Lord Ayyappa
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The deity
Note: The official Sabarimala website, and the majority of devotees writing in English use the spelling Ayyappa.
Sudha Nambudiri, There’s more to Ayappa than most Hindus know, November 4, 2018: The Times of India
From: Sudha Nambudiri, There’s more to Ayappa than most Hindus know, November 4, 2018: The Times of India
At Sabarimala, the god Ayyappa resides in majestic isolation. As Dharma Sastha, the eternal celibate, he is generous in the benediction he confers on thousands of mostly male pilgrims who trek the proverbial thorny path. He is also intent on moksha, his level gaze and abstracted posture indicating the last stage of renunciation.
But Ayyappa takes on a very different avatar at Achankovil Sastha temple, located merely 60 kms away — one of the five sacred Sastha temples that includes Sabarimala. There, he has two consorts seated on either side, and he is focused on mundane, urgent matters of daily life. In this shrine, also situated within a dense forest, Ayyappa is primarily a healer of snakebites who sits with theertham (holy water) in one hand and bhasmam (sacred ash) in the other. Night or day, if anybody comes there with a snakebite, the priest has to open the sanctum sanctorum and apply ash on the wound.
Who is the real Ayyappa? Was Sabarimala also once a serpent grove with subaltern and tribal origins, taken over and elevated to a mainstream Hindu shrine, complete with restrictions of purity and pollution and only some people deserving to see the deity?
Sabarimala devotees, and the self-proclaimed gatekeepers of the tradition, subscribe to the popular legend of Ayyappa as the son of Shiva and Mohini, the Pandalam prince who saves his people from the depredations of a buffalo-headed demon and then chooses the ascetic’s path.
But Ayyappa was most likely an Ayyanar or ‘guardian deity’ of the forest, later made part of the Hindu pantheon and given a pedigree when Brahmins moved into newly-cleared agrarian settlements, believes historian Rajan Gurukkal. Ayyappa’s popular origins were apparent as recently as half a century ago, he says. “The infamous fire of June 1950 was a pretext for the Thazhamon family (the current thantri family) to move in and take control of the temple. What was, until then, a small and remote hill shrine, became a proper temple.”
Gurukkal, however, dismisses the speculation around Sabarimala once being a Buddhist vihara, given the ‘saranam’ incantation normally associated with the Buddha. “There is no archaeological evidence to support the idea of Buddhist influence”, and it is too far from the usual trade routes, he says. The presence of snake gods in Sastha temples does show the influence of Jainism’s Parasanath cult, once prevalent across Kerala, he concedes Interestingly, almost all major Sastha temples have had a ‘fire incident’ as a result of which either the original idol or the original structure was destroyed. Whether or not these were accidents, historians say this has erased key historical clues.
The Tamil connection to Sastha is clear enough, though it has been scrubbed out of the Sabarimala story. In fact, the popular Ayyappa myth in Sabarimala and that of the great goddess Meenakshi in Madurai have striking parallels. Both represent a synthesis of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, at a time when the rivalry between these sects was threatening to tear apart Hinduism in south India.
But if you look more closely, Sabarimala’s Ayyappa has a close resemblance to Ayyanar, who is worshipped in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, says Prof K N Ganesh, a historian at Calicut University. “ Even as Sabarimala has now become a flashpoint for Hindu identity, older layers of the Ayyappa legend, his tribal/hunter-gatherer origins and his worldly, non-ascetic self, have been buried.
The story of Lord Ayyappa Swamy
Sunitha Parapatla | Lord Ayyappa is the son of Vishnu and Shiva
Ayyappa = Ayya (Shiva) + Appa( Lord Vishnu ).
Lord Ayyappa is a very popular Hindu diety, who is mainly worshipped in South India.
Ayyappa was born out of the union between God Shiva and Mohini, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Ayyappa’s birth story :: Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasur, and his sister, Mahishi set out to avenge her brother's death.
Mahishi had a boon from Lord Brahma that only a child born of Lord Vishnu and Shiva could slay her, so She was indestructible.
To save the world from annihilation, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Mohini, and wed Shiva, and thus Lord Ayyappa was born.
After the birth of Ayyappa, Shiva and Mohini left the child on the banks of the Pampa River. Then, the ruler of the dynasty, King Rajashekhara, the childless monarch adopted Ayyappa.
After the King adopted Ayyappa, the King couple were blessed with a son named Raja Rajan. Though both the boys grew up as princes, Ayyappa excelled in martial arts and was very Knowledgeable in all Shastras. Upon completing his training and studies, it was the time to name the heir to the throne. King Rajashekhara wanted Ayyappa to become king, but the Queen wanted her son to be named the King. So, she created all troubles for Ayyappa. Lord Ayyappa tricked by the Queen, goes to the forest for getting milk from a tigress (to save the Queen from a mysterious health issue).
On his way, he realized the purpose of his incarnation on Earth, and was to kill the demoness Mahishi.
Lord Ayyappa and Mahishi had a fierce battle, and she died in Ayyappa’s hands, and received moksha.
Later, King Rajashekhara and Queen realise that Lord Ayyappa is no ordinary child, and request him to accept the throne. But Ayyappa refuses and goes to the heavenly abode.
King Rajashekhara constructed a temple for Ayyappa at Sabarimalai. The temple was designed by the great Architect of Gods, Vishvakarma.
The Ayyappa idol was carved by Sage Parasuram, and installed it on the day of Makara Sankranthi.
The asura princess Mahishi was in anger as Goddess killed her brother, the asura king Mahishasura. Mahishasura was blessed with invulnerability to all men, and so Durga was sent to fight and kill him. Thus, Mahishi began performing Tapasya and pleased Brahma. He granted her the boon of ruling the universe and being invulnerable except to a being that had not been born from a woman's womb. Since such a person did not exist, she thought she was safe and began conquering and plundering the world.
Meanwhile, Basmasura had so pleased lord Shiva with his austerities that Shiva gave him a boon of anything he wished. So Basmasura asked for the ability to burn to ashes anything which he placed his hand over. After being blessed with the boon, Basmasura wanted to test his boon and ran after the Shiva threatening to turn him to ashes. Shiva called to lord Vishnu for help. He hid himself in a peepal tree as Basmasura ran here and there searching for him. Vishnu became aware of the events, and decided that he would take the female form Mohini, the enchanting woman, and try to trump the asura's powers. When Basmasura saw Vishnu in this form, he fell in love. He earnestly tried to court her. So Vishnu instructed Basmasura to hold his hand over his head and vow fidelity. With this act, Basmasura was reduced to ashes.
Vishnu found Shiva and explained the whole affair to him. Shiva asked if he too could see Vishnu in this female form. When Vishnu appeared thus, Shiva was overcome with passion, and united with "her" The two gods thus became "Harihara” that is a composite form of Shiva and Vishnu as one God. From this union lord Ayyappa was born. He combines in himself the powers of Vishnu and Shiva, and is a visible embodiment of their essential identity. They left the boy in forest near River Pampa.
Pandalam king, Rajasekara, went for hunting in the forest adjoining the banks of River Pampa, along with his men. He started hunting courageously in the dense forest which was a sanctuary for many wild animals. After that hunting was over, Rajasekara advised his men to take rest and sat there entertaining himself with the sight of the natural greenish beauty and the waterfalls, of the forest. At that time, he heard a child crying from somewhere in the forest. Surprised, he went round and reached the banks of River Pampa. There he saw a beautiful and divine child, Ayyappa, kicking his legs and crying out, and was in a dilemma whether to take the child to the Palace or leave it there itself. While the King was engrossed in his thoughts, a saint appeared before him and told the King that he need not be afraid of the child and take him to the Palace. The saint further stated that when the child completes twelve years, the King would know his divine history. After uttering these words, the saint disappeared.
Rajasekara was very joyous and he took the child to his Palace and briefed the Queen about the incident. The King and the Queen, having prayed to Lord Shiva for a child, were very happy that they had been blessed with a child. The people also felt happy that a heir to inherit the Kingdom after the King has been found. When the Ayyappa, named Manikanta, began to grow in the Palace, everything began to prosper in kingdom. He was taught all martial arts and vedas and the Guru was surprised at his brilliance and agility and the extraordinary talents. The Guru came to the conclusion that he was not an ordinary child, but a divine power.
After completing his education under the Guru, Manikanta approached the Guru to offer his Guru Dakshina. When Manikanta went to his Guru for his blessings, the Guru told him that he already knew that he was a divine power and he was blessed for having been given an opportunity to have Manikandan as a student. The Guru further told Manikandan that he had one request to make that his only son who was dumb should be given speech. Manikanta called the Guru's son and put his hands on his head and immediately Guru's son had his speech. Manikana requested the Guru not to reveal this to anyone and went to the Palace.
