reservoir, which is also a tourist spot, is nestled in the Pathanamthitta reserve forest, very close to the Western Ghats.  (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Ayyappa Swamy Story - Boothanaathopaakhyaanam

The Boothanaathopaakhyaanam is the main Puraana related to Dharma Saastha or Ayyappa. Dharma Sastha is also known as Boothanaatha, because from Him-the supreme Reality – evolved the Pancha bootha -s, the five elements, or the five phases of evolution from the subtlest to the grossest, as Aakaasa (the physical space), Vaayu (the gaseious stage), Aghni (the fiery stage, or the stage of chemical combination), Apa (the stage of liquidity) and Prithvi (the stage of solidity).

Brahma, Vishnu and Siva are described in the Puraanas as the three major divine aspects of  supreme Reality associated with creation, maintenance and dissolution of the universe. These Divinities, granting the prayer of a Rishi-couple Athri and Anasooya, took a partial manifestation as their son Datta. The consorts of the Divinities also thereupon took a partial manifestation as Leela, the daughter of another great Rishi. Datta eventually married Leela and after living a few years of conjugal love, he wanted to renounce the worldly life and engage in spiritual disciplines to transcend his conditioned being and to be one with his greater existence.But Leela would not agree to this. She wanted to continue the life of mundane pleasure in the company of Datta, who tried to convince her that one can never find lasting contentment in a lustful life. But Leela was adamant. An enraged Datta cursed her to be born as a Mahishi, a senseless shebuffalo to satisfy her desires. 

In course of time, Leela took birth as a bizarre creature with the head of a she-buffalo and the body of a woman. She was very powerful because of her divine origin, but very dull-witted because of her buffalo nature. She did intense penance and propitiated Lord Brahma, who granted the boons she desired for, such as that powerful creatures very much like herself would emerge out of all her hair follicles whenever she wanted and that she could not be killed except by one who was born out of a union of Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva, which was thought to be an impossibility.

Having obtained this boon, she struck terror in the heavens, the abode of Deva-s (godly beings) and drove them and their king Indra away. She placed herself on the throne of Indra as the ruler of the heavens. The oppressed Devas prayed to Brahama, Vishnu and Shiva for their intervention. Thereupon, Datta, who had emerged out of the combined power of the Trinities as their partial manifestation, now assumed, as the result of an earlier curse of Leela, the form of a handsome buffalo, the Sundara-Mahisha. Consequently Mahishi fell in love with Mahisha. They lived together for some time in the heavens and then Sundara Mahisha lured her away down to the earth to live in the forests. This gave some relief to the oppressed Devas.

It was during this period, Sage Durvaasa, who was well known for his impulsive and vitriolic temper, cursed Indra and the Devas, who had enjoyed perennial youthfulness, to be subjected to old age, as Indra had offered the sage by not showing due respect to a garland presented to him by the sage. Their heads turned grey and wrinkles appeared all over their bodies. The panacea suggested for regaining youth was the drinking of a special nectar Amritha to be obtained by the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Ksheera-saagara). The Devas prevailed upon their arch enemies the Asuras (demoniac forces) for help to perform the herculian task of churning the milky ocean using a huge mountain as the churning rod. Several novel and astonishing things emerged from the ocean when the churning progressed and in the end when a pot with the precious nectar, Amritha surfaced, it was quickly snatched away by the Asuras.

Seeing the plight of the Devas, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a beautiful enchantress called Mohini and approached the Asuras. Every one of them got infatuated with her. She asked them to close their eyes, agreeing to marry the one who would open the eyes last. While the Asuras remained closing their eyes, Mohini left the scene carrying away the pot of Amritha, which she handed over to the Devas. On seeing the enchanting form of Mohini, Lord Siva himself fell in love with her and from their union a son was born to Mohini. This was Dharma Saastha, who was destined to kill Mahishi, according to the boon given to her by Lord Brahma that only the one born from the union of Siva and Vishnu could kill her.

In several Puraanas the story of the churning of the Ocean of Milk finds a place. But only in the Bhaagavatha and the Skanda Puraana-s there is a reference to a son, who was born out of a union between Shiva and Vishnu. Skanda Puraana gives the name of the son as Saastha. The story of Saastha is elaborated further in the Boothanathopaakhyaanam.

