Lord Narasimha

 

Introduction to Lord Narasimha

Lord Vishnu is the protector of the universe, and he takes on himself the responsibility of safeguarding the lives of people and ensuring their peaceful existence. For achieving this end, the Lord himself incarnates on earth from time to time, to annihilate evil, protect people from cruelties and to establish dharma, the ultimate righteousness. Narasimha is one such sacred incarnation or Avatar of the Lord and is regarded as his 4th incarnation on earth. Narasimha is a unique form, with a human physique and a lion head. This Avatar was believed to have been taken during the Krita (Satya) Yuga, also known as the Golden Age.

Depiction of Lord Narasimha

Lord Narasimha is the lion-man avatar of Lord Vishnu with a lion head and a human torso and lower body. He is usually depicted with a fierce look on his face with bulging eyes and four to sixteen hands carrying different weapons, which include mace, discus, conch, axe, etc. One free hand will always be in Abhaya mudra or blessing posture. Sometimes, he is also depicted seated calmly with his consort Goddess Lakshmi as Lakshmi Narasimha.

Significance of Lord Narasimha

‘Nara’ is a human being and ‘Simha’ is a lion, and ‘Nara-Simha’ is thus a Man-Lion. Lord Vishnu had to take this unbelievably strange form, for outwitting a powerful demon known as Hiranyakashipu, who was well protected by a series of boons and for slaying him, to save the world and the people from his tyranny.

Mythology behind Lord Narasimha

Bhagavata Purana gives a graphic account of the legend associated with Narasimha. Hiranyakashipu was a mighty Asura (demon). He developed a strong hostility towards Lord Vishnu, who had killed his brother earlier and put an end to his cruelties. Hiranyakashipu did intense penance towards Lord Brahma and obtained many exceptional boons from him, as per which he cannot be killed - by the Devas (celestial beings), the Asuras, the humans or the animals; by any weapon; either during the day or in the night; either on the ground or in space; and either inside any structure or outside. Armed with this seemingly invincible armor of near immortality, Hiranyakashipu let loose a reign of terror on all the worlds, dethroning the Devas, committing untold atrocities on sages, saints, and humans, and mercilessly punishing anyone who took the name of Vishnu or Narayana. Therefore, the world began resonating with the chants, ‘Om Hiranyaya Namaha.’ Unable to withstand the demon’s assaults, people surrendered to the Lord seeking his mercy and intervention. The omniscient Vishnu launched his grand mission of destroying the demon and saving the virtuous.

Hinranyakashipu was blessed with a son Prahlada, who turned out to be the most ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. This pious young prince virtually lived and thrived on taking Lord Vishnu’s sacred name and singing his glory right in Hiranya’s palace, while the world outside bowed to the Asura’s diktats. Hiranya could not tolerate his own son defying him openly and taking the name of his sworn enemy with great reverence, and tried, by all means, to make the boy change his stance and fall in line. However, he failed in his attempts. Exasperated, he tried even to kill him by various means, but nothing worked against that divinely blessed youngster. Firmly believing that it is none other than his great adversary Vishnu, who is instigating and protecting the young boy, Hiranya asked his son where the Lord is and having been told by his devotee son that he is anywhere and everywhere, smashed his mace at a pillar in the palace with intense rage.

Lo and behold! The pillar split open, and out emerged the incredible figure of a man-lion, with eyes emitting fire. This manifestation grabbed the bewildered Hiranyakashipu with his hands, dragged him to the palace entrance, laid him on his lap, tore his body with his sharp nails and killed the ruthless demon, exactly in the evening time. Thus, this remarkable Narasimha Avatar of Lord Vishnu put an end to a deadly demon, who looked unassailable, without violating any of the amazing boons that he had obtained, and saved his devotee and also the world, from his unbearable atrocities.

Blessings of Worshipping Lord Narasimha

Many of the devotees worship Lord Narasimha with great reverence at homes and in temples, while some observe fast until dusk, on the day of his advent. It is firmly believed that offering prayers to this Lord can bestow one with a variety of benefits like mitigating sins, curing diseases, warding off negative influences of planets and also evil forces, fulfillment of honest desires in respect of longevity, wealth, success, etc. and leading towards liberation.

Events Related to Lord Narasimha

Narasimha is said to have appeared at dusk on the Shukla Chaturdashi, the fourteenth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Moon, in the month of Vaishaka (April-May), when Swati Nakshatra was ruling. This day is observed as Narasimha Jayanthi when people worship the mighty and compassionate Lord with fervor and devotion.

