சக்தி விகடன்-ல் என்னுடைய சிறப்புக் கட்டுரை

இந்த இதழ் சக்தி விகடன்-ல் ஐயப்பனைப் பற்றிய என்னுடைய சிறப்புக் கட்டுரை இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது ! 

ஸ்வாமி சரணம்

அரவிந்த் ஸுப்ரமண்யம்

Why Lord Dharma Sastha descended on earth?

Why Lord Dharma Sastha descended on earth?

by

--Bhakta Dasan Sri V. NILAKANTA IYER, Trivandrum

Lord Parasurama reclaimed the fair land of Kerala from the sea. For the protection thereof, He installed Devi in Shrines along its West Coast and Sastha on the hills of Western Ghats on the eastern side. The most famous of the Sasthashrines is the one at Sabari Malai. In many places

Sastha is being installed as a guardian angel.

Why did Dharma Sastha descend on earth?

The three Trinity forces combined and Dattathreya was born. The three Trinity consort forces combined and was born as daughter to Rishi Galava. She was named Leelavathi. Dattathreya and Leelavathi joined in wed-lock and they lived happily for a good length of time.

As time went on Dattathreya yearned to go back and merge in Trinity. Leelavathi would not let him go. There was an altercation, at the end of which Dattathreya cursed Leelavathi. He said that she would be born a Mahishi (She-buffolow). Leelavathi cursed Dattathreya in return and said that he would be born as a Mahishan (He-buffalow). The two curses took effect, Leelavathi becoming a Mahishi and Dhattatreya becoming a Mahishan. The two (Dattathreva and Leelavathi) were reveling together for sometime. Dhattatreya again yearning for his merge with Divinity left Mahishi and had a merge. Mahishi started perpetrating atrocities in this world and in the nether worlds. So, Mahishi is depicted as the incarnation of evil. When evil prevailed in the world and Dharma was at low ebb, the Lord had to descend on earth as Dharma Sastha. One of the purposes of this Avtar was " Mahishi Mardanam" (The destruction of evil).

King Rajasekhara of Pandalam was a Brahmin by name Vijaya in his previous birth. Vijaya had no issues. So he went to sage after sage and prayed to bless him with progeny. At last he went to Sabari of Ramayana fame. Sabari gave him a pot, asked him to go north from her ashram and when he reached a particular spot on a hill side asked him to go west, down the slope of the hill until he came to a rivulet and when reached there to fill the pot with water and pour it on his own head. He did as directed, as he poured the water on his head the pot slipped down from his hand and broke to pieces. As he stood there wondering what to do, a boy appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. Vijaya by intuition knew that the boy who stood before him was none other than the Lord himself. So he told the boy. "You should be my son" the Lord said "be it so". In due course Vijaya was born as king Rajasekharan of

Pandalam.

Lord Dharma Sastha had a curse that he should undergo human sensitude for a period of twelve years. So after obtaining Lord Shiva's permission Dharma Sastha lay on a sand bank in the river Pamba with a bell tied around his neck. When king Rajasekhara of Pandalam; went to that spot for hunting, the king picked up the child and handed him over to his queen on his return from hunt. He was named Manikantan. The child was in Pandalam for a period of 12 years in human sensitude.

Having served at Pandalam for 12 years it was time for the Lord to fulfill the other purpose of HIS Avatar. So, by HIS wish, the queen, HIS foster mother had an illusory head-ache. By HIS wish he made the King's Minister call in a physician. By HIS wish HE made the physician suggest the cure of the queen's head-ache, a medicine should be prepared for which an ingredient should be the milk of a live leopardess. So, on the minister's suggestion King Rajasekhara sent Manikantan to the forest to fetch a live leapordes's milk. The boy (Manikanta) prayed to Lord Shiva I and started for the forest. Rajasekhara who was a worshipper of Shiva gave Manikanta a coconut (symbolizing Shiva) for HIS protection, before HE left.

