Ekam

2021-06-29T14:04:15Z

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{{Ayyavazhi}}
'''Ekam''' is the [[Sanskrit]] for "[[1 (number)|one]], single, solitary" (neuter gender), as a noun meaning "[[Henosis|unity]]".
In [[Ayyavazhi]] and [[Hinduism]], it refers to a concept of [[monism]] akin to that of [[Brahman]] in [[Advaita]] philosophy and [[Smarta]] theology.

==Truth is One==
{{See also|Ramakrishna}}

A well-known statement is "[[Satya|Truth]] is [[Ekam|one]], sages call it by various names." It is derived from [[Rig Veda]] Samhita [[Mandala 1|1.164.46]]: "They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, and he is heavenly nobly-winged [[Garuda|Garutman]]. To what is One, sages give many a title. They call it Agni, Yama, Matarisvan.".<ref>[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rig_Veda/Mandala_1/Hymn_164 Rig Veda Samhita 1.164.46], Wiki Source</ref> According to William A. Graham, "the one" in verse 1.164.46 refers to [[Vāc]], goddess of speech, appearing as "the creative force and absolute force in the universe." In later Vedic literature, "Speech or utterance is also identified with the supreme power or transcendent reality," and "equated with Brahman in this sense."<ref>William A. Graham, [https://books.google.nl/books?id=XzYX0T-ZqTcC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=Rig+Veda+1.164.46&source=bl&ots=wO_EC0c7Iq&sig=ACfU3U2tHkiJh2FSwCfdH9hYt0_t68_dxg&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ2O_wpOLjAhVJ3KQKHZSdCJk4ChDoATAJegQICBAB#v=onepage&q=Rig%20Veda%201.164.46&f=false ''Beyond the Written Word: Oral Aspects of Scripture in the History of Religion''], pp. 70–71.</ref> Frauwallner states that "many gods are traced back to the one [[Conceptions of God|Godhead]]. The one (''ekam'') is not meant adjectively as a quality but as a substantive, as the upholding centre of reality."{{sfn|Frauwallner|1973|p=xvii}}

==Ayyavazhi==
''Ekam'' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: ஏகம், "the supreme oneness") is the term used in [[Akilathirattu Ammanai]], the holy book of the religion of [[Ayyavazhi]],<ref> ''Akilattirattu Ammanai'' published by T. Palaramachandran Nadar, 9th impression, 1989 Page 225-227 </ref> to represent [[The Ultimate (philosophy)|The Ultimate]] [[Henosis|Oneness]]. In [[Thiruvasakam]]-2 it was stated that it was from this ''Ekam'' that all objects, including the separate [[Three godheads (Ayyavazhi)|Godheads]], [[Deva (Hinduism)|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.

[[File:Ekam evolution.jpg|thumb|Evolution of [[Ekam]], the source of whole [[existence]] as described in Akilam]]
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 derivations of ''Ekam'' in Ayyavazhi scriptures are sometimes close to the [[Pantheism|pantheistic]] form of theology. In the mythology of Ayyavazhi God-heads such as [[Shiva|Siva]], [[Vishnu]] are said to be the godheads who have power to rule this Ekam, varying from time to time, Siva until ''[[Kali Yuga]]'' and Vishnu from the starting of ''Kali Yuga''. There are separate quotes in [[Akilam]] for focusing Siva as well as Vishnu in charge of this 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]].

==See also==
* [[Ayyavazhi Trinity]]
* [[Nasadiya Sukta]]
* [[Sufi_metaphysics|Waḥdat al-Wujūd]] in Islam

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}

* {{Citation | last =Frauwallner | first =Erich | year =1973 | title =History of Indian Philosophy: The philosophy of the Veda and of the epic. The Buddha and the Jina. The Sāmkhya and the classical Yoga-system | publisher =Motilall Banarsidas}}

* ''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.
{{refend}}

{{Ayyavazhi_large}}
{{Spirituality-related topics}}

[[Category:Ayyavazhi mythology]]
[[Category:Ayyavazhi philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Ayyavazhi theology]]
[[Category:Monism]]
[[Category:Names of God in Hinduism]]
[[Category:God]]

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Ekam