Isakki
Isakki or Isakkai is a Hindu Goddess of South India. She is generally considered to be one of the village deities, like Māri, the goddess who cures diseases and ailments. Village deities are known as Kaaval deivam in Tamil. Collectively they are known for and act as guardian spirits.[1]
She is commonly referred to as Isakki Amman (Tamil for "Mother"). Isakki is commonly worshipped in the Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu.[2]
The worship of Isakki Amman remains popular to this day in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, especially in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Salem districts.
Isakki corresponds to the Jain yakshi Ambika, who is always represented with one or two children.[3][4]
Shrines
Unlike the temples of the Vedic deities, temples dedicated to Isakki are usually humble shrines, that are decorated with a cactus-like plant known as paalkallu in Tamil. When broken, these cacti ooze a milk-like sap, which is considered to be a sign of the goddess Isakki.
Isakki temples usually have a Banyan or bo tree close to the shrine. Women who wish to have children often place small wooden cribs and/or tie pieces of their saris to the branches or the visible roots of the tree as an offering.
Festivals
Isakki Amman is associated with popular festivals that involve cooking food at the shrine and the dedication of large terracotta figures of the goddess (3 to 4 ft in height) painted in garish colors. During the festival, the deity is anointed with water, coconut milk, rosewater, honey or oils twice a day. These figures are sometimes smeared with a liquid made from mixing lime, water and turmeric, which ritually represents blood. The goddess is offered rice, cake, fruit, and milk. The priest chants prayers. At the end of the ceremony and festival the food is removed from the shrine.[5]
Iconography
Isakki is usually portrayed as a young woman wearing a red dress. She is usually represented holding a child in one hand and a trident in the other. She is also sometimes represented as standing above a man who lies on the ground.[4]
Legendary origin
The most common legend associated with Isakki is as follows:
Ambika, a housewife, was leading a peaceful family life with her husband Somasharman and their two male children. One day the "dharpan" ritual had to be performed for the ancestors of their family and all the items were duly prepared. However, while Somasharman was away to bathe in the river, Ambika offered food to a starving sage who begged for it. Somasharman became enraged that the food for the ritual offering had been served to the sage before the necessary rites & pujas, and he chased Ambika and her children away from home. Ambika wandered until she found a calm place to rest. Realising his foolishness later, Somasharman went in search of his wife and children but, fearing him, Ambika gave up her life. After her unfortunate death, it is believed that she took the form of a Yakshini, although she still wanted to take care of her growing children. Later, with the grace of God, she was able to regain her human life for the benefit of her offspring. In doing so, Ambika became Isakki
Mangalathu Chiruthevi
Another lesser-known Yakshi is Mangalathu Chiruthevi, also known as Kanjirottu Yakshi. She was born into a Padamangalam Nair tharavad by name Mangalathu at Kanjiracode in South Travancore. She was a ravishingly beautiful courtesan who had an intimate relationship with Raman Thampi, son of King Rama Varma and rival of Anizhom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.[6]
Mangalathu Chiruthevi was infatuated with one of her servants, Kunjuraman. Kunjuraman, a Pondan Nair (palanquin-bearer), was a fair, tall, well-built and handsome young man. She and her brother Govindan used to ride on Kunjuraman's back to nearby places. A predatory sadist, Chiruthevi enjoyed torturing Kunjuraman physically and mentally. She did everything possible to separate him from his wife.
In course of time, the unmarried Govindan and Kunjuraman became bosom friends. They often shared the same room. Chiruthevi was not quite comfortable with the growing fondness of her brother for her lover, but she did not act.
Chiruthevi hatched a plot and liquidated Kunjuraman's wife. Once Govindan was traveling on Kunjuraman's back when the former revealed the details of the plot. Days later, Kunjuraman strangled Chiruthevi to death when they were sharing a bed. Govindan winked at the crime and protected his beloved friend.
Chiruthevi was reborn as a vengeful Yakshi to a couple at Kanjiracode. She grew into a bewitching beauty within moments of her birth. Though she seduced many men and drank their blood, her heart was set on the handsome Kunjuraman. She told him that she was willing to pardon him if he married her. Kunjuraman flatly refused. The Yakshi channeled all her energies in tormenting him. Devastated, Kunjuraman sought the assistance of Mangalathu Govindan, who was a great upasaka of Lord Balarama. Govindan was for a compromise. He said that the Yakshi could have Kunjuraman for a year provided she conform to three conditions: One, she must agree to be installed at a temple after one year. Two, after many years the temple will be destroyed and she must then seek refuge in (saranagati) Lord Narasimha for attaining moksham. Three, she must pray for Govindan and his relationship with Kunjuraman not only in their current birth but also in their subsequent births. The Yakshi swore upon 'ponnum vilakkum' that she would abide by all the three conditions, thus the compromise formula worked.[7]
A year later, the Yakshi was installed at a Temple which later came to be owned by Kanjiracottu Valiaveedu.[8] The Temple does not exist anymore.
Sundara Lakshmi, an accomplished dancer, and consort of HH Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, was an ardent devotee of Kanjirottu Yakshi Amma.
After taking refuge in Lord Narasimha of Thekkedom, the Yakshi is now believed to be residing in Kallara B of Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple.[9] The enchanting and ferocious forms of this Yakshi are painted on the south-west part of Sri Padmanabha's shrine.
References
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amirthalingam_Murugesan/publication/315670483_Isakkiamman_-_a_protector_of_ecology_and_culture_of_Kanyakumari_district_of_Tamil_Nadu/links/58da45f092851ce5e92cf119/Isakkiamman-a-protector-of-ecology-and-culture-of-Kanyakumari-district-of-Tamil-Nadu.pdf
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amirthalingam_Murugesan/publication/315670483_Isakkiamman_-_a_protector_of_ecology_and_culture_of_Kanyakumari_district_of_Tamil_Nadu/links/58da45f092851ce5e92cf119/Isakkiamman-a-protector-of-ecology-and-culture-of-Kanyakumari-district-of-Tamil-Nadu.pdf
- ↑ Inscribed stele with the yakshi Ambika https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/i/inscribed_stele_with_the_yaksh.aspx
- 1 2 The Classical Period of Indian Art :Gupta Art http://www.indianartcircle.com/arteducation/page_7_gupta.shtml
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amirthalingam_Murugesan/publication/315670483_Isakkiamman_-_a_protector_of_ecology_and_culture_of_Kanyakumari_district_of_Tamil_Nadu/links/58da45f092851ce5e92cf119/Isakkiamman-a-protector-of-ecology-and-culture-of-Kanyakumari-district-of-Tamil-Nadu.pdf
- ↑ Kaimal, Kesava. 'Thekkan Thiruvithamkurile Yakshikal'. Srinidhi Publications, 2002.
- ↑ Nair, Balasankaran. 'Kanjirottu Yakshi'. Sastha Books, 2001.
- ↑ Nair, Balasankaran. 'Kanjirottu Yakshi'. Sastha Books, 2001.
- ↑ Bayi, Aswathi Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi. 'Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple' (Third Edition). Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2013.
- Kalpana Ram; Mukkuvar Women.
- Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. Barcelona 1999.
- Tiwari, M.N.P. (1989). Ambika in Jaina arts and literature, New Delhi: Bharatiya Jnanpith.
See also
External links