Manikantan reached the forest. All the Bhoodaganams of Shiva appeared before Him as Leapords and Leapordesses. Indira himself appeared before him as huge Tiger. Manikantan rode on the Tiger's back to Pandalam bringing with HIM the entire band of leapordesses. On seeing this return of Manikanta on the Tiger followed by herds of Leapords and Leapordesses, the people of Pandalam were in panic and ran helter-skelter. Then Manikanta revealed his identity and initiated king Rajasekhara into Gnana Yoga and the minister, the queen and the physician into Karma Yoga. HE taught the jealous queen, the ambitions minister and the wicked physician that the only Karma they had to do was to seek refuge in HIM.

The Guru taught Manikanta and initiated HIM into all Abhyasams was one named Vijaya. Vijaya had a deaf and dumb child. At the request of the Guru's wife, that Manikanta should set right his child; HE sprinkled some water over the child and anointed it. The child started hearing and talking. This incident perhaps shows that the Lord descended on earth to cure mankind of physical maladies also. Leaving Pandalam He went to the forest where he was joined by HIS parivarams such as Dwaparan and Kaduvaran (Vavar and Caduthai) It was the month of panguni, the day on which the Uthram star was ascendant.

 Mahishi was perpetrating atrocities in heaven. The Lord went there, caught Mahishi by the herbs and flung her down on earth. Her body fell on the bank of the River Alasa, now called Azutha. The Lord came down and started dancing on the body. It is said that Lord Shiva and Parvathi came on their riding bull and halted at a place called Kalaikatti, from there to witness " Mahishi Mardhanam" destruction of evil in this world.

Having initiated king Rajasekhara into Gnana Yoga, the Lord shot an arrow to show him the spot where to construct the shrine, to install HIM. The king could follow the course of the arrow with his mental eyes. The arrow flew past Sabari Peedam and struck against a peepal tree.

Sabari was a huntress who reached dizzy heights in the spiritual plane by Guru Bakthi and service of Guru along. Poet Valmiki has assigned to hear a very exalted position in the Ramayana. Lord Dharma Sastha is said to have raised her to the state of Nirvana.

So, the Lord descended on earth to destroy evil, to undergo human servitude for 12 years, teach Gnana Yoga to people like king Rajasekhara, to fulfill his promise to the Brahmin Vijaya to be his son, to teach erring mankind, that the only Dharma they had to do was to seek refuge in HIM and to raise Sabari to the state of Nirvana.

At Sabarimalai Lord Dharmasastha is seated on Padmasana (a thousand petalled Lotus) HE is sitting on his feet, the legs and body being tethered together by a Yoga pattai. The left arm resting on the left knee has the hand pointing down to the left foot. The right arm resting on the right knee has the hand raised up with the tips of the thump and the pointing finger joined together, showing thereby that the Lord merges the Jeevathma in the Paramathma. [The thumb is the paramathma and the pointing finger is the Jeevathma].

SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA

எருமேலியில் உள்ளது யார்? (வாபுரனும் வாவரும்)

சபரிமலை யாத்திரையில் முக்கியமானதொரு கேந்த்ரம் எருமேலி; உலகின் எந்த பகுதியிலிருந்து வரும் பக்தர்களும் ஒன்று கூடும் இடம். இங்கிருந்து தான் யாத்திரையின் முக்கியமான அங்கமான பெரியபாதை எனப்படும் பகவானின் பூங்காவனம் (காடு) துவங்கும்.

இங்கிருக்கும் வாவர் பள்ளிக்கு நம்முடைய ஐயப்ப பக்தர்கள் செல்லுவது குறித்து பலருக்கும் சந்தேகங்கள் உண்டு. இதைக் குறித்து ஏற்கனவே எனது நூலான ”ஸ்ரீ மஹாசாஸ்தா விஜய”த்தில் தெளிவுபடுத்தியுள்ளேன். இருந்தாலும் சில அன்பர்கள் கேட்டுக் கொண்டதற்கு இணங்க கொஞ்சம் விரிவான பதிவு.

