Ayya Vaikundar

Ayya Vaikundar
Ukara Pranava, Avatar of Narayana
Other namesAyya Narayanar, Siva Marugan
Devanagariअय्या वैकुण्टर
Affiliation
PredecessorKrishna
AbodeVaikuntha
MantraAyya Siva siva siva siva Arahara Arahara
BattlesOngoing, Destruction of Kali.
Texts
GenderMale
FestivalsAyya Vaikunda Avataram
Genealogy
Born
Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Parents
  • Vishwa Maha Lakshmi (mother)
  • Vishwa Narayanar (father)

Ayya Vaikundar (Tamil: அய்யா வைகுண்டர்) also known as Siva Narayana or Vaikunda Swami was the founder of the Ayyavazhi faith.[1] The Ayyavazhis believe him to be the first and foremost Purna avatar of Eka-Paran and the god Vishnu (Narayana).[2][3][4] As per Ayyavazhi mythology detailed in their scriptures, Ayya Vaikundar incarnated in 1833, when he rose from the sea of Tiruchendur in the mortal shell of Vaikundar.[5]

Ayya Vaikundar is a central character in the narratives and teaching of the Ayyavazhi scripture Akilathirattu Ammanai (Akilam).[6] The Ayyayazhis believe that he will be instrumental in the destruction of Kali and establishment of Dharma Yukam.[7][8][9] As per Ayyavazhi scriptures, Ayya Vaikundar is the supreme God in his own right.[10]

Most of the preachings and activities found in Akilam and other texts about the life of Ayya Vaikundar was documented historically[11] and detailed in critical contemporary sources externally as well.[12] Though the prime features of Ayya Vaikundar's mission is revealed through Akilathirattu, he also teaches orally.[13] His oral teaching are compiled in the Books of Pathiram, Sivakanta Athikara Pathiram and Thingal Patham.[14] Though Akilam is directly against creating any form of organised religion or belief,[15] the teachings of Akilam and especially few books of Arul Nool form the basis of Ayyavazhi belief.[16] The birth anniversary of Ayya Vaikundar is celebrated as Ayya Vaikunda Avataram on the 20th of Masi[17] as per the Tamil Calendar (3 or 4 March C.E).

  1. ^ Chryssides, George D. (2012). Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 48-49. ISBN 978-0-8108-6194-7.
  2. ^ Mani, Ari Sundara (22 March 2002). Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai (Third ed.). Ambala Pathi: Ayya Vaikundar Narppani Manram. p. 310.
  3. ^ Krishna Nathan, T (December 2000). Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum (First ed.). Nagercoil: Thinai Veliyeettagam. p. 44.
  4. ^ Patrick 2003, p. 210.
  5. ^ Krishna Nathan, T (December 2000). Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum (First ed.). Nagercoil: Thinai Veliyeettagam. p. 44.
  6. ^ Chryssides, George D. (2012). Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 48–9. ISBN 978-0-8108-6194-7.
  7. ^ Puthirar, Poojya (4 March 1999). "Vaiyameerezhukkum Makizhvu tharum Vaikunda Jayanthi". Vaikunda Vijayam. 1 (8): 34–36.
  8. ^ Bala Sundaram, T (2010). Akilathirattu Urainadai (First ed.). Swamithope: Ayya Vaikundar Veeman Sidar Arakkattalai. p. 125.
  9. ^ Anna Selvam, S (June 2015). Akilathirattu Ammanai Mulamum Porulum (First ed.). Madhaganeri: Selva Ganeshan. pp. 1613–1615.
  10. ^ Vivekanandan, N (1993). Thiruvasakam Mulamum Uraiyum (Third ed.). Asarippallam: Vivekananda Pathippakam. pp. 30–33.
  11. ^ Arunan, Thiru (1999). Two Hundred Years' History of Social Reform in Tamil Land. Madurai: Vahai Publication. p. 28.
  12. ^ The London Missionary Society Reports for the Years 1838, 1843 and 1847; Though it is evident that the missionaries in their reports were of negative view on Vaikundar, their attestation regarding the historicity of Vaikundar shall be acknowledged by the reports.
  13. ^ Ponnu, R (2000). Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the Struggle for Social Equality in South India. Madurai: Ram Publishers. p. 47.
  14. ^ Mani Bharathi, A (January 1995). "Samithoppu Ayya Narayana Swami - 2". The Dina Thanthi, Kudumba Malar: 5.
  15. ^ Vivekanandan, N (2003). Akilathirattu Ammanai Mulamum Uraiyum - Irandam Pakam (First - Revised ed.). Nagercoil: Vivekananda Pathippakam. p. 68.
  16. ^ Vivekanandan, N (2017). Arul Nool Mulamum Uraiyum (Second - Revised ed.). Nagercoil: Vivekananda Pathippakam. p. 23.
  17. ^ Ponnu, R (2002). Vaikunda Swamigal Ore Avataram (2002 ed.). Madurai: Ram Pathipakam. p. 59.