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Ayyavazhi mythology
Part of the series on Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi mythology is the mythology of the growing South Indian religious faith and a sect of Hinduism known as Ayyavazhi. The main source of Ayyavazhi mythology is the Ayyavazhi scripture, Akilattirattu Ammanai, and its supplement, Arul Nool. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon (the Tamil name for Vishnu, or Lord Narayana) to his consort Lakshmi. It is divided into three sections: pre-incarnational events, incarnational events and post-incarnational events.
Pre-incarnational events
The pre-incarnational events are all those that occurred prior to the earthly incarnation of Mayon.
Ayyavazhi mythology The fourth yuga was called Kretha Yuga. The third fragment of Kroni was, once again, made into two siblings, called Suraparppan and Sinhamuka Asuran, and they were given responsibility to rule the Earth. The wicked rulers began to crush the Devas, who reported it to Mayon. Mayon took the form of Arumugan, the Tamil name for Kartikeya, and advised the rulers to desist from their wickedness. However, when they arrogantly spurned his advice, Arumugan eliminated them. During the same Yuga, Suraparppan was created once again, this time as Iraniyan. Mayon, incarnated as the son of Iraniyan (Prahlada), challenged his authority and finally took on the therianthropic form of man and lion (Narasimha) by piercing his stomach. On his deathbed, Mayon asked him to repent, but he replied arrogantly: "You cannot kill me. Only by placing ten mountains as ten nails might you kill me. Otherwise you can't." In the ensuing yuga, called Thretha Yuga, Sivan, as per the request of Mayon, created the fourth piece of the primordial Kroni as a ten-headed mighty warrior, with the ten mountains as ten heads, naming him as Ravanan. He oppressed all those living on Earth by extracting Uliyam from them. He subdued all the earthly kings and made them pay tributes to him. Suffering under his oppression, the Devas sought the help of Mayon who, for the purpose of destroying him, took birth as Raman. On his death-bed, he repented, saying: "Only with the help of my brother were you able to destroy me." With this episode of killing Ravanan, Thretha Yuga came to an end. In the sixth yuga, called Dwapara Yuga, the fifth fragment of Kroni was portioned into a hundred pieces, and made into Duriyodhanan and ninety-nine brothers to support him. The three brothers of Raman, along with Vibushanan and Sampoovan of the preceding epoch, were created as Pancha Pandavas in this aeon. The wicked Duriyodhanan was killed by the Pancha Pandavas, with the support of Mayon, who came in the form of Krishna. Even at the brink of death, Duriyodhanan refused to repent, saying that "only with your cunning mind were you able to defeat me, and otherwise not." Mayon then told him: "You will be created with knowledge, intelligence, and artistic skill in the next Yukam, and if you do not repent in that age, that will be your eternal annihilation." Having said this, Mayon went to Srirangam and dwelt there.
The Santror
Towards the end of Dwapara Yuga, Thirumal (Mayon), with the aid of Seven Virgins (Saptha Kanniyar), had begotten seven sons, known as the Santror Makkal (see Santror Pirappu), in order to accomplish the task of destroying the Kalineesan and Kali mayai (Kali Yuga Maya) that were to be countered in the following Kali Yuga. After the birth of Santror, they were all named by conducting a naming ceremony (see The Naming ceremony of Santror) and fed with celestial nectar (see Feeding the children with Celestial Nectar). The Santror were raised by Bhadrakali and married to the daughters of Nirupathirajan (see Fostered by the acclaimed Deity Patrakali).
Ayyavazhi mythology when Kali is defeated". The Neesan was thenceforth called Kalineesan because the Kali Yuga had dawned along with his birth. Along with him was born an evil force called Kali Mayai (Kali Yuga Maya). The Kali here refers to the evil spirit behind Kali Yuga and not Kali, the Hindu deity). test Kali Maya engulfed the whole world and consequently, deceit and illusion began to contaminate the minds of the people. Age-old traditions and conventions, based on Dharmam, were unduly overthrown. Kalineesan introduced the discrimination of caste among the people. The powerless people were crushed with brute might. People, caught in the Kalimayai, began to be inimical towards one another - men against women, children against parents, and so forth. People used demonic force to harm one another. Kalimayai captured the king of Thiruvitankur and began to rule over the people as their king.
Thirumal in Thiruvananthapuram
Thirumal, dwelling at Sri Rangam hitherto, found it unworthy of his abode because of the misdeeds of the priests there. He shifted his tent to Thiruvananthapuram. When he reached there, a Pulayar woman saw him and spread the news to one and all. Hearing of this, Kalineesan constructed a temple of fine granite at the site where the Pulayar woman spotted Tirumal, and decorated the temple with gold and pearls. The king instituted scores of rituals and ceremonies at the temple to be performed by Namboothiri Brahmins. The lights of the temple were, however, lit daily from a torch brought from the home of the Pulayar woman. Venneesan Kalineesan had no children, so he went on a pilgrimage to Kasi, a holy place, and stood in tavam (spiritual suffering) for a son. While performing the tavam, he was distracted by the scene of a cleric embracing a woman. Because of this, Kalineesan's semen came out and fell into the water. A white crane came and swallowed the semen, became pregnant, and delivered a baby boy in the water. A sage, Punal Rhishi, took the baby, which was white in appearance, and looked after it. Kalineesan, his tavam being defective, returned to his country in despair, resigned to a prediction that even if he were to have a son, it would be only the sons of his sister who would rule the country. The baby, delivered by the white crane, grew up and came of age, and was married in the land of Chenkomatti. He prospered there with his progeny, who later emerged as a powerful people by learning the skills of ship-travel, trading in gold and silver, and diplomacy. This people, called Venneesa kulam, propagated a religion of their own, and through the lure of money gained many new members. Venneesan (the name comes from two words, venmai meaning "white," and neesan, meaning "wicked person") introduced a new calendar. Santror in Kali Yuga Kalineesan, coming to know about the valour and loyalty of the Santror people, appointed them as his bodyguards. It so happened that one day, while guarding the entrance of the kings room, the body-guards happened to fall asleep, during which time, the enemies of the king, hailing from the kings own race, entered the room and assassinated the king. The Kalineesan, while succumbing to the murderous attack, mistaking it to be a betrayal by the body-guards, cursed them that they and their progeny would be oppressed with oozhiyam (coolie service) and regressive taxation as long as the kings dynasty ruled the country. The curse of the king began to take effect on the Santror. The Kalineesan, the successor of the previous king, imposed innumerable taxes on every article used by the Santror for their day to day living. Their occupational implements, the palmyra trees that supported them, and every item of the produce of these trees were punitively taxed. The produce of the palmyra trees was to be given to the high castes, failing which the Santror were tortured with corporal punishments. There were many arbitrary taxes imposed on them. The Santror found no favour with the rules, in spite of paying these cruel taxes.
Ayyavazhi mythology Thirumal deserting Kalineesan Having witnessed the woes of the Santror, Mayon admonished the king to desist from oppressing them. He reminded the king that it was his seventh birth, coming in the lineage of the primordial Kroni, and if he failed to repent during this opportunity, then it would be his eternal damnation. He exhorted him to revoke the cruel taxes and the exploitative system of uliyam, imposed on the Santror, the people born of Mayon's seeds. The king retorted, saying: "How dare you advise me to revoke the taxes and the oozhiyam imposed on the low caste Chanar? If I do so, how else do I earn gold coins - a hundred of them needed to perform puja for you every morning and evening, a thousand of them needed to take care of all the temples and me, and a ten thousand of them needed to pay my staff? Do I not get these gold coins by squeezing the labour of these Chanar? Even if you desert me and go to one of the Chanar places, I will never revoke the taxes and oozhiyam imposed on them." Responding to the king, Mayon said: "Did I ever ask you to offer me puja by exploiting the people? You offer puja not to me, but to the Namboothiri Brahmins. The whole world knows that the only thing that I receive whole-heartedly is the light brought by the Pulayar woman." Peeved at the response of Mayon, the king mockingly said: "If you have not tasted any of my offerings, what then have you to do with me? Go wherever you want to..." Listening to the impenitent and brute words of the king, divine rage overcame Mayon and he said: "You have mocked at me and ill-treated me as you do to the Chanar. Lo, I am going away from your place to Thiruchendur. I will take on you in another form. Then, I will perform a Dharmam that you and the world will acknowledge as the greatest. I will destroy the pervasive demonic cult and crown the Chanar". Having said these things, Mayon deserted Thiruvananthapuram. He told the people: Henceforth, let all castes united as one people, come to the place where I am going to dwell. Having said this, he proceeded to Thiruchendur. It happened then that the fortress of the Kalineesan crashed into pieces. The earth was covered with darkness of slumber, the sea engulfed the land, and all the palatial buildings of the king were effaced. Seeing these calamities, the Brahmins lamented and the priests wailed. Mayon took his abode at the seashore of Thiruchendur. During this time, the venneesan had spread his wicked rule over the country, trampling upon the traditions of the land. He flouted the principles of Dharma, observed by the Santror and failed to give the dignity due to them.
Incarnational events
Incarnational events include preparations for incarnation, the event of incarnation, and the proclamations and instructions given to the newly incarnated god. Since Mayon's incarnation, as Ayya Vaikundar, is the foremost power, this is considered to be the most important part in Akilattirattu Ammanai. Below is an elaboration of these events.
Ayyavazhi mythology the people of Mayon would live with pristine glory and they would flourish with all prosperity; the earth would yield abundantly; diseases, calamities and the impact of the evil magical practices would not affect the people; the old Shastras would be turned untrue, and instead, a new code would be enshrined.
The incarnation
Mayon then instantly went into the sea, amidst the chanting of the celestial gods. Inside the sea, enveloping himself in a scorching flame, he approached Lakshmi who was awaiting his arrival in the form of a Lotus pedestal. Afraid of the ball of flame approaching her, Lakshmi worshipped it with reverence. Mayon revealed himself and took Lakshmi and told her of his intention to create a son. By that time, the body of Mayon too had come into the sea. Mayon then took the body inside the Lotus pedestal, transformed it into his son,(the Ultimate Soul was installed into the body) by and adorned him with sparkling jewels and crown. He then imparted certain arcane knowledge in the form of proclamations and instructions, known as Vinchai, to his newly niall son, Vaikundar. (see: Vinchai to Vaikundar)
Ayyavazhi mythology Having given these exhortations, Mayon called his son intimately as Narayana Vaikundar and told him that if these teachings were observed strictly, the illusory force of kali would be contained and when people learned to live with self-respect, Kali would destroy itself. Then the whole array of celestial gods sang lullabies (See:Thalattu, Palli Unarthal, Abayam.), praising the special attributes of the newly born child, Vaikundar. They praised him for having been born as the child of Mayon, in the race of Chanar, in order to teach the virtue of Dharmam to the world and to incinerate Kali. Vaikundar, having received all the instructions from his father, walked out of the sea to go into the world. Mayon sent two celestial sages (Kalai Muni and Gnana Muni) with him as witnesses to his activities.
Post-incarnational events
The various episodes, that are portrayed to be occurring after the event of incarnation, are called here as post-incarnational events. Given below is an elaboration of them.
Tavam
Making himself known to the people as Vaikundar, the great Narayana took his abode under a tree at the entrance of Manavaippathi.
Ayyavazhi mythology Accordingly, the demons made a public oath that they had surrendered all their powers. Then they fled to the mountain and killed themselves by falling into fire. As this happened, those that were dancing due to the possession of the demons got exhausted and fell flat on the grounds. As the crowd was witnessing all these happenings, a few shepherds, tending their flock in the mountain, came rushing and reported that they heard the loud cries of the demons as they were falling in the fire. When the crowd heard these, they appreciated the way the demons were destroyed and acknowledged that Vaikundar was really the Narayanar needed for the country.
Exhortations
Having incinerated the demons and seized the powers of the Malaiyaracar, Vaikundar exhorted the people as follows: "From this day on, repose your faith only in Vaikundar, and fear not any other powers. Do not give offerings to temples, do not cast away your hard-earned money into dump-boxes, and keep your wealth to yourself" Listening to these exhortations, people of all castes realised that kalimayai was being destroyed and Dharmam was established. Vaikundar brought Dharmam also to the flora and fauna, exhorting them not to hurt or kill each other, and not to crush the weak, but to live in harmony as one family. People came as one family and listened to the exhortations of Dharmam given by Vaikundar. They accepted him in their hearts as the undisputed God and lived happily.
Ayyavazhi mythology
Vaikundar's trial
At this time round, the king of Thiruvithankur, the Kalineesan came to Suchindrum for his routine visit. He was an agitated man. With his powers already been curtailed by the foreigners, he wanted to know whether there was any one else in his kingdom that could challenge his authority. The ministers told him as follows: "From the race of the Chanar who perform the menial uliyam for us, someone, claiming to be the incarnation of Vishnu, is making pronouncements that he is going to rule the land under his one undisputed command. He has gathered people of all castes into one place around him. He has also claimed that he would destroy all his enemies and establish a rule of Dharmam. It looks the Chanar people are having a great day". Listening to this, the king grew weary. He summoned a seer to know whether the news was true. The seer confirmed it, saying it was time the great Vishnu incarnated as Vaikundar. The king retorted to the seer saying: ""Even if the great Vishnu wanted to incarnate, would he, leaving aside the honourable Namboothiri and other Brahmin caste, come into this untouchable Chanar people? It looks to be a cheating". Listening to the king, an elderly person from a shepherd caste, who was in the assembly, advised the king saying: ""If Vishnu wants, he will take birth in any race and in any form. He may come as a Panan or a Pariyan. So better not to disturb this person". The king was infuriated and was not ready to listen to anyone's counsel. He ordered one of the chiefs of the army to bring Vaikuntar to him. Accordingly, a squad of soldiers came and surrounded Vaikundar who was sitting on a cot, performing his tavam. As the troops prepared to seize