SRI DHARMASHASTAVU

Affiliation : Deva, incarnation of Shakti in Masculine form
Abode : Sabarimala, Kerala, India
Mantra : Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa
Weapon : Bow and arrow
Consort : None
Mount : Tiger, horse, Elephant
Region : Kerala


THE REAL STORY
Ayyappan (also called Sastavu or Sasta) is a Hindu deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sasta, the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu (in the form of Mohini, his only female avatar), He is generally depicted in a yogic posture, wearing a jewel around his neck, hence named Manikandan,Literally meaning “With bell around the neck”. By the 20th century, there has been an increase in the number of worshipers of Ayyappan from many different groups, spurred by vast improvements in transport and communication in southern India. The name “sri Ayyappan” is used as a respectful form of address in the Malayalam and Tamil languages. The Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil sentence Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa can be translated as, “Oh Ayyappa! I seek refuge in you”. Ayyappan is known as “Hariharasutan” because he is the son of Hari (Vishnu), the saviour and Hara (Shiva), the destroyer. His most common name is “Manikandan” because when the king Rajasekara Pandiyan of Pandalam found little Ayyappan in a forest there was a “mani” (bell, in Malayalam) tied around his “kanda” (neck, in Sanskrit). As Dharma Sastha is considered to be born out of the union between Mohini (an avatar of Vishnu) and Shiva. Ayyappan’s annual festival is a time of pilgrimage for ever-growing numbers of men from throughout South India. The most prominent and famous Ayyappan shrine is the one at Sabarimala, in the hills of Pathanamthitta in Kerala, with over 30 million devotees visiting it every year, making it one of the largestpilgrimage sites in the world. These devotees fast and engage in austerities under the leadership of a Periya Swami (one who has undertaken the pilgrimage to Sabarimala for 18 years) for weeks beforehand and then travel in groups to the shrine for a glimpse of Ayyappan. Bus tickets are hard to obtain for several weeks as masses of elated men, clad in distinctive ritual dhotis of saffron, black and light blue colors, throng public transportation during their trip to the shrine.

Legends surrounding Ayyappan

Ayyappan fights Mahishi
The asura Mahishi was burning up with anger at the trick the gods had pulled on her brother, the asura king Mahishasura. As Mahishasura was blessed with invulnerability to all men, the gods had sent goddess Durga, to fight and kill him. Thus, Mahishi began performing a fearsome set of austerities, and pleased the creator god Brahma. She asked for the boon of invulnerability, but Brahma said it was not possible so Mahishi planned and asked invulnerability to all men except by the son of Shiva and Vishnu (Both are male & no possibility to give birth to any one). He granted her the boon of ruling the universe and being invulnerable except by the son of Shiva and Vishnu. Since such a person did not exist, she thought she was safe and began conquering and plundering the world.
The Story of Mohini
The gods implored Shiva and Vishnu to save them from this catastrophe. Vishnu found a possible solution to the problem. When Vishnu had taken on the Kurma Avatar, he also had to manifest himself as Mohini, the enchantress, to save the nectar of immortality (ambrosia or amrit) from the demons who were not willing to share it with the gods. If he became Mohini again, then the female Mohini and the male Shiva could have the divine child who would combine the powers of Durga as per Brahmand Purana and beat Mahishi. Skanda purana states that Durga took birth in masculine form as Dharamshasta.[9] Some versions give a slightly more detailed version of the union of Shiva with Vishnu. One version tells that the asura Bhasmasura (Bhasma means ‘Ashes’) had so pleased Lord Shiva with his austerities that Shiva gave him a boon of anything he wished. So Bhasmasura asked for the ability to burn to ashes anything which he placed his hand over. No sooner had Shiva granted this, than Bhasmasura ran after the god, threatening to turn him to ashes. Shiva called to Lord Vishnu for help. He hide himself in a peepal tree as Bhasmasura ran here and there searching for the god. Vishnu became aware of the events, and decided that he would take the female form Mohini, “the Enchanting”, and try to trump the asura’s powers. When Bhasmasura saw Vishnu in this form, he was bewitched by her beauty. He earnestly tried to court her. So Vishnu instructed Bhasmasura to hold his hand over his head, and vow fidelity. With this act, Bhasmasura was reduced to ashes. Vishnu found Shiva and explained the whole affair to him. Shiva asked if he too could see Vishnu in this female form. When Vishnu appeared thus, Shiva was overcome with passion, and united with her. The two gods thus became “Harihara Murthi”, that is a composite form of Shiva and Vishnu as one god. From this union, Lord Sree Dharma Sastha was born. He combined in himself the powers of Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Ayyappan is an incarnation of Lord Sree Dharma Sastha and Lord Ayyappan is a visible embodiment of their essential identity. Sri Ayyappa belongs to Pandya Royal Community. He was the head of a clan. It is believed Sri Ayyappa merged to sri dharma sastha. Lord Vishnu gifted the new-born deity with a little bejeweled bell necklace, so this god is called Manikantha. He is also Known as Dharma Shasthavu, Kerala Puthran.
Others legends
There are many popular stories associated with Him among the devotees. The stories differ, but there are certain common elements:
• Ayyappa lived in the Pandalam Palace as the son / savior of the King.
• He had super-human or divine knowledge, wisdom, and courage and loved the King and his people.
• He protected the King and the kingdom from the attacks of enemies.
• At the end of His life in Pandalam, He vanished into the forests and is ever since worshiped at the Sabarimala temple.
The most popular and widely accepted story tells that Lord Ayyappa had His human sojourn as the son of the Raja of Pandalam. At that time, Raja Rajasekhara Pandiyan ruled the kingdom of Pandalam. During one of his hunting expeditions, the Raja was puzzled to hear the wails of a child on the banks of the river Pampa, and was surprised to find a resplendent infant there. The beautiful baby with radiant face wore a bead (‘mani’) around his neck. The King, though pious, charitable, just, and God-fearing, had no children. He accepted the child as God’s gracious response to his fervent prayer for an heir to his throne. Manikandan grew into a boy well versed in academic lore and martial arts. Meanwhile the Rani gave birth to a son. The King regarded Manikandan as his elder son. He decided to crown him as the Yuvaraja. The King’s corrupt Minister had a deep dislike for Manikandan, and made the innocent Queen believe that ill would befall her if Manikandan was crowned Yuvaraja and that the kingdom actually belonged to her son. They conspired to get rid of Manikandan by hook or crook. They bribed the royal physician into becoming an accomplice of theirs. The Rani pretended to be afflicted with severe pain in the stomach, and the physician prescribed the milk of a tigress as the only cure. The King knew that none could be deputed for a mission that was so patently suicidal. However, the youthful and valiant Manikandan stepped forth and volunteered to fetch the milk. Despite the worried protestations of his foster-father, he set out for the fearful forests. Days later, Manikandan entered the palace precincts riding a fierce tigress and followed by a pack of its cubs. The schemers were frightened into confessing their nefarious plot. They and others now knew that Manikandan was no ordinary being. They were convinced of His divine origins, and prayed to Him to be with them for their own salvation and for the safety of the kingdom. However, Manikandan was now determined to leave the place. Filled with happiness, grief, fear, wonder and bhakti and self-surrender, the king prayed for the mercy and blessings of Manikandan. He repented he could not fully visualize the truth of the divine powers of the Lord and repeatedly requested Him to forgive him for behaving as if He were only his son. The Lord lovingly embraced the King who continued to pray: ” Lord, kindly bless me by freeing me from my egos and the worldly life of birth and rebirth and grant me ‘ moksha’ (salvation). Kindly continue to be the saviour of my family and stay eternally in my kingdom.” Manikandan then enlightened the King on the path of attainment of ‘moksha’. These words of the Lord are contained in ‘Bhuthanathageetha’. To the King who is by now mentally cleansed and completely immersed in ‘bhakthi’, Lord Ayyappa said: “I am to free you from all worldly sorrows & worries and to grant you ‘moksha’. All those who are and would be born in your family shall have my blessings unfailingly. I am always accessible to ‘bhakthi’ and only ‘bhakthi.” The Lord told the King that he could construct a temple at Sabarimala, north of the holy river Pampa and install His deity there. Ayyappa also explained how the Sabarimala pilgrimage shall be undertaken, emphasizing the importance of ‘vrutham’ and what the devotees can attain by His ‘darshan’. The Lord further consoled the King saying that the devotees who held him and his descendants in ‘bhakthi’ shall happen to be devoted to Him as well. Manikandan then blessed the King and all others assembled there, and vanished. The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala, dedicated to Him. There are various tales connected with Lord Ayyappa: the discovery of the child at Pampa, Manikandan’s youthful days in the Pandalam palace, bestowing the power of hearing and speaking upon the deaf and dumb son of His teacher as Guru-dakshina, His friendship with Vavar, bringing the tigress’s milk, accomplishing His divinely destined mission of annihilation of the demoness Mahishi, eliminating the forest-thug Udayanan, bestowing moksha on Sabari, blessing His foster-father with moksha and so on. Legend also goes to say that Manikandan was the incarnation of Lord Dharma Sastha. Raja Rajasekhara was in his previous birth a rich and pious ‘Brahmin ‘ by name Vijayan who was a very strong believer and devotee of Lord Dharma Sastha. Another tale goes like this: Lord Ayyappan as Manikandan born to Pandala Maharaja is set to conquer the King Udayan who is a strong Buddhist and has been harassing the people of Pamba region. Maharaja sends Manikandan to learn martial artsKalari to Cheerappanchira, the Muhamma of today in Alappuzha district. The panicker there trains him of Kalari. It is here where the Guru’s daughter Nila falls in love with Lord Ayyappa (Manikandan) but He refuses to marry telling he is a Bhrammachari and has a mission. She offers a sweet made out in a function in their family which Lord likes. This sweet payasam was what turned out to be the Aravanapayasam today. A Holy Song that is used to wake up Ayyappan in Sabarimala temple is known as Ayyappa Suprabhatham, an another song which for making ayyappa sleep is the famous song Harivarasanam.
Lord Ayyappan and Seven Chakras
There are Seven Chakras Every Human has this aspect
• Mooladharam
• Swathishtanam
• Manipooragam,
• Anagadham,
• Vishuddhi,
• Aagna,
• Bhrammarandram
Lord Dharmasastha Temples Associated with 7 chakras
Brahmmarandra– Crown chakra – Kanthamala, where Makarajothi Appears
Aagna – Third eye chakra – Sabarimala
Vishuddhi – Throat chakra. – Pandalam
Anagatham – Hearth chakra – Kulathupuzha
Manipooraga – Solar plexus chakra – Ariyankavu
Swathishtana – Sacral chakra – Achankovil
Mooladharam – Root Chakra – Sori Muthu ayyannar temple
Papanasam near Karayar Tamil Nadu

OTHER STORIES
There are lot of stories pertaining to Ayyappa but people have confusions regarding the” SASTHA BORN DURING THE UNION OF HARIHARA AFTER CHURNING THE OCEAN FOR AMRUTHAM AND THE BABY FOUND TO PANDALA RAJU WHO BELONGED TO 12TH CENTURY OF PANDALA DYNASTY”
THERE ARE 3 STORIES TO BE KNOWN ABOUT DHARMA SASTHA AND HIS INCARNATION AS AYYAPPA:
STORY1:
Long ago before the Churning of the milk ocean for Amrutham Goddess Parvathi and others were in deep discussion to know which women on earth was Pativrata(Faithul and obedient) wife.Lord Vishnu declared that Anasuya has that cadre to be called. Anasuya the Chaste wife of Maharishi Atri wanted a son from the incarnation of Trimurthies.To test Anasuya Goddesses sent the Trimurthies in absense of her husband and the condition that she should be naked while giving the alms..Anasuya Devi being the pious women made the .Trimurties as infants and gave them the sweetness of motherhood. Meanwhile the goddesses(Saraswati,Lakshmi and Parvati) were worried about their husbands and came to know about what happened to them.They requested Anasuya to get back their husbands in the actual form. Anasuya then asked a boon that she needs a son who is the incarnation of the Trimurties.Dattatreya Swamy was born to Anasuya and Maharshi Atri who was the incarnation of the Trimurties. As days went on Dattatreya Swamy became scholar of all studies.He was married to Leelavathi.When time cameby Dattatreya Swamy started off for attaining bliss.An argument happened between Leelavathi and Dattatreya Swamy regarding maya and bliss. Dattatreya Swamy became angry and cursed Leelavathi to take rebirth as Mahishi in demon dynasty.At the same time leelavati also cursed Dattatreya Swamy to take birth in same demon dynasty and join her.
