Ayyavazhi mythology

Ayyavazhi mythology is the mythology of the growing South Indian religious faith and a sect of Hinduism
known as Ayyavazhi. The main source of Ayyavazhi
mythology is the Ayyavazhi scripture, Akilattirattu Ammanai, and its supplement, Arul Nool.[1] The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon (the Tamil name
for Vishnu, or Lord Narayana) to his consort Lakshmi.
It is divided into three sections: pre-incarnational events,
incarnational events and post-incarnational events.

In the second yuga, called Chathura Yuga, one of the

six pieces of Kroni was formed into a creature named
Kuntomasali. It had the shape and size of a mammoth
leech, and when it disturbed the tavam of those in Tava
lokam (the land of austerity), Mayon destroyed the leech
by catching it with a hook.
In the third yuga, called Netu Yuga, another fragment of Kroni created two wicked individuals called
Thillaimallalan and Mallosivahanan. They ruled over
the people by extracting Uliyam and Iraikal (taxes) from
them. When this exploitation became unbearable, the
Devas (celestial beings) complained to Sivan, who, in
turn, commissioned Mayon to carry out the destruction
of the wicked rulers, which he did.

Pre-incarnational events

The pre-incarnational events are all those that occurred

The fourth yuga was called Kretha Yuga. The third
prior to the earthly incarnation of Mayon.
fragment of Kroni was, again, made into two siblings,
called Suraparppan and Sinhamuka Asuran, and they
were given responsibility to rule the Earth. The wicked
1.1 The rst six Yugas
rulers began to crush the Devas, who reported it to
Mayon. Mayon took the form of Arumugan, the Tamil
The rst Yuga (aeon or era) was called Neetiya Yuga.
name for Kartikeya, and advised the rulers to desist
During this time, divine, human and all other virtues
from their wickedness. However, when they arrogantly
ourished without hindrance. They did not fear demons,
spurned his advice, Arumugan eliminated them. Durand there was perfect harmony among the creatures of
ing the same Yuga, Suraparppan was created, this time
the Universe, as well as among those who lived in the
as Iraniyan. Mayon, incarnated as the son of Iraniyan
Fourteen Worlds. In this yuga, the king was righteous and
(Prahlada), challenged his authority and nally took on
did not oppress his people through taxes or other means.
the therianthropic form of man and lion (Narasimha) by
During this peaceful time, Kroni was born. Kroni, who piercing his stomach. On his deathbed, Mayon asked him
is analogous to Satan in the Christian tradition, is a pri- to repent, but he replied arrogantly: You cannot kill me.
mordial personication of evil. Though Kroni is said to Only by placing ten mountains as ten nails might you kill
have been born with multitudinous limbs, each the size me. Otherwise you can't.
of a mountain, he nevertheless assumes dierent forms
In the ensuing yuga, called Thretha Yuga, Sivan, as per
in dierent yugas: as Ravana or Duryodhana, for examthe request of Mayon, created the fourth piece of the priple. Likewise, Mayon also incarnates in dierent yugas
mordial Kroni as a ten-headed mighty warrior, with the
as dierent Avatars: for example Rama or Krishna.
ten mountains as ten heads, naming him as Ravanan. He
In order to quell the ravenous hunger in his stomach, oppressed all those living on Earth by extracting Uliyam
Kroni drank all of the waters of the sea. With these wa- from them. He subdued all the earthly kings and made
ters being insucient, he swallowed Kailayam, the abode them pay tributes to him. Suering under his oppresof Sivan (the Tamil name for Shiva), and then proceeded sion, the Devas sought the help of Mayon who, for the
to devour the entire universe. Akilam one: 440-446. purpose of destroying him, took birth as Raman. On his
(text available at Wikisource)
death-bed, he repented, saying: Only with the help of my
Mayon, residing with Sivan in Kailayam, escaped to un- brother were you able to destroy me. With this episode
dertake tavam (tapas, meaning austerity) and to receive of killing Ravanan, Thretha Yuga came to an end.
permission from Sivan to destroy Kroni. Isvaran granted
this permission, but made Mayon aware of the necessity
to appear in dierent forms in the successive six yukams
in order to destroy the Six Fragments of Kroni. Following this advice, Mayon sliced Kroni into six fragments and
saved the universe. The rst yuga thus came to an end.

In the sixth yuga, called Dwapara Yuga, the fth fragment of Kroni was portioned into a hundred pieces,
and made into Duriyodhanan and ninety-nine brothers
to support him. The three brothers of Raman, along
with Vibushanan and Sampoovan of the preceding epoch,

1 PRE-INCARNATIONAL EVENTS

were created as Pancha Pandavas in this aeon. The

wicked Duriyodhanan was killed by the Pancha Pandavas,
with the support of Mayon, who came in the form of
Krishna. Even at the brink of death, Duriyodhanan refused to repent, saying that only with your cunning mind
were you able to defeat me, and otherwise not. Mayon
then told him: You will be created with knowledge,
intelligence, and artistic skill in the next Yukam, and if
you do not repent in that age, that will be your eternal annihilation. Having said this, Mayon went to Srirangam
and dwelt there.

