The Plan of Sastha

We made a trip to Sabarimalai yesterday combining various reasons... Right from my morning puja I was a very satisfactory that things would go smooth. The grace of all my Gurus and my great grand father will surely help me reach my goals.

Kuthiraan - our favorite spot of the Lord - standing in front of His very Sannidhi gave us an assurance... To be frank - though I felt very happy  and assured there, I never expected such a favorable turn of events from all quarters. 

Throughout the yatra the positive charge was with us... At Pampa during my japam, the main purpose of my visit was accomplished and it was clearly and  physically acknowledged by the Lord. 

The spark gave me the happiness of a lifetime, not because I have achieved something great but to remind me to be more grateful to the ever compassionate God.

The darshanam of our beloved Manikanta was a magical moment(as usual...!!!). and on the whole all the events took a miraculous turn and we were blessed with much more than what we planned and what we expected. 

After a wonderful trip to Sabarimalai we came back yesterday night...  and today morning I wanted to refer a text regarding Dakshina Kaali.... So I went to my library and took the book.  The book was "Dashamaha Vidya" - which completely deals on mantras of the Ten Forms of Devi... and no way related to Sastha.... 

But when I opened the book, I found the place where it was written :

"சாஸ்தாவின் திட்டம் பலித்தது" "Sasthaavin Thittam Balithathu"

The Plan of Sastha - prevailed

My Bhaktaparipala have planned every action that happens next and every molecule in check and under control.

Fortunate to be a slave to the ever compassionate master !!! 

Thiruvabaranam at Veliyanavattam

The Thiruvabarana Yatra and the Miraculous Krishna Parundu as wittnessed by us from Veliyanavattam Viri

Guru Dakshina during Sabari Yatra

Dear Gurugaru,

We read about the Guru dhakshina in your article.
What is the procedure for Gurudakshina in sabarimala ?

Each and everytime we put down our Iramudi we need to pay Guru dakshina to guruswami. Is this right?

Rammohan Swami
Guntur
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The whole concept of Sabarimala revolves round Guru - without him no yatra gets fulfilled.

Here talking about the qualifications of a Guruswamy will lead to a spearate topic; so Iam just giving the details regarding Guru dakshina.

The Guruswamy takes you to the Lord; He is leading you towards the Lord. So in order to show your graditude towards him we need to pay Guru Dakshina to the Swami and do namaskaram to him.

Now we see many so called Guruswamys threatening the sishyas not to remove the Irumudi from the head wihtout him(Guruswamy) and demand dakshina for each time. This is not right.

This is what Iam taught by the elders. A sishya has to pay respects to his Guruswamy and pay him Guru dakshina 8 times during the sabarimala yatra.

1. The first time when the Guru formally accepts him for the sabarimala yatra
2. While wearing the Maala
3. While taking the irumudi - Kettu Nerai
4. At Erumeli after the darshanam while starting the yatra
5. At Azhudha river
6. At Pampa after the snanam and while starting
7. At sannidhanam after the abhishekam
8. While removing the maala

It is the duty of every Ayyappa bhaktha to follow all these rules strictly and earn the grace of Guruswamy and thereby get the blessings of Guruswamy's Guruswamy(Lord Ayyappa)

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa