Ayyappa Swamy
Significance of Sitting Posture of Ayyappa.. THE SIGNIFICANCE BEHIND THE STRANGE SITTING POSTURE OF LORD AYYAPPA
Some of us would wonder about the sitting posture of Lord Sri Ayyappa Swamy, and though this form appears like Yogasana, still, we would still wonder that why he has chosen to sit in this strange form, and why he ties his legs with a silk cloth!
Why Lord Ayyappa Swamy appears in this peculiar form? Is this is the form which he has himself chosen? What is the significance behind the different sitting form of Lord Ayyappa Swamy? Why he prefers to decorate himself with rich flower garlands, Thulasi Manimala, and costly ornaments and garments on his body?
If we read about it in detail, then automatically we would rejoice about the greatness of Lord Ayyappa Swamy, and joyful tears would automatically pour from our eyes. Actually Lord Ayyappa Swamy, who was a form of Lord Sri Dharma Shasta, took the avatar, in order to protect the people from this difficult Kali Yuga. He has laid down various rules and regulations to his devotees, like observance of compulsory fasting, compulsory wearing of Thulsi Manimala and compulsory visiting of temples for a Mandala period before visiting his shrine. His devotees also must bring the Irumudi Kattu, Coconuts filled up with ghee, and they must keep it on their heads and must chant the mantra, “SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA”.
Now let us come to the point, his two legs are gets seated in the form of Yogasana, and his legs are tied in a belt like thing, and that means, he ask us to control our mind, and he further instructs us to leave the three main dirty things present on our mind, that is, LUST, ANGER and GREED! Lord Dharma Shasta also sits in the same Yogasana posture only!
When our Ayyappa has decided to attain the godhood status, he has asked his father, Pandalaraja to build a temple for him in the present day Sabarimala, and as per his instructions, his foster father, King Pandalaraja also has built a wonderful temple for him. In course of time, the temple structure was enlarged, few more shrines were also added, and subsequently repairs and renovations works were also carried out excellently. After the construction of his temple, Lord Ayyappa had decided to permanently settle down at Sabarimala Hills, and before that, he had thought for some time, and ordered Pandalaraja, to design his idol in this present form.
The reason for the Devotees to observe a compulsory fasting at least for 41 days is, since fasting observed before the visit of Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala would purify their mind and body, and it also would help them to develop good habits in their life.
The reason for the devotees to wear the Holy Thulasi Manimala is, that, once if the devotees start wearing the holy Thulasi Manimala, then they would get the entire blessings of Lord Ayyappa.
Our great Lord Ayyappa is still doing deep meditation for the sake of universal goodness, and he would be in the state of meditation, till the end of this Kaliyuga! Why the god wears lot of rich garlands and ornaments on his body? The reason for wearing those nice things is, since the Lord is considered as the god of Wisdom and Fortunes, in order to grant sufficient wealth to his devotees, he wears it in a remarkable manner! Once if the great Lord wears those nice things, then his devotees also would get sufficient wealth, and they would also attain all kinds of prosperity in this earth.
Actually Lord Ayyappa loves to wear nice ornaments and garments. Since we consider Lord Ayyappa as our universal god, we can get delighted, by seeing him wearing rich costumes on his body. In the Sabarimala Temple, we can also see the holy feet of Lord Ayyappa, and by having a glimpse of his holy feet, at least once in our life time, we would get relieved from our worldly bondages, and we would also attain the lotus feet of Lord Ayyappa for ever.
“OM SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR