Sri Ayyapan

भूत नाथ सदानन्द , सर्व भूत दयापर |

रक्ष रक्ष महाबाहो, शास्त्रे तुभ्यं नमो नम: ||

bhoota nAtha sadAnanda, sarva bhoota dayApara |

rakSha rakSha mahAbAho, SAstre tubhyaM namo namaH ||

O Shaastha, the Lord of all beings, our salutations to you who are ever joyous and compassionate to all beings. We pray to you, O Great One, to seek your protection.

Manifestation

Ayyappa is the Hindu god of growth, particularly popular in Kerala. He is a syncretic deity, the son of Shiva and Mohini – the female avatar of Vishnu. In Buddhism, he is considered reincarnation of Buddha. Muslims revere him due to his friendship with Vavar, a Muslim devotee he won by defeating him. He is a symbol of communal harmony in Kerala.


Physical Attributes/Symbolism

  • Sitting in a Yogic posture in Dhyana (Chin) Mudra.
  • Wears a necklace with Mani (rare gem) around the neck.
  • Tat Twam Asi in background states “Thou Are That”, meaning we are all sparks of the same divine power.
  • The 18 steps that lead to Ayyappa’s shrine are considered as most sacred. The steps are a symbolic representation of several significant elements.
    • The first five steps indicate the five senses.
        • Sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch
    • The next eight steps indicate eight ragas.
        • Musical notes: sa re ga ma pa dha ni sa
    • Next three steps stand for TriGunas.
        • Foundational forces: Sattva (goodness, constructive), Rajas (passion, active), Tamas (darkness, destructive)
    • Last two steps represent vidya and avidya.
        • Wisdom and ignorance
    • It is considered that after climbing all the 18 steps, one detaches from worldly desires.


Qualities

  • Brave
  • Destroyer of the evil
  • Ascetic
  • Revered by Shaivites and Vaishnavites, Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists.
  • Naistik Brahmchary (Celibate for life)


Ways of Worship and Types of Devotees

The original temple of Sabarimala in India is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world. Devotees do a 41-day Vratam (noble pledge, fast, and detox). It helps devotees improve will power and purify themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually before making the pilgrimage. It is a symbol of communal harmony and respect. Ayyappa devotees also visit the shrine of Vavar (Muslim devotee of Ayyappa) and the shrine of Malikapurathamma (a woman who was uncursed by Ayyappa) before visiting Sabarimala.


Avatar of/Related to

Ayyappa is considered the divine child of Shiva and Vishnu (as Mohini). He brings Shaivite and Vaishnava Hindu traditions together. Considered Avatar of Ayyanar, Sastha.


Regions most worshiped

Ayyappa is most worshipped in Kerala.


Well-Known Stories

  • Ayyappa was a divine baby, found in the jungle by King RajSekhara of Pandalam, who adopted him as a son. The King wanted him to be the heir. However, his Queen wanted their birth child to be King. She faked sickness & asked Ayyappa to bring Tigress Milk as a cure, thinking he will perish in the Jungle. Ayyappa instead returned to King’s court accompanied by a tigress itself.
  • Indra, the king of Gods in heaven, requested his help to kill Mahishi, the powerful demoness, sister of Mahishasur. She had received the boon from Brahma that only the son of Shiva (Hara) and Vishnu (Hari) can kill her. Mahishi, in the process of being killed, gets un-cursed and reverts to her original form of the beautiful lady Malikapurathamma, who wanted to marry Ayyappa. She had been waiting for him to come out of meditation for many years in her temple. Devotees visiting Ayyappa temple also visit her temple.
  • Vavar a Muslim devout and his gang challenged Ayyappa, but got defeated, and became his devotee realizing his divine power. He wowed allegiance to Ayyappa. Vavar’s shrine in a Mosque is visited by all Ayyappa devotees during their pilgrimage to Sabarimala.


Fascinating Facts

  • Women of age between 10 to 50 do not visit Sabarimala temple in Kerala, respecting the Celibacy vow of Ayyappa since many centuries.
  • He is considered the Sastha (Teacher)
  • Presiding Deity of Kaliyuga.


Other Popular Names

  • Ayyappan – (Divine Father)
  • Manikanta – (Wearing Mani (gem stone) as a necklace)
  • Shasta – (Teacher)
  • Dharma Shasta – (Dharma Teacher)
  • HariHaraPutra (Son of Vishnu and Shiva)
  • BhoothNathan (Lord of all living beings)


Popular/Well-known Prayers

Harivarasanam - https://youtu.be/ezKWPd9rH0M?list=PLZl7PuEsdIZfFV-oSAzN-PPs-2JeM1Szz