The Santror
Encyclopedia
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. According to Akilattirattu Ammanai
, it additionally represents one who lives with Dignity
.
Santror Makkal is an alternative name for The Santror, frequently used in Akilattirattu Ammanai
.
, Thirumal
, one of the three godheads, made Saptha Kanniyar (seven virgins) give birth to seven boys. This event is described here.
The Seven Virgins were faithful devotees of Sivan
. They regularly served at his feet a lump of water that they could miraculously gather in their hands. This water came from the mythical river Ayotha Amirtha Gangai
in which they bathed daily.
One day, Thirumal came upon these women and asked them to serve him instead of Sivan for one day. The women refused this request, insisting they would only serve the all-powerful Sivan. Having been thus refused, Thirumal vowed to teach them a lesson while still fulfilling the divine plan of bringing forth his children through them. He then took seven seeds from the Seven Logas
above. When the women left the river after their baths, he caused the gentle cold wind (Vayu
) to blow and the rain (Varuna
) to lightly fall. When the women were shivering, Thirumal appeared to them again, this time in the form of fire. The women immediately encircled the flame. Thirumal then placed the seven seeds inside the wombs of each of the women. They instantly conceived and delivered seven boys. They were called Santror Makkal.
Realizing that they were delayed in their service to Sivan, the women left the infants in the river in a fist of fear and rushed to gather the water. Yet they could only gather the water in the shape of a mere ball. It was then they realized that they had been deceived. Not only could they not serve the feet of Sivan but they also could not raise the boys. They undertook a rigorous Tavam and awaited the manifestation of Thirumal as Ayya Vaikundar
in Kali Yukam. He had promised to marry them and to make their sons rulers of the land by destroying the Kalineesan
and Kalimayai
.
, acting as a Pantaram, made the Seven Virgins, who were to give birth to seven boys using seven seeds from seven upper worlds. The seven sons were reared personally by Thirumal.
One day, a grand ceremony was organized for the naming of the children. The whole pantheon of Gods and Goddesses attended the ceremony.
The eminent God
Isvaran gave them the first name as Chanars because, one of the characteristics of these people was ‘perseverance in seeking and obtaining even the invisible goal’. The sage Vetha (Vethamuni) gave a name as Santror to signify the characteristics of nobility and integrity, Thirumal called them as Natalvar
. Similarly, other gods and goddesses gave them very prestigious titular names. Having named them with great attributes, all the deities sang lullabies in praise of their glory. Sarasvati, the popular deity, praised them as children born with powers of knowledge, wisdom, and artistic skills and as the future kings who were going to rule the earth with justice, righteousness, and love.
the Santror Makkal born for Seven Virgins were named and after the naming ceremony
, Sivan and Thirumal, wanting to feed the children with celestial nectar, commanded the celestial attendants to bring the same. When they went to bring the nectar, they found it emptied by a priest and his wife who ‘dressing themselves as per the rules of the scriptures’, had been drinking the whole measures of nectar to their full. By this, they had increased the fat in their own body, depriving others of their share. When the celestial attendants reported this matter to Sivan
and Thirumal
, the later rebuked the Priest and his wife and made them grow as Palmyra
trees on earth to feed his children perpetually by giving back the Celestial nectar in the form of Palm-juice.
As the seven sons attained the age of marriage, Patrakali arranged for their marriage with the seven daughters of Nirupathirajan, the famous king. The nuptial ceremony, being attended by the whole assembly of divinities, took place with all pomp and glory, having the brides and bridegrooms dressed in exquisite clothes and adorned with glistering ornaments. The couples lived happily under the tutelage of Patrakali and their progenies flourished. They undertook the trades of precious metals that earned them quite opulence. They excelled in martial prowess and were sought after by the kings of Chola kingdom. Even as they were living with fame and name, they drew their strength and courage from the milk they obtained from the palmyra tree that supported them. All these events took place during the last phase of the Dwapara Yukam
.
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:...
, to the Seven Virgins through their instrumentality, according to Ayyavazhi mythology
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. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon to...
. It also represents their descendants. According to Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
, it additionally represents one who lives with Dignity
Dignity
Dignity is a term used in moral, ethical, and political discussions to signify that a being has an innate right to respect and ethical treatment. It is an extension of the Enlightenment-era concepts of inherent, inalienable rights...
.
Santror Makkal is an alternative name for The Santror, frequently used in Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilattirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai , also called Thiru Edu , is the main religious text of the Tamil belief system Ayyavazhi...
.
Birth of Santror
Santror Pirappu (The Birth of Santror) according to Ayyavazhi mythologyAyyavazhi 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. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon to...
, 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:...
, one of the three godheads, made Saptha Kanniyar (seven virgins) give birth to seven boys. This event is described here.
The Seven Virgins were faithful devotees 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...
. They regularly served at his feet a lump of water that they could miraculously gather in their hands. This water came from the mythical river Ayotha Amirtha Gangai
Ayotha Amirtha Gangai
This Ayotha Amirtha Gangai is a mythical river found in Akilattirattu Ammanai the source of Ayyavazhi mythology.It was located in Ayotha Amirtha Vanam the place where, Thirumal through the instrumentality of the Seven Virgins give birth to the Santror Makkal. ...
in which they bathed daily.
