Shabarimala Vrutham

Dear Guruji,

Is it compulsory that one must undertake austerity for going to Sabarimalai ? I have gone twice to sabarimala but i wore the maala only 3 days before..

In your previous postings you have repeated that Vratham is mandatory..

Can you explain the procedure for these ?

Hariram

Oman

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Thanks for raising this question .... This is a right occasion so that not only the regular readers, but also everyone who is accompanying us during the July Sabarimalai yatra will also be benefited.

Vetren Guruswamys have explained the rules very clearly and it was and it is followed very strictly even today...without even a small doubt like  "whether is it applicable in todays context?" etc etc..

I dont know how and when it started corrupting. May be because when junior Guruswamys started leading - they started with something called  "COMPROMISE" 

Maalaa Dhaaranam 

Pilgrims those who wish to climb the holy sabari hills and have the Lord's Dharshan must undertake the strict Vrutham for a minimum period of 41 days and then carry the Irumudi and climb the hills as well as the sacred “Pathinettam padi”.

This vrutham preceding the yatra with a discipline routine like prayer, control over food, not wearing footweras, meditation and celibacy  - helps the pilgrim to withdraw his mind from worldly objects and turn it towards God. The sole purpose of Ayyappa avatharam is to establish the doctrine of oneness of all beings ie  the identification of self.

This maala reminds the pilgrim of this supreme truth - so one cannot ignore this just like that. When the vrutham is  properly observed - the pilgrim himself can experience a change in his mental attitude and mental maturity.

Why Maala ?

Sabarimala yatra is not like visiting any other temple; its a place where one can enter only when the Lord "invites" him. When a person decides to start his vrutham - he obtains blessing from his parents, elders and Guru and then wear the maala.

The first step to mark the beginning of his divine journey - is to wear a maala of tulasi or rudraksha beads.

So one must wear Maala on an auspicious day anywhere before 41 days from the date of journey. 

When maaladhaaranam is done with Mudra Maala - Shiva ganams and Shakthi Ganams manifest in the maala and it takes care of the pilgrim. (When proper rituals doing Avahanam to the maalai - the maala becomes Mudra Maala.)

[This procedure and puja I may explain sometime later]

When a person is wearing maala during Karthikai 1st (Vruschika Masam 1st ie Nov 16-17th) then he need not check with any auspicious time or muhurtham nakshatram etc to wear the maala.

One has to wear the maala only through the Guruswamy ie the Guruswamy who is going to take you to the Yatra. An alternate practice is wearing the maala from one's mother's hand in the presence or with the permission of Guruswamy.

It is not a must that one must wear maala only at a temple.. He can wear it even at the Puja room of his house or Gurus's house.

Number of Maalas, Dollar etc

Nowadays it has become a practice that one must wear more number of maalas during Sabari yatra - may be to show his supremacy.

But Mudra Maala during maaladharanam is only one. Some people have the practice of wearing a second maala named "Thunai Maalai".

When the Mudra Maala is safely guarded there no necessity for a second maala.

Ofcourse, there is nothing wrong in wearing one more - but there is nothing special in doing so.

Similarly wearing a dollar along with with the image of Lord is just to remind us the Lord's form and that doesn't gives any special status.

An ordinary maala (with or without dollar) when worshiped, sanctified and adorned from the hands of Gurunatha - only after this it becomes Mudra Maala. For this one need mantropadesham. So dollar is only for beautification.

( Ive not heard any of these concepts like Thunai Maalai, Dollar etc etc from any senior Guruswamys who are undertaking the Yatra for more than 50-60 years. Nothing wrong in all these - but please understand there is nothing special too)

Wearing Maala on a later date 

Only during Aapath Kaalam one can adopt certain exemptions. But exemptions cannot become rule. So only for those who have unavoidable circumstances - can start the Vrutham - but wear maala on a later date.

For example Doctors cannot expect shuddi - because they need to handle all type of patients and even corpse- because of the nature of the Job.

Here relaxation is given only for wearing the maala - but not for Vrutham.

Many may have a doubt  - whether one can perform Pithru Karma while wearing maala.