மணிகண்டனின் புராணத்தோடு தொடர்புடைய இடம் எருமேலி. சாஸ்தா கிராதனாக - வேட்டைக்காரக் கோலத்தில் காட்சி தரும் திருத்தலம். மஹிஷி மாரிகா வனம் என்று இதற்கு புராணப் பெயர். மஹிஷிமாரிகாவனம் - எருமைக்கொல்லியாக மாறி பின்னர் எருமேலியாக மாறி இருக்கிறது.

இங்கிருக்கும் வாவர்பள்ளியில் ஐயப்ப பக்தர்கள் வணங்கும் பழக்கம், காலக்கணக்கில் மிகவும் பிற்காலத்தில் வந்த ஒன்றாகவே இருக்க முடியும்.

மணிகண்டனின் புராணம் பல்லாயிரம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் முற்பட்டது. சரியாக சொல்வதென்றால் த்வாபரயுகத்தைச் சேர்ந்தது. ஆனால் இஸ்லாம் என்ற சமயம் உருவாகி இன்னும் முழுமையாக 1500 ஆண்டுகள் ஆகவில்லை.

ஐயனின் சரித்திரமாக பலர் கூறும் கதைகளில் இடம்பெறுபவர் வாவர் என்ற இஸ்லாமியக் கடல் கொள்ளைக்காரர். (இந்த வாவரின் காலம் மிகவும் பிற்பட்டது. ஆர்ய கேரள வர்மனின் காலத்தையொட்டி வந்த வரலாற்றின் தொடர்ச்சியே இது. ஆர்ய வர்மனைக் குறித்த எனது கட்டுரை இதோ: http://shanmatha.blogspot.in/2011/10/blog-post.html )

சாஸ்தாவின் அவதாரமான மணிகண்டனின் லீலைகளையும், மஹிஷி ஸம்ஹாரத்தையும், சபரிமலை கோவிலின் சிறப்பை முத்தாய்ப்பாக கூறி முடிக்கும் நூல் பூதநாதோபாக்யானம். (இந்நூல் ப்ரம்மாண்ட புராணத்தை சேர்ந்தது என்று சொல்லப்படுகிறது.) இந்த நூலில்தான் சபரிமலை யாத்திரைக்கான வழிகாட்டுதலையும், நெறிமுறைகளையும், அதற்கான சடங்குகளையும் குறித்து அறிய முடியும்.

சபரிமலை யாத்திரை க்ரமத்தை விளக்கும் பண்டைய நூல்களிலும் இப்படியொரு பள்ளியைப் பற்றி குறிப்பே இல்லை. மாறாக விபூதி தரிக்காதவனிடம் விபூதி வாங்குவது மஹா பாபம் என்றே இருக்கிறது.

சபரிமலை யாத்திரையில் வணங்க வேண்டிய முக்கியமான கேந்த்ரங்கள் உண்டு. பல பழமலைக்காரர்கள் அப்படித்தான் வணங்கி பூஜைகள் செய்து யாத்திரை செய்தார்கள்.

அப்படி கேந்திரங்களை பட்டியலிடும் போது, ஒவ்வொரு இடத்துக்கும் ஓர் அதிஷ்டான தேவதை உண்டு. அந்த தேவதையை வணங்கித் தான் யாத்திரை மேற்கொள்ளுவது வழக்கம்.

அப்படி ஏழு கோட்டைக்களை கணக்கிடும் போது, வாபுரக் கோஷ்டமாக எருமேலி கூறப்படுகிறது.

