Ayyavazhi beliefs
Encyclopedia
Ayyavazhi beliefs are those associated with the South Indian religious faith known as Ayyavazhi
. Some of the beliefs of Ayyavazhi
are shared with that of Hinduism
, and others are unique to Ayyavazhi.
, a palm-leaf text, the Akilattirattu Ammanai
, was opened, and it revealed instructions and concepts of Ayyavazhi faith and practice. The section known as Nadutheervai Ula
in the Arul Nool
predicts that Ayya Vaikundar will return during the final judgement. Another verse in the Pathiram of Arul Nool
states: "Breaking the earth, I will come to give you counsel", and yet another verse in the Thinkalppatham of Arul Nool states: "From out of the earthen cell, I will come out". Profundity upon profundity.
is one of the beliefs that permeate the religious ethos of the followers of Ayyavazhi
. Though the belief in kali was in vogue in the sanskritic Hindu
religious tradition as well, it operates in a different way in Ayyavazhi because of the reinterpretation.
Taking the basic premise of this extant belief that the present age is a Kali Yukam, an age filled with the evil force of kali (not the Hindu deity), Ayyavazhi assigned a new meaning to it. As per the interpretation of Ayyavazhi, Kali entered into this world as a consequence of the birth of Kalineesan
, the last fragment of the primordial Kroni
, a mythical being. Kalineesan, who settled on earth to reign over the age of Kali as the king of Thiruvithankur, became the visible representation of the evil force of Kali, oppressing the people because of this Kalimayai
.
People, groaning under the oppressive measures of Kalineesan, believe in Ayya Vaikundar as the God-incarnate who had come to destroy the Kali (not the Hindu deity) and put an end to the Kali Yukam.
Belief in 'sabam' (curses), an associate of fate, is also part of the ethos of Ayyavazhi. A fitting example of a curse, the oppression that the Chanars have undergone in history, is given in Akilattirattu which attributes it to a curse invoked by one of the kings of Thiruvithankur at his deathbed.
This episode points to the familiarity of the belief in Judgement among the followers of Ayyavazhi. A verse from Arul Nool, stating that "when I interrogate you during the Judgement, be prepared to respond", points to the existence of this belief. The subsection entitled Nadutheervai Ula
(literally meaning 'The Journey to Final Judgement') found in Arul Nool, giving a number of signs to discern the time of the Judgement, confirms the existence of this belief.
(a futuristic aeon characterized by the ideal of Dharmam, as explained below) seems to have influenced the tradition of Ayyavazhi from its earlier days. Akilattirattu begins its narration by stating that the accounts contained in it is the "story of God coming into this Kali Yukam to transform it into Dharma Yukam and rule over it." The concept of Dharma Yukam becomes one of the root typologies around which the writing of Akilattirattu revolves.
This belief seems to be echoed as a 'Slogan for a New World'. People that gathered around Ayya Vaikundar were familiarized with the slogan that 'Ayya Vaikundar was going to end things that were old and create things anew'. Akilattirattu says that "he was going to make the old Sasthrankal and traditions go awry". It continues to say that with the advent of Ayya Vaikundaras avatar of Narayana
, "the old Puranas
, Agamas and Vedas
had lost their substance". In the place of all that had been decadent, it was proclaimed that "a new age, new earth, new humanity, new thought, etc., had been unfolding".
As part of the process of unfolding the New World, people were enjoined to serve as catalysts for the destruction of kali. They were instructed to do so by transforming themselves so as to acquire a new character and be a 'people of Dharma Yukam'. Indicators as to the new identity of the people of Dharma Yukam were proposed. Akilattirattu speaks of these indicators summarily in the following words:
Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
. Some of the beliefs of Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
are shared with that of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, and others are unique to Ayyavazhi.
