Ekam

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Ayyavazhi
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Theology Ekam Vethan Thirumal Sivan Vaikundar The Trinity
Scriptures Akilathirattu Ammanai Akilam one Akilam two Akilam three Akilam four Akilam five Akilam six Akilam seven Akilam eight Akilam nine Akilam ten Akilam eleven Akilam twelve Akilam thirteen Akilam fourteen Akilam fifteen Akilam sixteen Akilam seventeen Arul Nool Ukappadippu Uccippadippu Nadutheervai Ula Pothippu Saattu Neettolai Patthiram Panchadevar Urppatthi Sivakanta Athikarappatthiram Thingal patham Kannimar Padal Kalyana Vazhthu
Holy sites Pancha pathi Swamithope pathi Ambala Pathi Mutta Pathi Thamaraikulam Pathi Poo Pathi Pathis Vakaippathi Avatharappathi Primary Thangals Chettikudiyiruppu Agastheeswaram Paloor Sundavilai Vadalivilai Kadambankulam Pambankulam
Related systems Hinduism Advaita Smartism Shaivism Vaishnavism
Inter-faith Ayyavazhi and mainstream Hinduism Ayyavazhi in Christian reports
Ayyavazhi portal Hinduism portal

Ekam (Tamil: ஏகம், "the supreme oneness") is the term used in Akilathirattu Ammanai, the holy book of Ayyavazhi,^[1] to represent The Ultimate Oneness. In Thiruvasakam-2 it was stated that it was from this Ekam that all objects, including the separate Godheads, Devas and asuras, of the universe formed. As per Akilam, this state of ekam is beyond the consciousness and derived to beyond the state of changing and is the extreme state in which the whole universe exists.

In Saivism, Ekam is used commonly to refer to the oneness of God, but in Ayyavazhi the basic oneness is separately symbolized to be supreme and ultimate beyond all God-heads and powers.

The Ekam is said to be the supreme as well as the ultimate self from which the whole cosmos formed. This formless attribute is said to be defined from the human point of view. But this formless Ekam, without losing its constant and formless nature, is present inside all things in the universe. That is, it remains as infinite within every finite, formless within every definite form. It is the supreme absolute self in which all the substances of cosmos shares their existence.

The derivations of Ekam in Ayyavazhi scriptures are sometime close to the pantheistic form of theology. In the mythology of Ayyavazhi God-heads such as Siva, Vishnu are said to be the godheads who have power to rule this Ekam, varying from time to time, Siva until Kaliyuga and Vishnu from the starting of Kaliyuga. There are separate quotes in Akilam for focusing Siva as well as Vishnu as capable for position. But, still the Ekam is addressed beyond these god-heads.

But when Vaikundar, is jailed in Singarathoppe, he says "I am the one who created the Ekam and the one who is omnipresent everywhere". By this, the theology reveals Vaikundar (God) as beyond the attributes of Ekam, which moves the theology of Ayyavazhi more towards pantheism.

Other understandings

Ekam is Sanskrit for "one, single, solitary" (neuter gender), as a noun meaning "unity". In spirituality, it refers to a concept of monism akin to that of Brahman in Advaita philosophy and Smarta theology.

Notes

↑ Akilattirattu Ammanai published by T. Palaramachandran Nadar, 9th impression, 1989 Page 225-227

References

Akilathirattu Ammanai Parayana Urai by A. Arisundara Mani, 2002.
Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the Struggle for Social Equality in South India by R. Ponnu, 2000.

Ayyavazhi topics

Religiosity	Payyan dynasty Ayyavazhi history Seedars Movements Ayyavazhi publications Timeline of Ayyavazhi Holy sites Symbolism

Ayyavazhi rituals	Thirunamam Muthiri kinaru Thuvayal Thavasu Shamanism in Ayyavazhi Ayyavazhi marriage

Main teachings	Ayyavazhi ethics Neetham Ayyavazhi Dharma Inclusiveness and exclusivity in Ayyavazhi Anna Dharmam

Mythology	Thirumal in Thiruvananthapuram Seven Logas The Final Judgement to Kroni Ayotha Amirtha Gangai Thiruvasakam Vadava mugam Parvatha Ucchi Malai

Mythical events	Rules for God-heads Vinchai to Vaikundar Boons offered to Kaliyan Thirukkalyana Ekanai Katuvai Sothanai

Mythical figures	Sampooranathevan The Santror Kroni Kaliyan Kalicchi Venneesan Punal Rhishi

Yukams	Neetiya Yuga Chathura Yuga Netu Yuga Kretha Yuga Thretha Yuga Dwapara Yuga Kali Yuga Dharma Yuga

Festivals and celebrations	Ayya Vaikunda Avataram Thiru Eadu Vasippu Kodiyettru Thirunal Panguni Theertham

Scripture	Akilam one Akilam two Akilam four Akilam five Akilam six Akilam nine

Ayyavazhi portal Outline of Ayyavazhi

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Ekam

Other understandings

See also

Notes

References