One day, Thirumal came upon these women and asked them to serve him instead of Sivan for one day. The women refused this request, insisting they would only serve the all-powerful Sivan. Having been thus refused, Thirumal vowed to teach them a lesson while still fulfilling the divine plan of bringing forth his children through them. He then took seven seeds from the Seven Logas
Seven Logas
According to Ayyavazhi mythology there are Seven Logas . The Sanskrit term for Loga is "loka." Akilam six and Akilam seven of Akilattirattu Ammanai speaks about it. The Seven logas are;#Deiva Loga#Yama Loga#Swarga Loga#Brahma Loga...
above. When the women left the river after their baths, he caused the gentle cold wind (Vayu
Vayu
Vāyu is a primary Hindu deity, the Lord of the winds, the father of Bhima and the spiritual father of Lord Hanuman...
) to blow and the rain (Varuna
Varuna
In Vedic religion, Varuna is a god of the sky, of water and of the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law and of the underworld...
) to lightly fall. When the women were shivering, Thirumal appeared to them again, this time in the form of fire. The women immediately encircled the flame. Thirumal then placed the seven seeds inside the wombs of each of the women. They instantly conceived and delivered seven boys. They were called Santror Makkal.
Realizing that they were delayed in their service to Sivan, the women left the infants in the river in a fist of fear and rushed to gather the water. Yet they could only gather the water in the shape of a mere ball. It was then they realized that they had been deceived. Not only could they not serve the feet of Sivan but they also could not raise the boys. They undertook a rigorous Tavam and awaited the manifestation of Thirumal as 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...
in Kali Yukam. He had promised to marry them and to make their sons rulers of the land by destroying the 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....
and Kalimayai
Kalimayai
Kalimayai is the illusion caused by the evil spirit of Kali Yukam, according to Akilattirattu Ammanai the source of Ayyavazhi mythology....
.
Naming Ceremony
In The Naming ceremony of Santror, 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:...
, acting as a Pantaram, made the Seven Virgins, who were to give birth to seven boys using seven seeds from seven upper worlds. The seven sons were reared personally by Thirumal.
One day, a grand ceremony was organized for the naming of the children. The whole pantheon of Gods and Goddesses attended the ceremony.
The eminent 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....
Isvaran gave them the first name as Chanars because, one of the characteristics of these people was ‘perseverance in seeking and obtaining even the invisible goal’. The sage Vetha (Vethamuni) gave a name as Santror to signify the characteristics of nobility and integrity, Thirumal called them as Natalvar
Natalvar
The word Natalvar in Tamil means 'The ones who rule the country'. This is the name given to the Santror by Thirumal according to Ayyavazhi mythology....
. Similarly, other gods and goddesses gave them very prestigious titular names. Having named them with great attributes, all the deities sang lullabies in praise of their glory. Sarasvati, the popular deity, praised them as children born with powers of knowledge, wisdom, and artistic skills and as the future kings who were going to rule the earth with justice, righteousness, and love.
Feeding the Children
According to Ayyavazhi mythologyAyyavazhi 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. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon to...
the Santror Makkal born for Seven Virgins were named and after the naming ceremony
The Naming ceremony of Santror
In The Naming ceremony of Santror, Thirumal, acting as a Pantaram, made the Seven Virgins, who were to give birth to seven boys using seven seeds from seven upper worlds. The seven sons were reared personally by Thirumal....
, Sivan and Thirumal, wanting to feed the children with celestial nectar, commanded the celestial attendants to bring the same. When they went to bring the nectar, they found it emptied by a priest and his wife who ‘dressing themselves as per the rules of the scriptures’, had been drinking the whole measures of nectar to their full. By this, they had increased the fat in their own body, depriving others of their share. When the celestial attendants reported this matter to 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 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:...
, the later rebuked the Priest and his wife and made them grow as Palmyra
Palmyra
Palmyra was an ancient city in Syria. In the age of antiquity, it was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 180 km southwest of the Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor. It had long been a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert...
trees on earth to feed his children perpetually by giving back the Celestial nectar in the form of Palm-juice.
Fostering the Children
Now, the illustrious deity Patrakali, being commissioned by Isvaran to subdue Takkan, a wicked ruler who had squeezed the labour of the people, stood in tavam to get the sons of Mayon (Thirumal) to support her in her battle. Granting the prayer, the children were entrusted to Patrakali to be fostered with full dignity and honour. She was warned that in case of any danger befalling the sons, she would be imprisoned once for all. Patrakali accepted the condition, and received the sons. As per the instruction of Isvaran, she taught them various martial arts, occupational skills, and fine arts. The children grew into adults, made progress in different trades and occupations. They also became adept at fighting wars. Once they excelled in war, Patrakali took them to wage the war against Takkan, and in the war, they crushed the forces of the enemy with extraordinary courage and valour.As the seven sons attained the age of marriage, Patrakali arranged for their marriage with the seven daughters of Nirupathirajan, the famous king. The nuptial ceremony, being attended by the whole assembly of divinities, took place with all pomp and glory, having the brides and bridegrooms dressed in exquisite clothes and adorned with glistering ornaments. The couples lived happily under the tutelage of Patrakali and their progenies flourished. They undertook the trades of precious metals that earned them quite opulence. They excelled in martial prowess and were sought after by the kings of Chola kingdom. Even as they were living with fame and name, they drew their strength and courage from the milk they obtained from the palmyra tree that supported them. All these events took place during the last phase of the Dwapara Yukam
Dwapara Yukam
According to Akilattirattu Ammanai the holy text of Ayyavazhi the present universe has eight aeons and we are in the seventh aeon, Kali Yukam.In the sixth aeon called Dwapara Yukam, the fifth fragment of Kroni, the primordial personification of evil, was apportioned into hundred pieces, and made...
.
See also
- Ayyavazhi mythologyAyyavazhi mythologyAyyavazhi 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. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon to...
- List of Ayyavazhi-related articles
- Ayya VaikundarAyya VaikundarAyya 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...