Ayyavazhi theology

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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.

Relations between Vaikundar Ekam and other lesser Gods

Ayyavazhi believes in one

Vaikundar though they have a secondary place, they do exist. 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 exist. But Vaikundar is the only powerful and supreme, which channels Ayyavazhi theology towards Henotheism
.

But God is, in the highest sense, one: formless (no material form, only spiritual/transcendental), infinite, and eternal. God is changeless and is the source of consciousness (

monistic
definition about god from Ayyavazhi theology.

There are a series of lesser god-heads mentioned in Akilam with minor powers.

Akilam
states that Ekam itself was created by Vaikundar. So Vaikundar would be superior to all.

Regarding Vaikundar, Ekam remains one among the three in the Trinity in Vaikundar during the incarnation. So 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.

Mythical Narration

Evolution of Ekam, through the ages(yugas)

The mythical narrative speaks of

Kali Yukam Vaikundar he was the Supreme Power and he was the only worshipable God. So in this regard Ayyavazhi is also viewed as a monotheistic religion.[1]

mythical
narration of Ayyavazhi shows Vaikundar as a supreme power.

Dualistic dimension

The

Citars
, is completely monistic.

Pantheism and panentheism

The evolution of Ekam till Dvapara Yuga

Though Ayyavazhi is mostly connected with the concept of Ekam, some followers advocate Ayyavazhi as Pantheistic, sticking to the concept of Ekan (one who appears as oneness or Ekam in

Akilam
1:12.

Regarding Panentheism, there are many quotes in

Akilam
13:395).

Narayana in Ayyavazhi

Lord Narayana has the most important role in Ayyavazhi theology compared to 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 Lakshmi, which was heard by Hari Gopalan Citar.

Narayana and Siva Relation

The importance of Narayana in the theology of Ayyavazhi varies through the ages. Before the creation, though the three god-heads, Siva, Brahma and Vishnu are all treated with equal status

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

Vaisnavism on Vishnu
.

Vaikundar and Narayana - Relation

Several episodes, as narrated in the

Akilam (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)

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 mostly on the same point. The incarnation of Vaikundar in the world is to destroy Kali and it was the duty of Narayana to do this. So in that sense the view is strengthened that Vaikundar is Narayana
himself.

Then the aim of the austerity of seven virgins towards vishnu to marry them is fulfilled in the Vaikunda Avatharam by Vaikundar.

Vaikundar as son of Narayana

Right from the beginning of the incarnation of Vaikundar in the sea,

vinchais. The episode comes in a way that the whole details, powers, instructions, and laws were given to Vaikundar by Narayana. Then after Vaikundar comes out of the sea, he is called as Narayana by devas
.

Summing up, the Father - son relationship between Narayana and Vaikundar is highlighted during the three vinchai.

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

Thirumal, 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
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 unified into you".

Ekam - Narayana - Vaikundar

The relations between the Ekam, Narayana and Vaikundar were understood as having different implications found in several verses of Ayyavazhi scriptures. Thiru Nadana Ula, the section which describes the situational changes that are going to happen in the world from the advent of Vaikundar, say 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 concluding that 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 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 stated as the incarnation of Ekam.

Another area in which Vaikundar has been high lightened as the supreme universal power is the Marriage with the deities. During this, Vaikundar unified into him all the deities. He unified into him

Muruga
etc., showing that Vaikundar is the incarnation of the supreme power, from which all these lower divine powers are generated.

Then at the end during the

Vaikundar
.

See also

  • List of Ayyavazhi-related articles

References

  1. Akilam
    9:667-670 (Narayana call Vaikundar "You are my son who was adored by all mystics"
  2. ^ Arisundara Mani's Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai, Chapter 1, Page -36, "Kroni is nothing but a subtle revelation of spiritual ignorance."

Sources

  • G. Patrick, Religion and Subaltern Agency, Chapter 5, Religious Phenomenon of Ayyavazhi.
  • Tha. Krushnanathan (2000) Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum, Thinai veliyeetagam.
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