Meanwhile, the Queen gave birth to a male child and the child was named RajaRajan. King Rajasekara, impressed with the talents of Manikanta, decided to crown him, treating him as his eldest son. He ordered the minister to make arrangements for the same. However, the minister who was thinking that he would be the next crown after Rajasekara was worried and started devising plans to prevent Manikanta from being crowned. Having failed in all his attempts to kill Manikana, the minister approached the Queen and told her that she had her own son, it was not correct to crown a person who came from the forest. He suggested that the Queen should pretend as if suffering from severe headache and he would make the physician tell that only a tigress' milk should be brought to cure the Queen and since Manikanta would only go to the forest to bring the milk, he would be in danger from the wild animals. The Queen agreed to do what he told so that her son could succeed the King to the throne. The Queen, as told by the minister, cried out loudly that she was suffering from severe headache and stomach pain and the King, believing this, called the minister to bring in the best physicians to treat her. The Physician, brought by the minister examined the Queen and told the King that it could be cured only by applying Tigress' milk.
Mantikanta, realizing that the time has arrived, asked king to let him go to the forest promising to bring the milk. However, the King refused to let him go. Manikanta pursued the King and finally permitted Manikanta to go to the forest. King Rajasekara made arrangements to send a group of his loyal men along with him, but Manikanta refused. Rajasekara sent along with Manikanta the necessary foodstuffs and coconuts with three eyes, in remembrance of Lord Shiva. The Panchabuthas, sent by Lord Shiva, accompanied Manikanta to forest. Mantikanta entered the forest to fulfill his divine duty, to rid the world of Mahishi. Manikanta went to Mahishi and fought a battle. During the conflict, Manikanta threw Mahishi down to earth from devaloka and she fell on the banks of Azhutha River. Manikanta clashed with her at Azhutha river again. At the end of the battle, Manikanta climbed up on her chest and danced violently.
Mahishi knowing that the divine power dancing on her body was none other than the son of Hari and Hara, prostrated before Manikanta and died. This dance was witnessed by Lord Shiva and Mahavishnu from a place called Kalakatti. (It is said that Leela, daughter of Kavalan, a Maharishi, due to her husband's curse, was born as daughter of Karamban, with a face of Mahishi and freed herself from the curse and obtained Moksha by the grace of Shri Dharma Sastha, which is described in Sabarimala Temple as Malikaipurothama, by which name she has a temple there). After killing Mahishi, Manikanta went to the forest for the tigress milk, when Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that though he had done good for the Devas, still there was one main task and that was to give comfort to the King Rajasekara who was very concerned about him. Lord Shiva further told him that he could go to the Palace with Lord Indra in the form of a tiger. With Manikanta on the tiger, all female devatas in the disguise of a tigress started their journey to the Palace. After seeing this, the schemers were frightened into confessing their plot. They were convinced of his divine origins, and prayed to him to be with them for their own salvation and for the safety of the kingdom. Immediately Manikanta disappeared.
The king would not eat anything if Manikanta did not come back. Then Manikanta gave a vision (Darshan) to the king. Filled with emotions of happiness, grief, fear, wonder and 'Bhakti' (devotion to God) and self-surrender, the king stood praying for the mercy and blessings of Manikanta. He repented he could not fully visualize the truth of the divine powers of the Lord and repeatedly requested Him to forgive him for behaving as if He were his son only. The Lord lovingly embraced the King who prayed to bless him by freeing from ego and the worldly life of birth and rebirth and grant Moksha (salvation). He told the King that he was destined to return. The king implored Lord Manikanta to allow him to build a temple and dedicate it to him and the Lord assented.
Manikanta then enlightened the King on the path of attainment of Moksha. The Lord shot an arrow that fell at the top of Sabrimala and told the King that he could construct a temple at Sabarimala, north of the holy river Pampa and install His deity there. Ayyappa also explained how the Sabarimala pilgrimage shall be undertaken, emphasizing the importance of Penance vratham and what the devotees can attain by His 'darshan'. But before the departure of the Lord, the King secured a promise from the Lord that on thai Pongal on January 14, every year, (celebrated as "Makara Jyothi" all his personal jewelry (usually kept at the Palace) will be adorned on His statue at Sabarimala.