Connect With The Divine

The sacred scriptures prescribe fire ceremony, Abishekam (hydration ceremony), Pooja/Archana (Light and Sound ceremony), Yantra and Mantra (special sounds) as the ways to offer your prayer to the divine. Out of these, fire ceremony is the most evolved spiritual technology on earth to connect with the divine beings. Participate in the remedial services to clear your karma and receive the blessings. - https://www.astroved.com

10 Interesting facts about Lord Kartikeya – Lord Murugan

 Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is known by different names – Swaminatha, Murugan, Muruga, Kumara, Skanda, Shanmukha, etc. Lord Murugan is also popularly known as Subramaniam that is a common name in South India. He seems to have been a popular war god who was also the elder brother of Lord Ganesha.

Excluding Tamil Nadu and some other places in India, Skanda is not as popular as his brother in other parts of India. Nevertheless, he is a highly decorated and powerful God with many divine qualities.

Thus, here is 10 interesting facts about Lord Kartikeya (Muruga) which everyone should know.

1. The Handsome God

Lord Kartikeya was said to be one of the most beautiful-looking and handsome gods. He is often described as exuding boyish charm yet with a serious face, quite unlike his happy-go-lucky chubby brother Ganesha. Often depicted as a calm and serene character, he had a face that resembled the full moon’s radiance. Thus, many parents keep their son’s name as Kartikeya, hoping their son would become very handsome.

2. Born to Kill Tarakasura

One Asura named Tarakasura, who Lord Brahma gave a boon that he would only be killed by someone as strong as Lord Shiva. Son of Lord Shiva would only be as strong as Lord Shiva. This is soon after Sati’s death, so Tarakasura takes it for granted that Shiva was sad and depressed and would not get remarried. Hence, he would not have a son without a wife.

However, it is believed that Lord Murugan manifested for the sole purpose of killing Tarakasura. Tarakasura knew that Lord Shiva was an ascetic, and he thought he would not marry or have children. Hence, he would be invincible. However, Shiva was not a God who could let injustice prevail.

3. The Shanmukha

Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. Lord Shiva took her to a cave and asked her to meditate. As they both meditated, a ball of fire emerged out of their cosmic energies.

In the meantime, the other Gods being insecure from Tarakasura, sent Agni, or the God of fire, to get hold of the ball of fire. But even Agni couldn’t bear the heat of the energy of Shiva and Parvati. So, He handed over the ball to Goddess Ganga. When even Ganga couldn’t bear the heat, She deposited the fireball into a lake in a forest of reeds.

Kartikeya is also known as Shanmukha or God with six faces. Lord Shiva’s hands his fiery seed fire to Agni, who can handle it till the radiance becomes Shiva’s offspring. Unable to bear the heat, Agni gives the radiance to Ganga. Then Goddess Parvati took the form of this water body as she alone could bear the energy of Shiva and Shakti. Finally, the fireball took the form of a baby with six faces – Eesanam, Sathpurusham, Vamadevam, Agoram, Sathyojatham, and Adhomugam, and hence the name Shanmuga or Shadanan. Kartikeya was cared for by six women symbolizing Pleiades (Kritika in Sanskrit) and thus got the name Kartikeya.

4. Vahana

The Vehicle he rides is a peacock called Paravani. Kartikeya, also known as Lord Murugan in Southern India, is also mounted on a peacock. This peacock was originally an Asura called Surapadma, while the rooster was called the angel, Krichi. After provoking Lord Murugan in combat, Surapadma repented at the moment his lance descended upon him. He took the form of a tree and began to pray. The tree was cut in two. From one half, Murugan pulled a rooster, which he made his emblem, and from the other, a peacock, which he made his mount.

5. Symbolism of his Idol

If you look at the idol of Kartikeya, on the one hand, He carries a spear. It is also called Vel. It is not a trident. It is symbolic of the Kundalini Shakti.

On his other hand, he carries a small flag on which there is a rooster. In another version, Tarakasur was defeated by Lord. So, Tarakasur (ego) became a chicken or rooster after being defeated by Kartikeya. After defeating Taraka (ego) in battle, Kartikeya spared his life and asked him what boon he would desire. Taraka prayed to always be at the feet of the Lord, and so Lord Kartikeya made him the emblem on his flag. This also means that the ego should always be kept subdued. Ego is necessary for life, but it should be kept subdued.

