Mangal Mandir Jagrati Class Lesson 11 May 15, 2011 Ayyappan:
Mahishasura had acquired the boon from Brahma that he could die only at the hands of a woman. As such, he practiced evil until the Gods sent Durga to fight and kill him. This made his sister Mahishi the asura princess very angry. She started to practice austerities and pleased Brahma. Brahma granted her the boon of ruling the universe and be invulnerable except to a being that had not been born from a woman’s womb. Since such a person did not exist, she thought she was safe and began conquering and plundering the world.
The gods implored Shiva and Vishnu to save them from this catastrophe. Vishnu found a possible solution to the problem. When Vishnu had taken on the Kurma Avatar, he also had to manifest himself as Mohini, the enchantress, to save the amrit from the demons who were not willing to share it with the gods. If he became Mohini again, then the female Mohini and the male Shiva could have the divine child who would combine their powers and beat Mahishi.
Thus Ayyappa was born as the son of Hari (Vishnu) the Saviour and Haran (Shiva) the destroyer. Ayyappa is also known as Hariharan Puthiran. He was born with a gem (mani) tied around his neck and is so called Manikanta.
Astra : bow and arrow Vahana : Tiger Consort : He has no consort as he is a celibate God
Indra:
Role : King of Gods and the ruler of heavens Duty : God of thunder and rain and a great warrior Vajra Astra : Vajra Vahana : Airavata (five-headed divine elephant). This mighty elephant reaches down his trunk into the watery underworld, sucks up its water, and then sprays it into the clouds, which Indra then causes to rain forth cool water. Airavata also stands at the entrance to Swarga, Indra’s palace. Consort : Indrani
Vayu : Wind God, the spiritual father of Hanuman. Vahana: Antelope
Surya: Sun God. Vahana: Surya rides across the heavens in a chariot drawn by seven horses. The horses symbolize the cosmic rays which, as they move across the sky, remove darkness and usher in light. The seven horses also symbolize the seven colors of rainbow.
Ayyappan Indra Vayu Surya