Story 2:
During the time of ocean churning Lord Mahavishnu need to take the form of Mohini to handle situation from Bhasmasura who was booned to turn anyone into ashes if he places his hand on them.After a dance sequence between Mohini and Bhasmasura.Bhasmasura places his hand on himself unknowingly to repeat the same steps as Mohni does and thus Bhasmasura turns into Ashes.Later Lord Siva requests Maha Vishnu to show him the form of Mohini in which the union of HARIHARA takes place and Sastha birth happened (this will be explained in Story 3 as well) Nepala Rajyadhipati named Palinjan looks to give a spinster(unmarried girl) who was a strong devotee of Lord Siva to Mahakali as bali(ending life by smashing the body with sword) to get some boons.Sastha knowing this rescues her and makes the king to realise his mistake.Rajyadhipati Palinjan requests Sastha to forgive him and marry his daughter.Sastha marries Palinjan’s daughter. On the other side Malayala Desadhipati Pinjakan kingdom will be in suffering with Bhetala demons.Sashta rescues Pinjakan kingdom from them for which Pinjakan asks Sastha to marry his daughter.Thus Sastha marries even Pinjakan’s daughter. Knowing this Nepala Rajyadhipati Palinjan gets angry and questions how he can marry other women while he is already married to his daughter? Palinjan then curses Sastha to take rebirth on Earth and stay for 12years as human.Sastha gets angry and curses Palinjan to take birth as king of Pandala dynasty and be childless.Palinjan requests Sastha to forgive his foolishness.Then Sastha gives him a word saying “I will grow in your parenthood for some years in my incarnation on earth mean while you will have one own son“ Thus Palinjan takes birth as King of Pandala Dynasty in Kerela and Sastha as manikanta(wearing a diamond in neck Maharshi Agastya names him manikanta, later Ayyan and appa forming Ayyappa came into being) will be fond on the bank of Pamba. Mahishi takes boon from Brahma that
1. she should not be destroyed by HARIHARA
2. only their child must kill her (which is beyond nature’s rule)
3. The child must be in human form around 12yrs of age(which may not happen)
Story 3:(Connection of 2 stories and full detailed)
The asura princess Mahishi was in anger as Goddess killed her brother, the asura king Mahishasura. Mahishasura was blessed with invulnerability to all men, and so Durga was sent to fight and kill him. Thus, Mahishi began performing Tapasya and pleased Brahma. He granted her the boon of ruling the universe and being invulnerable except to a being that had not been born from a woman’s womb. Since such a person did not exist, she thought she was safe and began conquering and plundering the world. Meanwhile, Basmasura had so pleased lord Shiva with his austerities that Shiva gave him a boon of anything he wished. So Basmasura asked for the ability to burn to ashes anything which he placed his hand over. After being blessed with the boon, Basmasura wanted to test his boon and ran after the Shiva threatening to turn him to ashes. Shiva called to lord Vishnu for help. He hid himself in a peepal tree as Basmasura ran here and there searching for him. Vishnu became aware of the events, and decided that he would take the female form Mohini, the enchanting woman, and try to trump the asura’s powers. When Basmasura saw Vishnu in this form, he fell in love. He earnestly tried to court her. So Vishnu instructed Basmasura to hold his hand over his head and vow fidelity. With this act, Basmasura was reduced to ashes. Vishnu found Shiva and explained the whole affair to him. Shiva asked if he too could see Vishnu in this female form. When Vishnu appeared thus, Shiva was overcome with passion, and united with “her” The two gods thus became “Harihara” that is a composite form of Shiva and Vishnu as one God. From this union lord Ayyappa was born. He combines in himself the powers of Vishnu and Shiva, and is a visible embodiment of their essential identity. They left the boy in forest near River Pampa. Pandalam king, Rajasekara, went for hunting in the forest adjoining the banks of River Pampa, along with his men. He started hunting courageously in the dense forest which was a sanctuary for many wild animals. After that hunting was over, Rajasekara advised his men to take rest and sat there entertaining himself with the sight of the natural greenish beauty and the waterfalls, of the forest. At that time, he heard a child crying from somewhere in the forest. Surprised, he went round and reached the banks of River Pampa. There he saw a beautiful and divine child, Ayyappa, kicking his legs and crying out, and was in a dilemma whether to take the child to the Palace or leave it there itself. While the King was engrossed in his thoughts, a saint appeared before him and told the King