#aiyappa

Sri Dharma Sastha is venerated as Aiyappa in Kerala at Sabarimalai.

The term Aiyappa is of Tamil origin.

It is the combination of words Aiayan and Appan.

Aiyan means venerable while Appan means Father.

The term may mean Venerable Father.

The term Aiyan is  used to denote Shiva and Appan Vishnu in Tamil Bhakthi Literature.

Aiyappa Image 1. Shasta, Chola Dynasty, Government Museum, Chennai, Tamil…

God Looks, The Divine Vision

God Looks, The Divine Vision

Divine

God looks, we see. God sees, we look within.

Grace

It is with pure faith and humility; looking truly within our divinity, God Bless.

God Bless

May one and all be blessed with a vision of good health, happiness, and wisdom always, God Bless

Love, Light & Wisdom,

Vashi

©2014 Vashi Chandi

INVOCATION TO LORD AIYAPPA

अखिलभुवनदीपम् भक्तचित्ताब्जसूरम्  सुरगणपरिसेव्यं  तत्वम्स्यादिलक्ष्यम् ,

हरिहरसुतमीशम् तारक ब्रह्मरूपम् शबरिगिरिनिवासं भावये श्रीभूतनाथम्  .

 [Let us invoke the blessings of that God Principle, the essence of (Vedic Mahavakyam) “Tad-Twam-Asi” which presides over the creative potential of Prakrithi and enlightens the entire created universe; which is manifest as Lord Harihara-Putra who is adored by all the Devas and who captivates the lotus-minds of the bhaktas like the morning sun and who  exhibits himself (annually) as the Makara Jyothi over his abode in the Shabari-hills.]

  This invocative verse beautifully illustrates both the saguna and the nirguna aspects of the Lord. Dharma Shasta, the Nirguna Brahman is the essence of Shiva and Vishnu Tatwas and is described in our scriptures as “janmadyasya yatha” (the cause of all causes and their effects). Understanding this SAT-CHIT-ANANDA SWAROOPAM (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute) which is both the intelligent and material cause of creation is the objective of human spiritual journey.  These two words are very potent and need to be understood fully.  The simplest illustration is to say that “the Lord is the Engineer of the machinery of the universe, He is the materials (both subtle and gross) used to make them; He is the knowledge, the skill as well as the tools used to create them.  He is also the ‘power’ which ensures that the machinery functions perfectly.  Finally he will interfere whenever things go wrong and brutally punish those who are responsible for its malfunctioning.    Thus, He ensures that the ‘dharma’ of the universe is strictly adhered to – hence the name DHARMA-SHASTHA. 

  This ‘nirguna’ aspect of the Lord cannot easily be understood by most humans  as  confirmed by Lord Krishna in the Gita (VII/03)  “Amongst millions of ordinary people, only a small number  work hard and try to comprehend Me, the abstract God Principle; from amongst these only a handful, however, succeed in directly apprehending My subtle formless purity as Truth”.    To facilitate spiritual progress amongst  the majority who is thus left out, Hindu Scriptures have made this formless Lord to be manifest in various powerful forms to serve as ‘means’ to attract and lead them to Him.  Amongst the thousands of such forms, the most interesting is that of Lord Aiyappan as revealed by the story of his exploits in human form as Manikantan.  

  The story begins with the powerful Mahishi (sister of Mahishasura) who undertakes severe penance for 108 years  and  procures from Brahmaji a wish that “she will be defeated only by that person who is born to a male”.   Feeling invincible, she proceeds to destroy the whole universe including the abode of the Devas.   Everyone was worried that the Universe would definitely end.  Then a fantastic ‘circumvention’ of the natural laws is managed by the ever-resourceful Vishnu assuming the female form of Mohini to enchant Lord Shiva and bring forth the most powerful force on Earth – Dharma Shastha.   This fantastic energy manifested in the subtle universe as Lord Aiyappan and took the human shape of Manikantan - the child with a Divine Bell round his neck to demonstrate to the common man that Lord is ever chiming inside everyone’s spiritual heart (hrd) as the ‘voice of consciousness’.  Discovered by the king Rajasekhara Pandiyan (ruler of Panthalam) the child is proclaimed as the Yuva-raja.  The  queen, however, ill-treats and sends him on a ‘mission impossible’ to get tiger-milk to cure her non-existent disease.  These developments are intended to lead to a climax where Manikantan returns riding on a fierce tigress demonstrating his divinity.  Later, he destroys Mahishi and restores peace in the kingdom and protects it for the next 18 years. His avathara purpose have fulfilled, he abdicates the kingdom informing his devotees (including his parents) to come to Sabarimala, his future abode whenever they want  to see him.  Even today He is present there  as Aiyappan – the Pure Consciousness – blessing millions who visit him.   

  Thus,  Lord Aiyappan is available to his bhaktas in three forms: (1) in the material form of a divine child called Manikantan in flesh-and-blood human form; (2) the saguna-brahman form of Lord Aiyappan who grants the wishes of all the devotes who purify their internal equipments by strictly observing complete celibacy for 45 days and are able to reach him in Sabarimala,  and (3) as Dharma Shastha representing the Nirguna Chaitanya Swaroopam of the Lord, the Witness Consciousness having the essence of both Sadashiva and Narayana.  These three forms demonstrate the need for everyone of us to start with form and move up the ladder of spirituality to intellectually comprehend (paroksha jnanam) the subtle vibhootis of the Lord and thereafter directly apprehend (aparoksha anubhuti) Him as the indwelling pure divinity.