அதாவது,

முதல் கோட்டை            எருமேலியில்            வாபுரனும்

இரண்டாம் கோட்டை  காளைகெட்டியில்    நந்திகேஸ்வரனும்

மூன்றாம் கோட்டை     உடும்பாறையில்      ஸ்ரீபூதநாதனும்(வ்யாக்ரபாதன்)

நான்காம் கோட்டை      கரிமலையில்            பகவதியும்

ஐந்தாம் கோட்டை          சபரிபீடத்தில்             சபரிதுர்க்கையும்

ஆறாம் கோட்டை           சரங்குத்தியில்          அஸ்த்ர பைரவரும்

ஏழாம் கோட்டை             பதினெட்டாம்படி     கருப்பஸ்வாமியும்

பூஜை செய்து வணங்கி முன்னேறிச் செல்வதாக பண்டைய வழக்கம். (இன்று இந்த வழக்கம் வழக்கொழிந்து விட்டது.  பலர் எருமேலியில் ஓட ஆரம்பித்தால் பம்பை வந்து தான் நிற்பது என்ற விசித்ர குணத்தை கொண்டுள்ளார்களே ! பூதப்பாண்டி விரி போன்ற மிகச் சிலரே எனக்குத் தெரிந்து இன்றும் இந்த பண்டைய வழக்கத்தை கடைபிடிக்கிறார்கள். )

இவர்களில் பெரும்பாலான தேவதைகளுக்கு ஆலயமோ நிலையமோ கிடையாது. (காளைகெட்டி கோவிலும், உடும்பாறைக் கோவிலும் மிகச்சமீபத்தில் உருவானவைதான்) இந்த தேவதைகளுக்கு அந்தந்த இடத்தில் ஸ்தானம் உண்டு. அதைக் கண்டறிந்து அந்த இடத்தில் கல்லிலோ, விளக்கிலோ ஆவாஹித்து பூஜிப்பது வழக்கம். அப்படி எருமேலி எனும் கோட்டையில் வணங்கவேண்டியது வாபுரன் என்ற பரிவார மூர்த்தியைத் தான்.

கணேசம் நைர்ருதே வாயௌ மஞ்சாம்பாம் ச ப்ரபூஜயேத்

பைரவௌ த்வஸிதாங்கஞ்ச பூர்வே வாமே ச வாபுரம்

என்று பூஜாவிதியில் வாபுரனை பகவானின் அங்கரக்ஷகனாக ஸங்கல்பித்து பூஜைகள் செய்யும்படி காணப்படுகிறது.

வாவர் எனும் இஸ்லாமிய நண்பர் மணிகண்டனுக்கு இருந்ததாக, சபரிமலை சரித நூலான ஸ்ரீ பூதனாதோபாக்யானம் கூறுவதில்லை. மாறாக,

"வாபுர கடுசப்தஸ் ச வீரபத்ரோதி வீர்யவான்

கூபநேத்ர கூபகர்ணோ கண்டா கர்ணோ மஹாபலி

இத்யாதயஸ் ச பூதாஸ்தே வக்ஷாதீதாஸ் ச தைஸ:

ப்ராப பம்பா தடம் சீக்ரம் பூதானாம் பதிரவ்யய:"

என்று ஐயனின் பூதப்பரிவாரங்கள் - வாபுரன், கடுசப்தன், வீரபத்ரன், கூபநேத்ரன், கூபகர்ணன், கண்டாகர்ணன், மஹாபலி எனும் எழுவருள் முதல்வனாக வாபுரன் என்பவனைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது. இந்த வாபுரனும் ஐயனின் சேவகனேயன்றி, தோழனாக எங்கும் குறிப்பிடவில்லை.

[பூதனாதோபாக்யானம் நூலின் காலம் குறித்து கேள்விகள் இருப்பினும்,  அதிலும் கூட வாவர் என்ற இஸ்லாமிய தோழர் குறித்த செய்திகள் இல்லை என்பது தான் உண்மை.]

தர்மசாஸ்த்ரு பூஜா கல்பம் எழுதிய ஸ்ரீ பாலதண்டாயுதபாணி ஸ்வாமிகளும் மிகத் தெளிவாக இந்தக் கருத்தை மறுத்து வாபுரன் என்ற சிவபூதம் மட்டுமே வணங்கத்தக்கது என்று உறுதிபடக் கூறியுள்ளார்கள்.

