Thiruvabharanam

Had a wonderful opportunity last week to visit Pandalam and have the dharshan of Lord Sastha and the holy Thiruvabaranam at the Palace. I was there at the premises almost for the whole day and from what I heard there - I thought of sharing with our readers...

Thiruvabharanam the sacred ornaments of Sastha which is brought to Sabarimala temple during Makara Sankramana. The ornaments are made of pure gold. It is traditionally in the hands of the Pandalam King, who adopted Ayyappan as his child.

While I was waiting near the Sri Kovil, one person was telling "These Abharanams were actually worn by Ayyappan".... Oh God... Devotees... please understand first -what are all there in the Abharana Box and then give your statements....

If one carefully observes the Thiruvabarana - its a a very great myth breaker....

Let me explain

Myth No 1. - The ornaments are worn by Ayyappam

Myth No 2. - Sastha is a bachelor

Thiruvanbharanam set comprises of three caskets. ie they are called main Thriuvabharanam box, the Velli Petti and the Kodi Petti. 

Main Thiruvabaram Box : Box 1

The Main Thiruvabaranam box which is given into the Sactum Santorum of Sabarimala is suppose to have the following items in it... (and now we see only a very few of these)

Thirumugham - Face of Sastha

Prabha Mandalam

Valia Churika (Dagger - Big)

Cheria Churika (Dagger - Small)

Aana (Elephant) - 2 (idols)

Kaduva -(Tiger) 1 (idol)

Velli Kettia Valampiri Sankh - 1 (Conch shell right handed spiral - with silver)

2 Roopams of Poorna and Pushkala 

Poothattam (A ceremonial plate for carrying flowers)

Navarathna Mothiram (Navarathnam ring)

Sarapoli Mala  - necklace

Vilwa Mala - necklace made of golden vilwa leaves

Mani Mala - necklace made of navaratna

Erukkum Poomala - necklace made of golden erukkum poo

Velli Petti : Box 2

Thaila Kudam for Kalasam

Pooja utensils

Kodi Petti : Box 3

Netti Pattom for the elephant

Flags of Talapara and Udampara

Mezhuvatta Kuda and other items for the elephant

Now coming to our Myth that its Ayyappan's own ornaments- how can Ayyappan wear a Golden Face mask ?  Though not found now, even the golden Vilwa mala is suitable only for decorating the Lord and not for wearing it normally... 

And the Abharanams are meant for Sastha and not for Ayyappan's personal use( i mean during his human incarnation) because in the Thirumukham - face you find a wonderful Meesai - Mustache ( whereas Ayyappan's human life was maximum 12 or upto 16 years according to some other versions )

So the Abharanams are meant only for decorating the idol as instructed by Ayyappan and not actually used by Ayyappan... 

And the Thiruvabharanams has the roopams of Poorna Pushkala which makes very clear that Sastha is with Poorna Pushkala - this might have been the original form which was installed earlier in Sabarimala.. 

Later after the human incarnation of Ayyappan - and destruction and resurrection of Sabarimala temple over a period of time, the present form of Yoga Sastha might have originated...

Everything said and done the Abharana Darshanam was a wonderful Vision of my life time... My mental state was in ecstasy and beyond description... and which gave a heart full of Satisfaction which will last long for ever

Meaning of Loka Veeram

Could you pl. send me the meaning of lokaveeram fully...... ?

Sripradha Srikanthan, Coimbatore

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

Aravind Subramanyam - as a person with very little knowledge started to enter the world of Sanskrit - started some ten years back - only with this Loka Veeram....

And “my” Lord Hariharaputra took care of me…

Thank you for reminding me the yester years...

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, submits ananta koti namaskarams with reverence and humility to ever merciful Bhakta Paripala Maha Sastha

Now the Slokas and their meaning –

Loka Veeram, Maha Poojyam Sarva Rakshakaram Vibhum

Parvathi Hrudayanandam Saasthaaram Pranamamyaham

One who is the best warrior in the world, Who is greatly worshipped, the Lord who protects everybody, and who gives happiness to Parvathy’s heart - I salute that Saastha

Viprapoojyam Viswa Vandhyam, Vishnu Shambho Priyam Sutham

Kshipra Prasada Niratham Saasthaaram Pranamamyaham

One who is worshipped by Vedic scholars, Who is saluted by the universe, Who is the dear son of Vishnu and Shiva, and who is gets pleased easily(and gives his blessings immediately) - I salute that Saastha

Matha Mathanga Gamanam, Karunyamrutha Pooritham

Sarva Vigna Haram Devam, Saasthaaram Pranamamyaham

One who walks like furious elephant, Who is filled with the nectar of mercy, and who destroyes all the obstacles - I salute that Saastha

Asmath Kuleshwaram Devam, Asmath Shathru Vinasanam

Asmath Ishta Pradhatharam, Saasthaaram Pranamamyaham

One who is Master of my lineage (Family), Who destroys my enemies, and who grants all my desires - I salute that Saastha

Pandyesha Vamsa Thilakam, Kerale Keli Vigraham

Aartha Thranaparam Devam, Saasthaaram Pranamamyaham

One who is like a thilaka (foremost) in the pandya dynasty, Who had a playful form in Kerala, and who is the only refuge to protect the distressed - I salute that Saastha

Pancharathnaakhya Methadhyo Nithyam Shuddha Padennara

Thasya Prasanno Bhagawan Saastha Vasathi Manase

One who chants these five gems daily, with purity – Lord Saastha will be pleased with him and always live in his mind.

Traymbaka puradheesam, Ganadhipa Samanvitham

Gajaroodam aham Vande, Sastharam Kuladaivatham

One Who is the Ruler of Tryambakapuram ( a place near Tiruvaroor), who is with Lord Ganapathi and one who rides on an elephant, - I salute that Saastha who is the master of my dynasty

Shiva Veerya Samud Bhootham Sreenivasa Thanudbhavam,

Shiki Vahanujam Vande, Sastharam Kuladaivatham

One who originated from the power of Shiva, who took birth from the body of Sreenivasa and who is the brother of Shikivaha(who rides the peacock –Subramanya), - I salute that Saastha who is the master of my dynasty

Yasya Dhanwantharir Matha, Pitha Rudhraabhishikthama

Tham Sashtharamaham Vande Mahavaidyam Dayanidhim

One whose mother is Dhanwanthari (celestial Doctor) and father the supreme physician, Rudra, I salute that Saastha, who is the greatest doctor and who is the treasure of mercy.

Bhoothanadha Sadananda Sarva Bhootha Dayapara

Raksha Raksha Maha Baho, Sashthre Thubhyam Namo Nama

Oh Lord of all beings ! who is always happy, and who is merciful on all beings….

“Please protect me Oh ! great one” – I salute you Oh ! Lord Saastha