Sarvatnya Peedam
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Sarvatnya Peedam (The seat for Ayappan)
          Even long before the advent of Swami Ayappan, the great sage Parasurama had already created a seat for Him. This is called the sarvatnya peedam and was established some 7775 years ago.  Swami Ayappan ,in His yogic posture is  ensconsed upon this peedam. The idol of Swami Ayappan is suyampu i.e not created by man but self- manifested  - just like the Krishna idol  in Guruvayoor . The idol there was one that was worshipped by Krishna Himself during the Dwaruga era and installed in Guruvayoor by Guru (Brihaspati) and Vayu.

           In Swami Ayappan's case, He transformed into an idol and sat upon the sarvatnya peedam that awaited Him long before His advent as Manikandan( about 800 years ago, according to Swamiji).

Varvar Swami - an ally of Swami Ayappan
            Varvar was a close ally of Swami Ayappan. According to stories, the former was a pirate who plundered the rich to help the poor. He recognised the greatness of Manikandan and both became close allies. Swamiji claims, that Varvar could have been Varpuran which over time was mis-pronounced as Varvar. Today, scores of Ayappans, after the ritualistic pettaitulal at Erumeli adjourn to the Varvar sami mosque (picture beside)there before embarking upon their long path pilgrimage.This remarkable sight is rare. Erumeli is the confluence of people from different faiths and beliefs. This phenomenon is still in the vogue today.

The mala, mudra(pendant) and the irrumudi coconut.
         It  has been a practice to adorn the mala and mudra at the onset of the fasting period in Kerala and in several parts of India. In the past, when these are adorned, the devotee as a mark of respect goes  about his mundane activities without footwear. The ladies who are "unclean" also avoid coming into contact with such devotees. In foreign countries however this may not be possible, therefore it is recommended that these items be worn just a few days (while in India) before the yatra. Extreme care must be exercised when these are worn especially while toileting etc, the mudra may be covered with a thoondu.

          The irrumudi coconut is fraught with several meanings. The coconut shell is your sarira or perishable body and the ghee inside the jivatma. When the ghee abhisegam is over, it is conceived that the symbolic jivatma in the form of the ghee has united with the Paramatma, Ayappan's vikraham. The shell (our perishable body) is discarded in the Homam fire at Sabarimala.

Once the mudra is adorned an Ayappan devotee and Sami Ayappan become one,philosophically (see insert thumbnail picture of Mel Thantri, Sabarimala):

The Pampa River(nathi)
        The Pampa river, foolishly dirtied and ill-treated by some Ayappan devotees during the yatra period, is a historical place. It has been referred to in the Ramayana and other great texts. Lord Rama had performed the pitru-tarpan for His earthly father, King Dasaratha at this river. The great  Matanga ashram, where sages like Matanga and Sabari lived also existed along the Pampa river. Many divine souls have treated this river reverently in the  past. In Sabarimala, the Pampa river is also used to perform several rites for Swami Ayappan and the other lesser idols. But just look at how this river is treated by our so-called Ayappans today! Absurdity and down-right foolishness is what one can utter about this growing phenomenon.. The devotees must change and their gurusamis ought to bring the changes to them, not just to their respective bank balances !

Brahmacharyam (celibacy and austerities)
          True brahmacharyam is not merely abstinence from sexual pleasure by word, thought and deed. In the broadest sense it is absolute abstinence- the absolute control over all our pleasure-giving senses. Generally, abstinence from sex alone is construed as brahmacharyam and it is correct in the restrictive sense, no doubt.   

         Control over  kama (sexual desire) means the ultimate victory. It is easy to tame a tiger and an elephant but it is not that easy to restrain kama and yet this has to be restrained for gaining any spiritual mileage at all.  Many  highly evolved saints have also fallen prey to this kama; the sage Visvamitra for instance. It is through this instinct that Yogamaya ties your mind to the false attachments of this earth. From this instinct flows forth the process of  progeny with its attendant attachment, pain and sorrow. So involved and engrossed you become with the earthly matters that you tend to forget that everything around you is ephemeral. The true "you" alone is the Truth. Not that marriage and attachment ought to be shunned; get involved in it to manifest the divine plan of God but always remember that is not the end. Use the institution of marriage (grhastami) to evolve yourself with good virtues like selflessness, sacrifice and divine love. 

         You cannot attain Godhead if you don't love the others around you for they are manifestations of God alone . Hence, the marriage stage is a significant take-off point in a way- but not loose-sex, drink and vice . These are affronts to spiritualism .Swami Ayappan is a naisthikiya Brahmachari, the epitome of brahmacharyam where He looks upon females not with gender differences and any form of lustiness but as mere souls(atmas). He is the benchmark for all spiritual aspirants in Brahmacharyam. During the fasting period onions, garlic, eggs, spices and excessive food in the form of carbohydrates ought to be avoided for these are not conducive to Brahmacharyam. Light food with fruits are recommended and the mind has to be kept from its roving habits at all times. Bhajans, meditation, satsangs(spiritual discourses) and company of holy men promote Brahmacharyam. Always strive to realise the Supreme Consciousness, yearn for this. Despite your hectic earthly schedule always remember your true "you " is within you and without you. Be not afraid of exploring; ask questions; keep to yourself and be introspective. Don't become agitated. Surrender yourself to God and He takes care of the rest. Remember, how Lord Krishna came to the assistance of  Panjali when she was being disrobed by Duroyodhana's camp ! You cannot be proud of your achievements and knowledge-these are the alms provided to you by God in return for the accumulated good and bad karmas. He alone knows when to give and when to take. He is the generator (G), operator (O) and destroyer (D). The healthiest person dies and the sickly person lives on. The prostitute becomes a saint and a saint becomes a conman. All these are the dictates of the Supreme Consciousness. Can these happenings be explained in any other way ?