புராண காலத்துக்கும் வரலாற்றுக்கும் சற்று நெடிய கால இடைவெளி உண்டு. மஹிஷி என்ற புராண காலத்து அரக்கியை சாஸ்தா ஸம்ஹாரம் செய்ததையொட்டி எழுந்ததே சபரிகிரி ஆலயம்.

பண்டைய பாடல்களும், வழிபாட்டு முறைகளும் தெளிவாகவே இருக்கிறது; கதை சொன்னவர்களின் தவறோ, கேட்டவர்களின் தவறோ, வாவரும், பூதப்படைத் தலைவனான வாபரனும் ஒன்றாகக் கருதப்பட்டுவிட்டனர்.

கேரளம் என்பது பரசுராமரின் பூமி; ராமாயண சம்பவங்கள் பல நடந்தேறிய இடம்; சபரிகிரி ஆலயம், பரசுராம ப்ரதிஷ்டைகளில் ஒன்றாக கூறப்படும் போது, அது நிகழ்ந்த காலத்தையும் நோக்கத்தையும் ஆராய்ந்து நோக்குங்கால் புராண கால வழக்கத்தை மீறி நாமாக இடையில் நுழைந்த வழக்கங்களை ஏற்பது சரிதானா என்று சிந்தித்துப் பார்க்க வேண்டும்.

இவ்வளவு கஷ்டப்பட்டும் விரதங்கள் இருந்து யாத்திரை மேற்கொள்ளும் ஐயப்பன்மார்கள் எந்தவித தவறும் செய்யாமல் தங்கள் புனிதயாத்திரையைத் தொடர்ந்தால், ஐயன் அருள் இன்னும் மழைப் போல பொழியாதா?

ஸ்வாமி சரணம்

அரவிந்த் ஸுப்ரமண்யம்

Sri Sastha Vijayam - Our Documentary Movie on Lord Sastha

Sri Sastha Vijayam" literally is a Visual encyclopedia on Maha Sastha ,It will release in volumes over a Period of Time,The first Volume Launch is on Nov 9th

Swamy Sharanam

Sasthaalaya Sevanam - A movement for restoring dilapidated Sastha temples

Sasthaalaya Sevanam - A movement for restoring dilapidated Sastha temples
Swami Sharanam

We started this Sasthalaya Sevanam on this auspicious Ganesha Chathurthi day two years ago- We have ventured into a mission - the need of the hour - restoring the age old temples of Sastha. - Sasthalaya Sevanam

The sevanam had a great response and we were able to contribute to more than 17 temples... But over a period of time, there is a small lag in the participation. Not that devotees are not interested in participating.. But in this fast world, the priorities have changed and just because the contribution is very meagre by oversight, people miss it out.

For all those who are new - The Monthly Contribution is Rs.100 Only... and its purely a voluntary one.

One suggestion got from most of the devotees - is to plan for ECS so that automatically Rs.100 is trasferred every month...working on this line.. will update the details soon.

Iam coming to Chennai on 10th September; All interested devotees, Lets have a meeting there at Madippakkam Ayyappan Kovil. Will restructure the process and continue our service.

Read the text below and participate in the meritorious act of Sasthaalaya Sevanam.

Swamy Sharanam !

Lord Hariharaputra, Dharma Sastha or Ayyappa as he is fondly called, is the pratyaksha pesum deivam of this Kali Age.

“Prathyaksham tu Kalau”; “Kalau Sasthru Vinayakau”  says Sasthras.

Sastha sahasranamam calls him "Sarva Desikaya Nama:". True to this we have Sastha temples all over the world. Though the temple of Sabarimala is very much popular, it will be surprising to know that there are almost 6000 Sastha temples throughout Tamilnadu and Kerala.