1.2

The Santror

Main article: The Santror

Towards the end of Dwapara Yuga, Thirumal (Mayon),
with the aid of Seven Virgins (Saptha Kanniyar), had
begotten seven sons, known as the Santror Makkal (see
Santror Pirappu), in order to accomplish the task of destroying the Kalineesan and Kali mayai (Kali Yuga Maya)
that were to be countered in the following Kali Yuga.
After the birth of Santror, they were all named by conducting a naming ceremony (see The Naming ceremony
of Santror) and fed with celestial nectar (see Feeding the
children with Celestial Nectar). The Santror were raised
by Bhadrakali and married to the daughters of Nirupathirajan (see Fostered by the acclaimed Deity Patrakali).

1.3

Kalineesan, Kali Yuga, and Kalimayai

Main article: Kaliyan

The sixth fragment of the primordial Kroni was Neesan,
the epitome of wickedness ((Tamil neesa meaning
wickedness). Neesan was created in the form of a
male human being who was wise, beautiful and intelligent. Neesan pushed himself out of the earth in an inverted form. Upon seeing his appearance, the celestial
diviners predicted that he, being without normal human
parentage, would have an undened and rude physique,
and that his intelligence and ve senses would be rooted
in falsehood. They further predicted that he would have
a life as fragile as that of a bird, but he would unleash
wickedness on people with arrogance.

any of his lies caused trouble to any Pantaram on earth in

the future. Then, he bought the Chakra from Kaliyan and
cursed it as money. The money asked Thirumal when this
curse would leave it, to which Thirumal replied: It will
leave you when Kali is defeated.
The Neesan was thenceforth called Kalineesan because
the Kali Yuga had dawned along with his birth. Along
with him was born an evil force called Kali Mayai (Kali
Yuga Maya). The Kali here refers to the evil spirit behind
Kali Yuga and not Kali, the Hindu deity).
Kali Maya engulfed the whole world and consequently,
deceit and illusion began to contaminate the minds of
the people. Age-old traditions and conventions, based on
Dharmam, were unduly overthrown. Kalineesan introduced the discrimination of caste among the people. The
powerless people were crushed with brute might. People,
caught in the Kalimayai, began to be inimical towards one
another - men against women, children against parents,
and so forth. People used demonic force to harm one another. Kalimayai captured the king of Thiruvitankur and
began to rule over the people as their king.

1.4 Thirumal in Thiruvananthapuram

Main article: Thirumal in Thiruvananthapuram
Thirumal, dwelling at Sri Rangam hitherto, found it unworthy of his abode because of the misdeeds of the priests
there. He shifted his tent to Thiruvananthapuram. When
he reached there, a Pulayar woman saw him and spread
the news to one and all. Hearing of this, Kalineesan constructed a temple of ne granite at the site where the Pulayar woman spotted Tirumal, and decorated the temple
with gold and pearls. The king instituted scores of rituals and ceremonies at the temple to be performed by
Namboothiri Brahmins. The lights of the temple were,
however, lit daily from a torch brought from the home of
the Pulayar woman.
1.4.1 Venneesan
Main article: Venneesan
Kalineesan had no children, so he went on a pilgrimage to
Kasi, a holy place, and stood in tavam (spiritual suering)
for a son. While performing the tavam, he was distracted
by the scene of a cleric embracing a woman. Because of
this, Kalineesans semen came out and fell into the water.
A white crane came and swallowed the semen, became
pregnant, and delivered a baby boy in the water. A sage,
Punal Rhishi, took the baby, which was white in appearance, and looked after it.

Having obtained innumerable boons (see Boons), including the Chakra of Mayon and invincibility, Neesan proceeded to earth to rule over the people. On his way, he
was accosted by Thirumal, who appeared as a Pantaram
(an itinerant mendicant), with long owing unkempt hair
and torn clothes. Thirumal challenged him to a duel
which Neesan refused, considering it beneath his dignity
to ght with a Pantaram coming in such an attire without Kalineesan, his tavam being defective, returned to his
any weapon. Taking the opportune moment, Thirumal country in despair, resigned to a prediction that even if
shrewdly made Neesan promise to forfeit all his boons if he were to have a son, it would be only the sons of his

3
sister who would rule the country.

temples and me, and a ten thousand of them

needed to pay my sta? Do I not get these gold
coins by squeezing the labour of these Chanar?
Even if you desert me and go to one of the Chanar places, I will never revoke the taxes and
oozhiyam imposed on them.

