Mandalam Musings Day 32- Hariharasuthan to Swamy Ayyappan of Sabarimala-

 

Mandalam Musings Day 32-

Hariharasuthan to Swamy Ayyappan of Sabarimala-

The Avatar of Swamy Ayyappan has many names and forms. Devotees address him depending on the attitude and the bhava with which they worship Him. They are Hariharasuthan, Sree Dharma Sastha, Sreebhootha Nathan, Manikanthan, Sree Sabareesan, and Swamy Ayyappan, etc.

Hariharasuthan: The episode of Mahishi was one of the scriptural legends for which a divine intervention was necessary. This time Lord Siva decided to take birth and to fulfill that, a drama was performed with Lord Vishnu’s help. That was the avatar of Hari Hara Suthan (son of Hari and Haran).

Inspirational aspects of the Siva-Vishnu union goes beyond the purpose of annihilating Mahishi, the arrogant beast who created havoc in the three worlds.  There was a time when the society was divided in the name of worshipping Siva versus Vishnu and there used to be serious conflicts happening among devotees. The avatar of Hari-Hara-Suthan put an end to the issue, once for all. Devotees came to realize that Siva and Vishnu are manifestations of the same ultimate reality.

Sree Dharma Sastha: He was a commander by birth who established Dharma and so, He is the Dharma Sastha – the one who makes people obey. As Dharma Sastha, he has two wives, Poorna and Pushkala, and one son, Sathyakan. Poorna denotes infinity, and the epitome of Dharma is attaining infinite knowledge. Pushkala denotes prosperity.  With a family led by Dharma and nurtured by Poorna and Pushkala, no wonder the result is Sathyaka – the realization of Truth,

Sree Bhootha Nathan: Dharma Sastha is also the Lord of all who have taken birth to serve Siva. Those who serve Siva are the bhoothaganas, the army of Lord Siva. Sastha is the commander of Siva’s army.

Manikantha: The one who adorns a necklace with a precious gemstone. It is also said that His voice had a ringing sound of a bell and so he is Manikantha. He is addressed as Khanda nada (the one with the sound of a ringing bell) 

Sree Sabareesan: Sabari was a devoted tribal woman we see in the Ramayana who got moksha by serving Sri Rama. Sabari received Sri Rama and Lakshmana during their exile in the forest, in her hut at the hilltop that was later known as Sabari hill. Swamy Ayyappan chose Sabarimala as his abode and He is addressed as Sree Sabareesan.  

Easwaran or Bhagawan. Bhagavan is the name given to the Lord who possesses and expresses all the eight distinct qualities or bhagas all the time. The eight-fold bhagas are beauty, fame, wealth, command, power, knowledge, influence, and compassion. Sree Dharma Sastha is indeed the Bhagavan of the Kali Yuga

Swamy Ayyappa. Swamy means Lord. Ayya is a synonym for master or Guru, who is an inspirational figure in one’s life. Appa is the way people address their fathers with great love. So, Dharma Sastha, as a Guru and a father figure to all His devotees became Swamy Ayyappa. He has not only mastered the people and the world around him; He has also mastered His senses and is in full control. That is the bhava of Swamy Ayyappa in Sabarimala.