him, the Santror, standing near Vaikundar, got enraged and readied to attack the troops. Sensing trouble, Vaikundar prevented the Santror saying: "My children, it is those who contain the instant rage that will become great. You are people of love. Keep restraint, I will make you rule the earth". The army personnel, then, took hold of Vaikundar, tied him with a rope, and tortured him ruthlessly. They questioned him with spite: ""Whether he became a deity for the Chanars? Whether he disguised himself as a deity in order to amass wealth?" He was then led along the streets to the king. The wicked people threw stones at him, pulled his long hair and teased him, calling him demoniac. Some people from the low castes accused him of bringing disgrace to their race. Vaikundar did not utter a word in response. He reached Suchindram and was brought in front of the king. The king wanted to test Vaikundar's powers. He hid a ring in the palm of his hand and asked him to name it. Vaikundar, being aware of the fact that showing his powers would not aid his mission in any way but that it would only precipitate matters unduly, remained reticent. The king, being hurt by his silence, ordered him to be tortured more. Five kinds of poison were mixed in an arrack and given to him to drink. Vaikundar drank it as if he were drinking milk and remained unaffected. Seeing that the poison had not worked, Vaikundar was confined in a stinking prison, infested with worms and leeches. Vaikundar took upon himself all these sufferings for the sake of his poor Chanar. Then Vaikundar was led through Kottar, Chunkankadai, Padmanabhapuram, Balaramapuram, and brought to Thiruvananthapuram where he was detained in an open prison. While in the prison, many people came and worshipped him. The Kalineesan did not relent from torturing Vaikundar. He ordered him to be thrown to a starving tiger. In that, Ayya Vaikundar proves to the world, his Power (see Katuvai Sothanai). After that event, a person known as Poovandar went up to the king, and testifying to the genuineness of Vaikundar, pleaded for his release. The king, considering the request, wanted Vaikundar to sign a document as a condition for the release. The condition was that he would not any more gather the different castes, except his own, into one place. Vaikundar tore the piece of material that contained the condition into pieces and threw it on to the ground. However,
Ayyavazhi mythology the king did not wish to retain him in the prison anymore. Vaikundar chose the nineteenth of the Tamil month Masi (February/March) to be the day of his release. His devotees, the Santror, carried him on a cradle through Balaramapuram, Parvathipuram, Kottar, Suchindram and reached back to Thamaraippathi.
Thuvayal Thavasu
Back in Tamaraipathi, Vaikundar continued according to the instructions of his Father. He instructed the people to undertake a tavam called thuvayal thavam (thuvay means to wash) which was also called Thuvayal Thavasu, an act of ritual washing of one's physique and clothes along with practice of self-abnegation and self-restraint.
Ayyavazhi mythology During the procession, Vaikundar was carried in a golden cradle. A conch shell was blown, womenfolk made kuravai, and the celestial gods were showering flowers from above. People held these festivals in high esteem.
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Ayyavazhi mythology been ordered to come up at the coronation of Vaikundar, awoke to the new age. All those unworthy of Dharma Yukam were engulfed by the sea. Then, Thirumal brought up the life of Kroni for judgment. Thirumal interrogated him as follows: "I had come as a Pantaram in the kaliyukam and had burned the demons, healed the people with water, solicited Dharmam, prevented offerings, and gathered the people in one place and taught them. You caught me and tortured me cruelly due to your wickedness. You did these things, contrary to your own promise given me earlier that you wouldnt torture any Pantaram. You have violated your promise, and therefore, you yourself have brought ruins upon you. Have you any response to this?" Kalineesan, then, without having anything to say, surrendered all his powers and boons. The force of illusion took hold of him and put him into the flames of the abyss where the devils resided. All the evil forces of the kalimayai were also destroyed likewise. And then, Vaikundar blew a conch shell to announce his victory. Hearing the sound of the conch-shell, all that befitted Dharma Yukam - the virtues, the Sastirankal, the plants and trees, the reptiles and the birds, the divine women and their children - all gathered around Vaikundar. He gave them blessings, and instructed them to live fearlessly. He enjoined upon them to assemble in one place, to drink from the same well, and live happily as per the values of Dharma Yukam.
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References
Akilattirattu Ammanai published by T.Palaramachandran Nadar, Star Press:Suchindrum, 1989, 9th impression. G.Patrick's Religion and Subaltern Agency.
External links
kanya kumari online [1] - Ayya Vaikundar - The Spiritual light vaikunt.org [2] - The Vaikuntha Ayya Vaigundar [3] Ayyavazhi [4]
References
[1] [2] [3] [4] http:/ / kanyakumarionline. com/ ayya/ http:/ / www. vaikunt. org/ http:/ / www. ayyavaigundar. org/ avatar. htm http:/ / www. ayyavazhi. org
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License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/