The baby, delivered by the white crane, grew up and came

of age, and was married in the land of Chenkomatti. He
prospered there with his progeny, who later emerged as
a powerful people by learning the skills of ship-travel,
trading in gold and silver, and diplomacy. This people,
called Venneesa kulam, propagated a religion of their
own, and through the lure of money gained many new
Responding to the king, Mayon said:
members. Venneesan (the name comes from two words,
venmai meaning white, and neesan, meaning wicked
person) introduced a new calendar.
Did I ever ask you to oer me puja by exploiting the people? You oer puja not to me, but to
the Namboothiri Brahmins. The whole world
1.4.2 Santror in Kali Yuga
knows that the only thing that I receive wholeheartedly is the light brought by the Pulayar
Kalineesan, coming to know about the valour and loywoman.
alty of the Santror people, appointed them as his bodyguards. It so happened that one day, while guarding the
entrance of the kings room, the body-guards happened
to fall asleep, during which time, the enemies of the king, Peeved at the response of Mayon, the king mockingly
hailing from the kings own race, entered the room and as- said: If you have not tasted any of my oerings, what
sassinated the king. The Kalineesan, while succumbing then have you to do with me? Go wherever you want to...
to the murderous attack, mistaking it to be a betrayal by Listening to the impenitent and brute words of the king,
the body-guards, cursed them that they and their progeny divine rage overcame Mayon and he said: You have
would be oppressed with oozhiyam (coolie service) and mocked at me and ill-treated me as you do to the Chanar.
regressive taxation as long as the kings dynasty ruled the Lo, I am going away from your place to Thiruchendur. I
will take on you in another form. Then, I will perform
country.
a Dharmam that you and the world will acknowledge as
The curse of the king began to take eect on the Santror.
the greatest. I will destroy the pervasive demonic cult and
The Kalineesan, the successor of the previous king, imcrown the Chanar.
posed innumerable taxes on every article used by the
Mayon deserted
Santror for their day to day living. Their occupational Having said these things,
implements, the palmyra trees that supported them, and Thiruvananthapuram. He told the people: Henceevery item of the produce of these trees were punitively forth, let all castes united as one people, come to the
taxed. The produce of the palmyra trees was to be given place where I am going to dwell. Having said this, he
to the high castes, failing which the Santror were tortured proceeded to Thiruchendur. It happened then that the
with corporal punishments. There were many arbitrary fortress of the Kalineesan crashed into pieces. The earth
taxes imposed on them. The Santror found no favour with was covered with darkness of slumber, the sea engulfed
the land, and all the palatial buildings of the king were
the rules, in spite of paying these cruel taxes.
eaced. Seeing these calamities, the Brahmins lamented
and the priests wailed.
1.4.3 Thirumal deserting Kalineesan
Mayon took his abode at the seashore of Thiruchendur.
Having witnessed the woes of the Santror, Mayon ad- During this time, the venneesan had spread his wicked
monished the king to desist from oppressing them. He rule over the country, trampling upon the traditions of
reminded the king that it was his seventh birth, coming the land. He outed the principles of Dharma, observed
in the lineage of the primordial Kroni, and if he failed by the Santror and failed to give the dignity due to them.
to repent during this opportunity, then it would be his
eternal damnation. He exhorted him to revoke the cruel
taxes and the exploitative system of uliyam, imposed on
the Santror, the people born of Mayons seeds.

2 Incarnational events

The king retorted, saying:

How dare you advise me to revoke the taxes
and the oozhiyam imposed on the low caste
Chanar? If I do so, how else do I earn gold
coins - a hundred of them needed to perform
puja for you every morning and evening, a
thousand of them needed to take care of all the

Incarnational events include preparations for incarnation,

the event of incarnation, and the proclamations and instructions given to the newly incarnated god. Since
Mayons incarnation, as Ayya Vaikundar, is the foremost
power, this is considered to be the most important part in
Akilattirattu Ammanai. Below is an elaboration of these
events.

2.1

2 INCARNATIONAL EVENTS

Preparing for incarnation

Seeing the degraded status of the Santror, the celestial

gods made a plea to Mayon as follows: Our young brothers, the Santror, are suering endlessly under the yoke of
the centuries old oozhiyam and have lost dignity and respect on account of that. Have you not seen their iniquities?
After listening to the plea, Mayon prepared for the incarnation. He made all the celestial gods take birth in the
world in order to assist in destroying the kali. He set out
to create new cattle, reptiles, birds, plants, trees, and all
other elements of nature that would bet the new age of
Dharma Yukam because the Dharma Yukam was to be
characterised by a new life, new people, and new thinking. In that new age Shastras, Vedas and all the religions
would be the same; the Tamil language would permeate
the world; people would live united as a single humanity;
the people of Mayon would live with pristine glory and
they would ourish with all prosperity; the earth would
yield abundantly; diseases, calamities and the impact of
the evil magical practices would not aect the people; the
old Shastras would be turned untrue, and instead, a new
code would be enshrined.

