Shasta (deity) - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 22 March 2026
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	[[File:Isurumuniya_Man_and_the_Horse_Head.jpg\|thumb\|Pre-Buddhist [[Ayyanayake]] with horse from [[Isurumuniya]], Sri Lanka]]		[[File:Isurumuniya_Man_and_the_Horse_Head.jpg\|thumb\|Pre-Buddhist [[Ayyanayake]] with horse from [[Isurumuniya]], Sri Lanka]]

	'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] deity,~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Chakravarti \|first=Balaram \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rf0vAQAAIAAJ&q=shasta+Dravidian \|title=The Indians and the Amerindians \|date=1997 \|publisher=Self-Employment Bureau Publication \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ described as the son of the deities [[Shiva]] and [[Mohini]], [[Vishnu]]'s female [[avatar]].~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last1=Jones \|first1=Constance \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=shasta+ayyappa&pg=PA198 \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|last2=Ryan \|first2=James D. \|date=2006 \|publisher=Infobase Publishing \|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ In [[South India]], he is identified with the [[Aiyanar\|Ayyanar]], Nattarayan or Sattan in [[Tamil Nadu]], as [[Ayyanayake]] in Sinhala and the [[Ayyappan]] in [[Kerala]].~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Leviton \|first=Richard \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L6duRdH6qZAC&dq=shasta+Tamil&pg=PT493 \|title=Walking in Albion: Adventures in the Christed Initiation in the Buddha Body \|date=2010-04-22 \|publisher=iUniverse \|isbn=978-1-4502-2343-0 \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ His principal function is to act as a [[kuladevata]] of a given clan, as well as act as a guardian of a village's boundaries.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Fuller \|first=C. J. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_9ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+god&pg=PA53 \|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India - Revised and Expanded Edition \|date=2018-06-05 \|publisher=Princeton University Press \|isbn=978-0-691-18641-2 \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] deity,<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Chakravarti \|first=Balaram \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rf0vAQAAIAAJ&q=shasta+Dravidian \|title=The Indians and the Amerindians \|date=1997 \|publisher=Self-Employment Bureau Publication \|language=en}}</ref> described as the son of the deities [[Shiva]] and [[Mohini]], [[Vishnu]]'s female [[avatar]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last1=Jones \|first1=Constance \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=shasta+ayyappa&pg=PA198 \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|last2=Ryan \|first2=James D. \|date=2006 \|publisher=Infobase Publishing \|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 \|language=en}}</ref> In [[South India]], he is identified with the [[Aiyanar\|Ayyanar]], Nattarayan or Sattan in [[Tamil Nadu]], as [[Ayyanayake]] in Sinhala and the [[Ayyappan]] in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Leviton \|first=Richard \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L6duRdH6qZAC&dq=shasta+Tamil&pg=PT493 \|title=Walking in Albion: Adventures in the Christed Initiation in the Buddha Body \|date=2010-04-22 \|publisher=iUniverse \|isbn=978-1-4502-2343-0 \|language=en}}</ref> His principal function is to act as a [[kuladevata]] of a given clan, as well as act as a guardian of a village's boundaries.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Fuller \|first=C. J. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_9ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+god&pg=PA53 \|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India - Revised and Expanded Edition \|date=2018-06-05 \|publisher=Princeton University Press \|isbn=978-0-691-18641-2 \|language=en}}</ref>

