The Ever compassionate Lord

Few days ago... I was contemplating on my great grandfather and was browsing his old photographs at sabarimalai... The Pankuni uthram festival of 60s, 70s and 80s.... As my usual practice I took some of these to show it to a devotee close to my heart, who "celebrates our Lord" - and with whom I share most of my ideas...

Each photograph conveyed a story... we were really thrilled to see the Sabarimalai of yester years... Everything so orderly, so calm and peaceful those days.... Especially when we saw a the photo - Thatha Standing all alone in the Padhinettam padi, (http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2011/01/padhinettam-padi.html) we were reminded of the unruly rush that we had during Jothi... and we all had a craving desire whether we could "get back" that Sabarimalai....

"Whether is it possible to have such a sabarimalai hereafter?" 

- we asked the question and we ourselves gave the answer - "NO".. "the golden days are gone"... 

But we never expected "Bhakta Paripala" was hearing us and was smiling at us...

Very soon we planned for our Sabarimala trip. The utsavam had just begun and to our utter surprise the crowd was almost nil at Pampa. We were excited... and went ahead and everything was almost magically done. When we reached Pathinettampadi to our pleasant surprise - it was totally free..  We were enjoying the very sight of the Ashtadasha Peetam... Satya Dharma swaroopam was all alone - waiting for us.... The best part is - we had an opportunity to take similar photograph in front of the holy steps - just like my great grand father...  

Though there is no one to stop us... How long will we stand there? And finally we decided to move... - After all how can the intense yearning of the heart be contained?  Our Lord is waiting for us....

We rushed to our beloved Lord...  Ayyappan looked as fresh as a newly blossomed Lotus! 

One of my favorite quote is - "We leave sannidhanam to come back"... Now, needless to say our darshan was near perfect. We spent almost 4-5 hours with our Lord with no one to stop us or pull us.

To cut a long story short I felt that the Lord himself held our hands, took us to Sannidhanam and brought us back - just because we desired for a peaceful dharshanam like the olden days. We didn't even prayed - we just expressed our desire amongst us- and he made it a reality.... 

Even a very small -true desire of us is heard by Him... 

After returning from the Yatra - I got a messgae from Him....

In one of my old articles Ive written : - "This once unlettered boy, whom He took under his benign and protective care, as a fond father would do, and made him what he is today" - these words are proved 200% true once again.. Not only as a fond father  but more than a compassionate mother he is taking care of me.... 

I thanked him for being "my life" and granting us the opportunity to serve him. For the yeomen service rendered by my ancestors, the ever merciful Lord is  keeping up his promise generations after generations.

In answer to this he gave His same benign smile..

... 

Padhinettam Padi

The sacred 18 steps leading to the sanctum of Ayyappa... 

Satya Swaroopa Padinettampadi - the one which can be climbed only with proper vrutham was originally made of Granite Stone of 5 to 6 feet wide... People were breaking coconuts on the steps 

Now it is covered with Panchaloka in the year 1985. 

I think it is the only existing oldest divine structure is Sabarimala.. Yes.... 

The Old Basmakulam has been shifted...

The Nagaraja, Navagraha Sannidhis are brand new...

The Manimandapam in not at all used...

The Everything including the holy sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala was burnt to ashes in the 1950s and

The Stone idol of Ayyappan has been changed to Panchalokam

The Holy Padhinettam Padi Today :

And see the Padinettam Padi of Yester Years

Shri CV Srinivasa Iyer (Chami Anna) Walking down
the holy 18 steps - old stone steps before
covering it with Panchaloka

I personally feel that the natural beauty of Padhinettam Padi is lost with the new pomp and splendor...

The serene beauty and solitude of Sabarimala is lost forever - in the name of "so called" modernization and infrastructure development.

Padhinettam Padikkudaya Nadhane Sharanam Ayyappa !!!

Devatas of the Ponnu Pathinettam Padi

Many of our friends especially Mumbai Kamesh was keep on requesting me regarding the Devatas of the Ponnu Pathinettam Padi - the holy 18 steps of Sabarimala

I have already written an article regarding the Pathinettam Padi

18 steps Pathinettam Padi

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/02/18-steps-pathinettam-padi.html

Padi puja is a unique ritual at Sabarimala where the Tantri performs the ritualistic puja to all the eighteen steps individually.

Actually the padi puja is not the puja to the physical 18 steps but the puja is for the 18 deities who preside over each of the eighteen steps. 

The devatas of 18m padi are very secretly maintained and not revealed to anyone. But every year during mandala season, news papers like Maalai Malar start a comedy show by putting the list of devatas of 18 padi (of their own) like Rahu, Ketu, Ranganathan (?? !!) etc.. We can view this entertainment show every year.

Since the list was a secret I was very reluctant in sharing it with anyone... Then I remembered an incident from my own life where a Deva Rahasya was once revealed to me by a Siddha Purusha and when I asked whether I can share this, he very gladly accepted saying it must reach the Bhakta Lokam.! 

So I decided to apply the same rule here and with a conviction that, even if one true devotee is happy reading my Bhakta Paripala's glory, Iam sure my Guru who revealed this secret, will forgive me for mentioning it.

Each step has a presiding deity. Each of this devata has a separate dhyana swaroopa, moola mantram and puja method. The details of the Dhyana and the Sankalpa of the 18 deities are below: 

(Iam not giving the dhyana sloka and moola mantra here... Certain things Ive made only a hint... So read between the lines to have a better understanding)

On the whole we consider Satya Dharma on either side of the 18 stepms and mentally offer salutations to them using their moola mantra for the 18 steps

Step 1 Naga Yakshi

Nagayakshi is one of the paripara devatas of Sastha and she is stationed at many of his temples like Kulathupuzhai, Achan kovil etc

Onnam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 2 Mahisha Mardhini

Mahishamardhini is Durga Swaroopini an infacther advent took place before Swami's Manikanta incarnation and she annihilated Mahisha and Manikanta destroyed his Sister Mahishi

Rendam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 3 Annapoorna

Sastha is Annadhana Prabhu and is very happy in the pious deed of feeding all his devotees - always. A Sastha devotee is never in want of food - throughout his life time.

Moonam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 4 Kaali

Kali is the Goddess of time and change representing both the creative and destructive aspects of Nature. S

he helps those who strive for knowledge of self. 

Naalam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 5 Krushna Kaali

Krishna Kali  is one such deity with whom devotees have a very loving and intimate bond, in spite of her fearful appearance. She is known for destroying ignorance. 

Ancham Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 6 Shakti Bairavi

Shakti Bhairavi is the ugra swaroopini of Shakti and she is known more to the devotees as the famous Yakshi - who is seated in the court of Lord Sastha

Aaraam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 7 Kaarthaveeryarjuna

Kaartha Veeryaarjuna is an Amsha of Sudharshana Chakra. He got Satha Upasana from his Guru Datta and obtained many great powers and rose to a level of God

Ezhaam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 8 Krushnaabhan

Krishnabhan is more popularly known as Karuppan. He is the cheif of all the Bhootaganas of Sastha's Bhootha sena. He is seen in almost every Sastha temple in Tamilnadu and few age old temples of Kerala.

Ettam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 9 Hidimba

Hidimba is one of the chief warrior but also the preceptor born in the clan of Asuras. He is seated as the guardian deity of the ninth step.

Onpadham Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 10 Vethala

Vethala is considered to be the head of Ghost and Goblins and in an amsha of Bhairava. Sastha is Bhoothanatha who controls these Ghosts and hence Vethala is one among his parivara.

Pathaam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 11 Naagaraja

Nagaraja is the king of the Serpants. In general Anantha is considered to be the King of the Naga Kingdom  and he is stationed at the eleventh step here to destroy the Sarpa doshas of the devotees

Pathinonnam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 12 Renuka

Renuka is the Mother of Parasurama who was killed and later resurrected by Parasurama. After the death of Jamadagni, Revana Siddha gave her Sasthru Deeksha at Padavedu and she is stationed here.  

Pantrendam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 13 Swapna Varahi

Swapna Varahi is a form of Vartali who gets pleased with the devotees and comes and guides the devotees through dreams.

Pathimoonam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 14 Pratyangira

Pratyangira is Ugra Swaroopini who is very much forceful in action and her primary duty is to protect the upasakas of Para Devata

Pathinalam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 15 Bhooma Devi

Bhoomadevi is the consort of the Varaha Moorthi. She is Dharma Swaroopini and represents Kshama- forgiveness. Holding a paddy sheaf in her hand, She also indicates prosperity

Pathinancham Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 16 Aghora

The following there are Astra Devatas. Ever ready for prayoga against the evil. Agora is one of the Astra of Shiva which he created to destroy the Tripurasuras. It can grants worldly good and salvation to the soul.

Pathinaram Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 17 Pashupatha

Pashupata is Shiva's personal asta and a most forceful one. It can even be discharged by eyes, words or mind. Its capable of destroying anything and can even stop creation. 

Pathinezham Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Step 18 Mrutyunjaya

Mrutyunjaya is yet another Astra which gives eternal state to the aspirant. This is not just to live a healthy life and get rid of ailments. This conquers mrutyu - the permanent state of existence; Thats knowing the self; being self; Thats Thathwamasi.

Pathinettam Thruppadiye Sharanam Ayyappa

And IMHO Padipuja is again unique to Sabarimala and I dont know how far its right to repeat it at other places. This is because - the 18 steps are installed at Sabarimala as a Prathishta by Deva Sankalpam. We dont know exactly on what sankalpam these steps were installed and hence you cant repeat it elsewhere. (and Since the 18 steps are guarded by these devatas you need proper Vrutham to qualify yourself to please the devatas of each step and step your foot on the padhinettam padi) 

At all other places the 18 steps are built (and not installed as a prathishta) and so the question of doing padipuja does not arise. (Today we see padipuja at many places - especially at Andhra and I saw a padi puja done for temporary 18 steps built with bamboo sticks !!! )

18 steps Pathinettam Padi

Swamy Sharanam Anna

What is the actual meaning of 18 steps which is there in sanidhanam. becasue i have heared lot of menaing for the same viz 18 puranas. 18 gunas, 18 mountains around sabarimala, etc... I want to know what is actual meaning of the same and after claiming we attain the Lord which is called "THAATVAMAASI" you hav written the meaning of the same in ur book but since i dont knw to read i did not knw the actual meaing.

Awaiting to your reply

Swamy Sharanam

Santosh

------------------------------------------

18 Steps.... are equated to

18 Puranas

18 Mountains

18 Ayudhams

18 Siddhas

18 Devatas

18 Gunas

There are various explanations suiting each of the above statement.

You can also find ample of proof justifying each stand ...

"Padi Pathinettum Puranangal Aakkiya Premaswaroopandae Ananda Mandapam..." says an old sharana vili

There are 18 mountains surrounding Sabarimalai and each one is represented through one step of the padhinettu padi...

Ayyappan has 18 Ayudhams... he left each one of the ayudham while ascending the peetam and hence each step has or represents an aydham of Ayyappan. - Weapons which kills (the enemies) and at the same time protect (the devotees)

All our Shastras greatly exclaim about the 18 siddha purushas... These siddha purushas have surrendered to Lord Sastha who is the Yogeeshwara and obtained the status or privilege of being his Ashtadasha Peetam(18 Steps)

18 Special Devatas are installed in the 18 steps.. During the customary Padi Pooja - these dieties are worshipped...

Confused ...?

All these are implications.... Everything is true as far as this is concerned... you cant deny of the above statement... "It is there - because it is there" - is the best answer

As per the divine will of Lord Ayyappa all these things happen...

Now just go in the reverse order...

There are eighteen devatas who are the adhishtana moorthis of 18 mountain ranges(or Parivara devats) who are installed in the 18 steps... and Sastha was seated above all (here the steps are not built.. but it is done as a pratishta... that is the most important thing and uniqueness of Sabarimalai... )

When Ayyappa avatara took place he renounced his prince hood and left his ayudhams one by one on each of the step of Pathinettampadi... and merged with Sastha

Further 18 siddha purushas who wanted to serve the Lord, installed their divine presence in the 18 steps to serve him as well as bless the devotees..

Just imagine, the Swami is same everywhere.. at Achankovil, Aryankavu or Kulathupuzhai, Coimbatore or Banglore... But the 18 steps are unique here... You can see the Lord even without the vrutham. But you cannot step the Padinettampadi without Vrutham... Thats its speciality..

Bcoz.. By climbing the steps - You are actually stepping the zone of a Particular devata who guards it... and only if you have the Vrutha Balam - you qualify - "you pass the exam" - you are blessed.

(These devatas are worshipped during the Padi Pooja - this detail is not known or not revealed to many.. I can humbly claim that Iam blessed to have the actual process and the actual list of devatas of all the 18 steps along with their dhyanam - moola mantram and everything)

Now you can see - Every statement given above is true...

And thats not the end...

Every divine aspect has a direct side and an esoteric meaning... For Example Rama's war with with Ravana to unite with Seetha - is not a mere story but the aikyam of Jeevathma and Paramatma

Similarly the 18 steps has an esoteric meaning -

that one who conquers the 18 Gunas becomes Bhagawan... thats THATHVAMASI

Each year you follow the Vrutham to 100% sincerity, you climb one step or rise one level in your spiritual progress... the inner refinement happens.. (that is the actual purpose of Sabarimalai yatra.. if this is not happening.. there is no use even if you go 1008 times)

Similarly when you overcome the 18 gunas... you become pure and attain the state of oneness with the Lord - the state is called THATHVAMASI.

THATHVAMASI is a Maha Vakyam from the Vedas meaning - "You know that you and that are One"..

Unfortunately, we have neither understood the direct meaning nor the esoteric meaning

Let that evercompassionate Lord bless us with the Gnana and Bhakti and the inner drive to understand His significance...

Hariharaputram Sadhaa Bajeham Maaya Kaaryam Thyejeham

V.Aravind Subramanyam (Sastha Aravind)

Coimbatore

www.mahasastha.com

பார் புகழும் சபரிமலை பதினெட்டும் கடந்த நிலை ஸ்ரீ

சக்ர பீடமதில் சின்மயானந்த பாலன் மகரம் சூழ் நன்னாளில் யோகியாய் ஜோதியாய் இரண்டென காட்சி தந்து இருவினை களையும் போது உருகி வரும் அடியவர்கள் சரணங்கள் விளிக்கும் போது தருணமாய் வந்து காக்கும் என் ஐயன் ஐயப்ப ஸ்வாமியே.... சரணம் ஐயப்பா

Paar Pukuazhum Sabarimalai. Pathinettum Kadantha Nilai Shri Chakra Peetamathil Chinamayanandha Baalan... Makaram Soozh Nannaalil Yogiyay.. Jyotiyaay.. Irendena Kaatchi Thanthu Iru Vinaiyum kalaiyum poothu Uruki varum adiyavarkal Sharanangl Vilikkum Pothu Tharunamaai Vanthu Kaakkum Yen Ayyan Ayyappa Swamiye.. Sharanam Ayyappa !