Ayyavazhi theology
Encyclopedia
Ayyavazhi 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.
, but recognizes that the one God can appear to human
s in a multiplicity of names and forms. The first half of Akilam asserts the existence and power-status of different god-heads and in the second half after the incarnation of Vaikundar though they were puppet reign, they do exists. Especially, though all powers were surrendered to Vaikundar, Narayana acts a double role throughout the incarnation of Vaikundar, as the Father of Vaikundar. So Akilam accepts that all god-heads exists. But as Vaikundar only the powerful and the supreme, which channel Ayyavazhi theology towards Henotheism
.
But God is, in the highest sense, one: formless, infinite, and eternal. God is changeless and is the very source of consciousness and on the other hand the consciousness itself. God is beyond time, space, and causation and yet exist within everything and every being. Being formless, God is genderless. The name Ekam
is mentioned quite often in Ayyavazhi scriptures. But beyond the mere mention of the 'term' several times, no long description is provided for the word. But still placing Ekam beyond every powers. But the term Ekam in Tamil
gives simply the meaning, "one and the incomparable supreme". This is some sort of monistic definition about god from Ayyavazhi theology.
There are a series of lesser god-heads mentioned in Akilam were lesser in power and within Ekam
while Vaikundar is viewed on one hand as the incarnation of Ekam and on the other hand as in equal power to Ekam. But during the encounter of Vaikundar with the King of Travancore
, a verse of Akilam states that Ekam itself was created by Vaikundar. So Vaikundar is supreme to all.
Regarding Vaikundar, This Ekam remains one among the three in the Trinity
in Vaikundar during the incarnation
. So the all qualities of Ekam (changeless attributes etc...) fits also to Vaikundar. Strengthening this view a series of quotes from Arul Nool
portraits Vaikundar as eternal and reveals his Universal form.
It speaks of Sivam (matter) and Sakthi (energy) as the next evolved powers from the supreme Ekam. Then the Three lesser God-heads (i.e., Trimurthi) which is Sivan
, Vethan and Thirumal
as evolved from this Sakthi. It also speaks of several further evolved lesser Gods. But in Kali Yukam, due to the cruel nature of the boons offered to Kaliyan
, Thirumal (the then supreme power) cannot destroy the sixth fragment of Kroni
directly so all God-heads were unified into the Ekam
, and Ekam Incarnated in the world as a Turine god
(Ekam, Narayana and Human) in the form of Vaikundar to overcome the boons and to destroy Kali
. Since all were unified in Vaikundar, in Kali Yukam Vaikundar was the Supreme Power and he was the only worshipable God. So in this regard Ayyavazhi is also viewed as a monotheistic
religion.
Akilattirattu Ammanai
also speaks of Dharma Yukam
in which Vaikundar rules like a king. There Vaikundar will be an undisputed power ruling the fourteen worlds. No such powers, (i.e.) a single God
to rule the fourteen worlds, still exists. Also no such throne to rule the fourteen worlds do exists. But immediately after the incarnation of Vaikundar, Narayana
told Vaikundar in the Muttappathi
Vinchai that the incomparable throne is growing for him. The myth
ical narration of Ayyavazhi too show Vaikundar as a supreme power.
, the primordial manifestation of evil
, was fragmented into six. Each was destroyed in successive Yuga
s; finally, Kaliyan (the last) will be sentenced to hell after the final judgement which led to the consideration of Ayyavazhi towards dualism
. Kaliyan is called an evil spirit which came to the world. So it was commonly accepted that the destruction of the maya (evil spirit) was symbolised in such a way. But the scripture is most commonly concerned with Ultimate Oneness right from the beginning to the end. So the dualistic views were contrasted by the monistic narration. Also the contents of Arul Nool
, based on the teachings of Vaikundar, which were believed to be written by arulalarkal and Citars, is completely monistic.
Though Ayyavazhi is mostly connected with the concept of Ekam, some followers advocates Ayyavazhi as Pantheistic, sticking to the concept Ekan (one who appears as oneness or Ekam in Tamil
) which was used to refer God in Akilam seven
. In this expression, the Akilam lays the groundwork for viewing Ayyavazhi as a pantheistic faith. In a quote in Kappu, the very first part of Akilam one
, the author of Akilam says, "By keeping us inside yourself, please help us".Akilam1:12.