Many of these temples are of puranic age and many of them are atleast 1000 years old. YEARS of neglect have led to the decay of the abodes of our Lord and if the present state of neglect continues, they may soon pass into the pages of history .

It is  indeed heart rending to be a mute witness to the sight of our beloved Lord seated in a dilapidated temple with cracked walls & leaking roof. The places which once resounded with the chants of vedas , puja ,his sharanams and bhajans are now bereft of even the simple duty of lighting lamps.

To keep surcharged the atmosphere with divinity ,it is up to us devotees to change the present condition & restore the temples to its pristine glory.

Members of Maha Shastru Seva Sangham have after consultation with blessings of eminent Guruswamis , come out with a plan named "Sasthaalaya Sevanam "

Our Participation: 

Each month a Sastha temple would be chosen, the temple cleaned, white washed and best possible provisions made to meet the basic expenses of the temple & ensuring daily lighting of lamps and neivedyam to the Lord.

To meet this expenses, each devotee can voluntarily contribute Rs.100 every month.

The status of work done on the Temple of the Month will be updated every month on our websitewww.mahasastha.com

WHAT  WE GAIN FROM THIS ACT
By contributing Rs.100 per month for this Sasthaalaya Sevanam, along the the boundless grace of Lord Dharma Sastha, we will definitely get another great return  called self satisfaction.

We request you to participate in the meritorious act of Sasthaalaya Sevanam, introduce this plan to Ayyappa devotees and ensure blessings of Lord Dharma Sastha on all.

Ever in divine service,
Devotees
Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam

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Your contribution to the above service would make it very successful and obtain the blessing of Lord Dharma Sastha not only to you but your entire parampara.

THIS IS PURELY A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION and Those who are interested to join hands with us  can contact any of us below:

Please draw your Cheque / Draft in the name of  "Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam", Coimbatore &  can be sent to any one of the following addresses:

Or  You may make an online transfer  or Monthly ECS or  You may pay directly to our Bank Account :
Name  :  "Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam"
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Karur Vysya Bank A/c No. 1121 135 822
IFSC Code : KVBL0001121   ( Current Account )
Nanjappa Road Branch, Coimbatore

Canara Bank A/c No. 2988 101 015671
IFSC Code :CNRB0002988  ( Savings Account )
PSG Arts College Branch, Coimbatore
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V. Aravind Subramanyam
President
94 B, Third Street,
Tatabad, Coimbatore 12
Ph: 99946 41801
Email : aravindsastha@gmail.com

Those who wish to Contribute - Download the Form from Here:
Or Contact :

Sri H. Balasubramanian Iyer
H 3/12, Jal Padma,Bangur Ngr,
Goregaon (W)  Mumbai
Ph :97692 09146
Email : bala.iyer1@gmail.com

K.Ganesh.
Co-Ordinator,
No-5/508, 18th street, 4th sector, kk nagar, chennai-600078
Ph: 9677277277
Email : ganeshtnj0609@gmail.com

Sri Kamesh,
Co-Ordinator,
102, Sai Chhaya CHS,
Near Manibai Niwas,
Old Dombivli Road,
Shastri Nagar,
Dombivli West,
Thane Dist – 421 202, Mumbai
Ph :  98218 33002
Email : gkameshiyer@gmail.com

Sri Hari ShankarNarayanan
Co-Ordinator,
250, 2nd Main Rd, Jagdish Ngr,
Nw Tippasandra Post, Banglore
Email : hari.snarayan@gmail.com
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Kettunera at Pampa

Swami Sharanam.

Why is that it's said that Kettunarai shouldn't be done at Pamba ? Can you pls. thro light on the traditional

reason for the same. 

Additionally, at Pamba Ganapathi we can see a lot of Kettunarai happening by Pamba Ganapathi priest...

It would be great to listen from you....

Regards, 

Mahesh

Mumbai

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Swamy Sharanam

The rules for the Sabarimala Yathra is prescribed by Sage Agasthya as instructed by Lord Himself. But if one observes carefully, it actually forms the daily routine of a devout person.

