MEETING OF SWAMIJI SRI YOGIRAM SURAT KUMAR:
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My friend introduced me to Swamiji and told that I am the person who has come to take charge of that division. Then the sadhu asked me mentioning my name that whether I was the same person who has translated the book by Sri Periyavar of Krishnagiri titled "DEVELOPMENT OF THOUGHT ON THE SPIRITUAL PATH". To that I replied yes. Then he said that the English translation was good. I humbly acknowledged the encomium given to me by a person not known to me at all. He said that he saw the book from yet another friend who was my predecessor. From that day onwards I had contact with this great sadhu.
BIKSHA BY ME TO SRI SWAMIJI:
The next day I took some food for him. He willingly accepted that. So I made a point to get food for the sadhu in the morning and evening. In the morning I would take chapattis with dhal or subji and for the night rice gruel or kangi which he relished much. To this our Sadhu put a condition that the food should be prepared and brought to him only by the family members and not by anyone else. I willingly accepted the same and I had the good fortune to do so for a year till I served in that district.
But at times our Sadhu didn’t accept the food and used to send back my children who took food to him, saying that he did not require it. On such occasions my daughters would come and cry that Sri Swamiji had not taken the food. We would console them that he has blessed it and that would be a sign of acceptance.
On Pongal day I took food myself to the Sadhu. But he was away so I waited for him. In the meantime I started a conversation with a neighbor and when our Sadhu came he refused to accept the food since I was busy in conversation and was not able to notice his arrival. I entreated very much, and simply broke down and cried. Sri Swamjii taking pity on me accepted food with smile on his face.
EXPERIENCE WITH SWAMIJI:
During my stay in that division, there were very many episodes which happened, nay even after leaving the place. During my tenure, I would visit the Sadhu daily and he was kind to me. He would ask me if there were any special program planned. I used to tell all such occassions and sadhu would bless me "My father is with you". Though during those days I had to meet very trying circumstances but all were overcome with great ease with the blessing of Sri Swamiji.
MY MEETING WITH SRI PERIYAVAR AND SRI SWAMIJI:
After joining the new station I came to Krishnagiri to meet Sri Periyavar with whom I had spent one whole year. Not only that, I was transferred to T.V. Malai only with his blessings. I informed him about my meeting with the sadhu at Poondi as well as the sadhu at T.V. Malai. Then I proceeded to Madurai to bring my family to the new place.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEETING OF BOTH SADHUS:
During my next trip to Krishnagiri Sri Periyavar expressed his desire to meet Sri Yogi Ram Surath Kumar of T.V. Malai. In fact the very idea of posting me to T.V. Malai was to arrange the meeting of great saints and also spreading of the message of Aanmega Nilayam to every nook and corner of that district.
MEETING OUR SRI PERIYAVAR WITH SRI SWAMIJI:
Whenever I met Swamiji in T.V. Malai, I used to narrate my experiences with Sri Muniyandi Swamigal of Rengapalayam, Madurai as well as Sri Periyavar Ramamoorthyji of KrishnaGiri. When I expressed the desire of Sri Periyavar for a meeting with Swamij he said that he was quite willing for this and I can go ahead with planning the meeting. Accordingly I informed Sri Periyavar. The meeting of these two personalities was indeed very memorable episode.
As mentioned the date was fixed for the meeting and it was arranged at the UNNAMALAI AMMAN LODGE where all were accommodated. They all came by 5 pm. By 7 pm Sri Periyavar asked me to enquire about Sri YOGI RAM SURAT KUMAR that when they could come to meet him. But before that Sri Swamji himself came to the lodge to meet Sri Periyavar. I formally introduced both of them. They held their hands tightly for some time. Then all were seated. Sri Periyavar introduced the members one by one. With him came his parents, his uncle, Sri Perumal Raju and Mrs Mahalakshmi, Sri Ramesh his friend. A Muslim lady also came with them. The reason why I mentioned the name here has a bearing in this episode. Sri Swamiji with the pleasant smile welcomed them all. The meeting of both the great men was planned for three days and all were together for those days and nights. The whole atmosphere in the room was charged with spiritual vibrations and that kept all waking through out night and day.
DHARSHAN OF SRI KAMALANANTHAR IN THE FORM OF DONKEY:
In the meantime Sri Swamiji asked me to repeat my experiences with Sri Muniyandi Swamigal of Rengaplayam. When I mentioned the episode of dharshan of the great guru Sri Kamalandhar or Thatha Swami Guru of Sri Muniyandi Swamigal, he asked me to repeat the same thrice. Then he explained the significance of dharshan of great guru in the form of donkey. The saints act as the carriers of sin of devotees and got them purified. For us the donkey is only an animal which carries burden of dirty clothes for his master but the real significance as explained by Sri Swamiji do carry with it great secrets which is not known to ordinary man.
TRUE BAKTHI OF A BAKTHA:
At one stage Sri Swamigi narrated the story of Baktha Sri Udhanna and how lord himself came to serve the devotee. Sri Periyavar explained that the Bakthi was the great gift and if only one is devoted to lord he will come and help in any form.
Then Sri Swamiji enquired the Muslim lady whether she could follow the narration in English. Sri Periyavar came forward to translate the same in Tamil. Sri Swamiji thanked Sri Periyavar for the same. Sri Swamiji told the lady that God is always with us. He is ready to help the deserving. This he explained in Hindi.
TOTAL SURRENDER TO GOD:
Sri Swamji asked Mrs. Mahalakshmi to sing the song by Sri Bharathiyar in which Lord Krishna came in the form of servant and helped the devotee. Then he told her she should not be found sleeping when Lord comes to her. The real sense was Lord will come in any form at any time and one should be prepared to accept him whenever he comes and whatever form he takes. During the meeting Mrs. Mahalakshmi asked Sri Swamiji that whether he could accept her offering of food in the form prasadam. Sri Swamiji said that she can place the food in front of his photo and all that was given with sincerity and shradha will be accepted.
Here Sri Periyavar explained the significance of the photo. He told that just as the body represents the soul similarly the food offered before the photo would be the same as offered to the soul. As in "Bagavath Geetha" anything offered to Lord with full devotion and sincerity however small or in whichever form it may be would be accepted by Lord.
So the meeting of two great saints really brought many such episodes which cannot be forgotten with any passage of time. Apart from the physical presence the spiritual vibrations were such that the episode would be indelible in my memory forever. Further I have to mention here that I have the photograph as well as the audio cassette of that meeting, which are kept as sacred records by me. On seeing and on hearing them today I relive the experiences which I had in all its splendor and holiness then.
AT SRI SWAMIJI'S RESIDENCE:
One day all went to the house of Swamiji who gave us a warm welcome. Then he told us the episode of Sri Periyavar in his official life as in the case of Sri Ramadas. So Guru comes for the help of devotee irrespective of the time and situation.
DISCOURSES IN HAMLETS BY SRI PERIYAVAR:
Earlier before my posting to T.V. Malai I had stated that Sri Periyavar had a mission to be fulfilled through me and that was the reason why I was posted to T.V.Malai division.
Apart from the meeting of the great living Saints, Sri Yogi Ram Surath Kumarji and Sri Periyavar we had yet another work destined. That was to arrange the lecture of Sri Periyavar in almost all the remote villages and hamlets of that division. With the blessings of Sri Periyavar I made an attempt for this. It helped the poor and deserving people of this area to have glimpse as well as the benefit of hearing the sweet voice and spiritual messages of Sri Periyavar. This proved much beneficial for the people of the rural area in this region. Of these many people had connections with Sri Periyavar even after many years of the lectures. All the lectures in the remote villages were equally important from the point of view of spiritual and material benefit enjoyed by them. I have mentioned some outstanding places, which made landmark in the rural area.
Here I have to mention that for all the discourses a caravan of vehicles used to follow Sri Periyavar's car. There were jeeps, cars, pick up van, motor bikes and all kinds of two wheelers in his procession. Every one would wonder that some V.I.P at the state level had come to that area. Even though Sri Periyavar did not wish to have any publicity but his lectures were heart felt and there were instances where people belonging to police department were also attracted by his simplicity as well as his speeches which came from the depth of his heart.
