The marvelous wonder, friendship and unity of Òrúnmìlà and Èlà

/!!!\ Òrúnmìlà is enshrined within the heart of Èlà and Èlà is enshrined within the heart of Òrúnmìlà. /!!!\

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

In Ifá we find detailed references and great mention of the Irunmole (the being of divine light and splendor) called Èlà. The word Èlà is both an adjective and a personal proper name. Òrúnmìlà has many praise names like Eleri Ipin, Akerefinusogbon, Awinrin, Ajana, Edu, Oba Atayese, Awimilogbon and so forth. Sometimes Òrúnmìlà is praised with the name èlà because the adjective èlà means saving power, salvation, safety and refuge, and without a doubt Òrúnmìlà is all of these things. 

But when Ifá speaks of Èlà omo osin asiwaju, Èlà Iwori or Èlà omo Oyigiyigi, Ifá is not referring to Òrúnmìlà. Òrúnmìlà is Òrúnmìlà bara Agboniregun, but Èlà is, Èlà omo Osin asiwaju or Èlà omo Oyigiyigi. Oyigiyigi is one of Olódùmarè’s holy, sacred and power-filled praise names. Èlà is the plenary manifestation of Oyigiyigi or the all powerful, all mighty, irresistible and unchanging potency-feature of Olódùmarè.

Èlà is the eternally delightful, pleasure giving, satisfying and attractive potency-power-feature of Olódùmarè. Èlà is the personal manifestation of the glorious, expansive, all encompassing and all pervading Olódùmarè or Enitolodu [the supreme source, sole owner, sole administer, and sole wielder of all energies, potencies and powers].

Èlà is the personal name of an extraordinary irunmole (being of splendor, opulence, glory and light) who is a plenary manifestation of Olódùmarè Agotun. So it is clear to us, that Èlà is Èlà and Òrúnmìlà is Òrúnmìlà. They are not the same personality. Òrúnmìlà proceeds every morning to the palace temple of Olódùmarè called "ile-àse" to speak with Olódùmarè and to offer his praise, respects, requests and prayers to Olódùmarè Oba Anu and then "Òrúnmìlà Ajiborisa Pero" leaves the palace temple after his morning worship to attend to his student disciples and to all those who appeal to him for guidance, direction and assistance.  Whereas Èlà omo osin is always with Olódùmarè and remains in the immediate presence and company of Olódùmarè in ile-àse.

The irunmule Èlà is the great glory, the wonder worker, the original purity and the divine power which cleanses and purifies our inner life, molds our inner qualities and assists us in the shaping and perfecting of our character. Èlà oversees the development and perfecting of our interior spiritual and intellectual faculties. The irunmole Èlà omo osin asiwaju is the supreme guiding power who makes the smooth operation and manifestation of Ifá possible. 

Èlà connects us to the divine world of Ifá, and it is Èlà who makes the works of Ifá to prosper and to manifest. Èlà is the divine energy and living intelligence that supplies àse to us and makes us able to feel, discern, verify and experience the presence and power of the innumerable divine irunmole-orisa and the divine spiritual realm. 

This is why we say:

May the activities of Ifá be "ebo fin, ebo da" or may the blessings, benefits and activity of Ifá be quick acting and quick manifesting. It is Èlà who initiates, oversees and carries through to completion the quick acting and quick manifesting power of Ifá.

In many stanzas and chapters of Odu Ifá we learn that during difficult, trying and uncertain times Òrúnmìlà called upon Èlà for support, reinforcement, investiture of divine power, grace, understand and strength. This is why the irunmole Èlà is called Èlà, because he is the divine manifestation of Olódùmarè in the form of divine light, life-giving energy, restoring potency and salvation, and Èlà is able to effect a qualitative and substantive transformation in our lives, understanding and outlook. Èlà establishes in us intuitive connectivity with all things divine, holy, pure and beneficial.

