"AUM NAMASIVAYA"

Good Morning My Dear Friends.....A Divine post with My Best wishes & Blessings to YOU ALL and your family.........JK

Kapileswara Temple in Tirupati............Make it a point to visit thbis Temple during your next Tirupathi Visit to pay your OBEISANCE and Have His Grace &Blessings to you and your Family

SRI KAPILESWARA SWAMY...

Kapileswara Temple in Tirupati – Kapileswara Swamy Temple and Importance of Kapila Teertham in Tirupati....&.....Do not skipo visiting this MAHADEVA TEMPLE.

Kapileswara Temple, dedicated Lord Shiva is located at the foot of Tirumala hills in Tirupati and has a scenic waterfall called Kapila Tirtham. It is a tradition that before worshipping Lord Venkateswara at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, devotees must worship Lord Kapileswara. Shiva, as Kapileswara, is the Kshetra Palaka of Tirumala Hills.

The main deity, Sri Kapileswara Swami, presents Himself in the form of a magnificent Linga in this cave like rock shrine. The Shivling is seen facing the Tirumala Hills. There are many other smaller shrines within the temple complex.

The word Kapila means ‘one who enjoys bliss.’ Lord Shiva is the epitome of eternal bliss and everlasting enjoyment of spiritual awakening. Thus, whoever worships Sri Kapileswara, with utmost devotion and dedication, will attain Kaivalya moksha.

Sri Kapileswara at Kapila Tirtham symbolizes the transcendental sojourn from mortal world to immortal abode.

Story of Kapileswara Temple in Tirupati......

Sage Kapila was in living Patala (one of the netherworlds) in his hermitage. During Treta Yuga, the 60,000 sons of King Sagara went to this hermitage in search of their holy cow and found it being tied near Sage’s hut. Accusing him as a thief they tried to attack Sage Kapila. The sage got angry at this misdeed and burnt them down into ashes.

Later Kapila came to earth, did penance at the foot of Tirumala hills, and had the darshan of Lord Shiva who manifested in the form of a Shivling. This same Shivling is now worshiped as Lord Kapileswara.

History of Kapileswara Temple...............

The Shivling is worshipped in the temple is very old and no one knows the real age of it. The present shrine around the Shivling was built around 11th Century AD.

The first epigraphic reference to this temple belongs to the period of Chola King Rajendra I (1012 AD to 1044 AD). One of his royal officers named Brahmarayan Munaiyadarayan had built the shrine.The last epigraphic record found in this temple belongs to the reign of Vijayanagara emperor Sadashivaraya.

Architecture of Kapileswara Temple........

The temple reflects Chola and Vijayanagara architecture and contains a pillared verandah, Mukhamandapa, Antarala and Garbhagruha. In the southern side of the inner shrine, there is a shrine dedicated to Kamakshi Devi, the consort of Kapileswara.

Other temples inside the complex are of Kumara Swamy, Ganapati, Venugopala Swamy, Lakshmi Narayana Swamy and Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Apart from these temples, there are few smaller shrines having different Shivlings and stone images such as Dakshina Murthi, Kaala Bhairava, Shiva-Nataraja etc.

Sandhyavandana Mandapas, a row of pillared corridors, built around the Kapila Teertham tank are the unique feature of this temple.

All Sacred Teerthams of the World In Kartik Month......

Sthala Purana says that during Kartika Masa (November – December), all the sacred Teerthams of three worlds dwell in Kapila Teertham.

Pinda and Tarpan at Kapila Teertham........

Bhavishyottara Purana describes Kapila Teertham as the most sacred place to offer Pinda and Tarpana for departed elders. The story of Madhava of Kalahasti town narrated in Bhavishyottara Purana shows the piety of Kapila Teertham.

Fairs and Festivals..............

The most important festival observed here is Shivratri (February – March).

