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Ayyappan

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"Ayyappa" redirects here. For other uses, seeAyyappa (disambiguation).

Ayyappan
God of righteousness and celibacy
Ayyappan seated on a tiger
AffiliationHinduism
AbodeSabarimala
MantraSvāmiye Śaraṇam Ayyappa[1]
WeaponBow and arrow,sword
SymbolsBell,bow and arrow
DaySaturday
MountTiger
TextsBrahmanda Purana
GenderMale
FestivalsMakaravilakku
Genealogy
Born
Manikandan
Parents

Ayyappan,also known asDharmasasthaandManikandan,is theHindudeity of truth and righteousness. His worship is more prevalant inSouth India.Although devotion to Ayyappan has been prevalent earlier, his popularity rose in the late 20th century. According to Hindu theology, he is the son ofVishnuin the form ofMohiniandShivathus representing a bridge betweenShaivismandVaishnavism.

Ayyappan is depicted as a youthful man, riding or near aBengal tiger,carrying abow and arrow.Most iconography of Ayyappan depict him in a yogapattasana, a seated position. His abode is inSabarimalawhich is located in the forests of theWestern Ghatson the banks of riverPamba,and is a major pilgrimage destination, attracting millions annually.

Names and etymology[edit]

A painting of Ayyapppan in a seated yogic position

Ayyappan is literally derived from "Ayyan" and "Appan" both meaning "father" and the root names might denoteMohini(the female form ofVishnu) andShiva,respectively.[2]An alternate theory links it to theMalayalamwordacchanandTamilwordappaboth meaning "father", with Ayyappan connoting as "Lord-father".[3][4]The proposal is supported by the alternate name for Ayyappan beingSasta,a Vedic term that also means teacher or guide.[4]However, the word Ayyappan is not found in the medieval eraPuranas,while the wordsSasthaandDharmasasthain the sense of a Hindu god are mentioned in the Puranas.[5]Ayyappan is also known asHariharasudhan,meaning the "son ofHarihara"or a fusion deity ofHariandHara,the names given to Vishnu and Shiva, respectively.[6]He is also calledManikandawithManimeaning bell andKandameaning neck inSanskrit,translating to the wearer of a bell on the neck.[6]

Iconography and depictions[edit]

Ayyappan is a warrior deity and is revered for his ascetic devotion toDharma,the ethical and right way of living, to deploy his military genius and daring yogic war abilities to destroy those who are powerful but unethical, abusive and arbitrary.[1]He is usually represented as acelibateyoung man with abow and arrow,riding abengal tiger.[7]In some representations, he is seen holding an upraised bow in his left hand, while holding either an arrow or sword in his right hand placed diagonally across his left thigh.[8]Other iconography of Ayyappan, generally shows him in a yogic posture wearing a bell around his neck.[9]In some representations, such as inSri Lanka,he is shown riding anIndian elephantor ahorse.[10]

Theology and historical development[edit]

The legend and mythology of Ayyappa varies across regions, reflecting a tradition that evolved over time.[11]According toSribhutanatha Purana,Ayyappan is mentioned as an incarnation ofHariharaputra,the son of Shiva and Mohini. While this interaction between Shiva and Mohini is mentioned in theBhagavata Purana,Ayyappan is not mentioned by name.[12]

According to Malayalam folk songs, Ayyappan is presented as a warrior prince ofPandala kingdom.[13]As the royal family was childless, the king of Pandalam found a baby boy in a forest.[9][14][15]The king named the boy Manikantha and raised him his own son, on the advice of an ascetic.[13]When Manikantha was 12 years old, the king wanted to formally anoit him as the heir. However, the queen objected to it, favoring her younger biological child.[13]The queen feigned an illness, asking for the milk of a tiger to cure her illness and demanded that Manikantha be sent to obtain the same. Manikantha volunteers and goes into the forest, where he confronts thedemonessMahishi, whom he kills and returns back riding a tigress.[13]The king realizing Manikantha's special ability recognizes him to be a divine being and resolves to make a shrine for him. Manikantha transforms into Ayyappan and shoots an arrow to denote the place for the shrine.[16]There are minor variations in the story in certain versions with Ayyappan renouncing the kingdom and becoming an ascetic yogi in a forested mountain.[17]In some versions, he was raised by a childless royal couple RajashekaraPandianand Koperundevi, and grew up as a warrioryogi.[9][18][19]

