Meaning of Tatwamasi

Tat Twam Asi = Thou art you. This word of message is from the Chando gyopanishat, means “That is you” The diffusion of the word is Thath. Thwam. Asi. Tat means that, Twam means you, and Asi means is.

When we stand in front of the mirror, and point out to that, the reflection of us will also point at us. The thing which is in front of a mirror is the image and the idol of Iswara is called image. The image of god sees the reflection of us on the mirror of the world. The reflection on the mirror has no life or existence and it is not real. But we feel that it has life and existence and it is real.

This phenomenon, which make us feel the nothingness as the fullness and it is, according to the spiritual sciences, called Maya. Likewise, all the beings reflecting on the mirror of world feel that they are existing and moving. It is not only us but even the universe has no reality. The god is the only real one. All are its manifestations. It is only the reflection of God and the reality of it is felt as you and yourself. Tat is a consciousness of the oneself and it is also the God itself.

How the principle of ‘Tatwamasi’ is reflected in the worldly life, since having different kinds of problems arising? As per the laws of creation of universe the God has not created any difficulties or grievances or problems. But how a lot of problems occur in the worldly life? The reason for that, is not other thing, but the thought of your ‘self’, which you cannot avoid anyway. It is the only one thing that is ‘you’, which creates all the problems from the within of you. For example the grandeur of the deer reflects on its horns. But it is that horn which becomes the reason for its own death, by hanging on any creepers, binding the branched horn accidentally anywhere in the forest. If we ask whether the pride of the ‘self’ feeling of one man, is created by the God. May be, but the vicious side of it is not by God.

The reality beyond the experiences of our life reveals the truth saying ‘Thou art you’. Otherwise the feeling of your self or ego is really the Tat i.e god. If you felt your ego, that is your innermost soul or consciousness or Iswara. It is the man’s own desire for existence creates impediments in the flow of life and unfomfortfulness. It is the ‘you’ creates problems against your life; think ‘Tatwamasi’.

Provide light to destroy shade. To avoid darkness or shade of all the difficulties and grievances from your life which are created by your own ego, self or pride, you have to go to the light of God. For this satisfaction all the people arrive at the light of Sri Ayyappa to destroy his own ahanta, the egotism and all will end in bliss.

Nov 15, 2009: Grand Celebrations to Kick Off Ayyappa Mandala Season 2009

Dear Devotees,

The Shiva Vishnu temple in Livermore, California along with Ayyappa Samaaj (http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/; YahooGroups: Ayyappasamaaj -- Click here to join Ayyappasamaaj: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ayyappasamaaj/join) kicked off the start of the Ayyappa Mandala Puja in a very grand manner on November 15, 2009.

The function was very well attended. We had 200+ devotees participating in the event.

The 18 steps for Lord Ayyappa was renovated and there were special decorations around the 18 steps. Check out the photos from the event on Picasa.


The puja started with Sankalpam and Abhishekham for Lord Ayyappa (with milk, curd, ghee, panchamrutham, Sandal, Turmeric, tender coconut water, and Bhasman) This was followed by a bhajans during which Lord Ayyappa was decorated and mounted on an elephant in preparation for the thalapolli procession to the chant of Vazhinada. The Thalapolli for our Lord Ayyappa was conducted to the accompaniment of "Chenda", the traditional music in all Kerala temples. Over 60 women and children participated in the Thalapolli. Thalappoli, a ceremonial procession, is a significant item in most of the festivals in Kerala In this ritual, women or young girls carry thalam, which literally means plate, in their hands. Thalam is filled with rice, flowers and a lighted lamp. Thalappoli is considered a symbol of prosperity

We then had bhajans for Lord Ayyappa that was sung in many languages with participation from people of all age groups. This was followed by Harihara Putra Shata Naamavalli (Archana). Many "Ayyappas" commenced their vratam by wearing the Thulasi Mala during the function. Many more "ayyappas" are scheduled to wear the Mala on the following weekends. The puja concluded with the singing of the traditional Padi Paattu and Harivarasanam.

There were over 30 volunteers from Bay Area Ayyappasamaaj who actively participated in the preparation and smooth conduct of the proceedings of the the puja.

Over 200 devotees ate the special Maha Prasadam (Vegetable Sambar Rice, Potato Curry, Vada, Curd Rice and Chakkara Pongal) that was prepared at the temple.

Ayyappasamaaj also released a bhajan booklet containing transliterated songs from Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu songs. If you are interested in a personal copy, please send en email to ayyappasamaaj@gmail.com. You can check out the table of contents in the link http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/.

We will be having weekly bhajans on Saturdays till the end of the Mandalam season. On December 25, 2009, we will have the conclusion of the mandalam celebration by performing Irumudi Puja followed by all the program items described above.

We invite all devotees to come to Livermore temple to get the blessings of Lord Ayyappa.

Swami Saranam!

Prasad

Sarana Ghoshams (Periya Paadhai)

The following Saranams provide a representation of the key landmarks and places we trek on the periya-paadhai (long route from Erumeli to Sannidhaaanam).

