Etymology of Ayyavazhi

This etymological topic deals with the origin, regeneration and evolution of various names by which Ayyavazhi is referred or identified throughout the period of Ayyavazhi history. Though the name " 'Ayyavazhi' " is commonly used and the most accepted term to represent Ayyavazhi there are other terms too which are used to refer it.

Ayyavazhi

The exact origin of the name "Ayyavazhi" is not known. The various theories on its derivation include:

* Ayya's path - from the direct synonymous derivation, which takes Ayya as a noun "(naming word)" of Ayya Vaikundar. [ R.Shanmugam's, Narayana Kulatthil Narayanar Avataram, Page:188]
* Path of Father - from the local spoken-Tamil language "Ayya" (father) + "vazhi" (path). This meaning, derived from Tamil, is most commonly used as 'ayya', and means 'dear father'. [Dr. R.Ponnu's, Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the Struggle for Social Equality in South India, Ram Publishers, 2000, Page 68, Sub heading: "Reverence as Ayya" ]
* The ultimate truth of Master [ "Akilathirattu ammanai Arappadanool", First Stage, page 27, published by Vaikundar Seva Sangam ] - from Tamil "Ayya" (Master) + "vazhi" (the ultimate truth) is derived from the literary usage of the words.
* Religious system of Guru - from Tamil "Ayya" as (Guru) + "vazhi" (religious system - "vazhibadu" in Tamil).
* Way of attaining the sacred feet of God - "Ayya" as (God) + "vazhi" (way to unify) [ Arisundara Mani's,(2002), "Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai" Chapter 1, Page 4.] The synonymous versions of the phrase are virtually unlimited, because the usage of the word 'Ayya' in Tamil varies widely. It is used to convey the words "father", "guru", "the superior", "a person of dignity", "respectable one", "master", "the king", "the teacher", "preceptor", etc. The word 'vazhi' in Tamil can mean "the way", "a course of conduct", "manner", "method", "mode", "cause", "antiquity", "succession", "religious system", "reason", and so on.

As Muttukuttyism

This was a name given to Ayyavazhi during the late 19th century by the London Missionary Society Missionaries who is of negative views over Vaikundar. So they pour hatred on both Vaikundar and the belief centering him. They how ever recognise Ayyavazhi as an alternate religious phenomenon against or outside Hinduism. They referred to Ayyavazhi as "Muttukutyism", being mistook that Muttukutty is the one who believed as a god-incarnate by the followers.

The following is a quote from the Annual report of Nagercoil Mission district, Kottaram Division (Eastern division), of LMS for the year 1872.

Other terms

* Anbukkodi Makkal [Pulavar.R. Shunmugam, (2000), "Nadar Kulathil Narayanar Avataram", Nadar Kuladeepam Publications, page 189] [Tha. Krushnanathan, (2000), "Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum", Thinai Publications, page 61] [R. Ponnu, (2002), "Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal Ore Avaratham", Ram Publications, page 129 ] [The Daily Thanthi (Nagercoil Edition), 2007-01-29, Page 12.] - The people of Love flag.

* Ayya vazhibadu [R. Ponnu, (2002), "Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal Ore Avaratham", Ram Publications, page 153] - The system of worshiping Ayya.

* Samy Vazhi - The path of Swami (Ayya).

* Anbuvazhi [R. Ponnu, (2002), "Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal Ore Avaratham", Ram Publications, page 100] [cite web |url= http://www.dinamalar.com/2008MAR03/general_tn7.asp|title= www.dinamalar.com|accessdate=2008-05-03 |format= Silently spreading Love-flag|work= Dinamalar (Leading Tamil Daily), March 03, 2008.] - The Path of Love.

* Anbukkodi Iyakkam [R.Shanmugam's, "Narayana Kulatthil Narayanar Avataram", Page:189 ] - The system of Love flag.

* Ayyavazhi Iyakkam [Tha. Krushnanathan, (2000), "Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum", Thinai Publications, page 83] - The Ayyavazhi movement.

* Vaikunda Swamikal Iyakkam [R. Ponnu, (2002), "Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal Ore Avaratham", Ram Publications, page 163] - Vaikunda Swami Movement.

* Vaikundar Neri [Pon. T. Dharmarasan, (1996), "Akilathirattu", Pon Publications, page 163] - The Vaikundar virtue (propriety, morality, rectitude, truth, system, rule, ...).

* Sri Narayanaswami Sect [R. Ponnu, (2002), "Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal Ore Avaratham", Ram Publications, page 188 (Reference section)]

* Vaikunda Swamikal Sect [Dr. R.Ponnu's, (2000),"Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the Struggle for Social Equality in South India", Ram Publishers, Page 68]

References

* Dr.R. Ponnu, (2000), "Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the Social Equality in South India", Ram Publishers.
* Pulavar.R. Shunmugam, (2000), "Nadar Kulathil Narayanar Avataram", Nadar Kuladeepam Publications.
* Tha. Krushnanathan, (2000), "Ayya Vaikundarin Vazhvum Sinthanaiyum", Thinai Publications.
* G. Patrick, (2003), "Religion and Subaltern Agency", University of Madras.

Citations

ee also

* History of Ayyavazhi
* Structure of Ayyavazhi
* Ayya Vaikundar
* Akilattirattu Ammanai
* The Santror