Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa 🙏
Sabarimala, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India, is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the divine embodiment of Dharma and spiritual ascension. The most revered and symbolic aspect of this pilgrimage is the 18 sacred steps (Pathinettampadi), which lead devotees to the holy shrine. These steps are not just physical structures but represent a spiritual transformation, guiding the Jeevaatma (individual soul) towards the Paramaatma (Supreme Soul).
Why Are the 18 Steps Sacred?
The number 18 holds immense significance in Hindu Dharma. It appears multiple times in our ancient scriptures and epics:
18 Chapters in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita
18 Puranas narrating divine wisdom
18 Days of the Kurukshetra War in the Mahabharata
Four Vedas (4) + Six Shastras (6) + Five Senses (5) + Three Deities (3) = 18
However, more than any other reason, the 18 Indriyas (senses and qualities) are the most important, as they determine a devotee’s journey towards divine realization.
The Significance of the 18 Steps
Each step of Sabarimala’s Pathinettampadi is a symbolic barrier that the devotee must overcome to reach self-purification and enlightenment.
1-5 Steps: The Panchendriyas (Five Senses)
The first five steps represent the Panchendriyas, or the five sensory perceptions that bind humans to the material world:
👁️ Drishti (Sight) - The distractions of visual desires. 👂 Shravana (Sound) - Attraction to worldly noise and distractions. 👃 Ghrana (Smell) - The temptation of material comforts. 👅 Rasa (Taste) - The craving for indulgent pleasures. 🤲 Sparsha (Touch) - Attachment to physical comforts.
To progress spiritually, a devotee must control and transcend these senses, as excessive indulgence leads to ignorance and attachment to Maya (illusion).
6-13 Steps: Overcoming Negative Human Emotions
The next eight steps represent the Arishadvargas (six inner enemies) + two additional negative emotions that prevent spiritual growth:
💘 Kama (Desire/Lust) - Attachment to worldly pleasures. 😡 Krodha (Anger) - Loss of self-control due to frustration. 💰 Lobha (Greed) - Excessive materialistic tendencies. 🤯 Moha (Attachment) - Clinging to temporary worldly relationships. 🎭 Madha (Pride) - Ego and arrogance, leading to self-importance. 💔 Matsarya (Jealousy) - Comparing oneself to others, leading to dissatisfaction. 🧐 Asooya (Envy) - The inability to tolerate others' success or happiness. 🎭 Dhumb (Hypocrisy) - Pretending to be virtuous without true devotion.
A devotee must shed these impurities before moving forward on the path of liberation.
14-16 Steps: The Three Gunas (Thrigunas)
The next three steps symbolize the Three Gunas, or fundamental qualities of human nature:
🔆 Satva (Purity & Wisdom) - The state of balance and knowledge. 🔥 Rajas (Passion & Action) - The state of ambition and dynamism. 🌑 Tamas (Ignorance & Inertia) - The state of laziness and darkness.
Every human exhibits a combination of these three qualities, and a spiritual seeker must strive to increase Satva, balance Rajas, and minimize Tamas to progress towards liberation.
17-18 Steps: The Ultimate Truth – Vidhya & Avidhya
The last two steps represent the final realization of the Supreme Truth:
📖 Vidhya (Knowledge & Enlightenment) - The wisdom of the Self and the Universe. ❌ Avidhya (Ignorance & Illusion) - The false perception of the world and attachment to Maya.
A devotee must choose Vidhya over Avidhya, meaning truth over illusion, to merge with the divine essence of Lord Ayyappa.
Why Vratham (Spiritual Discipline) Is Necessary Before Climbing the 18 Steps
The 41-day Vratham (austerity and self-discipline) observed before visiting Sabarimala is essential because it prepares the devotee to ascend the 18 steps with purity and devotion. Without this spiritual discipline, the journey remains incomplete. The Vratham includes:
Practicing Brahmacharya (celibacy and self-restraint)
Eating simple Satvik food
Maintaining humility, truthfulness, and devotion
Chanting and meditating on Lord Ayyappa
Only after this period of self-purification can a devotee truly absorb the significance of each step and ascend towards the divine presence of Lord Ayyappa.
The Path to Liberation
The 18 sacred steps of Sabarimala are not just a means to reach the temple; they are a journey of the soul, guiding devotees to overcome worldly illusions, negative tendencies, and ignorance. By controlling the senses, purifying emotions, and transcending material desires, one can attain the ultimate spiritual wisdom and unite with Lord Ayyappa.
🛕 Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa! 🙏
Share this post