Mahishi was roaming in the sky looking for the one who was supposed to be her kaal. Flying above the forest in Pandalam Kingdom, she caught a glimpse of something shiny like a Mani.

Down there Ayyappa Swami was walking deeper inside the forest, waiting for Mahishi to come and attack. And the Rakshasi did come down and instantly came to know that such a divine boy can only be the son of Harihar.

Recognising him to be her kaal, she hurled her mace at him from behind. Ayyappa Swami turned around and caught the mace in one hand before hurling it back at her, making Mahishi fall down.

The sister of Mahishasur grunted before standing back up and looked at the angry Ayyappa Swami.

"Bahut Shaktishali ho na tum !? Toh ab meri shakti ka parichay bhi prapt karo !" Mahishi said.

"Tumhari ku-krityo se toh mai pehle se parichit hu Mahishi ! Apne karmo ka fal prapt karne hetu sajj jo jao !" Ayyappa said.

Mahishi grunted as she used her Mayavi and Asuri weapons and hurled it towards him, which he successfully countered with his own divine weapons. This was a child's play for Swami Ayyappa but he didn't want to delay the fulfillment of his birth's objective.

Quickly countering her Astras he ran towards her and he caught hold of Mahishi by her horns, whirling around and he threw her down on the ground. Ayyappa swami danced gleefully on her fallen body, forcing the life out of her.

The gods who all witnessed this were so delighted that they started singing songs praising Ayyappa Swami. The death of Mahishi was a blessing for everyone, even for herself.

A beautiful maiden came out from the fearsome body of Mahishi, and bowed in front of Ayyappa swami who smiled at her.

"Prabhu, aapka koti koti dhanyawaad. Aapne mujhe shraap se mukti di." She said.

The maiden was a Rishi-kanya named Leela, who under the influence of Maya got distracted from her real nature and broke the penance of a sage for which got cursed to be born as a Rakshasi for her Asuri like behaviour.

"Prabhu, kintu ab mere jeevan ka koi aadhar nahi. Kripya mujhe apni ardhangini ke roop mei swikaar kar, mere jeevan ko nayi disha dikhayiye." Leela requested.

"Kshama kare devi, sansaar ke kone kone se mere bhakt jab tak mere paas aayenge, tab tak unke kalyaan hetu mujhe Naisthik Brahmacharya ka palan karna padega." Ayyappa swami said.

"Toh prabhu, mai tab tak aapki pratiksha karungi. Aur jis din aapke mandir mei koi naya bhakt nahi aayega, uss din aap mujhse vivah kar lijiyega." Leela said.

"Awashya. Devi, aaj se aapko Malikapurathamma kaha jayega. Aur mai aapko vardaan deta hu ki mere darshan se poorv sabhi bhakt aapke darshan karenge. Aur jo aapke mandir se laaye patthar mujhe arpit karenge, unhe apne paapo se mukti milegi." Ayyappa swami said.

"Prabhu aapne toh mujhe kritarth kardiya !" Malikapurathamma bowed to him.

"Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa ! Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa !" The gods of Swarglok appeared with joined hands.

"Prabhu, aapne keval Devi Leela ko hi nahi, apetu hume bhi humare kashto se mukti di hai." Suryadev said.

"Swami Ayyappa, iss liye mai Shani Devi, yeh ghosit karta hu ki jo bhi vyakti bina charan-paduka pehene aur kaale vastra dharan kar aapka vrat kar, aapke darshan ke liye aayega, uss par meri vakra drishti aur saade-saati ka dushprabhav nahi padega." Shani dev proclaimed.

"Dhanyawaad Shanidev. Ab aap sab mujhe aagya de. Jis karya hetu mai van mei aya hu woh abhi bhi shesh hai." Ayyappa swami said picking hi bow and quiver of arrows.

"Prabhu, aapne humari sahayata ki ab hume bhi aapki sahayata karne de." Agnidev said.

"Uss dusht Mahamantri ko aur anya logo ko ab aapki divyata ka gyaan hona chhaiye." Varundev said.

And saying that the gods transformed into tigresses, Ayyappa swami smiled.

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A/N

So Swami Ayyappa hum bhakto ke kalyan hetu Brahmacharya dharan kar rakhe hai, he had the chance but he didn't get married for our sake. Toh as girls and women who are above the age of 13, we should respect that.

And this restriction is there only in Shabrimala Mandir, dusre Ayyappa Swami ke temples mei ladies jaa sakti hai.

So let's respect the deity and the vow he made for us.