"You aride atop the animal in you (the senses) and win them over with viveka (discrimination) and vicara (reasoning) "
  Could this be message  behind His majestic pose  atop the tiger ?

Swamiji recounts:
    " In the past when I used to perform tapas in the deep forests, hills and jungles only one thing kept me going. I simply had to know if all the stories and teachings splattered across vividly in religious books were true. I questioned several gurus. Many pointed to me that the answer was obtainable solely through self-discovery and self-experience, nothing more. Today I am unshakeably convinced that the books carry true accounts. The Ramayana and Mahabarata and the stories about Ganapathy,Muruga, Chandi etc, etc, etc are absolute truths, nothing less.The birth-place of Sri Krishna exists and the cave where Veda Vyasa dictated the Vedas to Lord Ganapathi also exists. You have to endure, strife, yearn and sincerely long to realize that divinity within you. Take it from me ,nothing in this universe can match the bliss and joy that you obtain after the realization. And it is regretting to note several swamis trading- off their realized wisdom through the show of miracles   and    mesmerism.All these are not required. Money should not rule the man. Man should rule himself and tap the greatness within themselves. Every single prayer uttered earnestly reaches the mail-box of the Infinite power.
Sri Ramakrishna had rolled over the rough sand, fasted adamantly, wept and cried to see Mother and finally the great soul could communicate with the Goddess Kali at Dakshineswar temple. Several people have heard of this communication . He even permitted Narendra (Swami Vivekananda) to see the Infinite Power in the form of Goddess Kali. Take the cue from this - God exists and do not doubt this for a second."

   "Animal sacrifices ought to be stopped. Will you sacrifice your own children ? Animals also do have their atmas-they too are creations of God. I have witnessed several temples doing animal sacrifices. I have stopped such practices in some temples, in Malaysia(Taiping) especially. Mathura veeran was a state -hero, who endured hardship and lost his limbs to safe his people. He is not God per se. Muniandy is actually a manifestation of Lord Siva. Lord Siva divided Himself into Muniandy to safeguard Parvathy when He went to answer Arjuna's tapas and to grant him boons. The asuras bent on ravishing Parvathy approached Her but were defeated by Muniandy who later sucked every single drop of blood of the asuras to prevent them from multiplying further. But this has been misconstrued and we see animal sacrifices for Muniandy. This is wrong. How can God who created everything be delighted and pleased with the destruction and annihilation of His creations of envy. In Kerala, we have the Yogeesvarans , who are actually pious and spiritual souls in you family who have demised since. In rememberance of them we honour them by housing their possessions in a small altar in the home temple and calling them Yogeesvaran. This is actually what is called Munnesvaran elsewhere. Will you be happy if your child is sacrificed and served  for your dinner? These atrocities must stop; in the past too we have heard of animal sacrifices (eg: horse sacrifices) to gain boons from the Gods. True God must be distinguished from the spirits of the preta loka, who are hovering above us. These pretas (souls of the dead) do partake of these sacrifices and grant you boons too as long as you please them. But then comes the dreadful grand finale when they are not pleased. That is why, do not place photographs of the dead and offer prayers and food etc. Let the souls settle peacefully in the preta-loka. Why invoke them and be troubled by them? Hang a photograph if you must for the sake of memory.Offer a prayer in the temple and put some donation in the donation box. That is enough."

Swamiji asks, "What else do you require, if not for the following, in this life?"

"Anayasena maranam
vina dainyena jivanam
Dehi me krpaya krsna
Tvayi bhaktimacancalam."
( "A life without hardships and an end that is peaceful. This is all I ask of you, Krishna and unswerving devotion for you.")      

Sabarimala-a spiritual practice ground.