6. Swaminatha – The Guru of Shiva

Once Kartikeya asked Lord Brahma to explain the meaning of Om. Brahma explained to him, but he was not satisfied. Later on, when asked by Lord Shiva, he explained the whole episode to him. Lord Shiva said that he must learn from Lord Brahma, as he is the supreme creator. To this, Kartikeya replied, ‘Then you tell me, what is the meaning of Om?’ Hearing this, Lord Shiva smiled and said, ‘Even I don’t know.’ Kartikeya then said, ‘Then I will tell you because I know the meaning of Om.’

Lord Shiva: ‘Then tell me the meaning since you know it.’

Kartikeya: ‘I can’t tell you like this. You have to give me the place of the Guru. Only if you put me on the pedestal of the Guru can I tell you’, said Kartikeya.

Lord Shiva: (Thinking to himself) ‘Guru means he must be in a higher position or platform. The teacher has to sit at a higher place, and the student has to sit down and listen to him. But how can I find a seat higher than him, for he is the highest and greatest of Gods?’

So then Lord Shiva lifted the young Kartikeya onto His shoulders. And then, in the ear of Lord Shiva, Lord Kartikeya explained the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (Om).

Kartikeya: ‘That the entire Creation is contained in Om. The Trinity – Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are contained in Om. This is the essence and also the secret of Om that Lord Kartikeya narrated to Lord Shiva.’

Upon hearing this, Goddess Parvati (Mother of Lord Kartikeya and an incarnation of the Mother Divine) was elated and overcome with joy.

Goddess Parvati: ‘You have become a Guru (Swami) to my Lord (Natha)!’

Saying this, she addressed her son as Swaminatha, and ever since, Lord Kartikeya also came to be known as Swaminatha.

7. His Marriage

Amritavalli and Saundaravalli were two daughters of Lord Vishnu, born from his eyes. They developed an undying love for Skanda and performed severe austerities to obtain him as a husband.

At Skanda’s instructions, Amritavalli incarnated as Devasena, a young girl under the guardianship of Indra in Swarga. Saundaravalli took the form of Valli, a lass under the protection of Nambiraja, a hunter near Kanchipuram. ‘Valli’ is a Tamil term for the Sanskrit ‘Lavali,’ a kind of a creeper. As she was found among the creepers as a baby, the hunter called her ‘Valli.’ After the war with Surapadma was over, the devas were overjoyed. Skanda acceded to Indra’s prayer to accept Devasena as his consort.

The divine wedding was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Tirupparankundram near Madurai in the presence of Parvati and Siva. Indra’s re-coronation in Amaravati in Swarga followed. Devas regained their power and positions. Skanda took his home in Skandagiri. He then proceeded to Tiruttani near Chennai, where Valli was looking after barley fields. After a series of sportive love pranks, in which his brother Vighneswara also lent a helping hand, he married her. His preferred weapon is the Vel or spear hence the popular name Velayudhan – he whose weapon is a spear.

8. Festivals Honouring Kartikey

Sharad Purnima, also known as Kumara Purnima, celebrated on the full moon day after Vijayadashami, is one of the popular festivals dedicated to Kartikeya in Odisha. It is believed that unmarried girls worship Kartikeya on this day to get grooms handsome as Kartikeya.

Another major holiday dedicated to the worship of Lord Kartikeya is Thaipusam. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati presented a lance to Lord Murugan to defeat the demon army of Tarakasura and combat their evil deeds. Therefore, Thaipusam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.

In addition, Skanda Sashti is yet another regional festival celebrated mostly by Shaivite Hindus, observed in honor of Lord Kartikeya on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the Tamil month of Aippasi (October – November). It is believed that Kartikeya, on this day, annihilated the mythical demon Taraka. Celebrated in all Shaivite and Subramanya temples in South India, Skanda Sashti commemorates the destruction of evil by the Supreme Being.

9. Dev Senapati – God of War

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He is also called ‘Deva Senapati’ and ‘Yuddharanga.’ Kartikeya, the god of war and general of the army of the gods, is known for his extraordinary strength and skills. It is said that he was perfection personified, extremely brave and intelligent, and highly skillful in the art of war. He is considered the commander in chief of devas as he was mainly created to destroy demons that symbolize negative human tendencies. Lord Kartikeya was born to kill Tarakasura; thus, he is a born warrior.

10. Buddhism and Jainism

According to Richard Gombrich, Skanda has been an important deity in the Theravada Buddhism pantheon in Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Nikaya Samgraha describes Skanda Kumara as a guardian deity of the land, along with Upulvan (Vishnu), Saman, and Vibhisana.

Similarly, the 16th-century Siamese text Jinakalamali mentions him as a guardian god. There are Buddhist Sinhala shrines such as at Kataragama dedicated to Skanda, which have historically been officiated by Hindu priests, attracting Buddhist devotees and enjoying royal support. Since the 1950s, Brian Morris states, the Kataragama shrine of Skanda has attracted over half a million devotional pilgrims every year, most being Buddhists.

In Chinese Buddhism, Skanda has been portrayed as Weituo, a young heavenly general, the guardian deity of local monasteries, and the protector of the Buddhist dhamma. According to Henrik Sørensen, this representation became common after the Tang period and became well established in the late Song period. Korean Buddhism also adopted Skanda, and he appears in its woodblock prints and paintings.

According to Asko Parpola, the Jain deity Naigamesa, who is also referred to as Hari-Naigamesin, is depicted in early Jain texts as riding the peacock and the leader of the divine army, which are both symbols of Kartikeya. -https://vedicfeed.com

Soaring towards the sun

The monkey god, Hanuman, is known to be invincible and immortal. How did he get these powers?

You’ve all heard of Hanuman, the devotee of Lord Rama. Here is a tale about the monkey god as a baby.

Hanuman was the son of Vayu, the god of the wind, and Anjana, a celestial nymph. You’re probably wondering how the son of the wind god and a nymph turned out to be a monkey. The answer is that Anjana once angered a sage who cursed her to be born as a monkey. When the nymph begged for pardon, the sage calmed down and said that she would regain her original form after she bore a son who would win great renown.

Even as a child, Hanuman had great powers. One morning, he saw the sun rising and thought it was a great yellow ball. He decided to get hold of it so that he could play with it. Indra, the king of gods, saw Hanuman leap into the sky and wanted to stop him. And how did he do that? He threw his weapon, the Vajra (thunderbolt) at the child. Hanuman fell to earth, wounded.

Life without air

Hanuman’s enraged father decided to go on a strike until the one who hurt his child was punished. Imagine if there is no wind on earth! How would it be? No gentle cooling breeze when the sun blazes down. No power to move the rain-bearing clouds. Why, after a point, both humans and animals couldn’t breathe. Vayu’s strike made life on earth difficult.

The gods knew they had to placate Vayu. So, they offered the baby a multitude of boons. Brahma said that no weapon would ever hurt Hanuman and that he would be able to change his form at will and travel wherever he chose. Indra’s boon was that the Vajra would no longer hurt the child and that his body would be stronger than the weapon. Varuna, the god of the ocean, offered him protection from water.

Agni, the god of fire, blessed him with immunity to fire. Surya, the sun god, gave him the power to change the size of his body. Yama blessed him with good health and immortality. Vishwakarma, the divine architect, offered a boon that Hanuman would be safe from all objects of his creation.

With all these boons, Hanuman became a great warrior who played a crucial role in the Ramayan. But that story is for another time. - The Hindu

Powerful Mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Hanuman for your Tuesday prayers

Lord Ganesha and Hanuman are worshipped on Tuesdays. Both are known as Mangal Murti meaning symbols of auspiciousness. Read to know the Mantras and slokas you can chant on seeking their blessings.

Tuesday prayers: Mantras dedicated to Ganesha and Hanuman  

Hindus worship various Gods and Goddesses who are believed to be the manifestations of the Supreme being. Interestingly, each day in the week is meant for the worship of a specific day. And Mangalvars or Tuesdays are considered ideal for invoking Lord Ganesha as well as Lord Hanuman.

Both Ganesha (also known as Vighnaharta, meaning remover of obstacles), and Hanuman, (also known as Pavanputra, son of the God of Air), are many devotees' Ishata Devta. 

Chant the Slokas and Mantras shared below on Tuesdays to seek the blessings of Ganesha and Hanuman, both of whom are believed to be the bestower of good health, auspiciousness and prosperity.

Vakratunda Ganesh Mantra

Vakratunda Mahakaya, Surya Koti Samaprabaha

Nirvighnam Kurumedeva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada

Meaning:

Salutations to the one who has a curved trunk, and a huge body, the one who radiates the glow of millions of Suns, and to the one who removes obstacles.

Bless me before all my endeavours always and forever.

Ganesha Slokam

Gajananam Bhoota Ganadi Sevitham

Kapittha Jambhu Phalasara Bhakshitam

Umasutam Shoka Vinasha Karanam

Namami Vighneshawara Pada Pankajam

Meaning: 

Salutations to the one who has the face of an elephant. Hail to the one who is served by the Ganas. I worship the one who consumes the Kapittha and Jambhu fruits. I pray to you, O son of Mata Uma, the destroyer of sorrow. I bow to you Vighneshawara at your lotus-like feet.

Hanuman Manojavam Slokam

Mano Javam Maruta Tulya Vegam

Jitendriyam Buddhi Mataam Varisttham 

Vaata Atmajam Vaanara Yutha Mukhyam

Shri Rama Dutam Sharanam Prapadye 

Meaning:

I bow to the one who is swifter than the mind and the wind, to the one who has controlled all his senses, the one who is the epitome of learning and wisdom. Salutations to the son of the God of Air and the chief of the Vanaras, I pray to the messenger of Lord Hanuman.

Hanuman Gayatri Mantra

OM Rama Dutaya Vidhmahe

Vayu Putraya Dheemahi

Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat

Meaning:

Salutations to the messenger of Shri Rama, the son of Vayu (the God of Air), I bow to you for wisdom and knowledge.

-https://www.timesnownews.com

Sabarimala Pilgrimage Starts From November 16, 2021

 

This year's annual pilgrimage at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala will begin on November 16.

Thiruvananthapuram: 

With the annual pilgrimage season in Sabarimala only a month away, the Kerala government on Wednesday said elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure a safe darshan for pilgrims in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All basic facilities for the pilgrimage, adhering to social distancing norms according to the government guidelines, are ready at the Lord Ayyappa temple and its premises, state Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan told the state assembly.

A joint action plan of the Health and Revenue Departments has been drawn up to address the matters in various sectors including the hospital facilities in Pamba, on the foothills of the hill shrine located in Pathanamthitta and nearby Erumeli and arrangements for the RT-PCR test, he said during the question hour.

"However, the government is yet to take a final decision on the number of pilgrims to be permitted for darshan and the relaxation in the existing guidelines," the minister said.

Review meetings of the concerned departments and the Devaswom Board, the apex temple body which manages the shrine, had been held as part of the preparation for the impending pilgrim season.

Besides the meetings to finalise the transportation facilities during the two-month-long pilgrim season, a meeting was also convened to expedite the steps to ensure the availability of enough drinking water, food and toilet facilities in the premises of the shrine and nearby centers connected to the pilgrimage, the minister added.

This year's annual pilgrimage season would begin on November 16.

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government had imposed strict restrictions for pilgrims to trek the holy Sabarimala and offer worship there.

The number of pilgrims permitted for darshan had also been regulated at the hill temple last year during the season, which otherwise used to witness lakhs of devotees including those from various parts of the country and abroad flocking to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity. - https://www.ndtv.com

Lord Ayyappa- Birth and History

 

The members of Pandya dynasty ousted by Thirumala Naicker the ruler of the erstwhile Pandya Empire spanning Madurai, Thirunelveli and Ramanathapuram lived in places like Valliyur, Tenkasi, Shengottah, Achankovil and Sivagiri. They had also established their supremacy in parts of Travancore, and some of them belonging to Chempazhanattu Kovil in Sivagiri were given the right to rule the country of Pandalam by the King of Travancore, some eight hundred years ago. King Rajashekara, the foster-father of Lord Ayyappa belonged to this dynasty.

A just and precocious sovereign King Rajashekara was held by his subjects in high esteem. Under him, the region was witnessing a golden age. But the king had one sorrow – he was childless and thus had no heir to inherit his throne. Both the hapless king and his queen prayed ceaselessly to Lord Shiva for a child.

Around the same time, a demon by the name of Mahishasura undertook severe penance (tapas) and consequently Lord Brahma was forced to grant his wish that nobody on earth could annihilate him. Emboldened by Brahma’s boon, Mahishasura commenced systematic destruction of people and pulverized tribes and communities. Terrorized and fearing his wrath, people fled to distant lands. Realizing that only a superhuman power could exterminate the wayward Mahishasura, the devas appealed to Goddess Durga, who killed him in a bloody battle.