2.2

the source of Ayyavazhi mythology) famed to be the right

place for undertaking eective tavam, laid the body of
Mayon in Parvatha Ucchi Malai, that he had left behind
after his last incarnation in Dwapara Yukam. It was carrying the soul of Sampooranathevan, who had been growing into a human person named Muthukutty as per the
divine plan.
This person excelled in dharmam, wisdom, piety and
courage. In his seventeenth year, he married a woman
and lived a blissful conjugal life. It so happened that he
had been struck by a severe disease in his twenty-second
year and had suered for a year. In the year 1008 (AD
1833), his mother had a dream in which Mayon appeared
and instructed her to bring his ailing son to Thiruchendur,
where the festival had begun on the 19th day of the Tamil
month of Maci (February/March). Obeying the divine
command, the ailing person was carried to Thiruchendur.
On their way, while they were having their meals at a
place near Kudankulam, Mayon, staying at the seashore
in Tiruchendur, commanded two of his celestial sages,
Kalai Muni and Gnana Muni, to fetch the life that he
had designated. They immediately came over, carried
the person (the body of Mayon along with the soul of
Sampooranathevan) along the four streets of Tiruchendur, gave it a bath and puried it from all dirt.

Mayon on the identity of his people The Soul of Sampooranathevan gets unied into the
Ultimate soul (granted moksha).

Mayon then enunciated the attributes of his children who

would be his collaborators in the world. He said:
The identity of my people is that they do not
oer puja or sacrices, do not have temples and
priests, do not have oerings of owers, do not
oer blood sacrices of goat, bull and roosters,
and do not worship cows and images made of
clay. Instead, they are those who do Dharmam
to all those who come in my name.

2.3

2.5 The incarnation

Final admonition through Thiruvasakam

Before the incarnation of Mayon could take place, the

three godheads decided to send a nal admonition with
the name of Thiruvasakam to Kalineesan that he might
amend. (see : Thiruvasakam (Ayyavazhi))

2.4

Deciding to incarnate as Vaikundar

Main article: Sampooranathevan

Incarnation of Ayya Vaikundar

Kalineesan did not pay heed to the Thiruvasakam. Mayon Mayon then instantly went into the sea, amidst the chantthen decided to incarnate as Vaikundar and, to that eect, ing of the celestial gods. Inside the sea, enveloping himwalked towards the seashore of Thiruchendur.
self in a scorching ame, he approached Lakshmi who
Meanwhile, in Thamaraiyur, (The alternative name given was awaiting his arrival in the form of a Lotus pedestal.
for the village Tamaraikulam in Akilattirattu Ammanai Afraid of the ball of ame approaching her, Lakshmi

3.3

Tavam

worshipped it with reverence. Mayon revealed himself

and took Lakshmi and told her of his intention to create a son. By that time, the body of Mayon too had
come into the sea. Mayon then took the body inside
the Lotus pedestal, transformed it into his son,(the Ultimate Soul was installed into the body) by and adorned
him with sparkling jewels and crown. He then imparted
certain arcane knowledge in the form of proclamations
and instructions, known as Vinchai, to his newly niall son,
Vaikundar. (see: Vinchai to Vaikundar)

5
Vaikundar, announcing the glad tidings to everyone, traversed the path towards Manavaippathi (Puvantantoppu)
in Detchanam. The itinerant Vaikundar, reaching the
temple of Pakavathi at Kanyakumari, told her that he, the
Narayana Vaikundar, had come to uplift the lowly by ruling the world under the banner of Dharmam and therefore, she was to rescind from accepting any sacrices or
oerings.

3.3 Tavam

Having given these exhortations, Mayon called his son intimately as Narayana Vaikundar and told him that if these Main article: Tavam of Vaikundar
teachings were observed strictly, the illusory force of kali
would be contained and when people learned to live with
Making himself known to the people as Vaikundar, the
self-respect, Kali would destroy itself.
great Narayana took his abode under a tree at the entrance
Then the whole array of celestial gods sang lullabies of Manavaippathi.
(See:Thalattu, Palli Unarthal, Abayam.), praising the special attributes of the newly born child, Vaikundar. They
praised him for having been born as the child of Mayon, 3.4 Burning of the demons
in the race of Chanar, in order to teach the virtue of Dharmam to the world and to incinerate Kali.
When a year and a half had passed after undertaking the
Vaikundar, having received all the instructions from his Tavam, people complained to Vaikundar of the disturfather, walked out of the sea to go into the world. Mayon bances caused by the demons in the world. Vaikundar,
sent two celestial sages (Kalai Muni and Gnana Muni) intending to put an end to the misdeeds of the demons,
thought of incinerating them totally. He then summoned
with him as witnesses to his activities.
a celestial sage and sought his counsel on this matter. The
sage, after going through the Akamankal (Agamas), told
Vaikundar:

Post-incarnational events

Main article: Ayya Vaikundar

The various episodes, that are portrayed to be occurring
after the event of incarnation, are called here as postincarnational events. Given below is an elaboration of
them.

3.1

Vaikundars emergence out of the sea

Vaikundar crossed over to the land from the sea

and showing a bodily appearance to the mother of
Muthukutty, told her: Woman, you had been my mother
before the year 1008 (AD 1833). Now, I have been born
as Vaikundar, the child of Mayon. I have received powers for redeeming the Santror. I am going to destroy the
evilmongers and rule the world under a single command.
Having said this, Vaikundar set out towards Detchanam
(Dakshin, the south).

3.2

From the moment Narayana became Vaikundar

and came to the world, the demons, the evil spirits and all other deceptions of the world are disappearing; Kali Yukam is being destroyed, together with the old Vedas. Puranas and Agamas
have lost their substance. As of now, Vaikundar
is establishing a Dharma Yukam that he will
rule eternally. So, now is the right time to destroy all that are to be destroyed.

Vaikundars journey to Detchanam

Vaikundar walked towards Detchanam, along the sea

route. All along his path, the creatures of the sea and the
animals of the forest greeted him, expressing their happiness, for they were to be freed from the clutches of Kali.

Vaikundar then assembled all the demons in one place.

He made some persons in the gathering, who were accustomed to possession, to get possessed of the demons in
the presence of the people. The demons that had come
on to these persons began to tremble with fear and, by
making loud cries, bemoaned their end. Resigned to their
fate, they requested Vaikundar to tell them the modalities to surrender. When the demons asked it themselves,
Vaikundar ordered them to make an oath in front of the
people that they had surrendered all their powers. Accordingly, the demons made a public oath that they had
surrendered all their powers. Then they ed to the mountain and killed themselves by falling into re. As this
happened, those that were dancing due to the possession of the demons got exhausted and fell at on the
grounds. As the crowd was witnessing all these happenings, a few shepherds, tending their ock in the mountain,
came rushing and reported that they heard the loud cries

3 POST-INCARNATIONAL EVENTS

of the demons as they were falling in the re. When the

crowd heard these, they appreciated the way the demons
were destroyed and acknowledged that Vaikundar was really the Narayanar needed for the country.

3.5

Seizing the power of magic, witchcraft,

People came as one family and listened to the exhortasorcery, trickery, etc.
tions of Dharmam given by Vaikundar. They accepted

Having destroyed the demons, Vaikundar thought of incarcerating the powers of Malaiyarasar, the people of
the mountain who performed black magic, witchcraft,
sorcery, etc., with the aid of evil spirits. No sooner had he
thought of it than the wild animals, being released from
the clutches of the Malaiyaracar, went berserk and attacked the people ferociously. Horried at the behaviour
of the animals, the Malaiyaracar resorted to their usual
black magic to contain the animals. But, alas, this time,
their magic did not work. Disappointed and worried, they
became panicky and sought the help of a Kuratti, the village astrologer, to make them known the cause of these
events.
Kuratti, hearing their woes, told them that Vaikundar had
incarnated to eradicate the suerings of all and therefore, they would do well to meet him to get rid of their
woes. Coming to know of Vaikundar, the Malaiyaracar
came to him immediately and pleaded with him to solve
their problems. Vaikundar told them it was time for
the destruction of all the evil forces and therefore, they
would do well to surrender the knowledge of black magic,
witchcraft, sorcery, and trickery, the spells used to bind
others, and all types of esoteric charms in their possession. If refused to comply, they were warned of severe
consequences. Hearing the admonition from Vaikundar,
and fearing the consequences of the refusal to surrender,
they agreed to hand over all their powers to him. Since
they had not brought with them the manuscript documents that contained the spells, they vowed in front of
Vaikundar and the people that they would never again
resort to these practices. When they did so, Vaikundar
advised and blessed them to take to cultivation as an alternative profession. When this was done, the celestial
Gods wrote it in the heavenly records that Vaikundar had
done away with the evil forces and had made Dharmam
to prosper in the world.

3.6

Listening to these exhortations, people of all castes realised that kalimayai was being destroyed and Dharmam
was established. Vaikundar brought Dharmam also to the
ora and fauna, exhorting them not to hurt or kill each
other, and not to crush the weak, but to live in harmony
as one family.

Exhortations

him in their hearts as the undisputed God and lived happily.