In the later years, the stories of Ayyappan expanded. One such version has roots between the 1st and 3rd century CE, where Ayyappan evolves to be a deity who also protects traders and merchants from enemies such as robbers and plundering outlaws.[20]His temple and tradition inspired Hindu yogi mercenaries who protected the trade routes in South India from criminals and looters, restoring Dharmic trading practices.[20]In another version, Ayyappan is portrayed as a child of a priest whose father was murdered by a fearsome outlaw. The outlaw kidnaps a princess and Ayyappan makes a daring rescue, while killing the outlaw in the process.[20]In a variation of the story, Ayyappan forms an alliance with theMuslimwarrior Vavar against the outlaw Udayanan, which forms the basis for worshiping both in amosqueand then in theHindu templebefore starting a pilgrimage to Ayyappan shrine.[20]

According to Paul Younger, supplementary legends appeared in the late medieval times that linked other Hindu deities and mythologies to Ayyappan heritage.[20]The divine beingsDattaand Leela came to earth as humans. Datta wanted to return to the divine realm, but Leela enjoyed her life on earth and wanted to stay on earth.[21]Datta became angry and cursed her to become a Mahishi, or water buffalo demoness. Leela in turn cursed him to become a Mahishi, or water buffalo demon. They both plundered the earth with their evil acts. Mahishasura was later killed by goddessDurga,while Mahishi was killed by Ayyapan, ending the terror of evil and liberating Leela who was previously cursed.[22]These legends, states Younger, syncretically link and combine various Hindu traditions aroundShaivism,VaishnavismandShaktism.[22]According to Eliza Kent, the legends in the Ayyappa tradition seem to be "artificially mixed and assembled into a kind of collage".[23]Ruth Vanita suggests that Ayyappan probably emerged from the fusion of aDravidiangod of tribal provenance and the Puranic story of Shiva and Mohini's interaction.[24]In some regions, Ayyappa and Tamil folk deityAyyanarare considered to be the same with similar characteristics, a reason for his large following amongstTamils.[25]

Worship[edit]

Ayyappan temple atSabarimala

Although devotion to Ayyappan has been prevalent earlier, his popularity rose in the late 20th century.[26]While there are manytemplesinSouth Indiawhose presiding deity is Ayyappan, the most prominent Ayyappan shrine is atSabarimala,nestled in the hills ofWestern Ghatson the banks of river Pamba inKerala.It is a major pilgrimage center, attracting millions of Hindus every year.[27][28][29]The temple is open only on select days of a year.[30]

Pilgrims carryingirumudiinSabarimala

Pilgrims begin preparations weeks in advance by leading a simpler life, remaining celibate, eating a vegetarian diet or partially fasting and wearing a black or blue dress. These weeks of rituals are termed asVruthamwhich is signified by wearing aTulsiorRudraksha.[27]The pilgrims do not recognize any form of social or economic discrimination and form a fraternity treating each other as equals.[31][29]The pilgrims call each other by the same nameSwamimeaning "God".[29][32]The pilgrims bath in the Pamba river and embark on a trek to the top of the hill on barefoot while carrying anirumudi(a bag with two compartments containing offerings) on the head.[27][28]Then they climb the 18 steps in front of the shrine, each representing a dharmic value.[27][28]The shrine priests and devotees bring flowers and scatter them near the shrine, all the while chantingshlokas.[33]As Ayyappan is believed to be a celibate deity, women in their fertile age are not allowed to enter the shrine.[9][27][28]The most significant festival linked to him is theMakaravilakku,observed around the winter solstice.[14][34]Harivarasanamis aManipravalamashtakamcomposed in praise of Shiva but sung as a lullaby for Ayyappan.[35]

Other temples includeKulathupuzha Sastha Temple,Aryankavu Sastha Temple,Achankovil Sastha Temple,Erumely Sree Dharmasastha TempleandPonnambalamedutemple. While Ayyappan temples typically show him as a celibate yogi, a few temples such as the one at Achankovil Sastha Temple depict him as a married man with two wives Poorna and Pushkala, as well as a son Satyaka.[36][37]Some of Ayyappan temples are believed to have been established byParashurama.[38]

Vavar's mosque on the way to Sabarimala

Ayyappan remains one of the few deities in Hindu tradition, who is respected by other religious communities, including Muslims and Christians.[9]He is also revered byMuslims in Keraladue to his friendship withVavar.[15]In this mythology, Ayyappan confronts the plunder-driven pirate robber Vavar in the jungle with Ayyappan defeating Vavar, who then becomes Ayyappan's trusted lieutenant helping fight other pirates and robbers.[39]In another version, Vavar is stated to be a Muslim saint from Arabia, who works with Ayyappan.[39][40]A mosque dedicated to Vavar stands next to the Kadutha swami shrine at the foot of the pilgrimage path, both as a form of guardian deities. Pilgrims offer a prayer to both, before beginning the trek towards Sabarimala.[39]According to Kent, the mosque does not contain mortal remains of Vavar though the mosque near Sabarimala includes a grave, and no one can date Vavar nor provide when and where he lived, so he may be a myth. The Vavar legend andpallishrines may reflect the Hindu approach to accepting and co-opting legendary figures or saints of other religions within its fold.[41]

Popular culture[edit]

A number of Indian films have been made about Ayyappan. These include:Sabarimala Ayyappan(1961) byS. M. Sriramulu Naidu,Swami Ayyappan(1975) byP. Subramaniam,Saranam Ayyappa(1980) by Dasarathan,Arul Tharum Ayyappan(1987) by Dasarathan,Shiv Putra Swami Ayappa(1990) by P.S. Mani,Sabarimala Sri Ayyappan(1990) by Renuka Sharma,Engal Swamy Ayyappan(1990) by Dasarathan,Ayyappa Swamy Mahatyam(1991),Ayyappa Deeksha Mahimalu(1992) by Guda Rama Krishna,Swami Ayappa Shabarimalai(1993) byK. Shankar,Jai Hari Hara Putra Ayyappa(1995),Bhagwaan Ayyappa(2007) by Irajaral Bhakhta and V. Swaminathan,Swami Ayyappan(2012) by Chetan Sharma and Mahesh Vettiyar,Om Sharanam Ayyappa(2015) by K. Sharath,Sri Omkara Ayyappane(2016) bySai Prakash,Ayyappa Kataksham(2019) by Rudrapatla Venugopal andMalikappuram(2023) by Vishnu Mohan.[42][43]

