INTRODUCTION
The wonderful song “Harivarasanam” also known as Sri Ayyappa Ashtakam would be recited before the closure of the temple doors during night. The Ayyappa devotees were very much attracted with this bhakti song when they hear it on Sabarimala Temple, nearby the Sanctum. During the time of playing the divine song, everyone would feel the presence of Lord Ayyappa in their mind. Harivarasanam song is written by Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer.
This song would be recited by the priests in the Sabarimala Temple with great devotion in their mind, and after the completion of this song, the door of the Sanctorum Sanctum would be closed.
At present, the temple plays the Harivarasanam song sung by the great playback singer Sri K.J. Yesudas, who is a staunch devotee of Lord Ayyappa. The contents of this song are as follows:
Lord Ayyappa is the one, who is seated on the Golden Chair, and he is the one who controls the entire Universe, through his supreme powers. His holy feet are worshipped by Indra, Chandra and Surya. He is the one, who kills the bad behaviour, and induces spiritual thoughts in our mind. Oh, Son of Hari and Hara, I bow before you Lord Ayyappa.
He is the one who loves to dance, and who shines like the bright Sun, and who is the god of all beings, Oh Hariharaputra Deva, I bow before you Lord Ayyappa.
He is the one, who is the loved by all souls, and who glitters like the full moon, and who is the meaning for “OM”, and the one who likes to hear songs on him, Oh Ayyappa, I bow before you.
He is the one who has a shining and beautiful face, and the one who rides a horse, and has several weapons, and the one who acts like the noble Guru, Oh Ayyappa, I bow before you.
He is the one, who is worshiped by the three worlds, and he is the one, who dwells in the souls of all the living beings, and he contains the features of Lord Hari and Lord Hara, Oh Ayyappa, I bow before you.
He is the one who destroys fear, and who brings prosperity, and the one who rides a white elephant, Oh Ayyappa, I bow before you.
He is the one who blesses us with his lovely smile, and the one who loves to adorn sandal paste on his body, and he is the Lord of the Lords, Oh Ayyappa, I bow before you.
He is the one who is very kind to his devotees, and the one who fulfils the wishes of his devotees, and he is praised in Vedas, and lives like a pious saint, Oh Ayyappa, I bow before you.
“SWAMIYE SARANAM AYYAPPA”.
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR
