Akilathirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai
Akilathirattu Ammanai, also called Thiru Edu (venerable book), is the primary scripture of the South Indian
Dharmic belief system ‘Ayyavazhi’. The title is often abbreviated to Akilam or Akilathirattu. Akilam contains more than 15000 verses. It remains as one of the greatest & longest literary work ever composed by a single author in Tamil.
History
Akilam was written down by Hari Gopalan Seedar, one of the five disciples of Vaikundar, at his residence in
Thamarai Kulam village, at the present Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. The opening foot of the Kappu was commenced to Hari Gopalan Seedar in a divinely inspired semi-conscious state called ‘Sukuthi Nithirai’ on the
27th of the Tamil month of Karthikai in 1016 Kollam Era (December 1841 CE), through which Vaikundar commissioned him to write down the narrative of the Lord Narayana coming on to the Earth. According to legends he began it at night and continued writing for days. Another legend says that he began it on Friday, the
27th Karthikai 1016 K.E, and completed on the seventeenth day - on the second Sunday of Margazhi 1016 K.E. It was at this spot, where the Kappu of Akilam commenced, the Thamaraikulam Pathi, a prime holy site of
Ayyavazhi, was constructed later. After the earthly life of Ayya Vaikundar, the tied-up palm leaf manuscript, which was until then not opened, was untied and unfolded. It reveals the cosmic process of ascertaining the spacetime, creation, further evolution and the history of the universe. It also includes the social and spiritual teachings, regulations and ethics essential to lead a human life. As per the instructions found in Arul Nool, a secondary scripture (which is a collection of 11 books), Akilam was preached by the Seedars, (the 5 disciples of
Vaikundar) far and wide.
Akilam was recorded on palm leaves until 1939. Thereafter efforts were taken to publish it in printed form.
Fearing the restrictions from the then Travancore Kingdom, Akilam was partitioned
Akilathirattu Ammanai, also called Thiru Edu (venerable book), is the primary scripture of the South Indian
Dharmic belief system ‘Ayyavazhi’. The title is often abbreviated to Akilam or Akilathirattu. Akilam contains more than 15000 verses. It remains as one of the greatest & longest literary work ever composed by a single author in Tamil.
History
Akilam was written down by Hari Gopalan Seedar, one of the five disciples of Vaikundar, at his residence in
Thamarai Kulam village, at the present Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. The opening foot of the Kappu was commenced to Hari Gopalan Seedar in a divinely inspired semi-conscious state called ‘Sukuthi Nithirai’ on the
27th of the Tamil month of Karthikai in 1016 Kollam Era (December 1841 CE), through which Vaikundar commissioned him to write down the narrative of the Lord Narayana coming on to the Earth. According to legends he began it at night and continued writing for days. Another legend says that he began it on Friday, the
27th Karthikai 1016 K.E, and completed on the seventeenth day - on the second Sunday of Margazhi 1016 K.E. It was at this spot, where the Kappu of Akilam commenced, the Thamaraikulam Pathi, a prime holy site of
Ayyavazhi, was constructed later. After the earthly life of Ayya Vaikundar, the tied-up palm leaf manuscript, which was until then not opened, was untied and unfolded. It reveals the cosmic process of ascertaining the spacetime, creation, further evolution and the history of the universe. It also includes the social and spiritual teachings, regulations and ethics essential to lead a human life. As per the instructions found in Arul Nool, a secondary scripture (which is a collection of 11 books), Akilam was preached by the Seedars, (the 5 disciples of
Vaikundar) far and wide.
Akilam was recorded on palm leaves until 1939. Thereafter efforts were taken to publish it in printed form.
Fearing the restrictions from the then Travancore Kingdom, Akilam was partitioned