that he need not be afraid of the child and take him to the Palace. The saint further stated that when the child completes twelve years, the King would know his divine history. After uttering these words, the saint disappeared. Rajasekara was very joyous and he took the child to his Palace and briefed the Queen about the incident. The King and the Queen, having prayed to Lord Shiva for a child, were very happy that they had been blessed with a child. The people also felt happy that a heir to inherit the Kingdom after the King has been found. When the Ayyappa, named Manikanta, began to grow in the Palace, everything began to prosper in kingdom. He was taught all martial arts and vedas and the Guru was surprised at his brilliance and agility and the extraordinary talents. The Guru came to the conclusion that he was not an ordinary child, but a divine power. After completing his education under the Guru, Manikanta approached the Guru to offer his Guru Dakshina. When Manikanta went to his Guru for his blessings, the Guru told him that he already knew that he was a divine power and he was blessed for having been given an opportunity to have Manikandan as a student. The Guru further told Manikandan that he had one request to make that his only son who was dumb should be given speech. Manikanta called the Guru’s son and put his hands on his head and immediately Guru’s son had his speech. Manikana requested the Guru not to reveal this to anyone and went to the Palace. Meanwhile, the Queen gave birth to a male child and the child was named RajaRajan. King Rajasekara, impressed with the talents of Manikanta, decided to crown him, treating him as his eldest son. He ordered the minister to make arrangements for the same. However, the minister who was thinking that he would be the next crown after Rajasekara was worried and started devising plans to prevent Manikanta from being crowned. Having failed in all his attempts to kill Manikana, the minister approached the Queen and told her that she had her own son, it was not correct to crown a person who came from the forest. He suggested that the Queen should pretend as if suffering from severe headache and he would make the physician tell that only a tigress’ milk should be brought to cure the Queen and since Manikanta would only go to the forest to bring the milk, he would be in danger from the wild animals. The Queen agreed to do what he told so that her son could succeed the King to the throne. The Queen, as told by the minister, cried out loudly that she was suffering from severe headache and stomach pain and the King, believing this, called the minister to bring in the best physicians to treat her. The Physician, brought by the minister examined the Queen and told the King that it could be cured only by applying Tigress’ milk. Mantikanta, realizing that the time has arrived, asked king to let him go to the forest promising to bring the milk. However, the King refused to let him go. Manikanta pursued the King and finally permitted Manikanta to go to the forest. King Rajasekara made arrangements to send a group of his loyal men along with him, but Manikanta refused. Rajasekara sent along with Manikanta the necessary foodstuffs and coconuts with three eyes, in remembrance of Lord Shiva. The Panchabuthas, sent by Lord Shiva, accompanied Manikanta to forest. Mantikanta entered the forest to fulfill his divine duty, to rid the world of Mahishi. Manikanta went to Mahishi and fought a battle. During the conflict, Manikanta threw Mahishi down to earth from devaloka and she fell on the banks of AzhuthaRiver. Manikanta clashed with her at Azhutha river again. At the end of the battle, Manikanta climbed up on her chest and danced violently. Mahishi knowing that the divine power dancing on her body was none other than the son of Hari and Hara, prostrated before Manikanta and died. This dance was witnessed by Lord Shiva and Mahavishnu from a place called Kalakatti. (It is said that Leela, daughter of Kavalan, a Maharishi, due to her husband’s curse, was born as daughter of Karamban, with a face of Mahishi and freed herself from the curse and obtained Moksha by the grace of Shri Dharma Sastha, which is described in SabarimalaTemple as Malikaipurothama, by which name she has a temple there). After killing Mahishi, Manikanta went to the forest for the tigress milk, when Lord Shiva appeared before him and told him that though he had done good for the Devas, still there was one main task and that was to give comfort to the King Rajasekara who was very concerned about him. Lord Shiva further told him that he could go to the Palace with Lord Indra in the form of a tiger. With Manikanta on the tiger, all female devatas in the disguise of a tigress started their journey to the Palace. After seeing this, the schemers