	==Significance==		==Significance==
	''Shasta'' is a generic term that means "Teacher, Guide, Lord, Ruler" in Sanskrit.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{cite book\|author1=Johannes Bronkhorst\|author2=Madhav Deshpande\|title=Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: evidence, interpretation, and ideology; proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOdtAAAAMAAJ\|year=1999\|publisher=Harvard University, Dept. of Sanskrit and Indian Studies\|isbn=978-1-888789-04-1\|pages=177–178}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ In South India, a number of deities are associated with Shasta. The Tamil song ''Shasta Varavu'' states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta. This is also present in the agamic work ''Dyana Ratnavali''. The ''Ashta-Shasta'' (eight Shastas) are ''Aadhi Maha Shasta'', ''Dharma Shasta'' ([[Ayyappan]]), ''Gnana Shasta'', ''Kalyana Varadha Shasta'', ''Sammohana Shasta'', ''Santhana Prapti Shasta'', ''Veda Shasta'' and ''Veera Shasta''.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/shrines-for-sastha-in-eight-forms/article5425348.ece\|title=Shrines for Sastha, in eight forms\|work=[[The Hindu]]\|date=5 December 2013 \|access-date=4 September 2017}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ ''Brahma Shasta'' is another term associated with [[Kartikeya]].~~<~~ref~~>~~{{cite book\|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AevljBmCRQC&pg=PA244\|author=Fred W. Clothey\|page=244\|year=1978\| publisher=Walter de Gruyter \|isbn=9027976325}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		''Shasta'' is a generic term that means "Teacher, Guide, Lord, Ruler" in Sanskrit.<ref>{{cite book\|author1=Johannes Bronkhorst\|author2=Madhav Deshpande\|title=Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: evidence, interpretation, and ideology; proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOdtAAAAMAAJ\|year=1999\|publisher=Harvard University, Dept. of Sanskrit and Indian Studies\|isbn=978-1-888789-04-1\|pages=177–178}}</ref> In South India, a number of deities are associated with Shasta. The Tamil song ''Shasta Varavu'' states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta. This is also present in the agamic work ''Dyana Ratnavali''. The ''Ashta-Shasta'' (eight Shastas) are ''Aadhi Maha Shasta'', ''Dharma Shasta'' ([[Ayyappan]]), ''Gnana Shasta'', ''Kalyana Varadha Shasta'', ''Sammohana Shasta'', ''Santhana Prapti Shasta'', ''Veda Shasta'' and ''Veera Shasta''.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/shrines-for-sastha-in-eight-forms/article5425348.ece\|title=Shrines for Sastha, in eight forms\|work=[[The Hindu]]\|date=5 December 2013 \|access-date=4 September 2017}}</ref> ''Brahma Shasta'' is another term associated with [[Kartikeya]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AevljBmCRQC&pg=PA244\|author=Fred W. Clothey\|page=244\|year=1978\| publisher=Walter de Gruyter \|isbn=9027976325}}</ref>

	===Tamil Nadu===		===Tamil Nadu===
	In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as the regional name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot\|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century CE. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century CE.~~<~~ref name=Kala67~~>~~Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67~~<~~/ref~~>~~		In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as the regional name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot\|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century CE. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century CE.<ref name=Kala67>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67</ref>

	Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries CE. The Tamil [[Sangam literature\|Sangam]] classics [[Purananuru]], Akananuru etc. refer to Ayyanar and "Cattan" in many poems. There are several numerous references to Shasta in Sangam works. Some Tamil inscriptions of the Sangam period and a few of the later Pallava and Chola period coming in from various parts of the kingdoms refer to him as Sevugan and Mahasasta.		Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries CE. The Tamil [[Sangam literature\|Sangam]] classics [[Purananuru]], Akananuru etc. refer to Ayyanar and "Cattan" in many poems. There are several numerous references to Shasta in Sangam works. Some Tamil inscriptions of the Sangam period and a few of the later Pallava and Chola period coming in from various parts of the kingdoms refer to him as Sevugan and Mahasasta.
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	There are references in the [[Puranas]] that narrate as to how Shasta during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on Vedas and {{Transliteration\|hi\|italic=no\|Vedantas}} to a galaxy of gods and sages.		There are references in the [[Puranas]] that narrate as to how Shasta during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on Vedas and {{Transliteration\|hi\|italic=no\|Vedantas}} to a galaxy of gods and sages.

	The hymns of some [[Alvars]] like [[Thirumangai Alvar\|Tirumangai Alvar]] and [[Nammalvar]] in temples like Tirumogur near Madurai refer to Shasta.~~<~~ref name=Kala66~~>~~Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66~~<~~/ref~~>~~ A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as the [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as Harihara suta, or the son of Shiva and Narayana (Vishnu), the oppressor of the [[asura]]s.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+purana&pg=PT115 \|title=Brahmanda Purana: 4 Lalithopakhayana : English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-07-12 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		The hymns of some [[Alvars]] like [[Thirumangai Alvar\|Tirumangai Alvar]] and [[Nammalvar]] in temples like Tirumogur near Madurai refer to Shasta.<ref name=Kala66>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66</ref> A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as the [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as Harihara suta, or the son of Shiva and Narayana (Vishnu), the oppressor of the [[asura]]s.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+purana&pg=PT115 \|title=Brahmanda Purana: 4 Lalithopakhayana : English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-07-12 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|language=en}}</ref>