Maaladharanam is done to mark our conviction to begin the yatra and worship the Lord. Pithru Karma is our duty. One has to give primary importance to perform his duty. Some people may wear mala as usual and perform the Pitru Karma. An alternate practice (suggested by elders) is starting the Vrutham before 41 days - and wearing the maala after completing the Pithru karma.

Again I repeat - relaxation is given only for wearing the maala - but not for Vrutham.

Removing Maala in between

During the time of Theettu like death of Karmic relations - when one is affected by Theettu, he cannot wear the maala during this time.

After the theettu is over one has to consult his Guruswamy... He must take bath twice and chant Sahasra Gayatri or Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa - 1008 times and then wear the maala again from Guru's hands.

Ashuddi

When a person wear the maala, devata shakti manifest in the maala and they are along with the pilgrim. So the person must be very careful that no ashuddi affects him - because this will affect the sanctity of the maala. It is a practice that whenever a person comes out, he must always carry few Tulasi leaves along with him so that the negative forces donot affect.

Even then whenver he has a doubt of Ashuddi - he must immediately come home - drink Panchakavyam and keep some Gomaya (Cow Dung) in his head and have bath and pray to the Lord seeking Samasthaaparaadham.

Prarthanas

Another important question raised was - can one fulfill his prarthanas with other temples while wearing the maala. This he can definitely do.. or rather he must do because it is your promise and you are keeping up your words.

But no prarthana can be executed after taking the irumudi - because after taking the irumudi one's target should be only Sannidhanam and nothing else. Till climbing the 18 steps and having Darshanam everything else have only second priority.

Practices 

 'Maaladharanam' is aimed at inner refinement of the devotee. It is for concentrating the mind on Sastha, the symbol of virtue and purity. Thats why each devotee is called 'Swami' as he is considered pure and dedicated.

Before wearing the maala, one has to pray to his Kula devata, thereby taking Her/His permission to commence the vrutham.

Before starting the vrutham, the devotee shall cleanly shave, clip his nails, trim his hair and make himself physically clean. The maala should be cleaned and smeared with Vbhuti and sandal paste and placed before the Lord.

In case of  a person with yagnopaveedham - one may change his upaveedham and then wear maala.

The devotee shall withdraw from all social activities and spend his time by taking part in prayers, poojas, bajans, visiting temples, helping the needy and attending religious discourses.

He must always contemplate the form of his Guru - by whose grace he has seen the Lord and is going to see the Lord.

He shall take only vegetarian food and refrain 100% from taking meat, intoxicating drinks / drugs, chewing betel leaves and from smoking. He shall not attend any social functions and shall not take food from anyone's home unless he is sure about their shuddi.

Under any circumstances one must not refuse to accept the prasadam of the Lord

He shall bathe twice, and perform pooja to the Lord. [I shall post the simple puja vidhi soon. So that every devotee can do the basic puja to the Lord daily.] He shall continuously chant Saranam Ayyappa in mind, both at work and at home.

Those with Gayatri - must defenitley do their Sandhya vandhanam and Gayatri Japam - without this the vrutham is futile.

He shall not hurt anybody verbally or physically - understanding that all beings are Lord Ayyappan himself.

He shall not feel proud of the respect and privileges he gets when he is wearing the maala. When others prostrate themselves on his feet he shall not feel proud but dedicate the same to Lord Ayyappan.

He shall not cause inconvenience to his family members on account on observing the vrutham.

He shall strictly follow brahmacharya (celibacy) in word, deed and thought. And treat all women with motherly feeling.

During the whole period of Vrutham, the Devotee has to practice Satyam, Ahimsa and simple life.

He shall not sleep on bed but on floor, he shall not use footwear but walk with bare feet.

One must remember - the 41 days Vrutham is prescribed by the Lord himself and we dont have any rights to reduce it to x number of days. When one follow what is instructed by the Lord strictly and totally surrender himself to the Lord - iam sure that Lord Ayyappan will 200% shower his blessings.

Another important thing :

The procedures and practices may vary from group to group so when you go with a group, you must listen to their rules and must follow the Guruswamy who is leading you. "Guru Vaakyam Pramanam" is the golden rule.

Shabarimala Yatra Vidhanam - Dos and Donts

Every year there will be a 2 Final questions before concluding the Shabarimala Devaprashnam...

" ee kollam ethara janangal vannu?" "How many people have come this year? "

 with the number of devotees and visitors increasing every day, this question may get an answer around some lakhs or even crore in near future 

The Ultimate final question  -

"ethara bhakthanmaar vannu?" "How many devotees have come ?"

the highest number reached so far in 7  - Yes !!! Just "Seven"

Ofcourse we can very well take a credit and say Iam one among the seven.... But our inner self  knows very well where we stand. The Shabarimala has already become a picnic spot and Vrutham has become a fashion. Mandala Kaalam is fast approaching and I have a long pending request about listing the actual rules of Shabarimala Yatra and Vrutham. First let me make it clear that Iam not a "big brother" to advise anyone...  All I wanted to insist is - atleast let us make a sincere attempt to become one of His true devotees. He will take care of the rest.

There is yet another Golden Rule "Guru Vaakyam Pramaanam" - Guru's words are Final. But since there are certain common rules which are to be followed I am presenting these here so that it will be helpful for devotees who are really sincere in following the Vrutham and practices strictly. 

(Swamis who wear maala and then smoke, drink and do all prohibited things - you are no way connected here. You too will definitely get darshan. But remember - You are not cheating your Friends & relatives; Ofcourse You CANNOT cheat Ayyappan; You are Cheating yourself)

All that I've learnt from my Grandfather, Guru and many other senior Guruswamys like Kambankudi Mama, Iam presenting the rules of Shabarimala Yatra. Iam not coming to the area "whether is it applicable in todays context?" etc etc.. These are the practices prescribed and Iam 200 % sure that It can be practised provided you dont go for a compromise. And still we have strict disciplinarians who follow it.

Maala Dharanam (Wearing the Mala)

Maala Dharanam is done generally on Kaarthigai 1st or any other auspicious day according to the date of the Yatra ie 41 days before the date of Darshanam. Maala Dharanam is generally done at ones home, Guruswamy's home, during a puja or at a common place of worship like temple

Maala Dharanam has to be done only after the permission of ones parents and wife(if married). Without their permission the whole yatra is futile.

And No spiritual practice is successful without the blessings of a Guru. Especially the whole concept of Shabarimala Yatra revolves round the phenomenon called "Guru". So after the blessings of Guru one has to wear the Mala through "His Own" Guruswamy. (iam stressing from "his Own Guruswamy" - because Iam seeing many "Seasonal" Guruswamis whose only job is to - stand in front of any Ayyappan Kovil; give a loud "Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa"; put the mala in the persons neck and collect Dakshina without forgetting)

The Guruswamy who is going to take you to the Yatra is the only person who is authorized. An alternate practice is wearing the maala from one's mother's hand in the presence of Guruswamy. (some of us follow the  practical of doing the avahanam of Ayyappan in the maala - Iam not entering that area now)

For a married woman - the only person authorized to give the Maala is her Husband an no one else(Not even the seniormost Guruswamy). Only in the case when the husband is not alive, the lady can approach any other elders to wear the maala.

Vrutham 

Vrutham means being nearer to God. All your activities should be Ayyappan Centric during the Vrutha Kaalam.

The number of days for a complete Mandala Vrutham is 41 days and anything below that is only secondary. Throughout the Vrutha Kaalam, Contemplating on Lord Ayyappa should be the only focus of a devotee. 

Taking bath twice a day, doing atleast a simple puja and calling out Sharanams is his daily duty.

Eat to Live and do not live to eat - Food must me minimum and that too for the sake of health and not for variety and taste. The food taken should be Sathwick - that do not harm the body and the mind. Not only non vegetarian is prohibited, Rajasic Food which are more spicy  and Thamasic food like Garlik, Onion etc are also prohibited. And ofcourse eating any outside food other than puja is strictly prohibited (This includes hotel and even marriages) A person in vrutham is not advised to attend domestic functions like marriages. He is prohibited from attending any funeral or similar rituals.

