The doors of heaven often open to send their angles and Gods to Earth. Mythology always has a calming effect on all its readers. While there is so much importance of it in the religious scriptures, there is always a lesson we can learn from these stories. The story of Ayyappa is something which all of us irrespective of age would like to read several times.
This is the story of Lord Ayyappa
The Pandiyan King Rajasekhara during one of his hunting expeditions heard an infant crying in the deep woods. On searching, they found a little child resplendent with grace and beauty. He also had a precious gem around his neck. Something or rather everything about him was divine. The childless King Rajasekhara happily regarded the child as a gift from heaven and took him to his palace. The Queen who was not blessed with her own child showered all her love on him. He was known as ‘Manikantha’ which meant one with a bead around the neck.
Manikantha grew up to be adept with scriptures and warfare. He was appreciated by all his gurus, the ministers and soon he was popular. King Rajasekhara and The Queen doted on him. Soon, they were blessed with a son. Both kids grew up with a strong brotherly bond and were loved by their parents. Years sped by happily. Now, it was time for the King to choose the throne prince. Strangely, the Queen developed selfish feelings for her biological son. Manikantha sensed this but remained calm and respected his parents.
The Queen conspired with the ministers of the Kingdom and feigned illness. They projected a false story that despite the best medicines and doctors, she wasn’t getting better. The royal doctor prescribed the milk of a tigress as a potent cure. A new mother who nurses her baby cubs is always known as aggressive and will not spare a second to kill an intruder. The conspirators knew this and were sure that they will be successful in seeing the end of young Manikantha.
Little did they know that Manikantha was Ayyappa – a heavenly God in mortal form. In a while, Lord Ayyaapa seated on the tigress, followed by her cubs entered the Kingdom. The entire palace was aghast. Everyone realized their folly. Seeking repentance the King asked for pardon. Ayyappa readily forgave everyone and insisted that his mission was over and he will need to leave the earth. He instructed the King to build a temple for his followers.
Reading this surely gives us goose bumps. Sabarimala is the holy sanctum sanctorum of Lord Ayyappa. Whoever visits this temple is blessed with peace and happiness as it requires tremendous self control and austere penance of 41 days before visiting the temple. Thus, is the mercy of the Lord.