Belief in the return of Ayya Vaikundar
After the death of Ayya VaikundarAyya Vaikundar
Ayya Vaikundar , according to Akilattirattu Ammanai , a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was a Manu Avatar of Narayana, incarnated as Muthukutty or Mudisoodum Perumal, a Nadar of Swamithoppe, Tamil Nadu Ayya Vaikundar , according to Akilattirattu Ammanai (or Akilam), a scripture of the Ayyavazhi, was...
, a palm-leaf text, the Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
, was opened, and it revealed instructions and concepts of Ayyavazhi faith and practice. The section known as Nadutheervai Ula
Nadutheervai Ula
The Nadutheervai + Ula , The journey to final judgement is a part of Arul Nool, one among the sources of Ayyavazhi mythology. This part tells about the happenings of the world in the end or at the which Kali destroys....
in the Arul Nool
Arul Nool
The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a holy scripture of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect of Hinduism. This book contains the collection of messages given by Ayya Vaikundar to his Disciples , whose names are unknown...
predicts that Ayya Vaikundar will return during the final judgement. Another verse in the Pathiram of Arul Nool
Arul Nool
The Arul Nool is a supplement to the Akilattirattu Ammanai, and is likewise considered a holy scripture of Ayyavazhi, an offshoot sect of Hinduism. This book contains the collection of messages given by Ayya Vaikundar to his Disciples , whose names are unknown...
states: "Breaking the earth, I will come to give you counsel", and yet another verse in the Thinkalppatham of Arul Nool states: "From out of the earthen cell, I will come out". Profundity upon profundity.
Kali or Kalimayai
Belief in Kali YugaKali Yuga
Kali Yuga is the last of the four stages that the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Indian scriptures. The other ages are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga...
is one of the beliefs that permeate the religious ethos of the followers of Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi
Ayyavazhi is a dharmic belief system that originated in South India in the 19th century. It is cited as an independent monistic religion by several newspapers, government reports and academic researchers. In Indian censuses, however, the majority of its followers declare themselves as Hindus...
. Though the belief in kali was in vogue in the sanskritic Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religious tradition as well, it operates in a different way in Ayyavazhi because of the reinterpretation.
Taking the basic premise of this extant belief that the present age is a Kali Yukam, an age filled with the evil force of kali (not the Hindu deity), Ayyavazhi assigned a new meaning to it. As per the interpretation of Ayyavazhi, Kali entered into this world as a consequence of the birth of Kalineesan
Kalineesan
Kalineesan is someone who was caught by Kalimayai according to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology. Kaliyan is the sixth fragment of Kroni and Kalineesan. According to Ayyavazhi mythology, the kalimayai captured the King of Travancore and henceforth was called Kalineesan....
, the last fragment of the primordial Kroni
Kroni
Kroni is a figure in Ayyavazhi mythology. He is the primordial manifestation of evil, and manifests in various forms of evil, such as Ravana and Duryodhana, in different ages or yugas. In order to counteract and destroy the evil of Kroni's manifestations, Mayon incarnates as Avatars such as Rama...
, a mythical being. Kalineesan, who settled on earth to reign over the age of Kali as the king of Thiruvithankur, became the visible representation of the evil force of Kali, oppressing the people because of this Kalimayai
Kalimayai
Kalimayai is the illusion caused by the evil spirit of Kali Yukam, according to Akilattirattu Ammanai the source of Ayyavazhi mythology....
.
People, groaning under the oppressive measures of Kalineesan, believe in Ayya Vaikundar as the God-incarnate who had come to destroy the Kali (not the Hindu deity) and put an end to the Kali Yukam.
Belief in fate and curse
Belief in 'fate' has a great influence on the day-to-day living of the followers of Ayyavazhi. An oft-repeated refrain in Akilattirattu is that "such and such a thing happened according to the 'Oolivithi' (fate accruing from the past)".Belief in 'sabam' (curses), an associate of fate, is also part of the ethos of Ayyavazhi. A fitting example of a curse, the oppression that the Chanars have undergone in history, is given in Akilattirattu which attributes it to a curse invoked by one of the kings of Thiruvithankur at his deathbed.
Belief in final judgement
One of the constant refrains found in Akilattirattu is that Ayya Vaikundar had come to judge the Kalineesan and all those living under the illusion of kali. It portrays Ayya Vaikundar as the interrogator of the Kalineesan on the day of judgement.This episode points to the familiarity of the belief in Judgement among the followers of Ayyavazhi. A verse from Arul Nool, stating that "when I interrogate you during the Judgement, be prepared to respond", points to the existence of this belief. The subsection entitled Nadutheervai Ula
Nadutheervai Ula
The Nadutheervai + Ula , The journey to final judgement is a part of Arul Nool, one among the sources of Ayyavazhi mythology. This part tells about the happenings of the world in the end or at the which Kali destroys....
(literally meaning 'The Journey to Final Judgement') found in Arul Nool, giving a number of signs to discern the time of the Judgement, confirms the existence of this belief.
Belief in attaining Vaikundam
Another belief of Ayyavazhi is that Ayya Vaikundar did not end his life here on earth but only attained vaikundam, the heaven for the worshippers of Ayya Vaikundar. Akilattirattu states that not only did Ayya Vaikundar attained Vaikundam, it is possible for everyone to attain it. The followers buried, and even now still bury, their dead in a sitting posture facing the northern direction, a symbolic gesture of performing Tavam. Their belief is that the deceased person had only embarked upon a penance and that he or she would eventually reach vaikundam.Belief in the dawn of Dharma Yukam
A belief in the dawn of Dharma YukamDharma Yukam
Dharma Yukam is the state of absolute bliss as per Ayyavazhi mythology. This Dharma Yukam is stated in the Akilam seventeen in Akilattirattu Ammanai. This on one hand is related to Dharmic moksha and on the other viewed in relation to Abrahamic heaven....
(a futuristic aeon characterized by the ideal of Dharmam, as explained below) seems to have influenced the tradition of Ayyavazhi from its earlier days. Akilattirattu begins its narration by stating that the accounts contained in it is the "story of God coming into this Kali Yukam to transform it into Dharma Yukam and rule over it." The concept of Dharma Yukam becomes one of the root typologies around which the writing of Akilattirattu revolves.
This belief seems to be echoed as a 'Slogan for a New World'. People that gathered around Ayya Vaikundar were familiarized with the slogan that 'Ayya Vaikundar was going to end things that were old and create things anew'. Akilattirattu says that "he was going to make the old Sasthrankal and traditions go awry". It continues to say that with the advent of Ayya Vaikundaras avatar of Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
, "the old Puranas
Puranas
The Puranas are a genre of important Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religious texts, notably consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography.Puranas...
, Agamas and Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
had lost their substance". In the place of all that had been decadent, it was proclaimed that "a new age, new earth, new humanity, new thought, etc., had been unfolding".
As part of the process of unfolding the New World, people were enjoined to serve as catalysts for the destruction of kali. They were instructed to do so by transforming themselves so as to acquire a new character and be a 'people of Dharma Yukam'. Indicators as to the new identity of the people of Dharma Yukam were proposed. Akilattirattu speaks of these indicators summarily in the following words:
- "O great sage, listen to the identity of my people,
- no rituals and pucaikal,
- they would not erect temples and have pucai with priests,
- would not worship cows or idols of clay,
- would not kill goats, bulls and roosters as sacrifice,
- they are those who treat the ones coming in my name,
- with love".
See also
- List of Ayyavazhi-related articles
- Ayyavazhi theologyAyyavazhi theologyAyyavazhi theology is the theology of a South Indian religious faith and officially a sect of Hinduism known as Ayyavazhi. Several fundamental theological beliefs distinguish the Ayyavazhi tradition from Hinduism....
- Ayyavazhi rituals
- Ayyavazhi and HinduismAyyavazhi and HinduismThis is an article comparing the beliefs, mythology, theology, rituals etc. of Ayyavazhi and Hinduism. Though Ayyavazhi exists within Hinduism officially it functions autonomously....