Determined to avenge her slain brother, Mahishi, the sister of Mahishasura secured a boon from Lord Brahma that no being except the offspring of Vishnu (Hari) & Shiva (Haran) could slay her. In due course of time, Mahishi went to Devaloka and began harassing the Devas who in turn implored Lord Vishnu to intervene. As the boon was that nobody except the son of Lord Shiva & Vishnu could kill Mahishi, Lord Vishnu assumed the female persona of Mohini who helped the devas prize Amrit away from the asuras; it was decided that the male child born out of the union of Mohini and Lord Shiva would be placed under the care of Lord Shiva’s childless devotee, King Rajashekhara of Pandalam.

On one of his hunting trips to the forests near River Pampa, as King Rajashekara reclined on the banks of river mulling over the natural beauty of the surroundings and waterfalls, he heard an infant’s wails from the forest. Astounded, he followed the sounds and came upon a beautiful child furiously kicking its feet and arms. The king stood there, perplexed – he longed to take the child home to his palace.

Whilst King Rajashekhara beheld the divine child, a sadhu appeared from nowhere and instructed him to take the infant to his palace. Also the mendicant assured him that the child would mitigate his dynasty’s sufferings and that when the boy turned twelve, Rajashekhara would be aware of his divinity. As the child was wearing a gold chain, the sadhu directed the King to name him ‘Manikandan’ – one with a golden neck.

Ecstatic, Rajashekhara took Manikandan home and narrated the happenings to his queen. They both felt that they had been blessed by Lord Shiva himself. All except the Diwan who had entertained hopes of becoming king after Rajashekhara, dejected in the royal couple’s happiness.

As a child, Manikandan was very intelligent and precocious. He excelled in martial arts and shastras and surprised his guru with his brilliance and superhuman talents. Peace and prosperity reigned in Pandalam. Eventually, Ayyappan’s guru concluded that the boy was no ordinary mortal but a divine being. Upon completing his studies, Manikandan went up to his teacher to offer guru dakshina and seek his blessings in turn.

As he approached his spiritual master for ashirwaadam (blessing), the guru explained to Manikandan what he had already surmised about him, that he was a divine power destined for superhuman glory. The guru then beseeched him to bestow vision and speech upon his son who was blind and dumb. Manikandan placed his hands on the guru’s son and the boy immediately gained eyesight and speech. Requesting that this miracle be revealed to none, Manikandan returned to the royal quarters.

Meanwhile the Queen had given birth to a male child who was named Raja Rajan. Sensing that these miraculous turn of events were somehow inextricably linked to Manikandan, Rajasekara, decided to crown him King; he obviously considered Lord Ayyappan his eldest son. Everybody with the exception of the King’s Diwan got dejected. This wily minister, who secretly nursed kingly ambitions, hated Manikandan and devised manifold plots, including poisoning of food to exterminate the divine avatar. Manikandan had a few narrow escapes, yet his body bore an injury that none could cure. Finally, Lord Shiva himself in the garb of a healer cured the young boy.

His plans foiled, the Diwan told the Queen that it was highly improper for Manikandan to succeed Rajasekara, as her own son was alive. Since Arthasastra justifies any misdeed with a noble end, he instigated her to feign illness; he assured the Queen that he would make his physician proclaim that she could be cured only by the application of tigress’ milk. Manikandan would be impelled to go to the forest where he would fall a prey to wild animals, or even if he returned home without accomplishing the task, Rajasekara’s love for him would be the same as before. Blinded by her devotion to her own son, the Queen vowed to help the Diwan and pretended as though she were suffering from a terrible headache. The King grew alarmed and summoned his physicians who were unable to revive the seemingly ailing Queen. Eventually the Diwan’s accomplice declared that she would be cured of the malady only if the milk of a lactating tigress were made available. Rajasekara proclaimed that he would hand over half his kingdom to anybody who could cure the hapless Queen.

The team of soldiers sent by Rajasekara with the sole purpose of getting the milk returned empty-handed. Manikandan offered to help, but the King would not heed his pleas to go to the forest, citing the boy’s tender age and impending coronation as reasons. Unperturbed, Manikandan requested his father to do him a favour. Rajasekara, ever the indulgent parent relented immediately; the boy seizing the opportunity pressed him to let him collect the milk. Manikandan stalled Rajasekara’s efforts to organize a band of brave men to accompany him into the forest; he argued that the tigress would leave silently upon seeing the crowd of soldiers. Reluctantly Rajasekara bid farewell to his favourite son and made him take food stocks and three-eyed coconuts, in honour of Lord Shiva.

