Ayyavazhi Beliefs - Belief in The Dawn of Dharma Yukam

Belief in The Dawn of Dharma Yukam

A belief in the dawn of Dharma Yukam (a futuristic aeon characterized by the ideal of Dharmam, as explained below) seems to have influenced the tradition of Ayyavazhi from its earlier days. Akilattirattu begins its narration by stating that the accounts contained in it is the "story of God coming into this Kali Yukam to transform it into Dharma Yukam and rule over it." The concept of Dharma Yukam becomes one of the root typologies around which the writing of Akilattirattu revolves.

This belief seems to be echoed as a 'Slogan for a New World'. People that gathered around Ayya Vaikundar were familiarized with the slogan that 'Ayya Vaikundar was going to end things that were old and create things anew'. Akilattirattu says that "he was going to make the old Sasthrankal and traditions go awry". It continues to say that with the advent of Ayya Vaikundaras avatar of Narayana, "the old Puranas, Agamas and Vedas had lost their substance". In the place of all that had been decadent, it was proclaimed that "a new age, new earth, new humanity, new thought, etc., had been unfolding".

As part of the process of unfolding the New World, people were enjoined to serve as catalysts for the destruction of kali. They were instructed to do so by transforming themselves so as to acquire a new character and be a 'people of Dharma Yukam'. Indicators as to the new identity of the people of Dharma Yukam were proposed. Akilattirattu speaks of these indicators summarily in the following words:

"O great sage, listen to the identity of my people,

no rituals and pucaikal,

they would not erect temples and have pucai with priests,

would not worship cows or idols of clay,

would not kill goats, bulls and roosters as sacrifice,

they are those who treat the ones coming in my name,

with love".