Lord Ayyappas DivinPranks: an episode of the Lords prank through a brother in a family
Posted on: 24/Nov/2017 1:29:42 PM
The sacred aspect of each temple is brought out to the devotees through three main aspects of thalam, theertham, and murtham (the location, the sacred water-source, and the idol/deity of the Lord).
All the sacred temple locations through the above 3 aspects, add the number of devotees by spreading the news regarding the sanctity of the temple and prosper and through this extend the God’s blessings and good wishes to the lakhs of devotees. The sastras add further that there are other aspects apart from thalam, theertham and Murtham.
Aspects of Thalam (location)
First, Thalam (location) may be naturally formed or may be blessed by the Jyotirlinga of the Lord.
Second is the Yaga-Bhoomi – a number of grand yagsa should have been performed in the place in the earlier period.
Third - In the ‘Bhakthi-Margam’ (Routs of devotion), there is an important role to be played by sacrifices. Thus, there are strong possibilities of intensive wars could have happened on this location leading to heavy sacrifices.
Fourth – The locations should be a place where the rishis and others should have undertaken severe penances.
Fifth - Yogis could have resided in the location performing severe penance and performed poojas with concentrated dedication.
Sixth - Wherever there are instances when Devas have visited the temple, there is a tradition to call the place as ‘Deva-Sthalam’. So, the location should have been a place where the Devas could have visited as a gathering and performed grand poojas.
Seventh – the location could be a very sacred place where rivers merge.
Even if the location has 1 out of the 7 aspects as explained above, the locations come to be known as a ’Punya-Bhoomi’ (God blessed place).
The books of wisdom mention that visiting such sacred places and having the Darshan of the Lord is a great and divine blessing.
When we visit the sacred place with at least one of the 7 aspects described above, all the sins committed by us get washed off. On the other hand, we will receive the divine blessings of huge blessings and benefits.
Now, taking the holy place of Sabarimala, it is a location where all the 7 aspects as described above are manifested. This is why there is an unending stream of devotees throughout the year. The ever-increasing number of Samis (those who do the prescribed penance and then visit Sabarimala for the Darshan of the Lord Ayyappa) get all their sins washed off and instead, receive the divine blessings by the courtesy of Lord Iyappa of Sabarimala.
It is indeed a long-time tradition for the devotees to continue visiting every year and the new devotees making their maiden trip to Sabarimala in increasing numbers every year. This proves as a standing testimony to the sanctity and the sacredness of the Sabarimala temple and the Lord Ayyappa’s might and blessings.
An interesting episode
Kalpathi Srinivasa Aiyar was fondly called ‘Anna’ (elder brother) by everyone. He dutifully indulged in Karmanushtas since an early age. However, he could not continue education. The family environment could not provide for this. So, he discontinued studies. However, with devoted interest, he continued learning Vedas and Sastra.
He has to bear the burden of the family responsibility and administration as well as the young age. He managed the 3 different routines – the job, the karmanushtas, and the family responsibility – in an admirable manner.
After working in a tram company in Chennai (then, Madras), he returned to his native place of Palakkadu. He married his niece – his sister’s daughter Parvathy. As he had the leadership quality, honesty, industry, and devotion, he moved up in his career.
He bought a textile shop in Palakkadu/ Once he bought, the shop flourished and in a very short while, became the most important textile shop in the locality and everyone called him as ‘Angadi mama’ (department store uncle). He earned huge profits. The scenario of poverty in the family vanished. His devotion got further intensified. At the same time, he was getting elevated in his career and business.
However, Kalpathi Srinivasa Aiyar did not have any inclination for wealth or luxury. He remained unattached to the worldly cravings. However, his devotion to God and the attachment to family kept increasing.
Now, this was the time Lord Sastha decided to play a divine prank in his life. Lord Sastha used the younger brother of Srinivasa Aiyar, Krishna Aiyar, as his tool. Krishna Aiyar was the avenue through which Lord Ayyappa entered the house of Kalpathi Srinivasa Aiyar.
It was the period from 1930 -1940. Krishna Aiyar had undertaken the journey to Sabarimala along with his friends over several years. He remained a bachelor. He kept a strict vigil regarding religious routines and was meticulously observing the same while remaining an ultra-staunch devotee of Lord Ayyappa.
Swamintaha Ayiar started getting worried about the life of penance of his younger brother Krishna Aiyar. He worried that his brother had not shown any inclination to living the normal life and his staunch devotion to the Lord Ayyappa. Little did he know at that time that he was destined to excel his younger brother and would go on to become even a stronger staunch devotee of Lord Ayyappa!
Even as he was worried about his younger brothers life of extreme devotion, he himself became immersed in devotion. He kept chanting the name of Lord Ayyappa all the time.
This was indeed, one of the divine pranks of the Lord Ayyappa!
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!
Lord Aiyan will visit us.
