Kuchipudi Dance Ballet on Sharanam Ayyappa

[Guest guest]

Namaskar:

 

Sharanam Ayyappa is a symbolic gesture of a Jiva's total surrender to

the Almighty for total liberation. The Sabarimala Yatra is an

illustration of Symbolic Unification of Atman and Brahman. At the

culmination of the journey, the devotee has to cross 18 steps before

final surrender. The devotee is reminded eighteen times that worldly

possessions hinder the progress of liberation and finally reaches the

sanctum Sanctorum of Ayyappa Swami. The forty-one days of Vrath is to

force the mind to withdraw from attachments to worldly possessions

and to direct it toward the Absolute Truth. The walk by foot through

the jungle symbolizes that the path to spirituality requires greater

efforts. The coconut represents the human body, the outer shell of

the coconut symbolizes ego, and the ghee is the Atman (human soul).

Coconuts have three eyes: two eyes represent the intellect and the

third eye is the spiritual eye. The Meditating Yogic posture of Sri

Ayyappa represents the Brahman. The rear compartment of the Irumudi

symbolizes 'Praarabdha Karma' (accumulated worldly possessions). The

devotee exhausts all the worldly possessions during the journey. The

devotee opens the spiritual eye of the coconut, breaks the coconut

and pours the ghee (Atman) onto the idol (Brahman). At this time, the

devotee has detached the ego and worldly possessions. He or she has

developed an attitude of total surrender to the Lord (infinite love

for the Lord). The devotee begs Him to grant the total Unity with the

Lord. This liberation of Atman from Ego and Wordily Possessions is

the Message of Vedanta in Symbolic Language. This Symbolism is

flawless and complete. What a beautiful demonstration of the Artistic

Perfection of Symbolism in the great land of Sankara!

 

Those who live in the Washington Metropolitan Area can have the

opportunity to get the excitement of 'Sabarimala Yatra' through the

Kuchipadi Dance Ballet on Sharanam Ayyappa. This musical and dance

delight is performed on the coming Saturday (November 15) at 7:00 PM

at High Point High School, 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705

This program is presented by the dancers of Kalamandapam

choreographed jointly by Mrinalini Sadananda (our dear Sadaji's wife)

and her brother Subash Vinjamuri. This program is a fundraising

program for the Siva Vishnu Temple of Lanham, MD and tickets can be

purchased at the school. The previous dance drama programs have been

sold out and please come by 6:30 PM to get a ticket.

Tickets for the drama are $10, $25, $50 and $100. If you want to

book the tickets in advance, Sri. Sadananda (703-451-5909) or Ram

Chandran (703-912-5790)

 

Look forward to see those who reside in Washington Metropolitan,

 

Warmest regards,

Ram Chandran

 

15 November 2003

Time: 7:00 PM

Place: High Point High School,

3601 Powder Mill Road,

Beltsville, MD 20705