Òrúnmìlà works with the elements of nature or the materials used in ebo to realize his assistance, relief and support. Òrúnmìlà makes use of sacrifices, rituals, rites and oracular consultation to assist and benefit mankind.

Èlà omo osin asiwaju on the other hand does not use herbs, sacred types of wood, plants, sacrifices, rituals or oracular practices. Èlà uses the power of command, the power of divine manifestation known as "agbara oro enu".

The character, personality, duties, mission and teachings of Èlà omo Osin asiwaju and Òrúnmìlà bara Agboniregun are different. Èlà sanctifies and purifies everything he touches and he makes it acceptable to Olódùmarè and the innumerable irunmole-orisa. Èlà reveals Olódùmarè to us and brings us close to, draws us to Olódùmarè. Èlà is dedicated mostly to the moral-spiritual regeneration and development of mankind. Èlà is the one who initiates us into true spirituality and leads us to maturity and awakening.

Èlà is in charge of revealing Olódùmarè to us and is in charge of introducing, nurturing and reproducing the divine nature of Olódùmarè within us thereby establishing firmly in Ifáyelele. Èlà is the divine intelligence, potency and power which empowers and enables us to be able to become godly, holy or god-like here and now. 

By receiving the àse of Èlà and by practicing his unique teachings and mysteries we make swift moral-spiritual advancement and are made able and fitted to realize our Orisa nature here and now. Òrúnmìlà assists us in a supportive role in this endeavor also but Òrúnmìlà is mostly dedicated to assisting us with immediate and practical mundane realities and needs like helping us to have children, to enjoy good health, resolve life problems, to be able to find a respectable job, improvement of health and so forth. 

It is also important and necessary to know that Òrúnmìlà also has a higher dimension or aspect of activity which is similar to the activity of Èlà omo osin, but as far as the common practice of the majority of followers of Orunmila,  Òrúnmìlà is called upon mostly for the attainment of basic human needs like food, clothing, shelter, good health, acquisition of money and protection from unwholesome people and unwholesome negative energies.

This is what most people seek Òrúnmìlà out for but that doesn’t mean that Òrúnmìlà is limited or restricted to these activities. Few people seek out Òrúnmìlà for his higher and more confidential activities, teachings, mysteries and benefits. Òrúnmìlà only unveils, reveals and imparts this confidential, higher and complete aspect of himself and teaching to the mature, devoted and wholehearted devotee. In fact Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are inseparable from each other! In the heart of Èlà you will find Òrúnmìlà enshrined with limitless love, awe, respect and veneration. In the heart of Òrúnmìlà you will find Èlà enshrined with limitless love, awe, respect and veneration.

They look at each other as the others devoted servant, student and friend. They don’t like to see the other behave like if he is less than the other!!! They are always trying to outdo each other in friendship, love, benevolence and service! How great and wonderful are the love, respect and humility of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà! Òrúnmìlà treats Èlà as his superior and Èlà treats Òrúnmìlà as his superior! What a wonderful competition of humility, respect and love this is!!

Òrúnmìlà reserves his higher revelation of himself for the wholehearted and genuinely spiritual devotees and aspirants who are in need of and are seeking for a greater, superior and more satisfying spirituality. 

Èlà is in charge of the divine inner development of humanity. Òrúnmìlà is also active in this endeavor. The specific activities and functions of Ela and Òrúnmìlà overlap since they are working in unison for the wellbeing, benefit, progress and happiness of mankind as well as the personalities of the divine worlds. 

I wanted to make this brief clarification so as to clear up any misunderstandings, confusion or inaccuracies. It is easy to get these understandings mixed up since the word èlà is both a personal name referring to Èlà omo Osin [osin refers and points to Olódùmarè as the unequivocal, unequalled and unrivaled Supreme leader of all irunmole-orisa, humanity and all of creation].

The glorious omniscience i.e. Ifá instructs and encourages us through Òrúnmìlà to call upon Èlà. This is why we recite the sacred words: 

Èlà rowa. Èlà rowa. Èlà rowa. 

Èlà descend.

Èlà descend. 

Èlà descend. 

Èlà takun wa gureh ariwo ntaśa.

Èlà extend to us the rope of life. Let the fellowship of devotees in unison joyfully praise and expectantly call upon Èlà. 

This sacred recitation and these powerful verses which extol and invite is to  call upon Èlà are not referring to Òrúnmìlà but to Èlà omo Osin asiwaju.

Remember that Èlà  and Òrúnmìlà are not the same divine personages. They are completely different personalities with different missions, different characters, different methods and different teachings. 

The teachings of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are compatible but they are not the same. They complement each other. Their methods and teachings are different in terms of content, purpose and means. Ifá reveals to us that Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are working in close union and sympathy with each other. Each according to the divine plan of Olódùmarè is accomplishing the purposes of Olodumare Agotun for His beloved creation. 

Èlà and Òrúnmìlà have a deep friendship, respect and love for each other. Èlà is humble before Òrúnmìlà and Òrúnmìlà is humble before Èlà. They look at each other with wonder, respect and a sense of marvel. The minds and ways of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are unique, very deep and impossible to comprehend. The unity of action and heart; and the cohesiveness of their affinity, love and respect for each other is revealed in this Ifá praise:

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà moyin aboru. 

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà moyin aboye. 

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà moyin abosise. 

[A whole book can be written on the secret and confidential meanings and reasons of the above praise. It would take an entire book to do justice to the topic of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà, their activities, their mysteries, their works and their unique relationship.]

How wonderfully, succinctly, clearly and masterfully does Ifá reveal the distinct, unique, original and individual personhood of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà and their intimate friendship, unity, overlapping and intertwining divine activity and hospitable qualities. 

May these basic clarifying explanations bring benefit, inspiration, clarity and delight to all sincere devotees of Ifá-Olódùmarè.

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\The marvelous wonder, friendship and unity of Òrúnmìlà and Èlà:

/!!!\ Òrúnmìlà is enshrined within the heart of Èlà and Èlà is enshrined within the heart of Òrúnmìlà. /!!!\

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

In Ifá we find detailed references and great mention of the Irunmole (the being of divine light and splendor) called Èlà. The word Èlà is both an adjective and a personal proper name. Òrúnmìlà has many praise names like Eleri Ipin, Akerefinusogbon, Awinrin, Ajana, Edu, Oba Atayese, Awimilogbon and so forth. Sometimes Òrúnmìlà is praised with the name èlà because the adjective èlà means saving power, salvation, safety and refuge, and without a doubt Òrúnmìlà is all of these things. 

But when Ifá speaks of Èlà omo osin asiwaju, Èlà Iwori or Èlà omo Oyigiyigi, Ifá is not referring to Òrúnmìlà. Òrúnmìlà is Òrúnmìlà bara Agboniregun, but Èlà is, Èlà omo Osin asiwaju or Èlà omo Oyigiyigi. Oyigiyigi is one of Olódùmarè’s holy, sacred and power-filled praise names. Èlà is the plenary manifestation of Oyigiyigi or the all powerful, all mighty, irresistible and unchanging potency-feature of Olódùmarè. 

Èlà is the eternally delightful, pleasure giving, satisfying and attractive potency-power-feature of Olódùmarè. Èlà is the personal manifestation of the glorious, expansive, all encompassing and all pervading Olódùmarè or Enitolodu [the supreme source, sole owner, sole administer, and sole wielder of all energies, potencies and powers].