	Later on, the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and [[Perumal (deity)\|Tirumal]] (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The saint [[Sambandar]], in one of his songs, praises Ayyanar as a celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside the bhootaganas of Shiva.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=General \|first=India Office of the Registrar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5f4cAQAAMAAJ&q=Ayyanar+sambandar+appar \|title=Census of India, 1961 \|date=1966 \|publisher=Manager of Publications \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ The place sanctity and history document, or [[sthala purana]] of Tiruvanaikkaval, a Shaivite temple near Tiruchi, which was first documented by the sage Kashyapa, informs us that Shasta once served Shiva at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by God to take his abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that Shasta continues to worship him during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi Sankara also has referred to Ayyanar in sivanandalahari in one verse. Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that Sankara was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of Shasta (''sevugan''), the same way that Sambandar was a divine portion of Skanda and Sundarar a divine portion of Alagasundarar. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century CE) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.~~<~~ref name="Kala62"~~>~~Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62~~<~~/ref~~>~~		Later on, the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and [[Perumal (deity)\|Tirumal]] (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The saint [[Sambandar]], in one of his songs, praises Ayyanar as a celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside the bhootaganas of Shiva.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=General \|first=India Office of the Registrar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5f4cAQAAMAAJ&q=Ayyanar+sambandar+appar \|title=Census of India, 1961 \|date=1966 \|publisher=Manager of Publications \|language=en}}</ref> The place sanctity and history document, or [[sthala purana]] of Tiruvanaikkaval, a Shaivite temple near Tiruchi, which was first documented by the sage Kashyapa, informs us that Shasta once served Shiva at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by God to take his abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that Shasta continues to worship him during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi Sankara also has referred to Ayyanar in sivanandalahari in one verse. Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that Sankara was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of Shasta (''sevugan''), the same way that Sambandar was a divine portion of Skanda and Sundarar a divine portion of Alagasundarar. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century CE) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.<ref name="Kala62">Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62</ref>

	===Kerala===		===Kerala===

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← Older revision		Revision as of 09:04, 29 July 2022
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	[[File:Shasta god.JPG\|thumb\|Shasta from Kudumiyanmalai, Tamil Nadu.]]		[[File:Shasta god.JPG\|thumb\|Shasta from Kudumiyanmalai, Tamil Nadu.]]

	'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] deity, ~~venerated~~ with [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]]. Shasta is a ~~generic~~ [[~~Sanskrit~~]] ~~term for~~ a ~~ruler~~, i.e. ~~the one who rules~~/~~preaches~~. The ~~word ''Shasta'' was first used in the sense of a Hindu deity~~ in ~~South~~ India ~~during the 3rd century.{{cn~~\|date=~~August 2021~~}} He is identified with ~~many deities like~~ [[Aiyanar]], [[~~Ayyappa~~]] and [[~~Revantha~~]]~~. He is also called as Brahma Shastha, preacher of Pranav am. According to~~ [[~~Tamil language\|Tamil~~]] ~~literature, Shasta has eight important forms~~.		'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] deity of [[Dravidian folk religion\|Dravidian]] origin,<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Chakravarti \|first=Balaram \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rf0vAQAAIAAJ&q=shasta+Dravidian \|title=The Indians and the Amerindians \|date=1997 \|publisher=Self-Employment Bureau Publication \|language=en}}</ref> usually associated with [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]]. In [[Hindu mythology]], Shasta is considered to be another name of [[Ayyappan]], described as the offspring of [[Shiva]] and [[Mohini]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last1=Jones \|first1=Constance \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=shasta+ayyappa&pg=PA198 \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|last2=Ryan \|first2=James D. \|date=2006 \|publisher=Infobase Publishing \|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 \|language=en}}</ref> His principal function is to act as a [[kuladevata]] of a given clan, as well as act as a guardian of a village's boundaries.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Fuller \|first=C. J. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_9ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+god&pg=PA53 \|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India - Revised and Expanded Edition \|date=2018-06-05 \|publisher=Princeton University Press \|isbn=978-0-691-18641-2 \|language=en}}</ref> In [[South India]], he is identified with the [[Aiyanar\|Ayyanar]] in [[Tamil Nadu]] and the [[Ayyappan]] in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Leviton \|first=Richard \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L6duRdH6qZAC&dq=shasta+Tamil&pg=PT493 \|title=Walking in Albion: Adventures in the Christed Initiation in the Buddha Body \|date=2010-04-22 \|publisher=iUniverse \|isbn=978-1-4502-2343-0 \|language=en}}</ref>

	==Significance==		==Significance==
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	===Tamil Nadu===		===Tamil Nadu===
	In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as ~~another~~ name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot\|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century C.E. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century C.E.<ref name=Kala67>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67</ref>		In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as the regional name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot\|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century C.E. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century C.E.<ref name=Kala67>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67</ref>

	Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries C.E. The Tamil ~~sangam~~ classics Purananuru, Akananuru etc. refer to ~~ayyanar~~ and "~~cattan~~" in many poems. There are several numerous references to ~~sasta~~ in ~~sangam~~ works. Some Tamil inscriptions of ~~sangam times~~ and ~~also~~ of the later ~~pallava~~ and ~~chola~~ period coming in from various parts of the ~~empire~~ refer to him as ~~sevugan~~ and ~~mahasasta~~. The hymns of some ~~alwars~~ like ~~tirumangai alwar~~ and ~~nammalwar~~ in temples like ~~tirumogur~~ near ~~madurai~~ refer to ~~sasta~~.<ref name=Kala66>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66</ref> A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as ~~harihara~~ suta or son of ~~Siva~~ and Narayana (Vishnu). There are references in ~~puranas~~ that narrate as to how ~~sasta~~ during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on ~~vedas~~ and {{transl\|hi\|italic=no\|~~vedantas~~}} to a galaxy of gods and sages. Later on the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and ~~tirumaal~~ (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The ~~child~~ saint ~~tirugnanasambandar~~ in one of his songs praises ~~ayyanar~~ as celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside bhootaganas of ~~Lord Siva~~. The place sanctity and history document or ~~sthalapuranam~~ of ~~tiruvanaikkaval~~, a ~~saivite~~ temple near ~~trichy~~, which was first documented by sage ~~kasyapa~~ informs us that ~~sasta~~ once served ~~lord sivan~~ at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by ~~lord~~ to take abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that ~~sasta~~ continues to worship ~~lord~~ during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi ~~sankara~~ also has referred to ~~ayyanar~~ in sivanandalahari in one verse . Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that ~~sri sankara~~ was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of ~~sree sasta~~ (''sevugan''), the same way ~~as tirugnana sambandar~~ was a divine portion of ~~skanda~~ and ~~sundarar~~ a divine portion of ~~alalasundarar~~. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century C.E) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.<ref name=Kala62>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62</ref>		Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries C.E. The Tamil [[Sangam literature\|Sangam]] classics [[Purananuru]], Akananuru etc. refer to Ayyanar and "Cattan" in many poems. There are several numerous references to Shasta in Sangam works. Some Tamil inscriptions of the Sangam period and a few of the later Pallava and Chola period coming in from various parts of the kingdoms refer to him as Sevugan and Mahasasta. The hymns of some [[Alvars]] like [[Thirumangai Alvar\|Tirumangai Alvar]] and [[Nammalvar]] in temples like Tirumogur near Madurai refer to Shasta.<ref name=Kala66>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66</ref> A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as the [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as Harihara suta, or the son of Shiva and Narayana (Vishnu), the oppressor of the [[Asura\|asuras]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+purana&pg=PT115 \|title=Brahmanda Purana: 4 Lalithopakhayana : English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-07-12 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|language=en}}</ref> There are references in the [[Puranas]] that narrate as to how Shasta during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on Vedas and {{transl\|hi\|italic=no\|Vedantas}} to a galaxy of gods and sages.

			Later on, the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and [[Perumal (deity)\|Tirumal]] (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The saint [[Sambandar]], in one of his songs, praises Ayyanar as a celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside the bhootaganas of Shiva.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=General \|first=India Office of the Registrar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5f4cAQAAMAAJ&q=Ayyanar+sambandar+appar \|title=Census of India, 1961 \|date=1966 \|publisher=Manager of Publications \|language=en}}</ref> The place sanctity and history document, or [[sthala purana]] of Tiruvanaikkaval, a Shaivite temple near Tiruchi, which was first documented by the sage Kashyapa, informs us that Shasta once served Shiva at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by God to take his abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that Shasta continues to worship him during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi Sankara also has referred to Ayyanar in sivanandalahari in one verse . Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that Sankara was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of Shasta (''sevugan''), the same way that Sambandar was a divine portion of Skanda and Sundarar a divine portion of Alagasundarar. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century C.E) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.<ref name="Kala62">Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62</ref>

	===Kerala===		===Kerala===

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{{Short description|Hindu god}}
{{Other uses|Shasta (disambiguation){{!}}Shasta}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
[[File:MADRAS11.JPG|thumbnail|right|Statue of Shasta, [[Chola]] Dynasty, Government Museum, [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India]]
[[File:Shasta god.JPG|thumb|Shasta from Kudumiyanmalai, Tamil Nadu.]]

'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] deity, venerated with [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]]. Shasta is a generic [[Sanskrit]] term for a ruler, i.e. the one who rules/preaches. The word ''Shasta'' was first used in the sense of a Hindu deity in South India during the 3rd century.{{cn|date=August 2021}} He is identified with many deities like [[Aiyanar]], [[Ayyappa]] and [[Revantha]]. He is also called as Brahma Shastha, preacher of Pranav am. According to [[Tamil language|Tamil]] literature, Shasta has eight important forms.

==Significance==
''Shasta'' is a generic term that means "Teacher, Guide, Lord, Ruler" in Sanskrit.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Johannes Bronkhorst|author2=Madhav Deshpande|title=Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: evidence, interpretation, and ideology; proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOdtAAAAMAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Harvard University, Dept. of Sanskrit and Indian Studies|isbn=978-1-888789-04-1|pages=177–178}}</ref> In South India, a number of deities are associated with Shasta. The Tamil song ''Shasta Varavu'' states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta. This is also present in the agamic work ''Dyana Ratnavali''. The ''Ashta-Shasta'' (eight Shastas) are ''Aadhi Maha Shasta'', ''Dharma Shasta'' ([[Ayyappan]]), ''Gnana Shasta'', ''Kalyana Varadha Shasta'', ''Sammohana Shasta'', ''Santhana Prapti Shasta'', ''Veda Shasta'' and ''Veera Shasta''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/shrines-for-sastha-in-eight-forms/article5425348.ece|title=Shrines for Sastha, in eight forms|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=4 September 2017}}</ref> ''Brahma Shasta'' is another term associated with [[Kartikeya]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AevljBmCRQC&pg=PA244|author=Fred W. Clothey|page=244|year=1978|isbn=9027976325}}</ref>

===Tamil Nadu===
In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as another name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century C.E. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century C.E.<ref name=Kala67>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67</ref>

Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries C.E. The Tamil sangam classics Purananuru, Akananuru etc. refer to ayyanar and "cattan" in many poems. There are several numerous references to sasta in sangam works. Some Tamil inscriptions of sangam times and also of the later pallava and chola period coming in from various parts of the empire refer to him as sevugan and mahasasta. The hymns of some alwars like tirumangai alwar and nammalwar in temples like tirumogur near madurai refer to sasta.<ref name=Kala66>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66</ref> A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as harihara suta or son of Siva and Narayana (Vishnu). There are references in puranas that narrate as to how sasta during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on vedas and {{transl|hi|italic=no|vedantas}} to a galaxy of gods and sages. Later on the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and tirumaal (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The child saint tirugnanasambandar in one of his songs praises ayyanar as celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside bhootaganas of Lord Siva. The place sanctity and history document or sthalapuranam of tiruvanaikkaval, a saivite temple near trichy, which was first documented by sage kasyapa informs us that sasta once served lord sivan at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by lord to take abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that sasta continues to worship lord during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi sankara also has referred to ayyanar in sivanandalahari in one verse . Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that sri sankara was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of sree sasta (''sevugan''), the same way as tirugnana sambandar was a divine portion of skanda and sundarar a divine portion of alalasundarar. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century C.E) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.<ref name=Kala62>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62</ref>

===Kerala===
The Shasta religious tradition is particularly well developed in the state of [[Kerala]]. The earliest inscription to ''Shasta'' was made in 855 C.E. by an [[Velirs|Ay]] King at the [[Padmanabhapuram]] Sivan temple. Independent temples to ''Shasta'' are known from the 11th century C.E. Prior to that, ''Shasta'' veneration took place in the temples of [[Shiva]] and [[Vishnu]], the premier gods of the Hindu pantheon. Since late medieval times, the warrior deity [[Ayyappa]]'s following has become very popular in the 20th century.{{fact|date=November 2020}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==See also==
[[Nurani]], a village in [[Palakkad]], Kerala, noted for its Sastha devotion.

==References==
*{{cite book |last=Smith |first=B. L. |title=Legitimation of Power in South Asia |publisher=[[Brill Academic Publishers]] |year=1978 |isbn=90-04-05674-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Williams |first=Joanna |title=Kaladarsana: American studies in the art of India |publisher=[[E.J. Brill]] |year=1981 |isbn=90-04-06498-2}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
*[http://www.nuranivillage.org/home.html Nurani, a village with a strong Sastha devotion.]
*[http://pulivahanan.wetpaint.com/page/Sastha+Temple+Kuthiran?t=anon Kuthiran Shasta temple]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050502152127/http://www.malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/culture/cultureofkerala/sasta.html List of Shasta temples in Kerala]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111230051237/http://sabash.org/ Sastha Ayyanar and Ayyappan]
*[http://www.ashtasastha.org Ashta Sastha Temple]
*[http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2011/05/108-sasthalayangal.html List of 108 Ancient Sastha Temples]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110704190911/http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/25/stories/2009012558470200.htm Authoring the first purana on Shasta]
{{HinduMythology|fold}}

[[Category:Regional Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Tamil deities]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 22 March 2026
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	[[File:Isurumuniya_Man_and_the_Horse_Head.jpg\|thumb\|Pre-Buddhist [[Ayyanayake]] with horse from [[Isurumuniya]], Sri Lanka]]		[[File:Isurumuniya_Man_and_the_Horse_Head.jpg\|thumb\|Pre-Buddhist [[Ayyanayake]] with horse from [[Isurumuniya]], Sri Lanka]]

	'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] deity,~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Chakravarti \|first=Balaram \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rf0vAQAAIAAJ&q=shasta+Dravidian \|title=The Indians and the Amerindians \|date=1997 \|publisher=Self-Employment Bureau Publication \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ described as the son of the deities [[Shiva]] and [[Mohini]], [[Vishnu]]'s female [[avatar]].~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last1=Jones \|first1=Constance \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=shasta+ayyappa&pg=PA198 \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|last2=Ryan \|first2=James D. \|date=2006 \|publisher=Infobase Publishing \|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ In [[South India]], he is identified with the [[Aiyanar\|Ayyanar]], Nattarayan or Sattan in [[Tamil Nadu]], as [[Ayyanayake]] in Sinhala and the [[Ayyappan]] in [[Kerala]].~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Leviton \|first=Richard \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L6duRdH6qZAC&dq=shasta+Tamil&pg=PT493 \|title=Walking in Albion: Adventures in the Christed Initiation in the Buddha Body \|date=2010-04-22 \|publisher=iUniverse \|isbn=978-1-4502-2343-0 \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ His principal function is to act as a [[kuladevata]] of a given clan, as well as act as a guardian of a village's boundaries.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Fuller \|first=C. J. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_9ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+god&pg=PA53 \|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India - Revised and Expanded Edition \|date=2018-06-05 \|publisher=Princeton University Press \|isbn=978-0-691-18641-2 \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		'''Shasta''' ([[IAST]] Śāstā) is a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] deity,<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Chakravarti \|first=Balaram \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rf0vAQAAIAAJ&q=shasta+Dravidian \|title=The Indians and the Amerindians \|date=1997 \|publisher=Self-Employment Bureau Publication \|language=en}}</ref> described as the son of the deities [[Shiva]] and [[Mohini]], [[Vishnu]]'s female [[avatar]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last1=Jones \|first1=Constance \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=shasta+ayyappa&pg=PA198 \|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism \|last2=Ryan \|first2=James D. \|date=2006 \|publisher=Infobase Publishing \|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 \|language=en}}</ref> In [[South India]], he is identified with the [[Aiyanar\|Ayyanar]], Nattarayan or Sattan in [[Tamil Nadu]], as [[Ayyanayake]] in Sinhala and the [[Ayyappan]] in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Leviton \|first=Richard \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L6duRdH6qZAC&dq=shasta+Tamil&pg=PT493 \|title=Walking in Albion: Adventures in the Christed Initiation in the Buddha Body \|date=2010-04-22 \|publisher=iUniverse \|isbn=978-1-4502-2343-0 \|language=en}}</ref> His principal function is to act as a [[kuladevata]] of a given clan, as well as act as a guardian of a village's boundaries.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Fuller \|first=C. J. \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_9ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+god&pg=PA53 \|title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India - Revised and Expanded Edition \|date=2018-06-05 \|publisher=Princeton University Press \|isbn=978-0-691-18641-2 \|language=en}}</ref>

	==Significance==		==Significance==
	''Shasta'' is a generic term that means "Teacher, Guide, Lord, Ruler" in Sanskrit.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{cite book\|author1=Johannes Bronkhorst\|author2=Madhav Deshpande\|title=Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: evidence, interpretation, and ideology; proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOdtAAAAMAAJ\|year=1999\|publisher=Harvard University, Dept. of Sanskrit and Indian Studies\|isbn=978-1-888789-04-1\|pages=177–178}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ In South India, a number of deities are associated with Shasta. The Tamil song ''Shasta Varavu'' states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta. This is also present in the agamic work ''Dyana Ratnavali''. The ''Ashta-Shasta'' (eight Shastas) are ''Aadhi Maha Shasta'', ''Dharma Shasta'' ([[Ayyappan]]), ''Gnana Shasta'', ''Kalyana Varadha Shasta'', ''Sammohana Shasta'', ''Santhana Prapti Shasta'', ''Veda Shasta'' and ''Veera Shasta''.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/shrines-for-sastha-in-eight-forms/article5425348.ece\|title=Shrines for Sastha, in eight forms\|work=[[The Hindu]]\|date=5 December 2013 \|access-date=4 September 2017}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ ''Brahma Shasta'' is another term associated with [[Kartikeya]].~~<~~ref~~>~~{{cite book\|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AevljBmCRQC&pg=PA244\|author=Fred W. Clothey\|page=244\|year=1978\| publisher=Walter de Gruyter \|isbn=9027976325}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		''Shasta'' is a generic term that means "Teacher, Guide, Lord, Ruler" in Sanskrit.<ref>{{cite book\|author1=Johannes Bronkhorst\|author2=Madhav Deshpande\|title=Aryan and non-Aryan in South Asia: evidence, interpretation, and ideology; proceedings of the International Seminar on Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOdtAAAAMAAJ\|year=1999\|publisher=Harvard University, Dept. of Sanskrit and Indian Studies\|isbn=978-1-888789-04-1\|pages=177–178}}</ref> In South India, a number of deities are associated with Shasta. The Tamil song ''Shasta Varavu'' states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta. This is also present in the agamic work ''Dyana Ratnavali''. The ''Ashta-Shasta'' (eight Shastas) are ''Aadhi Maha Shasta'', ''Dharma Shasta'' ([[Ayyappan]]), ''Gnana Shasta'', ''Kalyana Varadha Shasta'', ''Sammohana Shasta'', ''Santhana Prapti Shasta'', ''Veda Shasta'' and ''Veera Shasta''.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/shrines-for-sastha-in-eight-forms/article5425348.ece\|title=Shrines for Sastha, in eight forms\|work=[[The Hindu]]\|date=5 December 2013 \|access-date=4 September 2017}}</ref> ''Brahma Shasta'' is another term associated with [[Kartikeya]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=The Many Faces of Murukan̲: The History and Meaning of a South Indian God\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AevljBmCRQC&pg=PA244\|author=Fred W. Clothey\|page=244\|year=1978\| publisher=Walter de Gruyter \|isbn=9027976325}}</ref>

	===Tamil Nadu===		===Tamil Nadu===
	In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as the regional name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot\|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century CE. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century CE.~~<~~ref name=Kala67~~>~~Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67~~<~~/ref~~>~~		In Tamil Nadu, [[Aiyanar]] is used as the regional name of the deity ''Shasta''. The earliest reference to ''Aiynar-Shasta'' is from the [[Arcot\|Arcot district]] in Tamil Nadu. The stones are dated to the 3rd century CE. They read "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan." This is followed by another inscription in [[Uraiyur]] near [[Tiruchirapalli]] which is dated to the 4th century CE.<ref name=Kala67>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.67</ref>

	Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries CE. The Tamil [[Sangam literature\|Sangam]] classics [[Purananuru]], Akananuru etc. refer to Ayyanar and "Cattan" in many poems. There are several numerous references to Shasta in Sangam works. Some Tamil inscriptions of the Sangam period and a few of the later Pallava and Chola period coming in from various parts of the kingdoms refer to him as Sevugan and Mahasasta.		Literary references to ''Aiyanar-Cattan'' are found in [[Silappatikaram]], a [[Tamil language\|Tamil]] work dated to the 4th to 5th centuries CE. The Tamil [[Sangam literature\|Sangam]] classics [[Purananuru]], Akananuru etc. refer to Ayyanar and "Cattan" in many poems. There are several numerous references to Shasta in Sangam works. Some Tamil inscriptions of the Sangam period and a few of the later Pallava and Chola period coming in from various parts of the kingdoms refer to him as Sevugan and Mahasasta.
Line 20:		Line 20:
	There are references in the [[Puranas]] that narrate as to how Shasta during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on Vedas and {{Transliteration\|hi\|italic=no\|Vedantas}} to a galaxy of gods and sages.		There are references in the [[Puranas]] that narrate as to how Shasta during his tenure on earth long ago conducted discourses on Vedas and {{Transliteration\|hi\|italic=no\|Vedantas}} to a galaxy of gods and sages.

	The hymns of some [[Alvars]] like [[Thirumangai Alvar\|Tirumangai Alvar]] and [[Nammalvar]] in temples like Tirumogur near Madurai refer to Shasta.~~<~~ref name=Kala66~~>~~Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66~~<~~/ref~~>~~ A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as the [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as Harihara suta, or the son of Shiva and Narayana (Vishnu), the oppressor of the [[asura]]s.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+purana&pg=PT115 \|title=Brahmanda Purana: 4 Lalithopakhayana : English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-07-12 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~		The hymns of some [[Alvars]] like [[Thirumangai Alvar\|Tirumangai Alvar]] and [[Nammalvar]] in temples like Tirumogur near Madurai refer to Shasta.<ref name=Kala66>Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.66</ref> A Sanskrit work dated prior to the 7th century known as the [[Brahmanda Purana]] mentions ''Shasta'' as Harihara suta, or the son of Shiva and Narayana (Vishnu), the oppressor of the [[asura]]s.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Books \|first=Kausiki \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTxKEAAAQBAJ&dq=shasta+purana&pg=PT115 \|title=Brahmanda Purana: 4 Lalithopakhayana : English Translation only without Slokas \|date=2021-07-12 \|publisher=Kausiki Books \|language=en}}</ref>

	Later on, the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and [[Perumal (deity)\|Tirumal]] (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The saint [[Sambandar]], in one of his songs, praises Ayyanar as a celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside the bhootaganas of Shiva.~~<~~ref~~>~~{{Cite book \|last=General \|first=India Office of the Registrar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5f4cAQAAMAAJ&q=Ayyanar+sambandar+appar \|title=Census of India, 1961 \|date=1966 \|publisher=Manager of Publications \|language=en}}~~<~~/ref~~>~~ The place sanctity and history document, or [[sthala purana]] of Tiruvanaikkaval, a Shaivite temple near Tiruchi, which was first documented by the sage Kashyapa, informs us that Shasta once served Shiva at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by God to take his abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that Shasta continues to worship him during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi Sankara also has referred to Ayyanar in sivanandalahari in one verse. Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that Sankara was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of Shasta (''sevugan''), the same way that Sambandar was a divine portion of Skanda and Sundarar a divine portion of Alagasundarar. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century CE) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.~~<~~ref name="Kala62"~~>~~Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62~~<~~/ref~~>~~		Later on, the [[Saivite]] revivalist [[Appar]] sang about ''Shasta'' as the progeny of [[Shiva]] and [[Perumal (deity)\|Tirumal]] (Vishnu) in one of his [[Tevaram]]s in the 7th century. The saint [[Sambandar]], in one of his songs, praises Ayyanar as a celibate god, invincible and terrible in warfare, taking his abode alongside the bhootaganas of Shiva.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=General \|first=India Office of the Registrar \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5f4cAQAAMAAJ&q=Ayyanar+sambandar+appar \|title=Census of India, 1961 \|date=1966 \|publisher=Manager of Publications \|language=en}}</ref> The place sanctity and history document, or [[sthala purana]] of Tiruvanaikkaval, a Shaivite temple near Tiruchi, which was first documented by the sage Kashyapa, informs us that Shasta once served Shiva at that site and after being blessed with a vision was instructed by God to take his abode in the outer sanctorum. It says that Shasta continues to worship him during the day of tiruvadirai. Adi Sankara also has referred to Ayyanar in sivanandalahari in one verse. Some ancient hagiographies have accounted that Sankara was a ''deivamsam'' (divine soul portion) of Shasta (''sevugan''), the same way that Sambandar was a divine portion of Skanda and Sundarar a divine portion of Alagasundarar. He is also known to have composed verses praising the deity but the same are not available to us as of today. From the [[Chola]] period (9th century CE) onwards the popularity of ''Aiyanar-Shasta'' became even more pronounced as is attested by epigraphy and imagery.<ref name="Kala62">Williams, J., ''Kaladarsana'', p.62</ref>

	===Kerala===		===Kerala===