"The secret of religion lies not in theories but in practice. To be good and to do good-that is the whole of religion." - Swami Vivekananda
   

         Sri Ayappan worship, with all its adjuncts such as fasts/austerities etc , is essentially an opportunity to practise religion and to savour the nectarine of God-realisation. During the course of our daily lives, we are drawn hither and thither by Maya, so much so we do not have sufficient time to reflect upon our essential needs. This phenomenon in the present Kali yuga is being intensified geometrically. Without proper reflection upon the transience of our very lives we are endeavoring to create perpetual wealth and fame in an ephemeral world. We are being human-robots attracted by the magnetic force of kamini-kancana (lust & gold).Just going to the temple precincts with our families and grasping our hands in piety isn't enough. The roving mind has to be restrained while viveka(discrimination) and proper spiritual guidance ought to available to understand our true selves. For this there has to be a period of withdrawal, a period of redirecting the habituated mind to a set of different experiences so as to understand the impermanence of what we hold dear. Swami Ayappan Sabaraimala yatra offers you this practical opportunity. Guided properly by the gurusamis (sadly, this is grossly missing in the present ) an Ayappan devotee ought to be able to savor at least a bit of the spiritual nectarine and experience the longingness for more.
        Thus, you see the yatra is not just simply shouting slogans, being attired in black and trying to look holy-these are absurdities looming large amidst our devotees because of improper guidance. Everything in Ayappan worship has an inner meaning - strive to comprehend that and the biggest truth of all - you are not what you think to be my dear souls. You are far greater-nothing on this earth is going to give you permanent attachment. Every single pleasure giving source shall exhaust itself and look no longer attractive someday- women, money, wealth, pride, health etc.etc.etc. SO INVOKE THE SARANA MANTRA and long to comprehend the truth. This is the time - come move on towards that - Sabarimala is the practice ground for spiritual unfoldment indeed !

Gurusamis  and  their role in Ayappan worship
 
          The role of a gurusami in Ayappan worship is a poignant one. The word GURU collectively means the remover of darkness (anyana or spiritual ignorance). Hence, undoubtedly he ought to be one who is knowledgeable about the holy scriptures , particularly regarding Swami Ayappan worship. This ought to have been obtained first- hand from a lengthy period of yatra to Sabarimala (at least 18 times ). Patience, lack of greed and the ability to handle devotees of different temperaments under his guard, equal treatment (sama-sveekarana)  and equal vision (sama- darsahana) are some of the essential qualities necessary. His conduct and gait ought to be exemplary and a model to his devotees. Sincere commitment to assist the devotees ought to be present and there has to be absolute  absence  of any monetary motive . The gurudakshana received ought to be nominal and not calculated  to rip off the innocent devotees. The proper rules of conduct of devotees while at the Sannidhanam precincts etc ought to be divulged clearly in advance before the yatra. The present day misbehavior of the devotees atop the Sannidhanam is largely attributable to poor quality Gurusamis . This has to change. Swamiye saranam Ayappa !

----Swamiye Saranam Ayappa. Swamiye Saranam Ayappa----------

Please visit the following websites also:
1). http://www.saranamayyappa.org - maintained by Wg Cdr (Retd) V.G.Kumar 
2). http://geocities.com/ayappa18/-maintained by A.Madawan (Malaysia)
3).http://www.ayyappa.comkat.net-maintained by Mr.Kirubaharan
                                                                        (London Ayyappa Seva Sangham)

  
The life-pursuit of Poontanam, Meppathur Bhattatiri, Gurur Amma, Vilamangalam swami, the gopis of Vrndhavanam, the Pandavas, today resides in  everyone as the Jivatma.. Think of Him and His lilas and your daunting problems shall melt away.
Krishna enjoying an invigorating abhisegam at Swamiji's
Krishna Ayappan temple, Varkala, Kerala.

"    KRISHNA SAVE US FROM THE AGONIES OF THIS WORLD
      ENOUGH OF SUFFERING HAS THIS SOUL MET
      LET YOUR SWEET NAME EMBRACE THE TONGUE
      MAY THE MEMORIES OF YOUR PRANKS SOLELY
      CONSUME US.

            WHAT MORE IS THIS EMPTY LIFE WORTH?
            FOR SOONER OR LATER THE CURTAIN OF LIFE SHALL DROP 
            IN THE LIVES OF EACH SOUL-NO MATTER HOW EXALTED IT MAY HAVE 
            LIVED IN THE ARENA OF THE MORTAL WORLD.

    FOR HOW LONG CAN A DAZZLING DAMSEL PLEASE US ?
    FOR HOW LONG CAN THE GLITTERING GOLD APPEASE US?
    FOR HOW LONG CAN THE NICETIES OF LIFE  INTOXICATE US ?
    FOR HOW LONG CAN OUR KITH AND KIN BE OF JOY TO US?

    THE WARM EMBRACE , THE BEWITCHING  GLIMPSE, THE CURVACEOUS FIGURE
    OF A DAMSEL; THE WARM BED, THE MOUTH-WATERING FOOD, THE POWER IN 
    OUR HANDS, THE STRENGTH IN OUR BODIES, THE TITLES AND ADULATIONS 
    WE HAVE REALIZED ARE BUT EPHEMERAL ONLY.
    KRISHNA, INFINITE BLISS ISN'T IN ALL THESE.
    THE FUNERAL PYRE IS BOUND TO END ALL THESE.
    BLISS ISN'T IN ALL THESE KRISHNA...............

            BUT IN CHANTING YOUR NAME ALONE
            BY DWELLING IN YOUR THOUGHT ALONE 
            IN SERVING YOUR DEVOTEES ALONE.        
            KRISHA..HARE RAMA...NARAYANA..HARE RAMA...SABARIGIRISHA.. HARE RAMA  "
                                              
                                                                                                                                  - a.madawan