Regarding Panentheism, there are many quotes in Akilam
to suggest it, but more which reveal Ayyavazhi as monistic. For example, during the Vinchai, inside the sea, Narayana
, seeing Vaikundar, says that "You are Sivan
, you are Thirumal
, you are Nathan, you are the Tapas
, and you are the one who is omnipresent in all which exists". And when Vaikundar is jailed in Thiruvananthapuram
he alleviates the Santror
by saying "I am the one who created the Ekam
and the one who is omnipresent." -- (Akilam
13:395).
, which was heard by Hari Gopalan Citar and was written down.
is the supreme or over-all power. All the powers came from Siva and the final words for all sort of functioning - creation, maintaining and Destroying all will be from Siva and that will be done by others. This view on Siva is similar to Saivism.
After six yugas, during the creation of Kaliyan in the seventh Kali Yuga, Siva hearing the words of Devas without discussing with Vishnu, created Kaliyan
though they have a deed that, all asuras should be created after discussing with each of the Trimurti
. Due to this action of Siva, Vishnu refused to incarnate in the world for destroying the final fragment of Kroni. So Siva, Brahma and all other devas surrendered all their powers to Narayana
. So from here onwards all others were puppet-reign and Narayana is the supreme universal power. This view is similar to that of Vaisnavism on Vishnu
.
(the holy text of Ayyavazhi), describe Ayya Vaikundar
as an Avatar
of Vishnu (a Tamil name for Vishnu
).
All these episodes — starting with his 'birth' at sea as the 'son' of Narayana, the performance of the grand Tavam
, the symbolic shamanic actions of incinerating the demons, the seizing of esoteric powers, and the unifying of the deities unto himself — highlight the important message that Ayya Vaikundar
came as the avatar of Narayana. The followers of Ayyavazhi believe and worship him as a deity, the incarnation of Narayana. (see: Ayyavazhi Trinity
)
himself.
Then the aim of the austrity of seven virgins towards vishnu
to marry them is fulfilled in the Vaikunda Avatharam by Vaikundar. So this event too stengthens this belief.
.
On summing up, the Father - son relationship between Narayana and Vaikundar is highlighted during the three vinchai
.
, but also of Sivan
and Brahma
as well. In order to demonstrate that he was the supreme deity of the present age, Ayya Vaikundar not only performed symbolic marriages in which all surrounding popular deities were surrendered and unified unto himself, he also did away with refractory evil spirits. (see:Ayyavazhi Trinity
)
Right from the beginning of the Vinchai of Tiruchendur
Vaikundar has been focused as the ultimate power or incarnation of the supreme Ekam. All sort of administrations - Creating maintaining and destroying were all handled to Vaikundar through the Vinchai by Narayana, who was responsible for all these actions from the beginning of Kali Yuga. Narayan also says about all different divine powers and deities of the world and assure that, "During the avatar, all such divine powers, deities and attributes will be surrendered and will be unifyied into you".
, the section which describe the situational changes that is going to be happen in the world from the advent of Vaikundar, says the relation between these three power-heads as, the 'Ekam is taken inside Narayana and with that power Vaikundar is being given birth' which means, Ekam is regenerated as Vaikundar in Kali Yuga
by Narayana
by which Narayana is the Father of the Supreme Vaikundar.
After the incarnation Vaikundar at the sea-shore of Tiruchendur
provided Rules and regulations to God-heads. During this the supremacy of Vaikundar is revealed by the event of Vaikundar ordering all devas of the cosmos the do's and don'ts which are to be followed. Even here Vaikundar was said as the incarnation of Ekam.
Another area in which Vaikundar has been focused as the supreme universal power is the Marriage with the deities. During this, Vaikundar exactly in the place of Ekam
unifyied into him all the deities. He unifyied into him Parvati
in the form of Siva
, unifyied Lakshmi
in the form of Vishnu
, Sarasvati in the form of Brahma
, Valli and Deyvanai as Muruga etc., showing that Vaikundar is the incarnation of the supreme power, from which all these lower divine powers generated.
Then at the end during the Dharma Yuga, Vaikundar is placed in the Throne of the Fourteen worlds. Before Vaikundar, there was no a single god-head who ruled the whole fourteen worlds. This episode too shows the supremacy of Vaikundar.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
of a South Indian religious faith and officially a sect 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...
known as 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...
. Several fundamental theological beliefs distinguish the Ayyavazhi tradition from Hinduism.
