Ayyappa is true?

[Guest guest]

 

Vasu Murthy [vmurthy]

Tuesday, January 18, 2000 9:20 AM

napsrao

Cc:

Re: Fwd: RE: Ayyappa/Madhva Philisophy or

what does it take to be a mAdhva

 

My guess is that ayappa would be a demigod under rudra gana.

 

.....Is Ayyappa's story mentioned in any purAnas? I was under the impression

that his character was 'created' a few centuries ago - perhaps as a

reconciliation of shiva and vishnu tattvas!

 

Regards,

Krishna

[Guest guest]

Friends,

The proposition that all Deities should be worshipped with their

Tharathamya with respect to the Supreme Being constantly kept in

mind and as His Parivara is undisputed by any Madhva. The basic

question is who are those Dieties ? If we go by the Vedas and

Puranas, we have a list, which is broadly covered by such gems

as Tharathamya Sthothra, Harikathamruthasara etc. If we choose

to include others, who are not specifically mentioned there -

where do we stop ?. How about the village deities, the Babas and

many others ? How can we distinguish between those who are

Sathvikas belonging to the different classes like gods,

Gandharvas etc and others. If we include the Shiva ganas, it is

to be remembered that many of them are of Thamasa nature also

and hence not worthy of being worshipped by us.

Thus, before one can seriously accept Ayyappa as one of the

Deities to be worshipped, it is necessary to find out

authoritative Pramanas to define his swaroopa and his

Tharathamya with respect to other Sathvika deities. But, it deos

seem that the Purana story which is quoted, seems to be of

recent origin as it refers to historical personalities a few

centuries back. But, as a Madhva, I am prepared to be educated

if proper pramanas are produced about Ayyappa also. Till such

time, I have to suspend jusgement on this issue.

NAPSRao