According to the Brahmanda Purana ,which dates prior to the 7th century mentions Shasta as harihara suta or son of Siva and Narayana (Vishnu). The Saivite revivalist Appar sang about Shasta as the progeny of Shiva and tirumaal (Vishnu) in one of his Tevaram in the 7th century. The Tamil song Shasta Varavu states that there are eight important incarnations and forms of Shasta.The Dyana ratnavali confirms the same fact.The Ashta-Shasta (eight Shastas) are Aadhi Maha Shasta(Aiyanar), Dharma Shasta ( Ayyappan), Gnana Shasta, Kalyana Varadha Shasta, Sammohana Shasta, Santhana Prapti Shasta, Veda Shasta and Veera Shasta.Among the Ashta-Shasta,the Adhi Maha Sastha (Aiyanar) and Dharma Shasta ( Ayyappan) are widely worshipped. Aiyanar (Adhi Maha Sastha) is worshiped as the protector of Village in Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka(as Ayyanayake ).Ayyappan is worshipped in Kerala. Although Ayyappan and Aiyanar are incarnations of Sastha ,there are large difference between them.(Just like-although Krishna and Rama are incarnations of Vishnu,they are different).The major difference between them are