Vaikundar - Ekam - Other lesser Gods — Relation
Ayyavazhi believes in one GodGod
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, but recognizes that the one God can appear to human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s in a multiplicity of names and forms. The first half of Akilam asserts the existence and power-status of different god-heads and in the second half after the incarnation of Vaikundar though they were puppet reign, they do exists. Especially, though all powers were surrendered to Vaikundar, Narayana acts a double role throughout the incarnation of Vaikundar, as the Father of Vaikundar. So Akilam accepts that all god-heads exists. But as Vaikundar only the powerful and the supreme, which channel Ayyavazhi theology towards Henotheism
Henotheism
Henotheism is the belief and worship of a single god while accepting the existence or possible existence of other deities...
.
But God is, in the highest sense, one: formless, infinite, and eternal. God is changeless and is the very source of consciousness and on the other hand the consciousness itself. God is beyond time, space, and causation and yet exist within everything and every being. Being formless, God is genderless. The name Ekam
Ekam
Ekam Tamil: - "the supreme oneness") is the term used in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi, to represent The Ultimate Oneness. In Thiruvasakam-2 it was stated that it was from this Ekam that all objects, including the separate Godheads, Devas and asuras, of the universe formed...
is mentioned quite often in Ayyavazhi scriptures. But beyond the mere mention of the 'term' several times, no long description is provided for the word. But still placing Ekam beyond every powers. But the term Ekam in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
gives simply the meaning, "one and the incomparable supreme". This is some sort of monistic definition about god from Ayyavazhi theology.
There are a series of lesser god-heads mentioned in Akilam were lesser in power and within Ekam
Ekam
Ekam Tamil: - "the supreme oneness") is the term used in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi, to represent The Ultimate Oneness. In Thiruvasakam-2 it was stated that it was from this Ekam that all objects, including the separate Godheads, Devas and asuras, of the universe formed...
while Vaikundar is viewed on one hand as the incarnation of Ekam and on the other hand as in equal power to Ekam. But during the encounter of Vaikundar with the King of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
, a verse of Akilam states that Ekam itself was created by Vaikundar. So Vaikundar is supreme to all.
Regarding Vaikundar, This Ekam remains one among the three in the Trinity
Ayyavazhi Trinity
According to the Ayyavazhi religion the Ayyavazhi Trinity is the incarnation of God in the current stage of world development . Ayya Vaikundar, the Incarnation, is the combination of the Ultimate God, Narayana and Human Being. In Akilam immediately after the Incarnation of Vaikundar, he was viewed...
in Vaikundar during the incarnation
Incarnation
Incarnation literally means embodied in flesh or taking on flesh. It refers to the conception and birth of a sentient creature who is the material manifestation of an entity, god or force whose original nature is immaterial....
. So the all qualities of Ekam (changeless attributes etc...) fits also to Vaikundar. Strengthening this view a series of quotes from 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...
portraits Vaikundar as eternal and reveals his Universal form.
Mythical Narration
Sivan
Sivan is the ninth month of the civil year and the third month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a spring month of 30 days...
, Vethan and Thirumal
Thirumal
Perumal also Thirumal is the Hindu deity most popular amongst Tamils of Tamil Nadu state in India and in the Tamil diaspora. Perumal is also another name of Lord Vishnu.-Early mention in Sangam literature:...
as evolved from this Sakthi. It also speaks of several further evolved lesser Gods. But in Kali Yukam, due to the cruel nature of the boons offered to Kaliyan
Kaliyan
Kali was the sixth fragment of the primordial manifestation of Kroni according to Akilam, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology and the holy book of Ayyavazhi religion. Unlike other previous manifestations, Kali spread in this yugam as maya...
, Thirumal (the then supreme power) cannot destroy the sixth fragment of 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...
directly so all God-heads were unified into the Ekam
Ekam
Ekam Tamil: - "the supreme oneness") is the term used in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi, to represent The Ultimate Oneness. In Thiruvasakam-2 it was stated that it was from this Ekam that all objects, including the separate Godheads, Devas and asuras, of the universe formed...
, and Ekam Incarnated in the world as a Turine god
Ayyavazhi Trinity
According to the Ayyavazhi religion the Ayyavazhi Trinity is the incarnation of God in the current stage of world development . Ayya Vaikundar, the Incarnation, is the combination of the Ultimate God, Narayana and Human Being. In Akilam immediately after the Incarnation of Vaikundar, he was viewed...
(Ekam, Narayana and Human) in the form of Vaikundar to overcome the boons and to destroy Kali
Kaliyan
Kali was the sixth fragment of the primordial manifestation of Kroni according to Akilam, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology and the holy book of Ayyavazhi religion. Unlike other previous manifestations, Kali spread in this yugam as maya...