Èlà is the personal name of an extraordinary irunmole (being of splendor, opulence, glory and light) who is a plenary manifestation of Olódùmarè Agotun. So it is clear to us, that Èlà is Èlà and Òrúnmìlà is Òrúnmìlà. They are not the same personality. Òrúnmìlà proceeds every morning to the palace temple of Olódùmarè called "ile-àse" to speak with Olódùmarè and to offer his praise, respects, requests and prayers to Olódùmarè Oba Anu and then "Òrúnmìlà Ajiborisa Pero" leaves the palace temple after his morning worship to attend to his student disciples and to all those who appeal to him for guidance, direction and assistance.  Whereas Èlà omo osin is always with Olódùmarè and remains in the immediate presence and company of Olódùmarè in ile-àse.

The irunmule Èlà is the great glory, the wonder worker, the original purity and the divine power which cleanses and purifies our inner life, molds our inner qualities and assists us in the shaping and perfecting of our character. Èlà oversees the development and perfecting of our interior spiritual and intellectual faculties. The irunmole Èlà omo osin asiwaju is the supreme guiding power who makes the smooth operation and manifestation of Ifá possible.

Èlà connects us to the divine world of Ifá, and it is Èlà who makes the works of Ifá to prosper and to manifest. Èlà is the divine energy and living intelligence that supplies àse to us and makes us able to feel, discern, verify and experience the presence and power of the innumerable divine irunmole-orisa and the divine spiritual realm. 

This is why we say:

May the activities of Ifá be "ebo fin, ebo da" or may the blessings, benefits and activity of Ifá be quick acting and quick manifesting. It is Èlà who initiates, oversees and carries through to completion the quick acting and quick manifesting power of Ifá.

In many stanzas and chapters of Odu Ifá we learn that during difficult, trying and uncertain times Òrúnmìlà called upon Èlà for support, reinforcement, investiture of divine power, grace, understand and strength. This is why the irunmole Èlà is called Èlà, because he is the divine manifestation of Olódùmarè in the form of divine light, life-giving energy, restoring potency and salvation, and Èlà is able to effect a qualitative and substantive transformation in our lives, understanding and outlook. Èlà establishes in us intuitive connectivity with all things divine, holy, pure and beneficial. 

Òrúnmìlà works with the elements of nature or the materials used in ebo to realize his assistance, relief and support. Òrúnmìlà makes use of sacrifices, rituals, rites and oracular consultation to assist and benefit mankind.

Èlà omo osin asiwaju on the other hand does not use herbs, sacred types of wood, plants, sacrifices, rituals or oracular practices. Èlà uses the power of command, the power of divine manifestation known as "agbara oro enu".

The character, personality, duties, mission and teachings of Èlà omo Osin asiwaju and Òrúnmìlà bara Agboniregun are different. Èlà sanctifies and purifies everything he touches and he makes it acceptable to Olódùmarè and the innumerable irunmole-orisa. Èlà reveals Olódùmarè to us and brings us close to, draws us to Olódùmarè. Èlà is dedicated mostly to the moral-spiritual regeneration and development of mankind. Èlà is the one who initiates us into true spirituality and leads us to maturity and awakening.

Èlà is in charge of revealing Olódùmarè to us and is in charge of introducing, nurturing and reproducing the divine nature of Olódùmarè within us thereby establishing firmly in Ifáyelele. Èlà is the divine intelligence, potency and power which empowers and enables us to be able to become godly, holy or god-like here and now.

By receiving the àse of Èlà and by practicing his unique teachings and mysteries we make swift moral-spiritual advancement and are made able and fitted to realize our Orisa nature here and now. Òrúnmìlà assists us in a supportive role in this endeavor also but Òrúnmìlà is mostly dedicated to assisting us with immediate and practical mundane realities and needs like helping us to have children, to enjoy good health, resolve life problems, to be able to find a respectable job, improvement of health and so forth. 

It is also important and necessary to know that Òrúnmìlà also has a higher dimension or aspect of activity which is similar to the activity of Èlà omo osin, but as far as the common practice of the majority of followers of Orunmila,  Òrúnmìlà is called upon mostly for the attainment of basic human needs like food, clothing, shelter, good health, acquisition of money and protection from unwholesome people and unwholesome negative energies.