The rules are same for any Vrutham - be it Pradosham or Sashti or Navarathri. 

Waking up in Brahma Muhurtham, Taking Bath in cold water, Nama Japam, Food restriction, Avoiding physical Comforts, Sleeping on floor, Not Shaving, Brahmacharyam etc etc 

- this is common to any Vrutham. The only difference is, all these Vruthams like Pradosham, Ekasadi or Sashti ends within 24 hours; Skandha Sashti may extend upto 6 days and Navarathri Vrutham extends to 10 days. Whereas Ayyappa Vrutham extends beyond 41 days(or 56 Days in some other cases).

So the rules are to be followed with utmost sincerity for Ayyappa Vrutham. And what is the main purpose of the Vrutham ? To carry the irumudi and climb the 18 steps. To understand this we need to look back to the history.

There is a traditional way to have the darshana of Bhagawan Hariharaputra Swami at Sabarimala. This was told by my grand father. What I have been taught -by Gurus and elders... Iam just repeating it here in my words.

In earlier days, Sabarimala was opened only for Makara Vilakku and people start their Vrutham well before that. The only route to Sabari was Via Erumeli. In other words - the official route is via Erumeli.

It took almost one week to complete the Yathra and reach Sannidhanam. 

One has to understand that Maha Sastha is the supreme Lord and he has two Shaktis namely Poorna and Pushkala. That divine Sastha's embodiment is Lord Ayyappa who is instilled at the holly Sabari Hills - on the top of Neeli Malai. 

The pilgrims travelling through the long route have to cross seven streams and climb eighteen leaps during the yatra. If one looks upon all the eighteen leaps, actually a person is stepping higher and higher on each hill - ie each hill represents a step. So the eighteen steps in front of the Lord at Sabarimalai temple actually represents the eighteen hills and their guarding Devata. In short, the padi puja is a pooja to the Long route itself.

So the actual yathra or Shrine starts from Erumeli. Erumeli is the first Kottai or the Lord. One should always visit the Erumeli shrine of Lord Kiratha Moorthy and get the permission from Him  to enter the poonkavanam and get the grace of the Supreme Lord. Only when a person comes through the long route, the yathra is fulfilled.

So entering Erumeli is similar to climbing the first step of 18m padi. 

The Chalakkayam route, Pampa route etc are of very latest origin. FYI, the pampa ganapathy, Ramar  temple itself is a very recent one. In other words only after these convenient routes, Maasa Puja became popular. For convenience, people started using these routes, but that doesnt allow us to skip the Long route. 

But when we go for Maasa Puja, its almost impossible to travel through the long route. So as an alternate practice, we worship at Erumeli and seek his permission and forgiveness and then proceed to Pampa. 

So coming back to the point - the Kshetram (or Poonkavanam) starts from Erumeli. So to cross Erumeli, one needs irumudi and beyond that point no one is allowed to do the kettu nerai or fill the irumudi. 

You have already entered the exam hall; Now how can one fill the entrance form here?

As you said now we can witness a lot of Kettunarai happening at Pamba Ganapathi Sannidhanam... (I also heard a news, dont know whether its true - that the ghee which is offered at Nei thoni is being recycled at Pampa ganapathi and used for Kettunerai again). A devotee gave me a best comment on this : "When a person is doing his Kettunerai at Pampa, he doesnt have any right to lament amount sasthram. He actually deserves this"

Sampradhayams of olden days are easily broken today and does not seem to be a full fledged practice any more. 

The very thathwam of Sabarimala revolves round the concept called Guru. Today we see, Maaladharanam is done at some Ayyappan temple, the nature of Vrutham by ones own rules (GOK), and Kettunerai is done by some X or Y at someother place and people go to sabarimala - all one without a Guruswamy.

Its no wonder if these rituals are considered as traditional sampradhayam.

This is the state of Kaliyuga and no body can understand the leela of Lord Ayyappa.