. Since all were unified in Vaikundar, in Kali Yukam Vaikundar was the Supreme Power and he was the only worshipable God. So in this regard Ayyavazhi is also viewed as a monotheistic
Monotheism
Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one and only one god. Monotheism is characteristic of the Baha'i Faith, Christianity, Druzism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Samaritanism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.While they profess the existence of only one deity, monotheistic religions may still...
religion.
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
also speaks of Dharma Yukam
Dharma 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....
in which Vaikundar rules like a king. There Vaikundar will be an undisputed power ruling the fourteen worlds. No such powers, (i.e.) a single God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
to rule the fourteen worlds, still exists. Also no such throne to rule the fourteen worlds do exists. But immediately after the incarnation of Vaikundar, 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...
told Vaikundar in the Muttappathi
Muttappathi
Mutta Pathi , is one of the Pancha pathi, which are the primary centers for worship of the Ayyavazhi. This is the third important pilgrim center of Ayyavazhi...
Vinchai that the incomparable throne is growing for him. The myth
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
ical narration of Ayyavazhi too show Vaikundar as a supreme power.
Dualistic dimension
The KroniKroni
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...
, the primordial manifestation of evil
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
, was fragmented into six. Each was destroyed in successive Yuga
Yuga
Yuga in Hindu philosophy is the name of an 'epoch' or 'era' within a cycle of four ages. These are the Satya Yuga, the Treta Yuga, the Dvapara Yuga, and finally the Kali Yuga. According to Hindu cosmology, life in the universe is created, destroyed once every 4.1 to 8.2 billion years, which is...
s; finally, Kaliyan (the last) will be sentenced to hell after the final judgement which led to the consideration of Ayyavazhi towards dualism
Dualism
Dualism denotes a state of two parts. The term 'dualism' was originally coined to denote co-eternal binary opposition, a meaning that is preserved in metaphysical and philosophical duality discourse but has been diluted in general or common usages. Dualism can refer to moral dualism, Dualism (from...
. Kaliyan is called an evil spirit which came to the world. So it was commonly accepted that the destruction of the maya (evil spirit) was symbolised in such a way. But the scripture is most commonly concerned with Ultimate Oneness right from the beginning to the end. So the dualistic views were contrasted by the monistic narration. Also the contents 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...
, based on the teachings of Vaikundar, which were believed to be written by arulalarkal and Citars, is completely monistic.
Pantheism and panentheism
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
) which was used to refer God in Akilam seven
Akilam seven
The Akilam seven is the seventh sub-section of Akilattirattu Ammanai the Primary scripture of Ayyavazhi. This is considered a bit more important to all previous sections during religious studies since the events and plans related to Pre-Incarnational activities of Vaikundar starts from here onwards...
. In this expression, the Akilam lays the groundwork for viewing Ayyavazhi as a pantheistic faith. In a quote in Kappu, the very first part of Akilam one
Akilam one
The Akilam one is the first among the seventeen parts of Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi. This section includes the Kappu, the very first part; it tells of the Detchanam, and describes the political and sociological situation in the early world.- The Kappu :The word, Kappu,...
, the author of Akilam says, "By keeping us inside yourself, please help us".Akilam1:12.
Regarding Panentheism, there are many quotes in Akilam
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
to suggest it, but more which reveal Ayyavazhi as monistic. For example, during the Vinchai, inside the sea, 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...
, seeing Vaikundar, says that "You are Sivan
Sivan
Sivan is the ninth month of the civil year and the third month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a spring month of 30 days...
, you are Thirumal
Thirumal
Perumal also Thirumal is the Hindu deity most popular amongst Tamils of Tamil Nadu state in India and in the Tamil diaspora. Perumal is also another name of Lord Vishnu.-Early mention in Sangam literature:...
, you are Nathan, you are the Tapas
Tapas
Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm ....
, and you are the one who is omnipresent in all which exists". And when Vaikundar is jailed in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
he alleviates the Santror
The Santror
The Santror are the seven boys who were made to born by using the seven seeds from seven upper worlds, by Thirumal, to the Seven Virgins through their instrumentality, according to Ayyavazhi mythology. It also represents their descendants...
by saying "I am the one who created the Ekam
Ekam
Ekam Tamil: - "the supreme oneness") is the term used in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi, to represent The Ultimate Oneness. In Thiruvasakam-2 it was stated that it was from this Ekam that all objects, including the separate Godheads, Devas and asuras, of the universe formed...
and the one who is omnipresent." -- (Akilam
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
13:395).