were frightened into confessing their plot. They were convinced of his divine origins, and prayed to him to be with them for their own salvation and for the safety of the kingdom. Immediately Manikanta disappeared. The king would not eat anything if Manikanta did not come back. Then Manikanta gave a vision (Darshan) to the king. Filled with emotions of happiness, grief, fear, wonder and ‘Bhakti’ (devotion to God) and self-surrender, the king stood praying for the mercy and blessings of Manikanta. He repented he could not fully visualize the truth of the divine powers of the Lord and repeatedly requested Him to forgive him for behaving as if He were his son only. The Lord lovingly embraced the King who prayed to bless him by freeing from ego and the worldly life of birth and rebirth and grant Moksha (salvation). He told the King that he was destined to return. The king implored Lord Manikanta to allow him to build a temple and dedicate it to him and the Lord assented. Manikanta then enlightened the King on the path of attainment of Moksha. The Lord shot an arrow that fell at the top of Sabrimala and told the King that he could construct a temple at Sabarimala, north of the holy river Pampa and install His deity there. Ayyappa also explained how the Sabarimala pilgrimage shall be undertaken, emphasizing the importance of Penance vratham and what the devotees can attain by His ‘darshan’. But before the departure of the Lord, the King secured a promise from the Lord that on thai Pongal on January 14, every year, (celebrated as “Makara Jyothi” all his personal jewelry (usually kept at the Palace) will be adorned on His statue at Sabarimala. Hence on the 12th of January every year, the Jewelry will be taken on foot from the Palace by a special emissary of the kingdom, after the puja with all pomp, devotion and reverence. Immediately when the aarati is over, Royal Garuda (Eagle) flies over the Palace. The Royal Garuda flies ahead, and appears guide the pilgrims throughout their journey. Since there was no modern means of communication like Telephone or Mobile, to the hundreds of thousands of Devotees desirous of worshipping Lord Manikanta’s Jewels en route to His Abode, this Garuda was the sole and absolute signal of advance information even to the Temple authorities at Sabarimala to get ready for the adorning of the Jewels. This journey on the 12th and 13th of January finally reaches Sabarimala on January 14. Immediately after the jewellery is adorned on the Deity, there is an Aarti. The miracle is that just after the Aarti, without loss a second, the Jyothi appears on the east side of the Temple up above the Hills of Kanthamalai which also plays an important role in his life. But then the Lord further consoled the King saying that the devotees who held him and his descendants in ‘Bhakti’ shall happen to be devoted to Him as well. Manikanta then blessed the King and all others assembled there, and vanished. The King duly constructed the temple at Sabarimala, dedicated to him. The deity for installation was prepared by Parasurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and was installed by himself.

AYYAPPAN
Ayyappan (Malayalam: അയ്യപ്പന്‍ Tamil: ஐயப்பன் Sanskrit: अय्यप्प) also known as Dharmasasta, Maṇikanṭhan or Sasta, is a Hindu deity who is the son of Harihara, fused with both Shiva and Vishnu. He is generally depicted in a yogic posture, wearing a jewel around his neck, hence named Maṇikaṇṭhan, which literally means "person with gem around the neck". By the 20th century, there has been an increase in the number of worshipers of Ayyappan from many different groups, spurred by vast improvements in transport and communication in southern India. Ayyappan's annual festival is a time of pilgrimage for ever-growing numbers of men from throughout South India. The most prominent and famous Ayyappan shrine is the one at Sabarimala, in the hills of Pathanamthitta in Kerala, with over ten million devotees visiting it every year, making it one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the world. These devotees fast and engage in austerities under the leadership of a Periya Swami (one who has undertaken the pilgrimage to Sabarimala for 18 years) for weeks barefoot and then travel in groups to the shrine for a glimpse of Ayyappan. Bus tickets are hard to obtain for several weeks as masses of elated men, clad in distinctive ritual dhotis of saffron, black and light blue colors, throng public transportation during their trip to the shrine. The name "Sri Ayyappan" is used as a respectful form of address in Malayalam and Sanskrit. The equivalent of Sri is "Thiru" in Tamil. The mantra Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa is translated in English as, "Lord Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you".