True bakthi always means - following the Sasthras strictly and have a faith with Gurus words.

I fall at the Feet of my Guru to grant satbuddhi and unwavering devotion towards the Lord.

Swamy Sharanam

V.Aravind Subramanyam

Dharma Sastha's Pratishta

Swamy Sharanam

Aravind Subramanyam-anna please tell us about this pic...

Sankar Narayanan Sanki
Muscat


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Swamy Sharanam

After a long gap of silence, Iam back to the blog to answer a query.

Though I have a lot to say about this, at this point of time Iam not going into much details, but explain the outline.


Kerala -  is known as God's Own country becasue it was created by Parasurama, the warrior sage and sixth incarnation of Maha Vishnu. After creating a land for himself, Parasurama wanted to installed the Supreme Lord there. He performed severe penence and prayed to Lord Sastha that his divine presence should always protect the land.

Bagawan accepted his request and instructed him to construct 18 temples and promised that he will stay there and protect the Land.

He further indicated that "Very soon Iam going to incarnate in this Land and during that time, install my idol at the Maha yogapeetam at Garudadhri.  That place is going to be my headquarters in future. "

As per the divine will the Lord incarnated as Manikanta - in human form. The Advent of Lord Manikanta is well known to everybody. He was an incarnation of Lord Sastha who was adopted by the Rajashekara Pandiyan. The Ministers at the palace, developed hatred towards Manikanta and planned a plot to kill him. According to this plot, Manikanta undertook the forest expedition single-handed to find Tigress milk.

This was actually the divine intervention as per the Lord's plan, The purpose of Manikantan's advent had dual purpose 1) To annihilate Mahishi and 2) Establish Dharma in Kaliyuga.

So, as per the promise made earlier, Manikanta came to the forest called Matanga Vanam. Devas and Rishis descended to the earth and waited for Lord Manikanta in the forest with a prayer to fulfill the object of his mission.

Killing of Mahishi happened in no time. The sages installed the Lord as Poorna Pushkala Samedha Maha Sastha at the Srimoolam Kavu -  a golden temple on a hill nearby. This hill,  is now known as Ponnambalamedu (the hill of Golden Temple). But the Devas and rishis wanted Lord Manikanta to stay there for ever. Bagawan promised them to stay there permanently and bless all the people of Kaliyuga. But Ponnambalam is reachable only by Yogis. So for the sake of ordinary mortals, the Lord instructed them to find a place nearby, so that a temple is built there. Finally the Lord decided the spot as the Mahayogapeetam of the Garudadri hill; This was later this was named as Sabarimalai after Sabari, a huntress.

Manikantan went back to the palace and everybody understood that he was not an ordinary being.

Manikantan indicated that the king can know about his divine mission only through a Guru and he further added that Lord Agasthya shall come there and guide him further.

Manikantan then blessed the King and all others assembled there, and vanished. Everybody felt helpless and the king was deeply distressed at the departure of the Lord. At that time, the sage Agasthya appeared before him and consoled him. He reminded the king of his duty ahead, the construction of a temple for Dharmasastha. The Rishi told the King that he could construct a temple at Garudadhri, a hill-top of Matanga Mountain range - north of the holy river Pampa.

As per Lord Agasthya's instructions, everybody undertook the Vrutham and the auspicious Makara Sankaranthi day was fixed for the pratishta. Soon Parasurama came there with the idol of Lord Dharma Sastha - which was earlier prescribed by the Lord himself.

Agasthya, being the foremost among the Rishis and Yogis, presided the function and formulated the mode of worship and poojas to be done at the temple. Parasurama took charge of the installation. The idol was enshrined with appropriate rituals and ceremonies by both Parasurama and Agasthya on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi. Lord Manikanta's divinity merged with the Dharma Sastha idol installed.

The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala, dedicated to Him.

This picture depicts the scene of Lord Dharma Sastha’s installation by Agasthya and Parasurama.