S—
Sight — Chakshu — Padi 1
Onnam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May these eyes that have wandered through the world now see only the divine light of Ayyappan.
Pathinettam Padi
The Eighteen Sacred Steps
The feet climb eighteen steps, but the true ascent happens within.
At last, the devotee stands before the Pathinettam Padi. Padi — படி — means “step” in Tamil, and here every step is much more than a step of stone. Each Padi is something within us to be mastered and surrendered before we reach Ayyappan.
The first five are the Panchendriyas — the five senses; the next eight are the Ashtaragas — the passions that bind the heart; then come the three Gunas; and finally Vidya and Avidya — knowledge and ignorance.
The feet climb eighteen steps, but the true ascent happens within.
The Eighteen Padis
Each step, its Thiruppadi and the prayer we carry upon it.
S—
Sound — Shrotra — Padi 2
Randam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May these ears that have listened to the noise of the world now hear only the sacred call of Ayyappan.
S—
Smell — Ghrana — Padi 3
Moonnam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May every fragrance that has drawn me towards the world fade before the sweetness of your divine presence.
T—
Taste — Rasana — Padi 4
Nalam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May every craving of the tongue become still, and may the name of Ayyappan alone become my sweetness.
T—
Touch — Tvak — Padi 5
Ancham Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May these hands that have held so tightly to the world now open themselves completely in surrender to you.
K—
Kama — Desire — Padi 6
Aram Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May every restless desire within me become one pure longing — to reach you, Ayyappa.
K—
Krodha — Anger — Padi 7
Ezham Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May every anger, every hurt and every wound I have carried melt away at your sacred feet.
L—
Lobha — Greed — Padi 8
Ettam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May my hunger for more fall away, until your grace alone becomes enough for me.
M—
Moha — Attachment — Padi 9
Onpatham Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
All that I have clung to through love, fear and attachment, I now place gently into your hands.
A—
Asuya — Jealousy — Padi 10
Patham Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May jealousy leave my heart, and may I learn to rejoice when your blessings shine upon another.
D—
Dambha — Ego — Padi 11
Pathinonam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May the “I” that has followed me through life finally become quiet and bow before you.
M—
Mada — Pride — Padi 12
Panthrandam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
Whatever I have achieved, whatever I possess and whatever I believe myself to be, I leave it all at your feet.
M—
Matsarya — Rivalry — Padi 13
Pathimoonnam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
May I see no one above me and no one beneath me; let every soul walking beside me be Swami.
T—
Tamas — Darkness — Padi 14
Pathinalam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
Lead me out of the darkness within and awaken the heart that has forgotten your light.
R—
Rajas — Restlessness — Padi 15
Pathinancham Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
Quiet this restless mind that is forever running, searching and wanting, and let it finally rest in you.
S—
Sattva — Purity — Padi 16
Pathinaram Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
Even the goodness and purity within me I offer back to you, without pride and without asking for reward.
V—
Vidya — Knowledge — Padi 17
Pathinezham Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
All that I know, all that I have learnt and all that I believe I understand, I place humbly before you.
A—
Avidya — Ignorance — Padi 18
Pathinettam Thiruppadi, Saranam Pon Ayyappa
All that I do not know, all that I cannot understand and all that lies beyond me, I surrender completely to you.
Eighteen Padis have been climbed. The senses have grown quiet. Kama and Krodha have been surrendered. Lobha, Moha, Asuya, Dambha, Mada and Matsarya have been left behind. Even the Gunas, knowledge and ignorance have been crossed.
The devotee raises his eyes. There is Ayyappan.
Nothing more to conquer. Nothing more to carry. Nothing more to become. Only to surrender.
Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.