Narayana in Ayyavazhi
Lord Narayana has the most important role in Ayyavazhi theology than any other God-heads from Hindu tradition. The internal evidence states that the primary scripture of Ayyavazhi, Akilattirattu Ammanai was told by Narayan to his consort LakshmiLakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
, which was heard by Hari Gopalan Citar and was written down.
Narayana and Siva - Relation
The importance of Narayana in the theology of Ayyavazhi varries through the ages. Before the creation, though the three god-heads, Siva, Brahma and Vishnu are all treated with equal status SivaShiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
is the supreme or over-all power. All the powers came from Siva and the final words for all sort of functioning - creation, maintaining and Destroying all will be from Siva and that will be done by others. This view on Siva is similar to Saivism.
After six yugas, during the creation of Kaliyan in the seventh Kali Yuga, Siva hearing the words of Devas without discussing with Vishnu, created Kaliyan
Kaliyan
Kali was the sixth fragment of the primordial manifestation of Kroni according to Akilam, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology and the holy book of Ayyavazhi religion. Unlike other previous manifestations, Kali spread in this yugam as maya...
though they have a deed that, all asuras should be created after discussing with each of the Trimurti
Trimurti
The Trimurti is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer," These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" or...
. Due to this action of Siva, Vishnu refused to incarnate in the world for destroying the final fragment of Kroni. So Siva, Brahma and all other devas surrendered all their powers to 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...
. So from here onwards all others were puppet-reign and Narayana is the supreme universal power. This view is similar to that of Vaisnavism on Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
.
Vaikundar and Narayana - Relation
Several episodes, as narrated in the AkilamAkilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
(the holy text of Ayyavazhi), describe Ayya Vaikundar
Ayya 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...
as an Avatar
Avatar
In Hinduism, an avatar is a deliberate descent of a deity to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation," but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation"....
of Vishnu (a Tamil name for Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
).
All these episodes — starting with his 'birth' at sea as the 'son' of Narayana, the performance of the grand Tavam
Tavam of Vaikundar
According to Akilattirattu Ammanai, For ten months, Ayya Vaikundar revealed to the people all about the past, present, and future in the form of songs. He sang definitively about the future. Some of those who heard him, took his words as meaningless mutterings...
, the symbolic shamanic actions of incinerating the demons, the seizing of esoteric powers, and the unifying of the deities unto himself — highlight the important message that Ayya Vaikundar
Ayya 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...
came as the avatar of Narayana. The followers of Ayyavazhi believe and worship him as a deity, the incarnation of Narayana. (see: Ayyavazhi Trinity
Ayyavazhi Trinity
According to the Ayyavazhi religion the Ayyavazhi Trinity is the incarnation of God in the current stage of world development . Ayya Vaikundar, the Incarnation, is the combination of the Ultimate God, Narayana and Human Being. In Akilam immediately after the Incarnation of Vaikundar, he was viewed...
)
Vaikundar as Narayana
After the birth in the sea, Vaikundar was addressed by Akilam quite commonly as Narayana. In most of the teachings of Vaikundar to the people, he portraits himself as incarnation of Narayana. The theological definition from Akilam about Vaikundar too focuses the same point mostly. The incarnation of Vaikundar in the world it to destroy kali and it was the duty of Narayana to do this, as per the early deeds with Siva. So in that sense the view is stengthened that Vaikundar is NarayanaNarayana
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...
himself.
Then the aim of the austrity of seven virgins towards vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
to marry them is fulfilled in the Vaikunda Avatharam by Vaikundar. So this event too stengthens this belief.
Vaikundar as son of Narayana
Right from the beginning of the incarnation of Vaikundar in the sea, Vaikundar use to call Narayana as Father, through the vinchais. The episode comes in a way that the whole details, powers, instructions, and laws were given to Vaikundar by Narayana. Then after Vaikundar coming out of the sea, he was called as Narayana by devasDeva (Hinduism)
' is the Sanskrit word for god or deity, its related feminine term is devi. In modern Hinduism, it can be loosely interpreted as any benevolent supernatural beings. The devs in Hinduism, also called Suras, are often juxtaposed to the Asuras, their half brothers. Devs are also the maintainers of...
.