According to this Puraana the child thus born to Siva and Vishnu was destined to kill Mahishi and he was placed by the Devas on earth on the banks of the river Pampa, where Mahishi was living along with Sundara Mahisha. During this time, Raajasekhara, the king of a small kingdom Pandalam (in south Kerala), was engaging himself in a hunting expedition. When he was moving along the banks of the river Pampa, he saw a crying child in a secluded spot. He took the child to his palace and brought him up as his foster son. The child was named “Ayyappan”/ “Ayyappa”. The child, who was named Ayyappan, grew up in the palace under the affectionate care of king Raajasekhara, who had no son of his own. The boy proved himself to be a genius and mastered the Vedas and the martial science quickly. His spiritual power was expressed when he miraculously cured his Guru’s son who was born blind, deaf and dumb. The childless king was happy that he could find a worthy heir to his throne. Then, an unexpected turn occurred. The queen became pregnant and delivered a son.

The prime minister of Pandalam disliked the idea of the king installing Ayyappa as the heir to the kingdom. For, he considered the boy to be an orphan and also a potent threat to his authority. He tried several ways to do away with Ayyappa, but failed. At last he instigated the queen to feign a severe illness and the royal physician to prescribe that the only remedy was a certain medicine to be taken along with the milk of a tiger. The brave youth Ayyappa volunteered to go to the forests to fetch the tiger’s milk. The minister was certain that the helpless boy would never return and would be killed by the beasts.

During this period, Mahishi was living in the forests forgetting everything else, engaging herself in a lustful life along with Sundara Mahisha. Meanwhile, being deceived by Vishnu in the form of Mohini, the Asuras were aghast and depressed. They rushed to Mahishi and implored her for help. They told her how she herself was enticed from the heavens by Sundara Mahisha, who was a creation of the three Divinities for that purpose. 

Meanwhile, Sundara Mahisha disappeared and rejoined the three Divinities. Realizing her folly, Mahishi became terribly furious and rushed to the heavens with thousands of creatures like herself who emerged from her hair follicles. They devastated the kingdom of Indra. It was then the boy Ayyappa reached the forests, to fetch leopard’s milk for the queen. The Devas came down and took refuge at the feet of Ayyappa, because being the son of Siva and Vishnu; he alone could destroy the terrible Mahishi. Ayyappa accompanied them to the heavens. He caught hold of Mahisi by her horns, lifted her and hurled her downwards. She fell near the river, Azutha. Lying there incapacitated, and having had the divine touch of Ayyappa, she immediately recollected her original divine nature and sang in praise of him. As the compassionate glance of Ayyappa fell on her, there emerged out of her bizarre body an extremely beautiful Goddess, now worshipped as Goddess Malikappurath-amma in Sabarimala. 

Thereafter, Ayyappa returned to the kingdom of Pandalam, riding a huge tiger and  accompanied by a host of ferocious beasts. The people were flabbergasted at this incredible sight. The king, the queen and all others realized the divinity of Ayyappa and all of them prostrated before him. Ayyappa imparted to them spiritual wisdom about the meaning and destiny of human life. The king prayed to the Lord to bless them with his everlasting spiritual presence in a temple to be dedicated to him, for showering his Grace to millions for  generations to come. That would be especially necessary in the present Iron Age (Kali Yuga ) when people would increasingly tend to be self-centred and materialistic, bringing much disharmony to life. The king implored Ayyappa to bless all by assuming himself the aspect of Kali-yuga -varada , the spiritual power that would protect the people from the evil propensities of the Iron Age and guide them in their striving for spiritual liberation. Thereupon, the lord suggested a holy spot and advised the king to construct a temple there. The Lord assured him that the temple would ever be vibrant with his Divine Presence and then He disappeared. 

Eventually the king constructed a temple in the deep forest of Sabarimala as suggested by the Lord. During the consecration of the idol there was the presence of great sages like Agasthya, Parasurama and others. It was sage Parasurama who installed the idol of Lord Ayyappa seated in the Yogic pose Veeraasanam and showing the mystic sign of Chinmudra by the right hand. This is the Puraanic version.

In this situation - how will you act

Om Sri Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa

Annadana Prabhuve Saranam Ayyappa

Scenario :

You have taken ayyappa swamy deeksha.You are located in a city like hyderabad. Assume that there was a bandh going on in the city and public transportation facilities (like buses, local trains) are not available.

It was evening time and you are on your way to sannidanam to perform your evening puja. you are driving a two wheeler motorcycle, in the turn around of a road, a person asks you lift, and you have given the lift to an elderly person. The person starts the conversation by greeting swamy, and asking how you are able to manage the bath of cold water with such cold. Then says that, he has come to hyderabad for the first time, he is a native of some other city, regarding his daughter assignment, he came to meet somebody here. He came to this location in an auto, and the address whom he has to meet which was in the purse was left out in the auto. All the money, his cards everything was there in the purse. He is a diabetic person, and didnt had anything from afternoon. He didnt had money to go to vijayawada where his daughter is studying her course. He wants to go to the railway station, and asked if swamy is going that way, can he be dropped nearby the railway station. Then there was absolute silence between both the persons till swamy dropped him.

Assume that you are in the position of the swamy who has given the lift

Questions :

a) How will you act in this situation

b) What is the right way to act in this situation

c) Do you think the person was genuine or a cheat

d) Do you think the person was the form of ayyappa swamy

e) What should be the attitude and thought process of the person taken ayyappa swamy deeksha in this scenario.


How the writer of this blog acted
The writer thought him to be a form of Swamy, took him to a hotel, offered him food, then gave him money to purchase a ticket to vijayawada and dropped him near the railway station.

After reading, how the writer acted in this scenario.

Questions :

a) Did the writer acted in a correct way.

b) Was the writer being cheated

c) After reading what the writer had done, what would you have done if you were in the same place.

d) What would be your answer if the elderly person was your father. Would you have acted in the same way.

Somebody might ask why the writer is writing all these, to show off his greatness or for any other reason. The answer is very simple, every one is having humanity inside them, someone may show it and someone may not show it. The writer wants to ignite that spark in every human being that they are human first, and they need to show humanity towards other living beings. This is the basic of taking swamy deeksha. This is the basic which is to be learnt in the swamy deeksha that every living being is a form of swamy and swamy is permeated all through this universe. If not to recognise the omnipresence of swamy, then what we are learning in the deeksha period.

Deeksha is not just for the 41 days, what all good we have learnt should be continued and implemented in our day to day life. It is the transformation which occurs from inside that should be reflected outside.

Harivaraasanam

Harivaraasanam 

Harivaraasanam Viswamohanam
Haridhadheeswaram Aaradyapaadukam
Arivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Sharanakeerthanam Sakthamaanasam
Bharanalolupam Narthanaalasam
Arunabhaasuram Bhoothanayakam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Pranayasatyakaa Prananaayakam
Pranathakalpakam Suprabhaanchitam
Pranavamandiram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Thuragavaahanam Sundaraananam
Varagadhayudham Devavarnitham
Gurukripaakaram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Thribhuvanaarchitham Devataatmakam
Thriyanam Prabhum Divyadesitham
Thridasapoojitham Chinthithapradam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Bhayabhayaavaham Bhaavukaavaham
Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam
Dhawalavaahanam Divyavaaranam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Kalamrudusmitham Sundaraananam
Kalabhakomalam Gaathramohanam
Kalabhakesari Vaajivaahanam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye

Sithajanaproyam Chinthitapradam
Srithivibhooshanam Saadhujeevanam
Sruthimanoharam Geethalaalasam
Hariharaatmajam devamaasraye.

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Another video of harivarasanam

GuruSwamy- Ayyappa Swamy Deeksha

Om Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!

Om Guruswamiye Saranam Ayyappa!

Om Guruswamiye Saranam Ayyappa!

Om Guruswamiye Saranam Ayyappa!

Om nahama śivāya gurave 

Sac-cid-ānanda-mūrtaye 

Nisprapañcaya śāntāya 

Nirālambāya tejase 

Om. Salutations to the Guru, who is Shiva! His form is being, consciousness, and bliss. He is transcendent, calm, free from all support, and luminous.

