Sastha – the Lord of the Vedhas

1) Is ayyappa a dravidian god which is taken into hindu religion after a long time?

bcoz we cannot see him any of the puranas.Only in Skanda purana and brahmanda purana we can see some glimpses about his existance.

2)Why his worship is more popular in  kerala and tamil nadu? 

3)who is karuppa saamy? Nothing has been mentioned in any of the puranas about him also.

4)We can see in wikipedia and related serches that ayyanaar worship started from 2nd Century AD itself in tamilnaadu.Is there any chance that a warrior lived in that time and due to the respect every body treated him as god?

5)In sankaracharyar's book "mahastru pooja klapdrumam" we can see balasastha mantram in a local malaylam language and am sure that the particular mantras for balasastha is not sanskrit.This even generates the dought that whether the book written by some body else?

Vinay Krishnan

Project Engineer

Al Faraa Contracting

Abudabi

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Dear Mr Vinay

Very nice questions.... Though I have answered most of these questions in my Book Maha Sastha Vijayam, let me try to briefly answer the queries....

1) Is ayyappa a dravidian god which is taken into hindu religion after a long time?

bcoz we cannot see him any of the puranas.Only in Skanda purana and brahmanda purana we can see some glimpses about his existance.

This theory is called "ABSURD".... First make the difference between Sastha and Ayyappa... Ayyappa is a local name which will never appear in Puranas (Like Subramanya and Muruga)

So its not right to say Sastha does not appear in Puranas. Do we have access to the Puranas directly ? do we read the original text of the puranas in the original saskrit text?

The total number of slokas in all the puranas goes to 4 lakhs and everyone reads only the precise form of translation of these puranas and never dream about the original text.

Hariharaputra or Sastha is very well available in Brahmanda Purana, Skanda purana (not as a passing reference or glimpses as you reffred but we have exclusive Sastha Patalam itself and 143 places where Sastha is referred). Apart from this Linga Purana, Padma Purana shows the reference of Sastha..

You even have the reference of Sastha in Upanishad...

I can quote a number of examples... but Iam concluding with this...

Please read my article 

Sastha – the Lord of the Vedhas

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2009/09/sastha-lord-of-vedhas.html

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2)Why his worship is more popular in  kerala and tamil nadu? 

According to my findings, the worship of Sastha must have been a very widespread one - now confined to Southern Zone... 

You have traces of worship of Sastha at Bengal- but in a different form...

In Maharashtra its in a different name 

In Andra its Gurunatha

Mahidara, the author of Manta Mahodati(written in 14th Century) refers the prayoga karma of a particular Sastha Mantram.... He refers Sastha as the presiding deity of Raivatha Giri (present Day Gujarat) 

Brhaspati Smriti refers "Raivathe Maha Sastha" ie Maha Sastha lives on Raivatha Giri....

You even have a place called Mt. Sastha at United States where the Native Indians worship a figure which is very much in resemblance to our Lord Sastha.

May be the southern zone is less penetrated and less attacked and due to the Divine will, the worship of Sastha still prevails here

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3)who is karuppa saamy? Nothing has been mentioned in any of the puranas about him also.

Karuppan is the commander in cheif of Sastha's Army of Bhutas....

Ofcourse, so far nothing has been found regarding Karuppan in the puranas.... and many consider him to be Non-Vedhic deity.... 

But remember we  have exclusive and powerful moola mantra for Karuppan - which is not possible for a non-vedhic deity...

For any deity for that matter, the mantra Sasthra lists five limbs(parts) - 

1. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Ashtothra /  Sahasranama
2. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Moola Mantra
3. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Purana
4. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Kavacha
5. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Dhyana / Stotra

Mantra Sasthra recommends, even if one out of this five is available- its assumed that the remaining four are available.. and we need to search for it.. 

For Karuppan you have three - A wonderful Ashtotram from Rudrayamala Tantra and a very powerful Dhyana and an exclusive moola mantra....

You also have prayoga vidhi using Karuppan, which i cant reveal here....

So Karuppan is a vedhic deity - lack of availability of information on our side is not the mistake of Mantra Sasthra... More of practical experience is to be counted here...

(And there are people who  consider Karuppan as an Amsha or local representation of Maha Kala... who has a definite purana- Iam not entering that subject now....)

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4)We can see in wikipedia and related serches that ayyanaar worship started from 2nd Century AD itself in tamilnaadu.Is there any chance that a warrior lived in that time and due to the respect every body treated him as god?