The Panchabuthas of Lord Shiva closely followed Manikandan as he entered the forest. But on the way, he chanced to witness the atrocities of the demoness Mahishi in Devaloka. His sense of justice outraged, Manikandan hurled Mahishi onto the earth below; she fell on the banks of the Azhutha River. A bloody battle soon ensued and at the end, Manikandan mounted Mahishi’s chest and commenced a violent dance that reverberated within the earth and the Devaloka. Even the Devas were frightened. Mahishi realized that the divine being on her was the son of Hari and Haran, chastened, she prostrated before the young boy 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 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 Sabarimala Temple as Malikapurathu Amma, by which name she has a temple there)

Following his confrontation with Mahishi, Manikandan entered the forest for tigress’ milk. He had a darshan of Lord Shiva who informed him that even though he had fulfilled the divine plan, he still had one major task to accomplish. Manikandan was reminded about his grief-stricken father and ailing mother; also he was assured of Lord Indran’s assistance in obtaining the much prized tigress’ milk. Manikandan made his way to the Royal palace on Lord Devendran, disguised as a tiger; they were accompanied by female devas in the guise of tigresses and male devas as tigers.

The people of Pandalam panicked upon seeing the boy and the tigers and hurriedly sought shelter. Soon after, the Sanyasi, who had first materialized before Rajasekara in the forest, when he heard a child’s wails appeared again and revealed Manikandan’s true identity to the wonder-struck Sovereign. The King grew silent and pensive, as Manikandan approached the palace gates with the tigers. The boy descended from the tiger’s back and informed the solemn King that he could get the milk from the tigresses and cure the Queen of the mysterious ailment. Unable to contain himself any longer, Rajasekara fell at the lad’s feet and begged for forgiveness,he had finally seen through his Queen’s pretense; her malady had ceased the moment Manikandan had left for the forest. On the day he returned from the forest, Manikandan turned twelve years old.

King Rajasekara decided to punish his Diwan as the latter was responsible for his son’s exile into the forest. Manikandan, however advised restraint; he held that all had unfolded in accordance with the divine order, through the will of God. Also he reminded his father that as he had accomplished the task for which he had created himself, he would return to Devaloka without fail. Before his departure, the lad told the King that he as he was pleased by the latter’s unflinching faith and devotion, he would grant him whatever boon Rajasekara requested for. Immediately, the King Rajasekara told him that they wanted to construct a temple in his memory and beseeched him to suggest a suitable place for the temple. Manikandan aimed an arrow which fell at a place called sabari, where in Sri Rama's era a Sanyasini called sabari observed Dhavam. Lord Manikandan told the King to build the temple in that place and then he disappeared.

Later, acting upon the advice of Saint Agasthya King Rajasekara laid the foundation stone of the temple at Sabarimala. Lord Manikandan, had stated emphatically that he would grace only those devotees who offer Darshan after observing forty-one days’ penance or vrtha that involves strict abstinence from family desires and tastes; the devotees are expected to adhere to a way of life akin to that of a brahmachari, constantly reflecting on the goodness of life. Whilst they make their way up the steep slopes of Sabarimala, they adorn themselves with three-eyed coconut and foodstuff/Aantha Garland in their heads, as the Bhagwan did when he went to the forest to fetch tigress milk, and bathed in River Pampa raising slogans of Saranam and climb the eighteen stairs.

King Rajasekara, in due course of time completed the construction of the shrine and the sacred eighteen stairs leading to the temple complex. As the King mulled over the seemingly perplexing task of placing Dharmasastha's idol in the temple for darshan, he was reminded of the words of the Lord himself - the River Pampa is a holy river as River Ganga, Sabarimala is as holy as Kasi - Dharmasastha sent Parasuraman, who resurrected the land of Kerala from the bottom of the ocean, to Sabarimala; it was he who carved the figure of Lord Ayyappa and installed it on the day of Makarasankranthi.

Every year, millions converge upon Sabarimala irrespective of caste or creed, with garlands and irumudis, chant paeans to Lord Ayyappa, bathe in holy river Pampa, climb up the eighteen stairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa, the Dharmasastha. - https://sabarimala.kerala.gov.in