Why is he called Ayyappan ?
Before answering this question we can first talk about the naadis , that are energy channels within our body. In the Pranamayakosha or the energy body, there are 72,000 nadis . The 72,000 nadis spring from three basic nadis – the left, the right and the central – the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna . The Ida and Pingala represent the basic duality in the existence. It is this duality which we traditionally personify as Shiva and Shakti . Pingala Pingala is related to Shiva. Pingala is the extroverted, solar nadi, and corresponds to left hemisphere of the brain. Pingala na controls all the vital processes. Ida Ida is related to Shakthi. Ida is the introverted, lunar nadi, and refers to the right hemisphere of the brain. Ida nadi controls all the mental processes . The Sushumna is the central energy channel or Nadi that travels the full length of the middle of the spinal cord. It is the channel through which pranic energy flows and through which we