Hence on the 12th of January every year, the Jewelry will be taken on foot from the Palace by a special emissary of the kingdom, after the puja with all pomp, devotion and reverence. Immediately when the aarati is over, Royal Garuda (Eagle) flies over the Palace. The Royal Garuda flies ahead, and appears guide the pilgrims throughout their journey. Since there was no modern means of communication like Telephone or Mobile, to the hundreds of thousands of Devotees desirous of worshipping Lord Manikanta's Jewels en route to His Abode, this Garuda was the sole and absolute signal of advance information even to the Temple authorities at Sabarimala to get ready for the adorning of the Jewels. This journey on the 12th and 13th of January finally reaches Sabarimala on January 14. Immediately after the jewellery is adorned on the Deity, there is an Aarti. The miracle is that just after the Aarti, without loss a second, the Jyothi appears on the east side of the Temple up above the Hills of Kanthamalai which also plays an important role in his life.
But then the Lord further consoled the King saying that the devotees who held him and his descendants in 'Bhakti' shall happen to be devoted to Him as well. Manikanta then blessed the King and all others assembled there, and vanished. The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala, dedicated to him. The deity for installation was prepared by Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and was installed by himself.
Sagar Venkateshwar, Author of The Untold Myths of India gives further details:
He is very popular down in the south as “Harihara Putra” ( Son of Vishnu(Hari) and Shiva(Hara))
The story somehow goes like this -
Once upon a time when Demon Mahishasura was rampaging over earth, all the Gods united to create a powerful entity, know as Durga to kill Mahishasura and restore peace among all the 3 worlds. But it doesn't end there. Mahishasura had a sister Mahishi who wasn't pleased that her brother was ganged upon by all the gods and killed him ruthlessly. Well that's how exactly a sibling is supposed to feel.
So Mahishi in order to take back the lands her brother had conquered and get justice for him began doing a great penance to Lord Brahma. As usual Brahma was pleased and was ready to grant any wish of hers. And as predictably instead of asking for immortality, she asked for something else. A boon where she would be killed only by the child of two men. And Brahma granted it. Well it was boon of indirect immortality. How on earth it's possible for two men to bear a child?
With the boon as the ace upon her sleeve she began completing the work her brother had started. The three worlds began to tear upon her wrath. Terrified the gods ran to Vaikuntam, the abode of Lord Vishnu to save them. Lord Vishnu as ever charming he was, took on the avatar of Lady Mohini and began enticing Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was smitten by the Mohini's actions ( who was actually Lord Vishnu). One thing led to another, a child was born out of their union.
He was left on the shores of river Pampa, where he was utimately found by the King Rajashekara. He was raised there as the heir of the kingdom.
When the time was ripe, he set out to end the tyranny of Mahishi for he was the son of two men.
For all those who claim that scriptures don't allow anything other than opposite sex marriage, our culture, our history and our myths are full of them embracing the way of nature!!
Sridhar Madhavan adds
The iconography of Ayyappan depicts him as a handsome celibate god doing yoga and as an epitome of Dharma, who wears a bell around his neck. In the Hindu pantheon, his legends are relatively recent but diverse. For some, he is also an incarnation of the Buddha.
He is honored by some Muslims in Kerala, with legends wherein Ayyappan defeats and gains worship of the Muslim brigand Vavar,
In the Hindu tradition popular in the Western Ghats of India, he was born with the powers of Shiva and Vishnu to confront and defeat the shape shifting evil Buffalo demoness Mahishasuri.
Mohini (Sanskrit: मोहिनी, Mohinī) is the only female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. She is portrayed as an enchantress, who maddens lovers, sometimes leading them to their doom. Mohini is introduced into the Hindu Belief system in the narrative epic of the Mahabharata. Here, she appears as a form of Vishnu, acquires the pot of Amrita (an elixir of immortality) from thieving asuras (demons), and gives it back to the devas (gods), helping them retain their immortality.’
Many different legends tell of her various exploits and marriages, including union with Shiva. These tales relate, among other things, the birth of the god Shasta and the destruction of Bhasmasura, the ash-demon. Mohini's main modus operandi is to trick or beguile those she encounters. She is worshipped throughout Indian culture, but mainly in Western India, where temples are devoted to her depicted as Mahalasa, the consort of Khandoba, a regional avatar of Shiva.
See also
Lord Ayyappa