Asianetlaunched a Malayalam series namedSwami Ayyappanin 2006. Other series includeSwami Ayyappan Saram(2010),Sabarimala Shri Dharmashasta(2012),Sabarimala Swami Ayappan(2019) andMalikappuram: Apathbandhavan Ayyappan(2023). The story of Ayyappa is dictated byParvatitoGaneshain the Indian TV showVighnaharta Ganesh.[44]The story of Ayyappan was adapted as a comic in the673rd issueof the Indian comic book series,Amar Chitra Katha.[45][46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abYounger 2002,pp. 21–25.
  2. ^Paul Williams; Anthony Tribe; Alexander Wynne (2012).Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition.Routledge. p. 62.ISBN978-1-136-52088-4.
  3. ^Mikhail Sergeevich Andronov (1996).A Grammar of the Malayalam Language in Historical Treatment.Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 49.ISBN978-3-447-03811-9.
  4. ^abJohannes Bronkhorst; Madhav Deshpande (1999).Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: evidence, interpretation, and ideology; proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia.Harvard University, Dept. of Sanskrit and Indian Studies. pp. 177–178.ISBN978-1-888789-04-1.
  5. ^Roshen Dalal (2010).The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths.Penguin Books. p. 43.ISBN978-0-14-341517-6.
  6. ^abJackson, Chris; Kozlowski, Frances (2013).Driven by the Divine: A Seven-Year Journey with Shivalinga Swamy and Vinnuacharya.BalboaPress.ISBN978-1-45257-893-4.
  7. ^MN Srinivas (2002).Collected Essays.Oxford University Press. p. 352.ISBN978-0-19-565174-4.
  8. ^Williams, Joanna Gottfried (1981).Kalādarśana: American Studies in the Art of India.Brill. p. 72.ISBN9004064982.
  9. ^abcde"Ayyappan – Hindu deity".Encyclopaedia Britannica.2014.
  10. ^D. P. Dubey (1995).Pilgrimage Studies: Sacred Places, Sacred Traditions.SPS. pp. 136–137.ISBN978-81-900520-1-6.
  11. ^Younger 2002,pp. 18–25.
  12. ^Goudriaan, Teun (1978)."The Māyā of the Gods: Mohini".Māyā divine and human.Motilal Banarsidass Publ. pp. 42–43.ISBN978-81-208-2389-1.
  13. ^abcdYounger 2002,p. 18.
  14. ^abDenise Cush; Catherine A. Robinson; Michael York (2008).Encyclopedia of Hinduism.Routledge. p. 78.ISBN978-0-7007-1267-0.
  15. ^abConstance Jones; Ryan James (2014).Encyclopedia of Hinduism.Infobase Publishing. p. 58.ISBN978-0-8160-5458-9.
  16. ^Younger 2002,pp. 18–19.
  17. ^Devdutt Pattanaik (2014).Pashu: Animal Tales from Hindu Mythology.Penguin Books. pp. 109–111.ISBN978-81-8475-692-0.
  18. ^Jeffery D. Long (2011).Historical Dictionary of Hinduism.Scarecrow Press. p. 78.ISBN978-0-8108-7960-7.
  19. ^Younger 2002,pp. 17–21.
  20. ^abcdeYounger 2002,pp. 20–21.
  21. ^Younger 2002,p. 21.
  22. ^abYounger 2002,pp. 21–22.
  23. ^Eliza Kent (2013).Lines in Water: Religious Boundaries in South Asia.Syracuse University Press. pp. 80–83.ISBN978-0-8156-5225-0.
  24. ^Ruth Vanita; Saleem Kidwai (2000).Same-Sex Love in India: Readings in Indian Literature.Springer Publishing.p. 94.ISBN1137054808.
  25. ^Pillai, V. Narayana (1939)."Śāsta Cult in Travancore. Is It a Relic of Buddhism?".Proceedings of the Indian History Congress.3:230–240.ISSN2249-1937.JSTOR44252378.
  26. ^Chandra, Suresh (1998).Encyclopaedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.Sarup and Sons. p. 28.ISBN8176250392.
  27. ^abcdeFred Clothey (1978). Bardwell L. Smith (ed.).Religion and the Legitimation of Power in South Asia."Brit" LL Academic. pp. 3–9 with footnotes.ISBN90-04-05674-2.
  28. ^abcdYounger 2002,pp. 18–23.
  29. ^abcDiana L Eck(2012).India: A Sacred Geography.Random House. pp. 13–14.ISBN978-0-385-53191-7.
  30. ^"Mandala Puja 2022: All you need to know about Mandala Kalam".The Times of India.17 November 2022.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved15 December2023.
  31. ^Eliza Kent (2013).Lines in Water: Religious Boundaries in South Asia.Syracuse University Press. pp. 14–15.ISBN978-0-8156-5225-0.
  32. ^E. Valentine Daniel (1987).Fluid Signs: Being a Person the Tamil Way.University of California Press. pp. 244–262.ISBN978-0-520-06167-5.
  33. ^Stephen Knapp (2009).Spiritual India Handbook.Jaico. pp. 416–419.ISBN978-81-8495-024-3.
  34. ^Roshen Dalal (2010).Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide.Penguin Books. pp. 238, 350.ISBN978-0-14-341421-6.
  35. ^"This Sabarimala season, an updated lullaby for Lord Ayyappan".The Hindu.19 November 2017.ISSN0971-751X.Retrieved25 December2023.
  36. ^K. Srikumaran (2005).Theerthayathra: A Pilgrimage Through Various Temples.Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. pp. 103, 120.ISBN978-81-7276-363-3.
  37. ^Pattanaik, Devdutt (9 January 2014).The Man Who Was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore.Routledge. p. 127.ISBN9781317766308.
  38. ^Maria A. David (2009).Beyond Boundaries: Hindu-Christian Relationship and Basic Christian Communities.ISPCK. p. 9.ISBN978-81-8465-001-3.
  39. ^abcEliza Kent (2013).Lines in Water: Religious Boundaries in South Asia.Syracuse University Press. pp. 81–86.ISBN978-0-8156-5225-0.
  40. ^Kumar, KP Narayana."Before arriving at Sabarimala temple in Kerala, devotees visit a mosque".The Economic Times.
  41. ^Eliza Kent (2013).Lines in Water: Religious Boundaries in South Asia.Syracuse University Press. pp. 84–88.ISBN978-0-8156-5225-0.
  42. ^Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1999).Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema."Brit" tish Film Institute.ISBN9780851706696.
  43. ^"Ayyappan now in toon avatar".The Hindu.20 June 2012.Retrieved21 June2014.
  44. ^"Ep. 608 - Story Time For The Kids - Vighnaharta Ganesh".SonyLIV.Archived fromthe originalon 31 December 2019.Retrieved31 December2019.
  45. ^Shyamala Mahadevan (1975).Ayyappan: The Lord of Shabarimala.Amar Chitra Katha.
  46. ^"Ayyappan".Amar Chitra Katha.Retrieved1 June2024.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

  • Media related toAyyappanat Wikimedia Commons
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