The most popular of the Cheran kings was 'Cheraman Perumal'. He was the last to rule in the 'First Cheran Dynasty'. His
main aim was to create peace at any cost. And all people were equal in his kingdom. The news about his rule spread across
all over India. It disturbed the peace of Brahmins who considered themselves as the Gods on Earth. They were ruling all other
people with a crushing arm. They tried different ways to destroy his kingdom. But Cheraman Perumal had a powerful army and
navy. His army was successful in keeping everybody away from his empire and had 'Kalari' all over Kerala. His navy controlled
the Arabian seas.
The following was the social structure during his times:
1. Cherans: They were the rulers, landlords and chieftains. (The word Chera means 'Lion')
2. Sambavars: They were the elite warriors (Jambavar). They controlled the army and navy. They also were the Gurus in
the Kalari.
3. Siddhanars: They were the Buddhist scholars (Siddhan/Siddhi). They were priests and scholars.
4. Nayakars: They were the army commanders and fighters who were privileged to train in the Kalari's. They are now
called Nairs.
5. Chevakar: They were the servant community who had the privileage to serve all the above communities. They were later
called as 'Chovans' or 'Ezhavas'.
6. Native people: The general public which consists of all other communities.
7. Foreigners: Muslims, Christians and Brahmins.
Who is Ayyappa?
Lord
Ayyappa is the apotheosis of Ayyan Adigal Thiruvatigal, the Cheran prince. He is the grandson of the last perumal of Kerala-
Cheraman Perumal.
The history of Ayyappan revolves
around the notorious robber called Udayanan. Udayanan built up many fortresses on the mountain of Talippara, Inchippara and
Karimala in the forests of Kerala. Udayanan used to plunder wealth from the palace and the village headmen. Udayanan wanted
to marry the daughter of Perumal. As this was refused by the King, Udayanan abducted his daughter and kept her in one of his
fortresses.
A priest of an old temple, Sabarimala, rescued this girl from
the clutches of Udayanan and married her. Udayanan came to know about this and he killed the priest. But the girl was
pregnant at that time and escaped into the forest and lived there. She gave birth to a boy and was named as Jayanthan.
He grew up hearing the stories about his mothers plight and Udayanan. His vengeance grew and decided to kill Udayanan. When
he was young he went on to take revenge on Udayanan. During this period, a Muslim bandit named Vavar who came from Arabia,
came to contact Jayathan while he was defeating Udayanan. Subsequently, this bandit was converted and he joined the army of
Jayanthan. The Perumal came to know the bravery of Jayanthan and invited him to the palace and realised that Jayanthan
is his own grandson and named him as Ayyappan and accorded him all the powers to rule the kingdom. Ayyappans official
name was Ayyan Adigal Thiruvatigal.
During his rule as the crown prince, Ayyappa lead the army of Cheran empire against
the Chola and Pandya forces and was victorious. Mahishi represents the Chola and Pandya forces Ayyan defeated in the high
ranges of the western ghats. The seven battlefields on the pilgrimage route commemorate his victorious campaigns: Kottapuram,
Kalaketti, Utuniparamalai (also called Inchipparakotta), Karimala, Sabaripeetham, Saramkuttiyal (symbolic arrows are offered
here) and Trippaty.
After 12 years of establishing peace
in the country, Ayyappan sought permission to leave the palace. Ayyappan wished to have an abode made in his memory at
the site of the old ruined temple where his priest-father was killed by Udayanan. Accordingly, a sanctum was built to install
an idol made of panchaloha (an alloy of five metals), climbing 18 steps to reach the sanctum. These 18 steps to represent
5 indriyas, 8 ragas, 3 gunas, vidya and avidya. Ayyappan also advised the king of the nature of the austerities to be observed
before the pilgrimage to this temple. Ayyappan began to practise Buddhism from there and he was considered as the most revered Guru
in the entire Cheran Empire. In sense, Sabarimala acted as the religious capital of Kerala.
Who was Sankaracharya?
Sankaracharya was the contemporary of Ayyappan and Cheraman Perumal. He become
a scholar while he was a young kid. He taught the Brahmins that they must unite themselves to get rid of Cheraman Perumal.
His philosophy 'Advaita' really was a message to the divided Brahminical forces at that time. Brahmins were divided as 'Namboodiris'
(native brahmins) and 'Embranthiris' (foreign brahmins). But he masked his unity movement as a Bhakti movement and has propagated
it among all Brahmins across India. It paved the cause for the revival of Brahminism in India.
He become close to Cheraman Perumal. Peruamal was often advised by his high priest that he should
not become close to Sankara. Sankara came to know the inside secrets and divisions in the ruling family since he had access
to all over the palace.
His theory united the Embranthiris (North Indian Brahmins) who were from the AryaVartha, the Namboothiris
(Kerala Brahmins) and Pattars & Pottis (South Indian Brahmins).
They hatched a plot to overthrow Cheraman Perumal in a palace coup. Sankara took 3 steps to achieve
the goal. 1st step was to conquer the Northerners with his message. Once he got their support, he began to win the hearts
of the native people. His smooth talk and ascetic character won the hearts of native keralites. Once he had those two bases
solidified, he turned against the king. He split the royal family. Some members of the royal family aligned with Sankara and
plotted against Perumal. Now Perumal found himself cheated and had to fight against a palace coup. But he lost. He was brutally
murdered.
This happened in A.D 820.
Soon people came to know about the disappearance of Cheraman Perumal. Some spread the story that he
converted to Islam and fled to Mecca. Some other stories were that he was send to Pathala by Lord Vishnu. But the people loyal
to Perumal didnt buy these stories and began to revolt against the people who turned against Perumal. They began to look for
their Crown Prince.
Civil war broke out all across the empire. People loyal to Perumal began to flee to Sabarimala. It
was their cry that later become the popular chant, "Ayyappa Sharanam, Swami Sharanam". Brahmins aligned themselves with Nayakars
and Chevakars. Cherans, Siddhanars and Sambavars stood together along with the common people. Ayyappan began to lead the civil
war from Sabarimala but he had his own limitations. He wasn't able to take the war to the cities. They were already in the
control of Brahmins. But Ayyappan was able to defend the forest area. A lot of people loyal to Perumals migrated to the high
ranges.
By A.D 825 the civil war died down and Brahminical forces were in full control and they established
the Second Cheran empire with the help of some elements of the royal family. Everything related to the First Cheran empire
began to be destroyed.
Ayyappan was able to defend the forest area until his death. He died on the day which was later celebrated
as 'Makara Sankranthi'. He was buried in the temple itself. Soon Brahmins overtook the temple also.
By the dawn of 10th century, Kerala was completly under the Brahmins. And the Cherans, Siddhanars
and Sambavars went underground.