I dont take the version of Historians who give absurd date to each period like placing Adhi Shankra to 8th century AD etc....


Also wikipedia is a place where anyone can write anything.... In one wikipedia page it was written "Sastha has a wife called Pushkala and son called Poorna." (?? !!)  I felt like breaking the computer seeing that....

Now coming to this statement - even before 2nd century you have poets of Sangam period who are named "Sathanar" - a name given after Lord Sastha...

A warrior who is treated as GOD - a system which was followed in Tamilnadu.... It is called Nadukal and the system is totally irrelevant to Ayyanar worship...

If you have visited any Ayyanar temple you could have noticed that Ayyanar/ Sastha is very much according to the Agamic Form... 

The Huge figures with Moustage, Big eyes and having very big swords - this is not ayyanar... these are of later date made up of sand-lime or cement..

Whereas Ayyanar is made of stone idol and is of normal size, without any moustage and with two devis - poorna and pushkala - typical agamic style

Nadukal deities have a specific rule which is no way connected to Ayyanar. 

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5)In sankaracharyar's book "mahastru pooja klapdrumam" we can see balasastha mantram in a local malaylam language and am sure that the particular mantras for balasastha is not sanskrit.This even generates the dought that whether the book written by some body else?

Ive seen the book you are mentioning... If I remember right its published in 1990s and that book does'nt give any source text for claiming it to be written by Shankara...

Just because its printed Adhi Shankara Virachitam it doesnt mean its authored by Shankara.... 

And by mentioning Bala Sastha I dont think its refering the Bala Swaroopam (Child Form) of Sastha.. instead it gives the dhyanam as "Dhamshtra Karaala Vadhanam...." and gives some absurd moola mantra (???) with typical malayalam words.... It tries to glorify the Kuttichathan who has nothing to do with Sastha....

Regarding the other moola mantras given in the book - some are right but its not free of mistakes (it is complied from the mantras followed and given as upadesham within a particular family at Trivandrum) 

You need not doubt.... the book is definitely written by somebody else and of a very latest origin...

A very very important prayer to Ask

This is one of the important slokas from my daily prayers.

After hearing the sudden demise of Shri. Surya Narayanan (Chellappa Mama), I just thought of this wonderful sloka and felt like sharing with other devotees..

This is a supreme prayer each bhakta has to chant daily..... 

anAyAsena sAyujyam vinA dainyena jIvanam |

dehi me krupayA SAstA tvayi bhaktimacancalAm ||

A painless liberation, a life devoid of misery - please grant these my Lord Sastha ! and also give me an unwavering devotion towards you..

Whom to ask ? - dehi me krupayA SAstA 

Each one may pray to his ishta devata; But I pray only to one devata my dearest Sastha; Each of us pray to our only refuge -  Lord Sastha - One who can liberate us from this cycle of birth and death. 

dehi me krupayA SAstA  - Oh Sastha ! take pity in me and please grant me the following

anAyAsena sAyujyam 

Oh Lord ! please give be an instant - painless exit; In this slokam many chant it as "anayAsena maranam" - but maranam is mere death; we chant it as "anAyAsena sAyujyam" - sAyujyam is reaching the Lord's abode..

Death is a painful process. Sastras compare this pain to 1000 scorpions biting at the same time.  But for good souls, the exit route is simple and painless. 

For Ordinary people, the Yama kinkaras come and forcibly carry him away...  For a noble soul, the ganas of his Ishta Devata come and requests the person politely that the vehicle for the last journey is ready and he may start. 

So ask for anAyAsena sAyujyam - A painless exit

vinA dainyena jIvanam

In todays mundane world every person is suffering but no one is ready to even pity for others... 

No one is ready to take care of even his parents.... Just imagine the plight when a person is totally dependent on others.. thats the most pitiable situation.... 

Not even suffering for a single day in death bed; Living with satisfaction and leaving with satisfaction.

So ask for 

anAyAsena sAyujyam vinA dainyena jIvanam - A painless exit and a life devoid of misery

tvayi bhaktimacancalAm

All these prayers are possible if the mind is fixed on GOD at the last moment. But is it possible for us to think Him during the last moment? You dont have any short cut for that.  

Only if you pray to him from now, you may get the inclination to think Him during the last moment. The last moments are so painful unless we practice calling him now. We may not even remember GOD at the last moment. 

So ask for bhaktimacancalAm an unwavering devotion towards the Lord

Therefore, let us ask him to give us the strength and faith to remember / think of HIM always and especially towards the end.

anAyAsena sAyujyam vinA dainyena jIvanam |

dehi me krupayA SAstA tvayi bhaktimacancalAm ||

List of Veteran Guruswamys of Yesteryears

The following is the List of Great and Veteran Guruswamis who undertook the Sabarimala Yatra Since a long time (some 50- 60 years ago) and who lived as a Guiding Light to the clan of Devotees.

My Namaskarams to all these great men who have attained the heights in their spiritual experience and who have lived in all the ages.

Note : Iam presenting the photographs of the Guruswamis which are available. In case if you have any additional information or better photographs please do mail me(aravindsai@gmail.com).. so that we can add it immediately

Swamy Sharanam
V.Aravind Subramanyam
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Salutaions to all Guruswamis !!!

• Parvatheepuram Venkateswara Iyer
• Alapuzha Kameswara Iyer
• Perumbaavoor Kasthuri Ranga Iyer
• Ambalapuzha Ragava Iyer
• Thazhava Krishna Iyer
• Kayankulam Krishna Iyer
• Karunagapalli Harihara Iyer
• Mukathalai Krishna Iyer
• Kidankoor Rama Iyer
• Kidankoor Venkateswara Iyer
• (Trivandrum) Puthentheru Harihara Iyer
• Trivandrum Anantharama Iyer
• Paravoor Lakshmi Narayana Iyer (Kambankudi)
• Paravoor Shankaralinga Iyer (Kambankudi)
• Kanyakumari Sesha Iyer
• Kollam Krishna Iyer
• Kulathu Iyer (Kambankudi)
• Azhwarkurichi Subramanya Iyer
• Punaloor Subramanya Iyer (Punaloor Thatha)

Punaloor Subramanya Iyer (Punaloor Thatha)

• Suseendram Subramanya Iyer
• Sundaram Kulathu Iyer (Kambankudi)

Kambankudi Sundaram Kulathu Iyer

• Tharakadu Rama Iyer

Tharakadu Rama Iyer

• Kottayam Subramanya Iyer
• Chidambaram Krishna Moorthi Iyer (Prabhu)

Chidambaram Krishnamoorthi Iyer (Prabhu)

• Senkottai Shankara Iyer
• Kottarakara Harihara Iyer

Kottarakara Harihara Iyer

• Trivandrum V Neelakanta Iyer

Neelakanda Iyer

• CV Srinivasa Iyer (Chaami Anna)

Kalpathy CV Srinivasa Iyer (Chaami Anna)

• CV Krishna Iyer 

Kalpathy CV Krishna Iyer

• Perumpavoor Harihara Iyer
• Kambankudi Sundaram Iyer

Kambankudi Sundaram Iyer

• Kambankudi Harihara Iyer

Kambankudi Harihara Iyer

• KS Narayana Iyer (Kambankudi) (Periyaswamy)

Kambankudi KS Narayana Iyer (Periyaswamy)

• KS Harihara Iyer (Kambankudi)

Kambankudi KS Harihara Iyer

• S Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer (Kambankudi)

S Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer (Kambankudi)

Rajapalayam Harihara Iyer

Palai Baskara Iyer

Thiruppugazh Pappa

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 4

Palai Baskara Iyer 

Palai Baskara Iyer was a true guide and helper to all the devotees. He had a lovely physique, fair complexion, graceful look and the Bramma Thejas which will attract even the person who is against him 

After Harihara Iyer, many tried for the Sabarimala Velichappad position and no one knew the Lord's will that who will be the next Velichappad. For this reason many consider Harihara Iyer as the Last Official Velichappad of Sabarimala. But Palai Baskara Iyer who occupied the post is not a person to be ignored.

As mentioned above, after several confusions, during one Makara Sankramana a certain group at Sabarimala decided to "choose" the next Velichappad. The person they had chosen was stading right in front of the Srikovil. After the evening deeparadhana a person posed as if getting into trance and took the haram from the Lord's neck the and came running. But who can play with Sathya swaroopi Bhagawan? He slipped near the srikovil entrance and his head got hit at the upper portion of the Srikovil door and he fainted immediately. Now a shanthikaran who was inside the Srikovil got the supreme power within him and instantly took the haram and came out running and he threw the garland and it went to Palai Shri Baskara Iyer who was at that time doing his Gayatri Japam. Thus Palai Baskara Iyer was opted to be the next Velichappad of Sabarimala Temple. 

Baskara Iyer had yet another speciality - the Mudra Vadi he had was the Lord's. During the disastrous fire accident in 1952 at Sabarimalai, everything was burnt to ashes including the Srikovil. The Moola Vigraham of Ayyappan ( made of Krishna Shila)  was broken into pieces. The Only thing remained was the Mudra Vadi which was kept along with the Lord's Vigraham. When Baskara Iyer went to Sabarimalai temple for seeing the temple, the melshanthi who was there took the Mudravadi and gave it to him.

People still recollect the glorious scene of Palai Baskara Iyer getting into trance at Sabari Peetam while receiving the Tiruvabaranam. He use to run along with the Trivabaranam entirely in Trance Mood right from Sabari Peetam to Sannidhanam rotating his mudravadi and looking upward towards the sky... When he enters the Padinettampadi, accompanied by the Thiruvabharanam and he will be given a karpura  Harathi and received to the Sannidhanam.

It was an experience to watch Baskara Iyer in Trance.. And all what he says is total SATYAM and defying his instructions can only result in a problem.

There are numerous examples that can be quoted explaining the marvels of Palai Shri Baskara Iyer. And still we have thousands of people who were lucky enough who had the opportunity of meeting and getting the blessings of this great soul. 

Palai Baskara Iyer and Shri CV Srinivasa Iyer (Chaami Anna)
at Sabarimala Sannidhanam - a photograph from yester years
if Iam right its Pankuni Uthram (March) 1973

He was a very good friend of My Grandfather( Shri Chami Anna) and was a frequent visitor to our house at Kalpathy. Baskara Iyer used to accompany Chaami Anna during his Pankuni Uthra Poojas at Sannidhanam.

After serving the Lord and the devotees for many years Palai Baskara Iyer reached his divine abode during the late 80s. When his mortal remains were cremated, the next day there was a very big flood at Palai. His relatives worried about the sanchayanam (which needed the remains of the cremated body) because the crematorium was surrounded by water upto the hip. As soon as they reached the spot where he was cremated, instanteously a portion of it sprang out along with some fire and started floating on the water. The Lord proved his greatness even after his demise.

After Palai Baskara Iyer, there was (or rather there is) actually a fight for the status of Velichappad in Sabarimalai amongst the Tamil Brahmins. People considered that this status was reserved solely for the Tamil Brahmins only. Many tried in many ways, but could not succeed.  There are persons who claim to be the disciple of Palai Baskara Iyer and having his mudra vadi and Tamil Brahmin origin etc (But the reality is, the person who is claiming it today he has not even seen Baskara Iyer and definitely not a Tamil Brahmin). 

After Palai Baskara Iyer there is no Velichappad in Sabarimalai except that some pose themselves as Velichappads and act in such manner.

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 3

Pulikkal Matam Kottarakara Bramma Sree Harihara Iyer 

After Anantakrishna Iyer came the illustrious Kottarakara Harihara Iyer. Kottarakara Harihara Iyer was a pioneer in Sabarimala Yatra and was a true friend to all sincere devotees.

He had a thorough knowledge of the Puja Kalpam and was a master in doing the systematic puja and worship to Lord Hariharaputra. He never bothred about the Guru Dakshina given by the disciples. He used the entire sum for doing annadhanam during the sabari yatra.

He was a strict disciplinarian and followed it with utmost sincerity and also made sure that all his sishyas follow it with same discipline.

Once a disciple wanted to treck sabarimala with Harihara Iyer. Iyer asked the disciple to get the permission from his parents. The parents were quite hestitant in sending their only son to the difficult yatra. The son kept on persisting for 4-5 days and finally convinced his parents and got their permission. Immediately he rushed to Harihara Iyer for wearing the Mudra mala.. But because of the 4-5 days delay he had in his native place, he had only 46 days left for the Sabarimala Yatra.

Harihara Iyer politely refused saying,
"Dear Child! you dont have enough number of days for observing the vrutham for a complete Mandala Kaalam(48 Days). Dont worry...  Let us see next year"

Those days sabari yatra was entirely through the thick forest. Wild animals, rain, flood etc could easily attack and trouble the devotees. Because of his upasana, Harihara Iyer could easily predict the hazards that are going to happen during the yatra and warned the devotees and saved them from the hardships.

Similar to Kalarkadu Appu Iyer, few group of devotees doubted the Trance mood of Harihara Iyer. They decided to test Harihara Iyer by putting an iron chain (Changili) inside the fire (Aazhi) at Pampa and place the red hot iron chain in a place where Harihara iyer would walk.

At Pampa the regular pujas were going on and Harihara Iyer got into trance. As the aazhi blazed and tongues of flames went  higher, he casually went to the Fire Aazhi and sat inside the fire. He took the red hot iron chain and wore it as if its a Garland. He started giving prasadam sitting on the Aazhi fire.

Everyone who witnessed the incident stood spellbound and cursed themselves for doubting this great soul and begged his pardon.

The disciples of Kottarakara Harihara Iyer later became very great Guruswamys and were the beckon light to the clan of devotees. Among the Trinities of Sabarimala ie Punalur Shri Subramanya Iyer, Trivandrum Shri Neelakanda Iyer and Kambankudi Shri Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer, the latter two were the disciples of Harihara Iyer.

Pulikkal Matam Kottarakara Bramma Sree Harihara Iyer occupied the post of Veliya Velichappad for a very long span and merged in Him in 1944.

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 2

Ambalapuzha AnanthaKrishna Iyer :

After Appu Ayyar, many tried for the respectable position of Sabarimala Velichappad, but the position was not that easy to acquire. 

The process was On an auspicious day (like Makara Sankarma) after the evening deeparadhana the then melsanthi gets the supereme power invoked within him for a moment and comes out of the Srikovil with a haram on his hand which was originally placed on the diety's neck.  Instanteously he puts it on a person who is Lord's choice without his self-knowledge.  Then the person who was selected was taken by the Melshanthi and the tantri to Basmakulam. After a holy dip he is brough back to the sannidhanam. The newly opted Valia Velichappadu is made to sit in the southeastern corner of this Mandapam )which was present at that time in front of the srikovil) 

Valiavilichapadu is offered a Palagai made of Jack wood framed with Silver and made of Jack wood. The melsanthi then brings in a full banana leaf, the prasadams which is then handed over to the Velicjappad. The Melsanthi and the Tantri offers Sastanga Namaskaram to the Vailavelichapaddu and gets this prasadam fro him as blessings. Valliavilichapadu is always seated  on the vellipalagai in is Mandapam during season. He was considered as the "visual representatie of the Lord"

It is said that Velichapadus were there for almost all dieties of Sabarimala like Vavar,Kaduthai,Karuppasawamy etc who all assemble at Erumeli during Makaravilakku season. Everyone take thr Valliavilichapadu's blessing and basmam before terking in periapadai for makaravilakku dharshan.

Thus after Kalarkad Appu Iyer, the new Velichappad post was given to a retired school teacher, a Tamil Brahmin Ambalapuzha Ananthakrishna Iyer.

Ananthakrishna Iyer was a pleasing personality and was very sincere and highly devoted to the Lord. He served the devotees and the Lord to the maximum extend possible and had a very cordial relationship will all the devotees without even a pinch of Ego. Inspite of his position as Velia Velichapad, like an ordinary priest he will readily agree to perform Poojas in any devotee’s house, whenever requested.

The velichappads of those days never misused their respectable position of Sabarimala Velichappad. Though the Velichappad had many unwritten powers and influence over the devotees. AnanthaKrishna Iyer was a humble person and it is said he lived a very very simple life and suffered a lot to carry out his day to day activities.

People still remember the marvels of Ananthakrishna Iyer and his powers. He used to get into trance at Erumeli and give prasadams to the devotees assembled there.. He would easily judge the sincerity of the Vrutham undertaken by the person. Based on the caliber of the Vrutham he would allow or stop the person from proceeding the yatra. Even the devotees had sincere belief and would proceed to sabarimala only after the permission(Utharavu) of the Velichapad. There are many incidents where the devotees ignored the Velichappad's words and underwent a lot of sufferings.

He served the Lord for about thirteen years as Velichappad, severed his worldly connections in 1920.

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TO BE CONTINUED

Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 1

Velichappad is a term used in kerala - especially with Bhagawati temples. This actually denotes the traditional upasakas of the respective deities who are inspired and get the supereme power invoked within them.

During religious ceremonies and poojas these Velichappad(or Sthanika - as they are called in Brahmana Samoohams) gets himself into a trance and these Sthanikas are offered respect by the devotees and upacharas are done to them. They bless the devotees with prasadam and convey the deity's satisfaction and certain prophecies.

These words which come from their mouth are the words of the deity itself. The person who is seated as the Velichapad is considered as the God himself (during that time) and he can tell the past, present and future.