Repeat Saranam Ayyappa after each verse.
1. Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa
2. Sadhguru Nathane
3. Sachidananda Sathguru Murthiye
4. Ennishtta Deivame
5. Engal Kula Deivame
6. Aekaantha Vaasiye
7. Thani Vazhi Thunaivare
8. Sevipporkku Aanandha Moorthiye
9. Villali Veerane
10. Veera Manikandane
11. Pulippaal Konarndha Punniyane
12. Acchan Kovil Arase
13. Aariyankaavu Ayyave
14. Kulathu Puzhai Balagane
15. Erumeli Vaazhgiraatha Saasthaave
16. Pettai Thullum Saasthaave
17. Vettaikkoar Magane
18. Kotta Padigale
19. Vavar Swamiye
20. Perur Thodu Thaavalame
21. Thalappaarai Koattaiye
22. Kaalakatti Ashramame
23. Azhutha Nadhiye
24. Azhutha Nadhi Theerame
25. Azhutha Nadheesane
26. Azhutha Maede
27. Kallidung Kunre
28. Injippaarai Koattaiye
29. Udumpparai Koattaiye
30. Mukkuzhi Thavalame
31. Ilavan Thaavalame
32. Karivalaan Thode
33. Puducheri Aare
34. Karimala Aettrame
35. Aettram Kadiname
36. Aettri Thara Vaendum Bhagavaane
37. Karimalai Mugade
38. Karimalai Bhagavathiye
39. Karimalai Irakkame
40. Irakkan Kadiname
41. Irakki Thara Vaendum Bhagavaane
42. Pamba Nadhi Theerame
43. Pamba Nadheesane
44. Pambaiyin Sisuve
45. Pambaiyin Theerthame
46. Pambaiyil Snaaname
47. Pambaiyin Vilakke
48. Pambaiyin Satthiye
49. Pambaiyin Ganapathiye
50. Pandhala Raaja Kumaarane
51. Valiyaana Vattame
52. Cheriyaana Vattame
53. Neelamalai Aettrame
54. Dharma Peedame
55. Appacchi Maede
56. Ippachi Kuzhiye
57. Sabhari Peedame
58. Sree Rama Paadhame
59. Saranguthi Aale
60. Swamigaludaiya Sannidhaanangale
61. Swamigaludaiya Ponnu Padhinettu Padigale
62. Padhinettam Padi Kaavalare
63. Padhinettaam Padi Karuppanna Swamiye
64. Sangili Bhootha Naadha Swamiye
65. Valiya Kadutha Swamiye
66. Kocchu Kadutha Swaamiye
67. Karuppaayi Amma Deviye
68. Vavar Swamiye
69. Dhega Balam Tharanum Bhagavaane
70. Paadha Balam Tharanum Bhagavaane
71. Malai Aettri Tharanum Bhagavaane
72. Padi Aettri Tharanum Bhagavaane
73. Swamigaludaya Sannidhaaname
74. Swamugaludaya Dhwaja Sthambhame
75. Asvaa Roodare
76. Gaja Roodare
77. Swamigaludaya Karpoora Aazhiye
78. Swamigaludaya Bali Peedangale
79. Kannimeela Maga Ganapathi Bhagavaane
80. Naagaraaja Prabhuve
81. Swamugaludaya Dhivya Swaroopame
82. Swamigaludaya Dhivya Dharisaname
83. Neyyabhisheka Piriyane
84. Pushbhaabhisheka Piriyane
85. Paanaga Piriyane
86. Panjaamritha Piriyane
87. Payasanna Piriyane
88. Ney Thaengaay Piriyane
89. Naivediya Piriyane
90. Irumudi Piriyane
91. Athirvedi Piriyane
92. Kannimudi Piriyane
93. Sarana Ghosha Piriyane
94. Vedha Ghosha Piriyane
95. Saama Ghaana Piriyane
96. Karpoora Piriyane
97. Karpoora Jothiye
98. Kaantha Malai Jothiye
99. Jothi Swaroopane
100. Dhabajwaala Moorthiye
101. Chinmudra Dhaariye
102. Neela Vasthra Dhaariye
103. Nithya Bhrahmachaariye
104. Brumadhya Vaasare
105. Hrudhayakamala Vaasare
106. Ellaam Valla Iraivane
107. Aezhaikku Arul Puriyum Eesane
108. Aezhai Pangaalane
109. Aethilaarkku Uttra Thunaiye
110. Eelikkai Aayuthane
111. Pizhai Porutharulla Vendum Deivame
112. Nalla Suga Vaazhkai Alikka Vendum Swamiye
113. Enrum Engalukku Tunaiyaay Irunthu Vazhi Nadathi Chella Vendum Aandavare
114. Kaathu Rakshikkanum Bhagavaane
115. Swamigaludaiya Bhasma Kulangale
116. Swamigaludaiya Thiru Naagangale
117. Swamigaludaiya Parivaarangale
118. Swamigaludaiya Nagaraajakkale
119. Maligapurathamma Devi Loka Manja Maathaave
120. Swamigaludaiya Poongavanangale
121. Ural Kuzhi Theerthame
122. Kumbalanthode
123. Kavalaiyai Theerppavane
124. Kadanai Theerppavane
125. Annadhaana Prabhuve
126. Devi Sabhai Vasare
127. Sarva Klesa Naasa Swamiye
128. Sarvaabheeshta Pradhayakare
129. Sarva Roga Nivarana Om Dhanvathiri Moorthiye
130. Siddhi Vinaayaka Sivasakthi Vadivelan Thambiye
131. Samasta Abharathangalaiyum Poruthu Kaathu Rakshitarula Vaendum Bhagavaane
132. Om SwamiyeSwamiye Saranam Ayyappa