When the demoness Mahishi was wreaking havoc on the earthly realm, a divine being was manifested by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in his Mohini form. This little boy grew up to become Lord Ayyappa, who showed promise of his divine abilities from early childhood. Once he vanquished the demoness, who was all but immortal, he retreated to the pristine forests in Sabarimala, which have been infused by the energy of his divine presence. Today, devotees in their thousands make the pilgrimage to Sabarimala, after 41 days of austerity, which culminates in the Mandal Pooja, which will be celebrated next week.
Austerities are helpful to cultivate the state of mind that is necessary to access a divine energy as intense and protective as Lord Ayyappa. The mind, by its inherent nature, is quite fickle and easily lends itself to temptation, which there is no shortage of in today’s world of enticements. Away from these material distractions and trappings, lies our receptive inner core, which needs to be engaged in meaningful pursuits, especially when they are spiritual or a cause which transcends the self, such as public service.
Physical and mental discipline are key to austerity. Yoga, as a school of foundational discipline, is almost incomparable, with asanas, which can be easily mistaken for exercises that promote merely physical dexterity, actually work much deeper on our core, preparing us for states of consciousness that come with meditation and breathwork. The classic image of Lord Ayyappa is the one where he seems to be sitting on his feet, with a band ‘yogapatta’ binding his knees, a posture which can only be held by an accomplished Yogi, and also indicates that he’s celibate. He is the true epitome of everything that Yoga represents.
True transformation is not always convenient, and requires a sense of surrender, which is necessary, but not a sufficient condition. It also requires giving up your cushy comfort zone, and being prepared for the uncertainty with no guaranteed outcomes. A Guru’s presence is essential to guide this journey, as it is replete with red herrings and potential distractions which can unravel progress and cause disappointment, and even just to help reconcile and internalize your experiences. So if you’re physically and mentally prepared, the possibilities that true spiritual transformation can bring are immense! Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa!