From Guru Gita- When Parvati asking Lord Shiva to initiate her to the knowledge of guru, Lord Shiva answering thus

Durlabham trishu lokesu 

tacchrnusva vadāmyaham, 

Gurum vinābrahma nānyat 

satyam satyam varānane. 

(This knowledge) is difficult to obtain in the three worlds. Listen to it. I will reveal it to you. Brahman is nothing other than the Guru. O beautiful one, this is the truth. This is the truth. 

In a word, we can say that, as God created mother, because he cant be at all places, similarly ayyappa comes in the form of guruswamy to guide the people who are taking deeksha. In a way guruswamy is the reflection of ayyappa swamy. 

Guruswamy plays a vital role in the journey of a person who is taking ayyappa swamy deeksha. He is the person who gives us the ayyappa swamy deeksha by putting the mala(rosary) known as maladharana. Guruswamy is the person who can clarify all our doubts regarding deeksha. He will explain about the story of ayyappa swamy, will check our integrity and sincerity in taking deeksha. He will guide us towards Lord Ayyappa.

Ayyappa swamy deeksha has got a special significance because, to know about ayyappa it is not possible directly. The first question arises that he is the son of hari and hara, how can a child born for two males, there itself the question ends, because we dont have an answer for this question. Then there is no further scope to study or understand or answer. But there is a lot of significance, which can be known through Guruswamy only. So this entire deeksha deals with gurutattwa and tattwamasi, the supreme reality that we are one with the lord ayyappa who is sitting in the sanctum sanatorium of sabarimala temple.

Theoritically, we are just repeating this words "Tatwamasi" which is written on sanctum sanatorium of sabarimala temple, but are we able to experience the same. So the entire journey of taking deeksha till we see swamy at sabarimala is evoked around this concept. The moment we do maladharana under the guidance of guruswamy, at every stage, guruswamy helps us out by guiding us in the deeksha- like doing puja, making us do bhajans, clarify our doubts regarding swamy, and other aspects.

The Guruswamy is usually an elderly person who has undertaken pilgrimage to sabarimala not less than seven consecutive years in the traditional long route and had darshan of makara jyothi.

Guruswamy is the person who will tie our irumudi, help us make our sabari yatra peaceful and successful. Guruswamy is the person who will show us ayyappa and make us feel the blessings of ayyappa. Without Guruswamy, one cannot take deeksha, neither perform sabari yatra. The deeksha begins with guruswamy and ends with guruswamy. It is the guruswamy who will remove the mala after deeksha and sabari yatra is completed.

During the period of deeksha, one should be able to ask proper questions to guruswamy to clarify his doubts. The questioning should be genuine to know the fact and help us in reaching our goal of knowing the supreme reality. It should not be to check the knowledge of guruswamy. We should never let the ego enter into our hearts that we know better than guruswamy, because we might have read it at some place, or on internet or watched some movie or video or known through some other discussion from some other source.  Half knowledge is more dangerous, it makes us egoistic. If ego enters our heart that we know better than guruswamy, we need to think that it is the end of our deeksha, because the main motto of taking deeksha is to merge our ego at the lotus feet of the lord and become one with the cosmic consciousness realising the supreme reality tatwamasi.

He trains and prepares us  mentally and physically to reach this goal. The deeksha and its rules have been designed in such a way that if one properly follows them as per the guidance of guruswamy, then one is bound to reach this goal, if not immediately, but over the years he will reach this goal. Because, Lord ayyappa goal is to make us realise this supreme reality and he is sitting on the sabarimala hill to bestow the same. He will come down all the way to show us the path to reach this truth in the form of Guruswamy.

We should do service to guruswamy in all possible aspects, if guruswamy is satisfied means ayyappa will be satisfied and our sabari yatra will be successful and we will be bestowed with all the blessings of ayyappa. This will help us reach our goal quickly. The earlier we are able to merge our ego at the lotus feet of the lord, the earlier we will realise the supreme reality. This is only possible with being associated with guruswamy. Thats the reason, we need to do our deeksha in the presence of guruswamy being associated with him. Service to guruswamy will easily make us merge our ego at the lotus feet of ayyappa swamy. It is the "I" which is making us lose the harmony in our life. Why we are feeling happy the moment we see lord ayyappa at sabarimala, because he is the personification of bliss(ananda).

We will be blessed with such bliss if we are able to realise the supreme reality, and for this the one and only one way is to get associated with guruswamy and the way is only guruswamy.

There are lot of benefits if one does his deeksha alongwith guruswamy in his presence and in his association. One will have a chance to do service to guruswamy, can ask questions to guruswamy and get clarifications, even if we are unable to ask,if somebody else is asking, we can listen and get clarified. Most of things can be learnt by observing guruswamy and how he is doing the puja, bhajan and any other deeksha related activities. 

Right from taking achamana, to every minute detail in the deeksha, will have significance of some sort. It is always better to know the meaning of activity and then perform that activity. So who is the authority to clarify such doubts, it is the guruswamy. 

We need to be thankful always, because he is helping us in knowing the supreme reality by the grace of lord ayyappa. What more can be said,Words are less to describe about a guruswamy. 

In conclusion, we can pray for their blessings to make ayyappa happier who in turn will bless us in realising the truth which gives us ananda (bliss).

Om saha nāvavatu 

Saha nau bhunaktu 

Saha vīryam karavavahai 

Tejasvi nāvadhītam astu 

Mā vidvishāvahai 

Om. May we, Guru and disciple, be protected together. May we enjoy the fruits of our actions together. May we achieve strength together. May our knowledge be full of light. May we never have enmity for one another. 

Om Śanti! śanti! śanti! 

Om. Peace! Peace! Peace! 

Ayyappa is considered as the guru of all gurus. And as already discussed, he blesses us in the form of guruswamy. So we need to consider our guruswamy as our guru. Guru Gita extensively discuss about the greatness of a guru, one can go through guru gita to completely know about how one can serve guru to realise the supreme reality. A few of the verses are given below to show the greatness and how we need to treat our guru (guruswamy as the form of ayyappa our guru).

67. Akhanda-mandalākāram 

vyāptam yena charācaram, 

Tatpadam darśitam yena 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru, who has revealed that state which pervades the entire sphere of this universe, which is composed of animate and inanimate objects. 

69. Yasya smarana-mātrena 

jñānam utpadyate svayam, 

Ya eva sarva-samprāptis 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru, merely by remembering whom knowledge arises spontaneously. He is all attainments. 

70. Chaitanyam śāśvatam śāntam 

vyomātītam nirañjanam, 

Nśāda-bindu-kalśātītam 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru. He is consciousness, which is eternal, peaceful, stainless, and transcends the sky. He is beyond nada (primordial sound), bindu (point containing the universe), and kala (manifestation of the world). 

71. Sthāvaram jangamam caiva 

tathā caiva carācaram, 

Vyāptam yena jagat sarvam 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru, who pervades this entire world, consisting of the movable and immovable and also animate and inanimate 

72. Jnāna-shakti-samārūdhas 

tattvamālā-vibhūshitah, 

Bhukti-mukti-pradātā yas 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru. He is firmly established in the power of knowledge and is adorned with the garland of tattvas. He  grants worldly fulfillment as well as salvation.

73. Aneka-janma-samprāpta- 

sarva-karma-vidāhine, 

 Svātmajnāna-prabhāvena 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru, who by (imparting) the power of Self-knowledge burns up all the karmas acquired through countless lifetimes. 

74. Na guroradhikam tattvam 

na guroradhikam tapah, 

 Tattvam jnānātparam nāsti 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru. There is no truth higher than the Guru, no austerity is greater than (service to) the Guru, no truth greater than the knowledge (of him). 

75. Mannāthah śrījagannātho 

madgurus trijagadguruh, 

Mamātmā sarva-bhūtātmā 

tasmai śrīgurave namah. 

Salutations to Shri Guru. My Lord is the Lord of the universe. My Guru is the Guru of the three worlds. My Self is the Self of all beings. 

76. Dhyāna-mūlam guror mūrtih 

pūjā-mūlam guroh padam, 

Mantra-mūlam guror vākyam, 

moksa-mūlam guroh krpā. 

The root of the meditation is the Guru’s form. The root of the worship is the Guru’s feet. The root of mantra is the Guru’s word. The root of liberation is the Guru’s grace. 

Om Guru Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!