This is what most people seek Òrúnmìlà out for but that doesn’t mean that Òrúnmìlà is limited or restricted to these activities. Few people seek out Òrúnmìlà for his higher and more confidential activities, teachings, mysteries and benefits. Òrúnmìlà only unveils, reveals and imparts this confidential, higher and complete aspect of himself and teaching to the mature, devoted and wholehearted devotee. In fact Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are inseparable from each other! In the heart of Èlà you will find Òrúnmìlà enshrined with limitless love, awe, respect and veneration. In the heart of Òrúnmìlà you will find Èlà enshrined with limitless love, awe, respect and veneration.

They look at each other as the others devoted servant, student and friend. They don’t like to see the other behave like if he is less than the other!!! They are always trying to outdo each other in friendship, love, benevolence and service! How great and wonderful are the love, respect and humility of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà! Òrúnmìlà treats Èlà as his superior and Èlà treats Òrúnmìlà as his superior! What a wonderful competition of humility, respect and love this is!!

Òrúnmìlà reserves his higher revelation of himself for the wholehearted and genuinely spiritual devotees and aspirants who are in need of and are seeking for a greater, superior and more satisfying spirituality. 

Èlà is in charge of the divine inner development of humanity. Òrúnmìlà is also active in this endeavor. The specific activities and functions of Ela and Òrúnmìlà overlap since they are working in unison for the wellbeing, benefit, progress and happiness of mankind as well as the personalities of the divine worlds. 

I wanted to make this brief clarification so as to clear up any misunderstandings, confusion or inaccuracies. It is easy to get these understandings mixed up since the word èlà is both a personal name referring to Èlà omo Osin [osin refers and points to Olódùmarè as the unequivocal, unequalled and unrivaled Supreme leader of all irunmole-orisa, humanity and all of creation].

The glorious omniscience i.e. Ifá instructs and encourages us through Òrúnmìlà to call upon Èlà. This is why we recite the sacred words:

Èlà rowa. Èlà rowa. Èlà rowa. 

Èlà descend.

Èlà descend. 

Èlà descend.

Èlà takun wa gureh ariwo ntaśa.

Èlà extend to us the rope of life. Let the fellowship of devotees in unison joyfully praise and expectantly call upon Èlà.

This sacred recitation and these powerful verses which extol and invite is to  call upon Èlà are not referring to Òrúnmìlà but to Èlà omo Osin asiwaju.

Remember that Èlà  and Òrúnmìlà are not the same divine personages. They are completely different personalities with different missions, different characters, different methods and different teachings. 

The teachings of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are compatible but they are not the same. They complement each other. Their methods and teachings are different in terms of content, purpose and means. Ifá reveals to us that Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are working in close union and sympathy with each other. Each according to the divine plan of Olódùmarè is accomplishing the purposes of Olodumare Agotun for His beloved creation. 

Èlà and Òrúnmìlà have a deep friendship, respect and love for each other. Èlà is humble before Òrúnmìlà and Òrúnmìlà is humble before Èlà. They look at each other with wonder, respect and a sense of marvel. The minds and ways of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà are unique, very deep and impossible to comprehend. The unity of action and heart; and the cohesiveness of their affinity, love and respect for each other is revealed in this Ifá praise:

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà moyin aboru. 

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà moyin aboye. 

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà moyin abosise. 

[A whole book can be written on the secret and confidential meanings and reasons of the above praise. It would take an entire book to do justice to the topic of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà, their activities, their mysteries, their works and their unique relationship.]

How wonderfully, succinctly, clearly and masterfully does Ifá reveal the distinct, unique, original and individual personhood of Èlà and Òrúnmìlà and their intimate friendship, unity, overlapping and intertwining divine activity and hospitable qualities.

May these basic clarifying explanations bring benefit, inspiration, clarity and delight to all sincere devotees of Ifá-Olódùmarè.

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\