Ayyavazhi symbolism 3589583 219393085 2008-06-15T00:40:15Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other {{Ayyavazhi}} The '''Ayyavazhi symbolism''' deals with the symbols which are used in or used to represent Ayyavazhi. Though [[Akilam]] the scripture of [[Ayyavazhi]] does not point out any symbol directly, there are a few symbols which are used for representing Ayyavazhi which came into practice gradually. Amongst these, the ''Lotus with Namam'', which is the symbolic summary of [[Akilam]], is the commonly used and most accepted symbol. == Lotus and Namam == [[Image:Attoor Thangal.JPG|150px|thumb|left|The '1008 petal' arrangement used as roof-architecture in a [[Nizhal Thangal|Thangal]] near [[Thiruvattar]], [[Tamil Nadu]].]] The symbol of the Ayyavazhi religion is a [[nelumbo|lotus]] carrying a flame-shaped white 'Namam'.<ref name= "Lotus with Namam"> Tha. Krushnanathan's ''Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum'', Thinai veliyeetagam, Page 108. </ref> The lotus represents the 1,008-petalled ''[[Sahasrara]]'' (in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''Ladam'') and the Namam represents the ''Aanma Jyothi'' or ''[[Atman (Hinduism)|atman]]'', sometimes translated as "soul" or "self".<ref name= "Lotus with Namam" /> There are references for [[Thirunamam]] in both primary and secondary scriptures, [[Akilattirattu Ammanai]]<ref>Akilam15:39 "Petti ceelai Uduthu Periya '''Thirunama''' Pottumittu"</ref> and [[Arul Nool]].<ref>Sivakanda Athikara Pathiram, First Act. (source: N.Vivekanandan's Arul Nool - Moolamum Uraiyum, page 62 </ref> Though the overall consideration of the whole contents of Akilam focuses on the concept derived from the symbol 'Lotus carrying Namam', it seems that there is no direct reference for it in the scriptures. But according to some legends this symbol was in use in Ayyavazhi from the early forties of the twentieth century.<ref> There is no written reference to this but there is a painting at the residence of Bala Prajapathi Adikalar which was considered not less than 50 years old. There are also oral traditions which suggests the same age for this symbolism. </ref> Since the [[Sahasrara]] is symbolised as [[Lotus]], no stem is drawn while designing art of the symbol. Seven(up) + seven(down) [[petal]]s are used commonly. Also a new way of architecture is being developed in constructing [[Nizhal Thangal]]s in which the inverted Lotus petals (as in sahasrara) are used as a design over the roof.<ref> See this Image[[:Image:Nelli Nintra Vilai Thangal.png]], a Nizhal Thangal constructed in such a way of architecture near Marthandam, [[Tamil Nadu]].</ref> [[Image:Ayyavazhi Sahasrara.jpg|150px|thumb|left|The [[Sahasrara]], symbolised in Ayyavazhi as ''''Lotus carrying Namam'''']] The mythical narration of akilam about the eight [[yuga]]s is often viewed philosophically as eight [[chakra]]s.<ref name="Yugas as Chakras"> A. Arisundara Mani's Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai (Additional) Page XII-XIII " Athara thana vilakka attavanai " . </ref> The first [[Neetiya Yukam]] as [[Bindu]] and the final state of absolute bliss, [[Sahasrara]] is said to be the [[Dharma Yukam]]. In this series the energy of consciousness of oneself is to raised from Bindu (Neetiya Yukam) to the final Sahasrara (Dharma Yukam) to experience the absolute 'bliss'.<ref>A. Arisundara Mani's, (2002), ''Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai'', Ayya Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam, page 374.</ref> The reigning power in the final [[Dharma Yukam]](Sahasrara) is [[Ekam]] or the supreme absolute,<ref name= "Lotus with Namam" /> and thus the Ayyavazhi's symbol seems to be derived from [[Akilam]]. And the symbol of Ayyavazhi, '[[nelumbo|Lotus]] with [[Thirunamam|Namam]]' shows it; [[Vaikundar]] is being experienced in [[Sahasrara]]. As per [[Hindu]] legends this [[Sahasrara]] [[chakra]] has'' '1000 petals' ''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kheper.net/topics/chakras/Sahasrara.htm www.kheper.net |title= [[Sahasrara]] [[Chakra]]|accessdate=2007-02-03 |format= |work= }}</ref> But in Ayyavazhi symbolism it was considered as 1008. In [[Akilam]] or [[Arul Nool]] there are no verses to treat this term '1000' but quite commonly the number '1008' is mentioned. Also the year of incarnation of [[Vaikundar]] is 1008 M.E. On backing these scriptural backgrounds, 1008 petal arrangement is followed in Ayyavazhi symbolism.<ref name="Yugas as Chakras" /> == Other phenomenological symbols == <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Ayyavazhi phenomenology symbolism.jpg|150px||thumb|left|A program notice for a [[Nizhal Thangal]] festival in [[Tamil Nadu]] using 'Triple Namam' and 'Lotus' as symbol.]] --> [[Akilam]] clearly points to the 'Flame shaped' single white Namam and its ideology clearly focuses on the importance of the '1008 petaled' [[Lotus]]. But there are traces that the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] triple Namam is being used though rarely in Ayyavazhi. The northern entrance of the [[Swamithope pathi]] carries such a form of Namam with the Holy [[Conch]] and the [[Chakra]](of Vishnu) on its two sides. Secondly, the [[Pala Ramachandran Version]] of [[Akilathirattu]] also carries similar Namam until the ninth impression, while it has been replaced by the Single white Namam from the tenth impression onwards. This is one of the phenomenological variations that is seen in the late 19th and the early 20th century [[Ayyavazhi]]. This may be because Ayyavazhi has not been properly understood among the common mass and so the people only considered [[Vaikundar]] as the incarnation of [[Vishnu]] and used the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]] symbol to represent Ayyavazhi. But still on the other hand the single white [[Thirunamam]] is used as ritual practice among the worshippers. It is evident that this symbol, ' ''Lotus and Namam'' ' has been used in Ayyavazhi from the mid-twentieth century. There is also a practice of using '[[Garuda]]' as the symbol of [[Ayyavazhi]]. The previous flag mast of [[Swamithope pathi]] which was replaced by the new one in the 1980s, mounts a brass image (idol) of Garuda at the top. In [[Ambala Pathi]] still the flag mast carries an idol of Garuda. The practice of using [[Conch]] and [[Chakra]] (of [[Vishnu]]) also seems to be current. As per [[Akilam]] the Chakra of Vishnu is bought as boon by [[Kaliyan]] and now it is with him. So the basic logic of Akilam is against these practices. Again, using [[idol]]s and personifications is heavily countered by [[Akilam]], but is still in practice among a minority section of the followers. Also there is a practice of using only the '[[Thirunamam]]' without the [[Sahasrara|1008 Petaled Lotus]]. This too is occasionally in practice. == Citations == {{Reflist}} == References == * '''Akilattirattu Ammanai''', (1989) published by T. Palaramachandran Nadar, 9th impression. *''' Tha. Krishnanathan''', (2000), ''Ayya Vaikundarin vazvum Sinthanaiyum'', Thinai Publications. * '''Pulavar. R.Shanmugam''', (2000), ''Nadar Kulathil Narayanar Avatharam'', Nadar Kulatheebam Publications. * '''A.Ari Sundara Mani''',(2002), ''Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai'', Vaikundar Thirukkudumbam Publications. == See also == * [[Thirunamam]] * [[List of Ayyavazhi-related articles]] * [[Dharma Yukam]] {{Ayyavazhi large}} [[Category:Ayyavazhi]]