The annual Brahmotsavams is very special to the devotees. Sri Kapileswara Swami with Mother Goddess Ammavaru is worshipped with great pomp and splendor. Sri Kapileswara Swami is decked on various Vahanams, and He blesses the devotees with his grace.

"SHAMBHO MAHADEVA"

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

Ashtadik palas.......The Gods of 8 Directions......

My Dear Friends............Good Evening...........&..............

Please read and be aware of many things in the topic....Ashtadik palas.......The Gods of 8 Directions......

The Ashtadikpālas are eight in number. As their collective name suggests, they rule the eight quarters or the eight directions of the universe. Ashta means eight, “dik” means quarters or directions and” pālas “means rulers. According to Hinduism each quarter is assigned to a particular divinity, who presides over it and acts as its chief guardian spirit ensuring the orderliness  of the universe and the protection of its occupants. (It is interesting to note that there are no goddesses in this list, just as there are none in the list of navagrahas also). Symbolically the eight rules of directions are represented as eight elephants standing in eight directions.

The concept of Ashtadikpālas was a post vedic development. In the Vedic period it was the Adityas who ruled the skies and kept a watch over the world from one end to another. The Adityas knew all the deeds, because they had eyes and spies everywhere. The Adityas were born out of Aditi, the mother of all Gods. While the Adityas rule the skies, on earth it is Pusan, the handsome God with a shaft who knew the directions and who shows the paths that lead to green pastures and safe places. In the Rigvedic hymns we do not find any reference to the dikpalas. But as individual Gods each of them enjoyed a supreme status and commanded his own following and veneration.

However and but ,in the post Vedic period, fundamental changes took place in the Vedic religion. A new order emerged in the Vedic pantheon. Many Gods lost their ranks while some completely disappeared. Probably the priests or the priestly families who specialized in their worship and invocation of Gods moved elsewhere or turned to new Gods. The Rigvedic Aryans migrated from inhospitable terrains to newer and safer lands with a more dependable climate and more hospitable terrain.The emphasis shifted from politics of isolation to politics of adjustment and compromise with native cultures. With the rise of bhakti cults such as Vaishnavism and Saivism, elaborate rituals yielded place to simple devotion to a personal God.The Vedic Gods lost their significance during this period and reemerged as the dikpālas.

Images of these Gods can be seen in many temples on a central panel in the ceiling of the central pavilion (Māhamandapa) facing the main deity. If the temple is a symbol of God’s abode, its ceiling is the sky. The Ashtadikpālas are rightfully the guardians of the sky, watching over us from eight different directions and keeping an eye on all our activities.

Ashtadikpalakas – Gods of 8 Directions in Hinduism

The concept of the Ashtadikpālas symbolically denotes on the idea and encouraged the thought (and also ingrains the fear in order to prevent wrong activity), that God is every where and in every direction and that in whatever direction you proceed or offer your worship, you will ultimately find Him. In ancient times, when one had to travel through difficult terrains or dangerous forests, this belief would have been a great comforter. Many people are perhaps not aware that when we make an atma-pradakshina (revolving around one self) in front of God, we are not only saluting the self with in, the God in front, but also the divinities that are around us in all the directions.

The  knowledge of the Ashtadikpālas became the basis for the evolution of the traditional Hindu science of design and construction called Vasthushāstra. Vasthu-shāstra means knowledge of things. It is actually a science which deals with how things should be organized in a particular location for the better flow of energies and blessings of divinities. In ancient India it played an important role in the:-

Construction of temples and places of worship

Location of various components of a house in relation to the street, city or town where it is located,

Location and arrangement of various household things like furniture and utensils and arrangement of rooms, doors and windows with in the house,  location of the farm fields and water tanks, how to position a dead body before and during cremation, the direction in which one should sleep or sit while performing a puja or a ceremony and so on. Vashtushastra might have drawn its contents from various sources, knowledge of ancient mathematics, water divining, knowledge of the human body, construction of the ritual places, designing of yantras and the occult knowledge of sensing the flow of energy and so on.The Knowledge of the directions and its divinities was one of its core elements.

 For example, many traditional Hindus believe that the north east corner of a room should be left vacant, because that direction belongs to Iswara. They would also prefer to do business facing north, because north is ruled by Kubera, the lord of wealth, and avoid facing the south generally, since the direction is ruled by Yama, the lord of death. People also would not prefer to construct their houses, with the main facade facing the south, since that would supposedly lead to physical and mental difficulties and disabilities for the occupants and the owners.

With the increasing pressures on the availability of space, problems of finance and construction, few people are able to comply with the specifications of this ancient science. Many educated Hindus ignore it completely and carry on their businesses as usual. The eight Gods who rule the eight quarters are as follows:-

Name	Direction	Mantra	Weapon	Consort	Graha(Planet)	Guardian Matrika
Kubera	North	Om Sham Kuberaya Namah	Gada (mace)	Kuberajaya	Budha (Mercury)	Kumari
Yama	South	Om Mam Yamaya Namah	Danda(staff)	Yami	Mangala (Mars)	Varahi
Indra	East	Om Lam Indraya Namah	Vajra (thunderbolt)	Saci	Surya (Sun)	Aindri
Varuna	West	Om Vam Varunaya Namah	Pasa (noose)	Nalani	Sani (Saturn)	Varuni
Isana	Northeast	Om Ham Isanaya Namah	Trisula (trident)	Parvati	Brihaspati (Jupiter)	Mahesvari
Agni	Southeast	Om Ram Agnaye Namah	Sakti(Spear)	Svaha	Sukra (Venus)	Meshavahini
Vayu	Northwest	Om Yam Vayuve Namah	Ankusa (goad)	Bharati	Chandra (Moon)	Mrigavahini
Nirrti (sometimes Raksasa)	Southwest	Om Ksam Raksasaya Namah	Khadga (sword)	Khadgi	Rahu (North Lunar Node)	Khadagadharini

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

The Six Abodes of Lord Muruga (Aru Padai Veedugal)......& Get BLESSED.........JK

Good Morning My Dear & Beloved Friends......&......Please read through........

The Six Abodes of Lord Muruga (Aru Padai Veedugal)......& Get BLESSED.........JK

Kali Yuga, the age indicating a period of darkness and degeneration commenced about 3100 BC. Many Hindus believe that the presiding deity of this yugam is Lord Muruga (Kali Yuga Varadan) whose Vel, which symbolises the spear of victory, will eventually restore peace and harmony, destroying arrogance, violence, and injustice. The worship of Lord Muruga goes back to the pre-Christian era and forms an important facet in the religious life of Hindus.

One of the many legends associated with the origin of Lord Muruga states that Lord Shiva emitted sparks from his third eye and these fell into the Saravana Poikai (lake) to become six infants. The wives of six rishis nurtured the babies and were subsequently rewarded to appear as the constellation Pleiades. When the divine consort Parvati beheld the beauty of these children, she embraced them all forcibly together to become one form with six heads and twelve arms. In this form Lord Muruga is known as Shanmukha or Arumuga Swami.

The poet Nakeerar of the Sangam Age sang many songs in praise of the Lord, among them the well known composition Tirumurugartrupadai which describes the six most important abodes of Lord Muruga (Aarupadai Veedu). They are:.......

1. Tirupparunkunram

2. Tiruchendur

3. Palani

4. Swamimalai

5. Tiruttani and

6. Palamuthircholai.

The Subramaniam temple at Tirupparunkunram situated six miles south of Madurai is an ancient shrine dating back to the 2nd century BC. According to legend it was here that Lord Muruga wed Deyvayanai, daughter of Indra, after his victory over Soorapadman and the asuras. The temple built on the northern side of the hill at an elevation of about 300 feet from the foot of the hill has a 150 foot tall gopuram of seven tiers over its entrance. The main sanctum carved into the rock enshrines a well chiselled orm of the Lord. Also hollowed within the rock are many mandapams with carved pillars, platforms, and other shrines with decorative relief and carvings on all surfaces. All abishekams are performed to the Vel in the main sanctum. At the summit of the hill is a shrine dedicated to Kasi Visvanathar, beside which is a statue of the poet Nakeerar in an attitude of great reverence.

One of the most popular fanes dedicated to Lord Muruga is situated at Tiruchendur by the shores of the Indian ocean. The 137 foot tall gopuram of nine tiers facing west was constructed in the 17th century AD. The main sanctum enshrines the Lord as Senthilnathan while facing south is a sanctum with a most beautiful and majestic icon of Sri Shanmukha. About 200 feet north is Valli’s Cave cut within natural sandstone rock with a image of Sri Valli.

Tiruchendur Temple.................

On the southern side of the temple is the Nazhi Kineru (well) which has a smaller well of crystal clear water within it. According to mythology, the well the spot where the Lord threw his Vel to obtain water for his devotees who were parched with thirst. Legend states that it was here at Tiruchendur, after six days of prayer and fasting that Lord Muruga defeated Soorapadman with the Vel given to him by his Divine mother. After his victory he returned to Tiruchendur to offer a prayer to Lord Shiva.

Tirupparunkunram Temple........

The main festival at this fane is held for six days in October-November each year to re-enact the defeat of Soorapadman. Hundreds of thousands of devotees throng the temple premises and its surroundings to observe six days of fasting and prayer. The faith and love of these devotees for Lord Muruga is demonstrated by the fact that in spite of immense hardship they come to this beautiful and picturesque shrine year after year.

The popular hill temple of Palani in the Western Ghats dates from a remote past and enshrines the Lord as Sri Dandayuthapani. At the foot of the hill is an even more ancient fane named Tiruvavinankudi, also dedicated to Lord Muruga.

Palani Temple...................

According to mythology, the origin of the temple is based on the story when Lord Shiva offered a mango as a prize to the son who encircled the world first. Lord Muruga set off at great pace on his peacock, while Lord Ganesha went round his divine parents indicating that they were the universe, and thereby won the prize Mango. Lord Muruga in his frustration, clad only in a hermit’s garb and carrying the staff dandam left Mount Kailasa for the South. His divine parents tried to dissuade him saying “Palam Nee”, which in Tamil means “Thou art the fruit of all wisdom and knowledge” (hence the derivation of Palani). He was not appeased and took up residence at Tiruvavinankudi and later moved to the top of the hill.

During this time the sage Agastyar requested his disciple Idumban to bring the twin hills Sivagiri and Saktigiri from Mt Kailas to the South. Idumban carried them in the form of a “kavadi” and set it down near the Palani Hills in order to rest for a while. When he tried to lift it he found that it could not be moved. He saw a boy with a baton atop one hill and an altercation ensued. Idumban was killed by the boy who was Lord Muruga. On a plea by Agastyar, Idumban was restored to life, and granted the wish that all who carry kavadees to his temples in fulfilment of vows shall be blessed. A shrine to Idumban is seen at the top of the hill.

It is believed that a siddha named Bhogar, a younger contemporary of Agastyar, created the icon of the Lord which is enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. It was made from nine different medicinal minerals, and all materials coming in contact with the icon gained curative properties. However, in recent years it was discovered that certain parts of the icon were wasting away and hence all abishekams are performed to another icon placed in the main sanctum.

In the past pilgrims had to climb 697 stone steps to reach the temple at the hilltop. Since 1966 a haulage winch transports the pilgrims to the shrine, the entrance of which is an extensive quadrangle. The temple itself is very spacious with beautiful mandapams and carved pillars. Throughout the year there is an endless stream of devotees to this shrine. The main festival Panguni Uttiram is celebrated for tne days in March/April each year at the temple at the foot of the hill. The icon of the Lord as Muttu Kumaraswami is taken in procession each day to the delight of the thousands of devotees.

Six miles from Kumbakonam and built on an artificial hillock stands the temple of Sri Swaminathan at Swami Malai. To reach the main sanctum devotees have to ascend 60 steps representing the Hindu cycle of 60 years. A shrine dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareshwara constructed by Varaguna Pandyan of Madurai, and another to Ganesha stands at the foot of the flight of steps.

Midway up the steps is a life-sized icon depicting Lord Muruga imparting the pranava Mantram to his divine father Lord Shiva who assumes a posture of folded hands and bowed head before his guru. In the sanctum santorum the presiding deity is represented by a six foot tall granite icon in a standing posture offering darshan to all his devotees.

About one mile from the temple is the main centre where artistic icons in bronze are created by highly skilled craftsmen in continuance of the Chola tradition. Many foreigners order icons of their choice from this centre which is well equipped to despatch their selections to their respective countries.

Tiruttani Temple..................

The name Tiruttani means ” blissful repose” and it is here that Lord Muruga went to lead a life of meditation, and where he is known as Tanikasalam. This temple, about 60 miles from Chennai is on the hill called Tanikai Malai and can be reached by ascending 365 steps or by a motorable road.

According to mythology it was here that the divine marriage of the Lord to Sri Valli took place. The main festival at this temple is on Adi Karttikai day in July/August each year when the temple precincts becomes a sea of humanity. On this day thousands of kavadees of various types are borne across their shoulders by pilgrims dressed in yellow, in fulfilment of vows made to the Lord of Tiruttani. These devotees cheerfully dance their way up the steps overcome by the hypnotic music and kavadi songs. A float festival also takes place on this day at the Saravana Poikai at the foot of the hill.

Palamuthircholai Temple...................

The jungle shrine of Palamuthircholai stands on the slopes of the Alagar hills about twelve miles east of Madurai. The temple is composed of three shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Muruga and Lord Shiva. This fane surrounded by thick jungle presents a picturesque scene of peace and quiet, the only disturbance being created by hoardes of monkeys. Nearby are many waterfalls and spas where pilgrims take a ritual bath. This shrine is of special significance as according to legend, it was the place where the Lord with his two consorts gave darshan to his devotees.

Lord Muruga has graced many of his ardent devotees with the capacity to compose poems and songs of praise. Noteworthy among them are Kumara Guruparan, the author of Pillai Tamil, and Devaraya Swamigal, the author of Kanda Shasti Kavasam. In some instances he assisted them by himself composing the first line of the leading verse of these songs of praise, and further, endowed them with the talent to write them. Arunagirinathar who composed the Tirupugazh, and Kacchiyappa Sivachariar the composer of Kanda Puranam have been recipients of this rare privilege. These literary works have greatly enriched the Tamil language and culture.

These six abodes together with numerous other temples dedicated to Lord Muruga are a vibrant testimony to the continuing worship of this deity by hundreds of thousands of his devotees. At these shrines they find themselves liberated from the narrow prejudices of caste and language. They all become devotees with one goal, of having a darshan of Lord Muruga when they find peace and tranquility for a short while.

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

 WE BREATHE TO THINK"

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18 HOLY STEPS @ SABHARIMALA AYYAPPA TEMPLE..........

18 HOLY STEPS @  SABHARIMALA AYYAPPA TEMPLE..........

Meaning of Namaskaram Slokam - Saranam Ayyappa

Loka Veeram Maha poojyam,

Sarava raksha karam Vibhum,

Parvathi hrudayanandam,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 1

I salute that God Sastha,

Who is the hero of the world,

Who is greatly noble,

Who is the lord protecting everyone,

And who gives happiness to the heart of Parvathi.

Vipra poojyam, Viswa Vandhyam,

Vishnu Shambho priyam sutham,

Kshipra prasada niratham,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 2

I salute that God Sastha,

Who is being worshipped by Brahmins,

Who is saluted by the universe,

Who is the darling son of Vishnu and Shiva,

And who is becomes pleased very quickly.

Matha mathanga gamanam,

Karunyamrutha pooritham,

Sarva vigna haram devam,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 3

I salute that God Sastha,

Who walks like a vigorous elephant,

Who is filled with nectar of mercy,

And who is the God who removes all obstacles.

Asmad kuleshwaram devam,

Asmad Shathru vinasanam,

Asmad ishta pradha daram,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 4

I salute that God Sastha,

Who is the God of my family,

Who destroys my enemies,

And who fulfills all my wishes.

Pandyesha vamsa thilakam,

Kerale Keli vigraham,

Artha thrana param devam,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 5

I salute that God Sastha,

Who is the greatest of the clan of Pandyas,

Who is the playful God of Kerala,

And who is the God who looks after the oppressed.

Traymbaka puradheesam,

Ganadhipa Samanvitham,

Gajaroodam aham Vande,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 6

I salute that God Sastha,

Who rides on an elephant,

Who is the king of Tryambaka,

And who is near to Lord Ganesa.

Siva veerya samud bhootham,

Sreenivasa thanudbhavam,

Siki vahanujam Vande,

Sastharam pranamamyaham 7

I salute that God Sastha,

Who is the personification of power of Shiva,

Who was born out of the body of Sreenivasa,

And who is the brother of him who rides the peacock.

Yasya Danwantharir matha,

Pitha devo Maheswara,

Tham Sastharamaham vande,

Maha Roga nivaranam. 8

I salute that Sastha,

Whose mother is Dhanwanthari,

Whose father is Lord Shiva,

And who cures all diseases.

Bhoothanatha, sadananda,

Sarva bhootha daya para,

Raksha raksha maha baho,

Sasthre thubham namo nama. 9

Salutations and salutations to that Sastha,

Who is the lord of all beings,

Who is perennially ever happy,

Who shows mercy towards all beings,

And I pray, Protect me great hero.

Ashyama komala vishala thanum Vichithram,

Vasoavasana arunothphala dama hastham,

Uthunga rathna magudam, kutilagra kesam,

Sastharamishta varadam saranam prapadhye. 10

I seek the protection of Sastha who loves his devotees,

Who has the peculiar pretty black body colour,

Who lives till the end of the world,

Who has dawn like hands which resemble lightning

Who has tall crown made of costly gems,

And Who has curly and pretty hair.

What do the 18 steps of Sabarimala temple signify?.......

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is one of the largest annual pilgrimages in the world, with an estimated over 100 million devotees visiting every year.Ayyappan's temple is situated amidst 18 hills. The temple is situated on a hilltop , and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense forest,around the temple is known as poongavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala. While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding areas like Nilakkal Kalaketty, and Karimala remnants of old temples survive to this day on remaining hills. The shrine at Sabarimala is an ancient temple of Ayyappan also known as sasta and Dharmasasta.

18 Divine steps to the sanctum is divine in all aspects. Initially the 18 steps were made of granite. It was later covered with Panchaloha in the year 1985 to prevent it from deterioration. As per the tradition, ONLY those who undertake the penance for 41 days and those who carry the IRUMUDI on their head are allowed to use the steps.

1st step- Getting knowledge and consciousness to make think is called first step.

2nd step- The bhakters ultimate consciousness is second step. Dvaita & advaita are same. Advaita means God & Dvaita means soul.

3rd step- vision or insight, imagination, understand, act, excercise, law to be connected with intellect.

4th step- pure consciousness image of knowledge it refers.

5th step- not in pure form & enlightened like bhagavathi Gods form.

6th – past several births (purva janam) goodness if we climb sixth step and we can see lord shiva.

7th step- will-power, we will have will-power to get God's blessing

8th step- yaga inner form. rahoyagam.

9th step- supreme celestial light , “paramjyothis” in order today also “makara jyothi” is seen.

10th step- meditating and knowing universal supreme lord.