3.7 Vaikundars trial

At this time round, the king of Thiruvithankur, the Kalineesan came to Suchindrum for his routine visit. He was
an agitated man. With his powers already been curtailed
by the foreigners, he wanted to know whether there was
any one else in his kingdom that could challenge his authority. The ministers told him as follows:
From the race of the Chanar who perform
the menial uliyam for us, someone, claiming to
be the incarnation of Vishnu, is making pronouncements that he is going to rule the land under his one undisputed command. He has gathered people of all castes into one place around
him. He has also claimed that he would destroy
all his enemies and establish a rule of Dharmam. It looks the Chanar people are having a
great day.
Listening to this, the king grew weary. He summoned a
seer to know whether the news was true. The seer conrmed it, saying it was time the great Vishnu incarnated
as Vaikundar. The king retorted to the seer saying:
"Even if the great Vishnu wanted to incarnate, would he,
leaving aside the honourable Namboothiri and other Brahmin caste, come into this untouchable Chanar people? It
looks to be a cheating.
Listening to the king, an elderly person from a shepherd
caste, who was in the assembly, advised the king saying:
"If Vishnu wants, he will take birth in any race and in any
form. He may come as a Panan or a Pariyan. So better
not to disturb this person.

The king was infuriated and was not ready to listen to

anyones counsel. He ordered one of the chiefs of the
Having incinerated the demons and seized the powers of army to bring Vaikuntar to him. Accordingly, a squad of
the Malaiyaracar, Vaikundar exhorted the people as fol- soldiers came and surrounded Vaikundar who was sitting
lows:
on a cot, performing his tavam. As the troops prepared
to seize him, the Santror, standing near Vaikundar, got
enraged
and readied to attack the troops. Sensing trouble,
"From this day on, repose your faith only in
Vaikundar
prevented the Santror saying:
Vaikundar, and fear not any other powers. Do
not give oerings to temples, do not cast away
My children, it is those who contain the instant
your hard-earned money into dump-boxes, and
rage that will become great. You are people of
keep your wealth to yourself."

3.8

Thuvayal Thavasu
love. Keep restraint, I will make you rule the
earth.

3.8 Thuvayal Thavasu

Main article: Thuvayal Thavasu

The army personnel, then, took hold of Vaikundar, tied

him with a rope, and tortured him ruthlessly. They ques- Back in Tamaraipathi, Vaikundar continued according to
the instructions of his Father. He instructed the people to
tioned him with spite:
undertake a tavam called thuvayal thavam (thuvay means
to wash) which was also called Thuvayal Thavasu, an act
of ritual washing of ones physique and clothes along with
"Whether he became a deity for the Chanars?
practice
of self-abnegation and self-restraint.
Whether he disguised himself as a deity in order
to amass wealth?"

3.9 Marriage with the Seven Virgins

He was then led along the streets to the king. The wicked
people threw stones at him, pulled his long hair and teased
him, calling him demoniac. Some people from the low
castes accused him of bringing disgrace to their race.
Vaikundar did not utter a word in response. He reached
Suchindram and was brought in front of the king.

Even as Vaikundar was continuing to instruct and serve

the people, he intended to marry the seven virgins. He
made some people of Chanar, young and old, male and
female, get into a trance and dance. He made some of
them narrate the accounts of the world, and of the story
The king wanted to test Vaikundars powers. He hid a of the seven virgins carrying the seeds of Mayon and dering in the palm of his hand and asked him to name livering the seven sons of the Chanar.
it. Vaikundar, being aware of the fact that showing his Vaikundar then, putting on the appearance of Narayana,
powers would not aid his mission in any way but that made the Santror, who stood around him, to walk in the
it would only precipitate matters unduly, remained reti- four directions and call out to their mothers, the Seven
cent. The king, being hurt by his silence, ordered him Virgins. The seven divine mothers, listening to the call of
to be tortured more. Five kinds of poison were mixed in their sons, came out and paid respect to Vaikundar who
an arrack and given to him to drink. Vaikundar drank had come to marry them and give them back their chilit as if he were drinking milk and remained unaected. dren as it was promised to them in their previous birth.
Seeing that the poison had not worked, Vaikundar was
Once the divine mothers came, after conrming their
conned in a stinking prison, infested with worms and desire to get married and to get back their children,
leeches. Vaikundar took upon himself all these suer- Vaikundar announced to the world the news of the marings for the sake of his poor Chanar.
riage of the Seven Virgins with Vaikundar. Vaikundar
Then Vaikundar was led through Kottar, Chunkankadai,
Thuckalay, Padmanabhapuram, Balaramapuram, and
brought to Thiruvananthapuram where he was detained in
an open prison. While in the prison, many people came
and worshipped him.

then asked the Santror what they would give as gift to the
bridegroom. (see: Thirukkalyana Ekanai).

After that event, a person known as Poovandar went up to

the king, and testifying to the genuineness of Vaikundar,
pleaded for his release. The king, considering the request, wanted Vaikundar to sign a document as a condition for the release. The condition was that he would
not any more gather the dierent castes, except his own,
into one place. Vaikundar tore the piece of material that
contained the condition into pieces and threw it on to the
ground. However, the king did not wish to retain him in
the prison anymore.

The celestial saints then praised the special attributes of

the marriage partners, and the race in which they hailed
from. Then, singing the praises of Narayana and praying
that he might full his mission of ushering in the Dharma
Yukam, the brides and the bridegroom circumambulated
the Pathi in their ceremonial attire. The supplications
of the brides were that Vaikundar should destroy the evil
age, usher in the age of Dharma, and make his people rule
the Dharma Yukam .

The Santror, the kith and kin of the brides, answered that
all their wealth, even their very lives could be given as gift
to him. Vaikundar then requested the Santror to take and
The Kalineesan did not relent from torturing Vaikun- give the hands of the seven virgins to him in marriage.
dar. He ordered him to be thrown to a starving tiger. In When they did it ceremoniously, Vaikundar placed a glitthat, Ayya Vaikundar proves to the world, his Power (see tering golden chain around the necks of the seven divine
women.
Katuvai Sothanai).

Vaikundar chose the nineteenth of the Tamil month

Masi (February/March) to be the day of his release.
His devotees, the Santror, carried him on a cradle
through Balaramapuram, Parvathipuram, Kottar, Suchindram and reached back to Thamaraippathi.

When the marriage had taken place as per the earlier

promise, the Santror realised that all the curses incurred
by them had been erased and there was no curse anymore on their race. People came from all directions to
pay homage to Vaikundar and presented him with various gifts.

3.10 Festivals and celebrations

Vaikundar thought of organising festivals and celebrations with the people who garnered around him. He xed
Sunday, the day of his birth in the sea, to be the day in every week for celebrations. People gathered there on every
Sunday, bringing him gifts. They decorated the vicinity
with owers and festoons. Amidst crackers of reworks
and music of joy, the seven virgins, dressing themselves
in saron and sporting the Namam (sacred symbol on the
forehead), came in grand procession on the streets alone
with Vaikundar. Ayya Vaikundar, as a Pantaram, had
donned himself in squalid rags, smeared the white mark
on the body, tied a turf on his hair, and carried a cane.
Besides his disciples, a large number of Santror came in
procession along with him. Those who had participated
in the thuvayal thavam also accompanied him by chanting the prayer, Siva Siva Those men and women, that
were taken hold of by divine power, sang the praises of
Narayaya and accompanied the procession.

3 POST-INCARNATIONAL EVENTS

3.13 Ascending to Vaikundam, the abode

of Thirumal
Having accomplished whatever he intended doing,
Vaikundar thought of attaining Vaikundam, i.e., leaving
this world and going to the world of Vaikundam. He
prayed to Thirumal to take him back as he had accomplished his mission. Thirumal, too, had thought of calling
his son back, and so he commanded his sages to decorate
the house for his son in Vaikundam.
Vaikundar then began contemplating on Vaikundam
alone. As he was preparing, he instructed his Santror not
to be afraid, and to live united in love. He gave them a
white mark on their forehead. Then he began his journey to Vaikundam on 1126, Itabam 21, at noon. As he
reached Vaikundam, Thirumal and Isvaran received him
warmly. The Devas praised him for his singular, unsurpassable achievement of the tavam that he had undertaken
for the sake of destroying the Kali.

When he was received in the celestial abode, his women

During the procession, Vaikundar was carried in a golden and children on earth interned his golden body, erected a
cradle. A conch shell was blown, womenfolk made temple and conducted celebrations regularly.
kuravai, and the celestial gods were showering owers
from above. People held these festivals in high esteem.

3.14 Dharma Yukam [The nal victory]

3.11 Vaikundar as the Reigning King
Vaikundar, being instructed through a dream that occurred to one of his followers, came to Moolakuntappati
(Ambalappathi) with his kith and kin. Here he enthroned
himself like a reigning king on a grand seat in a mansion
built with pearls, designed with a pedestal for conducting
the Ukattheerppu (the judgment). He vested himself in
white silk, wore a golden cap on the head, and arbitrated
for the people. People celebrated his presence there.

Main article: Dharma Yukam

In Vaikundam, Thirumal asked his son whether he had
fullled, without any aw, all that had been told to him
earlier. Vaikundar, in response, told him about the sixyear tavam and other activities. The sages who had been
sent to accompany him vouched for the awlessness of
the tavam he undertook.