Donot enjoy any luxuries to the body - all the practices of Not Shaving, Not Sleeping in the bed, Not wearing footwear is to stress this point. 

Maintain Celibacy with its pristine purity not only physically but also mentally - this is the reason one is advised no to show interest with Cinema, Drama (and Now Television also). Even his own wife is Maaligaipuram after he wears the Maala.

Those who have the upanayanam must strictly follow the Sandhya Vandanam and Gayatri Japam. Without this the total vrutham is a waste.

Annadhanam and Puja

Annadhanam is one of the primary duty of Ayyappa Bhakta. This was insisted because one must see Ayyappa in every living being. But unfortunately it has become a ritual.

Many Guruswamis demand the disciples to compulsorily conduct a puja in their house and feed all from their group. There is nothing wrong in the practice if person can accord it. By feeding His devotees The Lord will definitely be happy.

But for those who cannot afford - feed any single deserving poor person with whatever possible food. The Lord will be pleased with this act.

One need not expect any invitation for any Ayyappan puja and can very well attend any puja and help for the puja to the maximum extend possible. 

Calling everyone as "Ayyappa" or "Swami" should come from heart and not as a mere ritualistic word. Callout the Sharanams only during appropriate occasions and Sharana Gosham should not disturb any Puja activity. 

Guruswamy and Gurudakshina

The whole concept of Sabarimala revolves round Guru - without him no yatra gets fulfilled. Guru is like your father or mother. You cannot change your Guru as per your convenience. I still know devotees who go to Sabari yatra along with their Guruswamys for more than 35 years. ( And there are also people who become Guruswamys directly in the second year !!! )

Here talking about the qualifications of a Guruswamy - He takes you to the Lord; He is leading you towards the divinity. 

So in order to show your graditude towards him we need to pay Guru Dakshina to the Swami and do namaskaram to him. Its practice that 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)

Kettu Nerai

Kettunerai is a unique process of sabarimala yatra. One has to be very careful and devoted in this aspect. Only person with whom you have Karmic Relations can fill the rice in the Kettu Nerai. The Nei should be filled only by the devotees and no one else. All the results of your Vrutham is instilled in the Coconut and the Ghee you are carrying. So please be strict when others come forward to fill the Ghee or Rice. 

Ive already written in detail about this

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/02/meaning-of-carrying-ghee-in-cocunut.html

And irumudi is the very form of Ayyappan. So please give utmost respect to irumudi. Iam not elaborating on this because at times its heartbreaking to see people even urinating having irumudi in their head. 

Padhinettam Padi

The eighteen steps are eighteen divine forces guarding the Sabarimala Zone. By climing these steps you are actually stepping into the zone of the deity. So only your Vrutham gives you the Strength to cross over the Holy Eighteen Steps. All others without Vrutha Balam earns the wrath of these devatas. 

And One has to climb the 18 steps only once during one sabarimala yatra. Once you climb the steps with the Irumudi and see Lord Sastha - you have reached the destination; your goal is accomplished. Even the Nei Abhishekam is only the next task. 

Removing the Maala

The Sabarimala Vrutham ends only when you reach back home keep the prasadams at your house show a Karpoora Harathi and then take the prasadams. Only after this one has to remove the maala. (not at Sabari peetam or Pamba - Just like that removing the maala and immediately going elsewhere)

Swami is always with us -  ready to give us whatever we want.  Following the Vrutham with utmost sincerity will definitely fetch something more than what we want  -the result will be Ayyappan himself.

Two more requests

And along with all these, though not in the Vrutham rules, also make a strong Sankalpam regarding 2 aspects:

1. The thousands of devotees who come to sannidanam are also the very form of Sastha. We dont know the quantum of devotion of any Bhakta and who is dear to Swamy.. So please donot cause any disturbance or uncomfortable feeling to any devotee...  

2. Make sure that the greenery of Sabarimala is not disturbed by us. Do not throw any plastics or any other garbage at sabarimala zone. Do we spit inside our house? But we do everything in Sabarimala. Its the abode of the Lord and to keep it clean is the first service to the Lord than anything else.