On summing up, the Father - son relationship between Narayana and Vaikundar is highlighted during the three vinchai
Vinchai to Vaikundar
In the literature of Hinduism, Vinchai are proclamations and instructions to the newly born child Vaikundar, by his father Narayana, also known as Vishnu, one of the three godheads in Akilattirattu Ammanai, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology...
.
Ayya Vaikundar as the supreme deity
In Ayyavazhi, Ayya Vaikundar is considered the supreme deity and an incarnation of Mayon. Due to this belief, the followers of Ayyavazhi seem to have taken him to be the centre of all divinities. He was the incarnation, not only of ThirumalThirumal
Perumal also Thirumal is the Hindu deity most popular amongst Tamils of Tamil Nadu state in India and in the Tamil diaspora. Perumal is also another name of Lord Vishnu.-Early mention in Sangam literature:...
, but also of Sivan
Sivan
Sivan is the ninth month of the civil year and the third month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a spring month of 30 days...
and Brahma
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
as well. In order to demonstrate that he was the supreme deity of the present age, Ayya Vaikundar not only performed symbolic marriages in which all surrounding popular deities were surrendered and unified unto himself, he also did away with refractory evil spirits. (see:Ayyavazhi Trinity
Ayyavazhi Trinity
According to the Ayyavazhi religion the Ayyavazhi Trinity is the incarnation of God in the current stage of world development . Ayya Vaikundar, the Incarnation, is the combination of the Ultimate God, Narayana and Human Being. In Akilam immediately after the Incarnation of Vaikundar, he was viewed...
)
Right from the beginning of the Vinchai of Tiruchendur
Vinchai to Vaikundar
In the literature of Hinduism, Vinchai are proclamations and instructions to the newly born child Vaikundar, by his father Narayana, also known as Vishnu, one of the three godheads in Akilattirattu Ammanai, the source of Ayyavazhi mythology...
Vaikundar has been focused as the ultimate power or incarnation of the supreme Ekam. All sort of administrations - Creating maintaining and destroying were all handled to Vaikundar through the Vinchai by Narayana, who was responsible for all these actions from the beginning of Kali Yuga. Narayan also says about all different divine powers and deities of the world and assure that, "During the avatar, all such divine powers, deities and attributes will be surrendered and will be unifyied into you".
Ekam - Narayana - Vaikundar
The relations between the Ekam, Narayana and Vaikundar were understand by different implications found in several verses of Ayyavazhi scriptures. Thiru Nadana UlaThiru Nadana Ula
According to Ayyavazhi mythology the situation of the whole Universe changes as the Kaliyan was born, and Thiru Nadana Ula is the part which was told by Sivan in Akilam eight about the universal changes. It consist of 21 Vennpas....
, the section which describe the situational changes that is going to be happen in the world from the advent of Vaikundar, says the relation between these three power-heads as, the 'Ekam is taken inside Narayana and with that power Vaikundar is being given birth' which means, Ekam is regenerated as Vaikundar in Kali Yuga
Kali 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...
by 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...
by which Narayana is the Father of the Supreme Vaikundar.
Vaikundar revealing his Supremacy
Vaikundar, by his various incarnational activities reveals him as the supreme power apart from the relationship of Narayana.After the incarnation Vaikundar at the sea-shore of Tiruchendur
Tiruchendur
Thiruchendur is a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This town has a different name called Thirucheer Alaiwai.-Demographics:...
provided Rules and regulations to God-heads. During this the supremacy of Vaikundar is revealed by the event of Vaikundar ordering all devas of the cosmos the do's and don'ts which are to be followed. Even here Vaikundar was said as the incarnation of Ekam.
Another area in which Vaikundar has been focused as the supreme universal power is the Marriage with the deities. During this, Vaikundar exactly in the place of Ekam
Ekam
Ekam Tamil: - "the supreme oneness") is the term used in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi, to represent The Ultimate Oneness. In Thiruvasakam-2 it was stated that it was from this Ekam that all objects, including the separate Godheads, Devas and asuras, of the universe formed...
unifyied into him all the deities. He unifyied into him Parvati
Parvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
in the form of Siva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, unifyied Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
in the form of Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
, Sarasvati in the form of Brahma
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
, Valli and Deyvanai as Muruga etc., showing that Vaikundar is the incarnation of the supreme power, from which all these lower divine powers generated.
Then at the end during the Dharma Yuga, Vaikundar is placed in the Throne of the Fourteen worlds. Before Vaikundar, there was no a single god-head who ruled the whole fourteen worlds. This episode too shows the supremacy of Vaikundar.