Even today many people - comment on this “Swami Thullal” and have a hesitation to believe this. This is beacuse most of us fail to undertand the real trance and the emotional outburst. I have seen 90% of the pujas people mistake an emotional person to be in trance and offer him respects and all other things -which is totally wrong. When really the Lord's arrival happens-the man gets himself immersed in trance, and the very sight is divine - he issues orders, gives blessings and prasadam to the devotees present. The total atmosphere is filled with divinity.

The Velichappad is a common phenominea in most of the Devi temples, but in case of Sastha- it was a very very rare incident - except only for the Kambankudi family who had the previlege of getting the trance of Dharma Sastha. Later on when the concept of Sastha Preethi started spreading to all Brahmana Samoohams, Swami chose few upasakas to be his representatives.

Paravoor Shankaralinga Iyer, Kambankudi Veeramani Iyer, Tharakad Rama Iyer, Kalpathy (Chaami Anna) CV Srinivasa Iyer(my grandfather), Sucheendram Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer, Trivandrum Anantharama Iyer, Parvathipuram Venkateeswra Iyer, were few stalwars and Veteren Stanikas of yester years.

Our records show the Dharma Sastha temple at Sabarimalai - had Velichappads or Sthanikas since 1874. Let me try to present the details or atleat a brief outline about the Velichappad of Sabarimala.

Kalarkad Appu Iyer:

"Even a Nasthika will become an Asthika after seeing Appu Iyer in trance" - was a famous quote during the years 1905/06. Even now, people at Kalarkode believe that Appu Iyer was the incarnation of the Lord Sastha Himself and even today, there are many stories told about his achievements. He is perhaps (recordically) the first and famous Velichappad of Sabarimalai. (This offical post on Sabarimala was usually termed as the “Valia Velichappad”.)

Appu Iyer was a dynamic and pleasing personality, backed with strict upasana and Bhakthi towards Lord Dharma Saastha. It is said that people from far off places come to see the Sastha Preethi at Kalarkode(near Alleppy) Brhamana Samooham to get the blessings of the Lord through Appu Iyer.

Appu Iyer's thejas and upasana earned him respect from all corners. Even the Maharaja of Travancore had a great regard for Appu Iyer and specially felicitated him. He tracked to Sabarimalai every year, and During the Sabarimalai season at Erumeli temple and at Sabarimalai Sannidhanam, Appu Iyer used to get into trance and would answer the queries of the devotees.

This was not taken in the right sense by few devotees there. A very sincere Nair devotee from Alangad had his own reservation in accepting Appu Iyer. He felt this scenario is disturbing the sacredness of the pilgrimage itself. He came to a conclusion and decided to test Appu Iyer's trance by an unique method. H used to receive Dakshina and donations from devotees - which he very secretly and saved the amount; this he did for three years. Then he very secretly employed a goldsmith and made a gold chain with bells for seven sovereigns. Nobody knew about it and the purpose for which it is made.

The next year's mandala kaalam started and he carried the chain in a velvet bag and went to sabarimala. His idea was - If Appu Iyer really had the powers, during his trance, should ask him about the chain. Since it so secretly made, if Appu Iyer could know this he will garland Appu Iyer or else throw him out of Sabarimalai immediately.

As usual everyone was at Sabarimalai and during the Deeparadhana, Appu Iyer, who was sitting on the Mandapam at Sannidhanam, got into a trance. He called for the Alangad devotee and casually explained all the details about the chain, including the amount the collected, thes ource of the money, the gold smith who made it, actual cost of the chain, number of bells it had and the exact weight of the chain and theplace where the devotee had safely kept the chain. The Nair was spellbound.

Appu Iyer also asked the devotee to come and garland him - since he had decided in his mind to garland him if his doubts are cleared. Alangad Nair stood speechless and astonished; he respectfully came forward abd prostrated before Appu Iyer. He was totally impressed with Appu Iyer that instead of presenting a floral Garland he garlanded Appu Iyer with the very same neck chain and seeked his blessings and felt sorrt for doubting him. All the devotees who stood there were were really amused and astonished to see this and jointly called aloud “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa”.

There are many such anecdotes told even today about the powers and achievements of Appu Iyer the great. Similar incidents made Appu Iyer’s fame rise to the top, and he became very famous as the “Valia Velichappad of Sabarimalai”. Appu Iyer weared the chain gifted by the Alangad devotee till his end.

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TO BE CONTINUED.................