FW: Sree DharmaSasta alias Sree Ayyappan-Lord of Growth

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Sasta alias Ayyappan is the lord of Saturn. By pleasing the lord one could

reduce the bad affects of Saturn. Offering Neerajanam to Lord Ayyappa on

Saturdays ward of Sade-sati dosa of Saturn.

Shiva succumbed to the beauty of Mohini and Ayyappan was born out of this

union. Hence the name Hari Hara Putra - Hari (Vishnu), Hara (Shiva), Putra

(son). Ayyappan is regarded as the third son of Shiva, the other two being

Ganesha and Muruga.

 

Mythology apart, the etymological significance of Hari Hara is one who, with

rays of knowledge (Haribhi), dispels the darkness of ignorance (Horanthi).

The name "Ayyappa", which stands for Universal Father, is a vernacular form

of the Sanskrit term Aryabha, which represents nobility and effulgence. Lord

Ayyappa is also addressed as Sree Dharma Sastha - the stern, strict,

upholder of righteousness, one who punishes the wicked and protects the

virtuous. He is also addressed as Kaliyuga Varadha - since legend has itthat

Lord Vishnu has blessed this most recent, or Kali, Yuga, with His

reincarnation - which can be conceptuallyassumed as a reinforcement of the

philosophy "God descends in order to help Man ascend".

 

Ayyappan was born on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi, when the star

Uttrarn was on the ascendence. His mortal life was to annihilate Mahishi

(buffalo faced asura). As directed by Ayyappan, a sanctum was built to

install an idol made of panchaloha (an alloy of five metals), climbing 18

steps to reach the

sanctum. These 18 steps to represent 5 indriyas, 8 ragas, 3 gunas, vidya and

avidya. Ayyappan also advised the king of the nature of the austerities to

be observed before the pilgrimage to this temple. On the day of consecration

and installation of the idol, amidst the sound of saranam chanting and

conches, pipes and drums, Ayyappan was transformed into a stroke of

lightning and got absorbed in the idol of Dharma Sasta. This was his

birthday, the auspicious day of Makara Sankrathi. The 3 austerities

prescribed for devotees are:

 

1). Austerity of body

Purity, uprightness, continence and non violence

2). Austerity of mind

Tranquility, gentleness, silence, self control and purity of thought

3). Austerity of speech

Speech that causes no annoyance to others, truthful, pleasant and beneficial

and recitation of scriptures.

 

Vegetarianism has been prescribed during the 41 days vritharn to help

achieve the above austerities. Brahmacharya (continence) will help convert

the physical energy to spiritual energy. Self surrender leads to self

realization. The self that surrenders is the ego and the self that realizes

is God. The carrying of irrurnudi on the head and chanting of

saranammantrain is a total surrender to God.

 

The spiritual discipline, prayers, and practice of a pure, spiritually

conscious lifestyle during these 41 days is mandatory for a devotee seeking

to ascend the sacred Pathinettu Padi that lead to the sanctum at Sabarimala.

Apart from the fact that this exercise prepares a devotee to get the darshan

of the Ultimate Ascetic (Sadh Gurunathan), the rigor espoused behind the

Vratham owes its origin also to the Eighteen Steps themselves. The first

five of the steps symbolize Man's five senses (Pancha Indriyas) viz. the

visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and gustatory senses. The next eight

steps symbolize the eight base emotions of Man (Ashta Gunas) --viz. love

(Kama), anger (Krodha), avarice (Lobha), lust (Moha), pride (Madha),

unhealthy competition (Matsarya), jealousy (Asooya), boastfulness (Dhumb).

The next three steps symbolize the nature-born qualities (TriGunas) endowed

in Man - viz. perspicuity and discernment (Satva), activity and enjoyment

(Rajas), and inactivity and stupor (Thamas). The final two steps symbolize

knowledge (Vidhya) and ignorance (Avidhya). The fundamental,

all-powerful,all-truthful symbolism is that the Man who ascends these sacred

Eighteen

Steps has gained control over all these metaphysical aspects of his being,

and ascended to a spiritual state to unite with his UltimateCreator (Tatwam

Asi).

 

In temples, the celebration of Makara Vilakku Pooja is conducted along the

tradition of Tantra, Mantra and Yantra rituals interwoven in its pooja

programs. Mantrayana tradition is incorporated in the bhajan program. Ayyapp

an prayer songs, kirthans and chanting of "Swamiyee Saranarn Ayyappa" are

meant to activate the breath control vibrational activity.

Ayyappa sahasranarnarn (recitation of 1000 times of Ayyappan's name)

together with other bhajan songs, create an elevated mental condition

conducive to invoke a powerful and unique method of recharging the

sub-conscious mind with spiritual vibrations.

 

According to Brahmopanishad, a deity is to be worshipped simultaneously at 4

places:

1). Idol (Bimba)

2). Fire (Vahini)

3). Water pitcher (Kumbha)

4). Mystic diagrams (Mandala - yantra)

 

All the above are incorporated in our pooja system during the last 3 days of

Makara Vilakku. Arathi is the culmination of the offerings of prayers to the

deity. Mandalaradhana (yantra worship) originated in the early period of

A.D. 300

and was perfected over the next 500 years. It was used in the beginning for

the yaga yajna sacrificial rituals at a specially constructed pandal by the

side of a hermitage, on the bank of a river or on a mountain top. At a later

stage, it was adopted to be conducted inside a temple's premises. Yantra

helps the process of editation. There are very many types of yantras in use

according to the deities. The main few are Sri Yantra of Goddess Lakshmi,

yantra of Gayatri, yantra of Lord Vishnu (Sudurshan mahachakra), yantra of

Lord Shiva, Rama and Krishna. Ayyappan yantra is one of the most powerful

yantras.