Being satised at the performance of Vaikundar, Thirumal and Isvaran crowned him gloriously, gave him a sceptre and other divine paraphernalia, and seated him on the
throne. While on the throne in Vaikundam, he was worshipped by his people on earth. All those who stood by
him and served him when he undertook the tavam were
3.12 Marriage with the Deities
granted happiness on earth, besides the assurance of a
life with him in Vaikundam. Those Neesakulam that opVaikundar then decided to marry deities such as
Pakavathi (Bhagavati), Valli, Theivanai, Mantaikattal, posed and tortured him were condemned to hell.
Lakshmi, Parvathi and Poomadanthai. He took on dier- Once Vaikundar was crowned as the king, everything beent forms and told the deities that they were to be united longing to Dharma Yukam appeared as per the wish of
with him in order to destroy Kali Yukam and establish the Vaikundar. People worthy of Dharma Yukam, including
Dharma Yukam. Then, compelling each deity to seduce his children and women, appeared instantly. A whole lot
a woman in the gathering, he married them in a grand of new creatures, animals, plants and trees appeared. A
manner.
new earth, new moon, new sky, new wind, etc. emerged.
Vaikundar, having married these deities, continued his The wicked people disappeared and the people, worthy
activities among his people. People ocked to him in of Dharma Yukam, appeared. All those living beings,
large numbers. They were pleased to invite him to their that had been ordered to come up at the coronation of
houses. They took him in chariots, arranged grand feasts Vaikundar, awoke to the new age. All those unworthy of
in his honour, and presented him with very valuable gifts. Dharma Yukam were engulfed by the sea.
Vaikundar laid the foundation for Nizhal Thangals in Then, Thirumal brought up the life of Kroni for judgsome villages that he visited.
ment.

9
Thirumal interrogated him as follows:
I had come as a Pantaram in the kaliyukam
and had burned the demons, healed the people
with water, solicited Dharmam, prevented offerings, and gathered the people in one place
and taught them. You caught me and tortured
me cruelly due to your wickedness. You did
these things, contrary to your own promise given
me earlier that you wouldnt torture any Pantaram. You have violated your promise, and
therefore, you yourself have brought ruins upon
you. Have you any response to this?"
Kalineesan, then, without having anything to say, surrendered all his powers and boons. The force of illusion took
hold of him and put him into the ames of the abyss where
the devils resided. All the evil forces of the kalimayai
were also destroyed likewise. And then, Vaikundar blew
a conch shell to announce his victory.
Hearing the sound of the conch-shell, all that betted
Dharma Yukam - the virtues, the Sastirankal, the plants
and trees, the reptiles and the birds, the divine women and
their children - all gathered around Vaikundar. He gave
them blessings, and instructed them to live fearlessly. He
enjoined upon them to assemble in one place, to drink
from the same well, and live happily as per the values of
Dharma Yukam.

Notes

[1] Tripathy, Dr. Preeti (2010). Indian religions: tradition,

history and culture. Axis Publications. p. 123.

See also
List of Ayyavazhi-related articles
Hindu mythology
Ayya Vaikundar

6 References
T. Krishnanathan (2000), Ayya Vaikundarin
Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum, Madurai Kamaraj University, Thinai Publications, Nagercoil.
N. Vivekanandan (2003), Akilathirattu Ammanai
Moolamum Uraiyum (Part 1&2), Vivekananda Publications, Nagercoil.
A. Arisundara Mani (2002), Akilathirattu Ammanai
Parayana Urai, Ayya Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam
Publications, Nagercoil.
A. Manibharathi (2003), Akilathirattu Vilakka urai,
Thirunamappukazh Publications, Chennai.
N. Elango and Vijaya Shanthi Elango (1997), Ayya
Vaikuntar The Light of the World, (Published by
the authors).
Thechanathu Thuvaraga pathi, Akilathirattu
Akakkorvai, Published by Thechanathu Thuvaraga
pathi.
P. Sundaram Swamigal and K. Ponnumani (2001),
Ayyavaikundanathar Jeevacharithram (Biography
of Ayya Vaikunta Nathar), Ayyavaikuntanathar Siddasramam Publications, Pothaiyadi.
Akilattirattu Ammanai (1989), (published by T.
Palaramachandran Nadar), 9th impression.
N. Amalan (2000), Ayya Vaikundar Punitha Varalaru, Akilam Publications, Swamithoppu.
Vaikundar Seva Sangam (2002), (An organisation)
Ayya Vaikundar 170th Avathar-Special Edition, Attoor.
G. Patrick (2003), Religion and Subaltern Agency,
Department of Christian Studies, University of
Madras, Chennai.
N. Vivekanandan (1988), Akilathirattu Ammanaiyil Vaikunda Suvami Sampooranathevana?,
Vivekananda Pathippakam, Nagercoil.
Pon. T. Dharmarasan (1996), Akilathirattu, Pon
Publications, Chennai.

Ayyavazhi Trinity
Ayyavazhi
Hinduism
Hindu reform movements

7 External links
kanya kumari online - Ayya Vaikundar - The Spiritual light
vaikunt.org - The Vaikuntha

Hindu Renaissance

Ayya Vaigundar

www.marunthuvazhmalai.com - Marutwa mala

Hills , marunthuva malai , marunthuvazh malai]

Ayyavazhi

10

8 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

8.1

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