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It is more than just a number
THIS IS the season when the chants of Saranam Ayyappa fill the air and huge crowds of pilgrims trek their way to the hill shrine of Sabarimala. And here, venerated and invoked in every prayer are the eighteen steps or the `pathinettampadi' that leads the pilgrims to the shrine. Steeped in divinity, these steps, that symbolise steps to `moksha' or salvation, are traversed only twice by the pilgrim with the `irumudi' or the bundle of offerings on his head. This he does, once while climbing to the shrine and then while descending backwards, with his face turned towards the main deity.
The eighteen steps, considered an extension of the sanctum sanctorum, are thus revered as the crucial footholds to liberation. Fresh outpourings and hymns sanctifying these steps are sung with renewed ardour year after year. What is the special significance of the number eighteen? Was it merely a part of the architectural plan? Or were they designed by some divine calculation?
Eighteen is a very auspicious count in Hindu philosophy. There are eighteen chapters in the Bhagavad Gita, the battle of Kurukshetra, which determined man's fate, also lasted for eighteen days and further the number of techniques employed in battle is also eighteen. Probing deeper, there are eighteen Puranas, while the number of weapons Lord Ayyappa is supposed to have used to destroy evil, is also eighteen. This mystical number, therefore, tallies with man's destiny, which ultimately is enlightenment.
Symbolising the climb to spiritual awakening, the first seventeen steps are interpreted as the seventeen `vasanas' or human traits of man. Ascending the steps man is believed to overcome all the negative traits he had accumulated since birth, absorbing the positive qualities one by one. Finally, reaching the eighteenth step that symbolises the last stage of evolution, he is supposed to turn into a `jnani' or a liberated one, standing at the peak of enlightenment.
The first five steps are also interpreted as our five `indriyas' or senses. The next eight steps signify the eight `ashtarasas' - kama (lust), krodha (anger), moha (excess desire), asooya (jealousy), lobha (selfishness), madha (pride), matsrya (competitive aggressiveness) and thamba (boastfulness). The next three steps represent the three `gunas' - Tamas or asura like, Rajas or kingly and Satwa or Godly. The seventeenth and eighteenth step symbolises `avidya' and `vidya.'
Originally made of granite, these holy steps, which are five to six feet wide, are now covered with `panchaloha,' a combination of five metals, gold, silver, brass, copper and iron. The coconut, which is offered at the sacred steps, symbolises man's head. And in cracking it man's ego is split open and he attains peace with the world.
Other interpretations are point out when man crosses the first step he conquers his bestiality. He then rises and as he climbs he triumphs over anger, lust, covetousness, spite, crookedness, narrow mindedness, mistrust etc. And further still he acquires patience, humility, calmness, kindness and a charitable disposition. Higher up he receives God's grace, happiness, prosperity, spirituality and the ability to do the right thing. Finally, crossing the eighteenth step the true meaning of the absolute reality is revealed to him and he becomes one with the Divine.
Now there is something more about the number eighteen. The region where the sacred shrine is located is hallowed by the presence of eighteen mountains, with the consecrated Sabarimala shining heavenly as one of them. Besides, a devotee who climbs the eighteen steps, eighteen times is privileged by the Gods to plant a coconut sapling at this holy spot.
HEMJIT BHARATHAN
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