11th step- ascetic meditating. God and devotee uniting.

12th step- samadhi non dualistic state of consciousness.

13th step- atma, soul changes happens.

14th step- supreme brahma, indicates knowledge person God subramanian. Ultimate supreme brahma is also called this step.

15th step- nadabrahma means ecstasy continues.

16th step- jyothiswarupa- illumination of God. A supreme effulgence, the proper form of God.

17th step- trigunathitha means tri characters of God

18th step – which is considered as parama feet- the ultimate supreme feet of lord ayyappa swamy.

The symbolism of these 18 steps is as follows:........

The first five steps symbolise the five human senses (Panchendriyas) i.e. visual (vision), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste) and tactile (touch). These signify the `mortal’ nature of one’s body.

The next eight steps symbolise the eight Ashtaragas viz, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, Maltsarya, Asooya, Dhumb (Love, Anger, Avarice, Lust, Pride, Unhealthy Competition, Jealousy and Boastfulness).

The next three steps stand for three Gunas or Thrigunas (nature-born qualities) i.e. Satva, ( perspicuity, discernment) , Rajas (activity, enjoyment) and Thamas (inactivity, stupor). The last two steps represent Vidya (Knowledge) and Avidya (Ignorance).

It is assumed that after climbing up these eighteen steps reverently, one symbolically detaches oneself from all the worldly ties that bind one physically and mentally to the world. It is only then that a person will be in a receptive condition to be ‘one’ in consonance with the concept of ‘The Ultimate Creator’.

The above are the most prevalently accepted version of the significance of the Holy 18 steps. Other versions are as follows: Ayyappa was a master of 18 weapons and the steps signify these. Ayyappa before merging into the idol at the Sanctum Sanctorum, surrendered his 18 weapons, one at each step of Pathinettam Padi.

The steps represent the 18 hills existing in and around the region of Sabarimala......................

1. Ponnambalamedu,

2. Gowdenmala,

3. Nagamala,

4. Sundaramala,

5. Chittambalamala

6. Khalgimala,

7. Mathangamala,

8. Myladummala,

9. Sreepadamala,

10.Devarmala,

11.Nilakkalmala,

12.Thalapparamala,

13.Neelimala,

14.Karimala,

15.Puthuserrymala,

16.Kalakettimala,

17.Inchipparamala and

18.Sabarimala.

Eighteen is considered as the code number to break into the soul of the Nature. The significance of 18 can be traced back to the Vedic age.

The first Veda, believed to be protected by Lord Brahma himself, had 18 chapters. Later, Veda Vyasa divided it to create the four vedas: Rigveda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharava Veda. Each of these vedas had 18 chapters.Veda Vyasa also wrote 18 puranas and 18 upa-puranas. The Bhagavad Gita has 18 chapters and the Kurukshetra war lasted 18 days.

There are many mythological stories associated with the holy Patinettampadi. Some believe the eighteen steps denotes the 18 puranas. Some believe that the first three steps depict “Bhoomi, Agni, Vayoo & Akash”, 6 to 9 steps for Karmendriya, 10 to 15 for Jhanandriya, 16th for mind 17th Intelligence and 18th Jeevathma Bhava. Those who cross all these steps are believed to achieve “Punyadarshan”.

The steep steps are so important and holy that no one can climb them without fasting for 41 days and carrying the holy irrumudi on ones’ head. Before ascending or descending the steps, pilgrims break coconut as an offering to the steps. One needs to have the sacre Irumudi on head while going up or down the 18 steps. While descending the steps the devotees climb down backwards facing the sanctum sanctorum.

One who climbs the Patinettampadi for 18 times shall plant coconut sapling in Sabarimala. Built on a plateau about 40 feet high, the Ayyappan temple commands a lofty view of the mountains and valleys all around.

SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA

J.KANNAN, M.Com, FIATA

"WE DON'T THINK TO BREATHE

WE BREATHE TO THINK"