Yet another feature was that the news of his lectures spread from one village to the other and so the whole area vibrated with the spiritual thoughts as well as the melodious and sincere words of Sri Periyavar.
AT POLUR:
At this place there is a samadhi of Sri Mahan Vittoba whose departure from this world was proclaimed even from T.V.Malai by Sri Mahan Seshdriswamigal "Vitoba jora poraan". Sri Periyavar gave lecture on the samadhi premises itself and the subject was "Call of the soul". He described at length about the greatness of the saint who hailed from the family of a tailor and he united many souls with god by his spiritual power. Sri Periyavar revealed many secrets about the saint which was not known earlier to the people.
Chapter 8
Sri Periyavar Ramamurthyji
VETTAVALAM:
While giving the discourse, Sri Periyavar stressed the importance of this temple and also about the "Emarald Lingam", a very rare monument whose spiritual vibrations would ward off the suffering of those who revered it. So also the lecture was the out come of the call of the siddha purusha who attained samadhi at that place very long back.
AT T.V. MALAI:
Here Sri Periyavar's address was on the subject "Call of the soul". Lord Shiva, who proved his supremacy among the Thirumoorthies by taking the Vishvaroopa, had made him to lecture there. He stressed the importance of the pilgrim center, which attracted many foreigners who spent their vacations here as well as in other famous pilgrim centers in India. Many great souls unseen by people are still doing tapas at T.V Malai. This adds to the spiritual significance of this place. Sri Periyavar stressed the importance of "KARTHIKAI DEEPAM" the center of attraction for not only the human beings but also for DEVAS, GANDHARVAS, KIMPURSHA and other great rishis.
AT THURINJAPURAM:
At the lecture here Sri Periyavar disclosed the importance of the "prasadham". He told that one should never ask anything from God since he is prepared to give everything without asking. Yet another feature of the lectures was that here many people from neighboring villages thronged in and entreated Sri Periyavar to come and purify their village as well.
USAAMBAADI:
In this village there were many Mirasudhars who did not believe in spiritual way of life. But the lecture given by Sri Periyavar was the turning point in their lives. This was clear from the fact that even after many years they still came to have dharshan of Sri Periyavar at other places also.
CHENGAM:
Here the lecture given by Sri Periyavar had an embalming effect on the unity of religions. As mentioned previously an explosive situation was averted with the help of the photo of Sri Periyavar. The divisional officer who had the photo of Sri Periyavar was able to control a furious mob. All remained calm and a dangerous situation was averted.
AANAAIPIRANTHAN:
Here another sadhu who was a doctor resided in the hermitage. Sri Periyavar used to visit this place whenever he came to T.V. Malai. Here also Sri Periyavar gave a lecture on the subject "Call of the soul." Villagers from the neighboring hamlets and even form Tirukoillur attended the discourse.
VELLORE:
Sri Periyavar at the request of the local people accepted the offer to lecture at Vellore. It was quite rainy day. All had arrived. The V.I.P who was a retired D.S.P also came to witness the discourse. I am emphasizing this point because this man had no faith in God and he came just came to test Sri Periyavar. I was acquainted to him from before. He asked me "Where is your Sri Periyavar who is to give the lectures today?". I simply pointed towards Sri Periyavar who was sitting on the Dias. To this the D.S.P remarked "After all he is a small boy like my grand child and I do not know what he would talk on the spiritual subject". I simply replied that "You wait and see".
Sri Periyavar began his discourse and the D.S.P was overwhelmed with sentiment and he started weeping like a child. At the end of the lecture he apologized for his earlier remarks. He informed all including Sri Periyavar that he had heard many discourses during his official carrier, including Sri Kamaraj’s but none affected him so much as that of Sri Periyavar. He did "Saashtaanga Namaskarm" to Sri Periyavar and pleaded to forgive him for his innocence. Such was the speech that it touched the heart of the listeners since it was not just verbose or jugglery of words but the voice came from the depth of his heart after the matured experiences he had. From this episode onwards D.S.P became an ardent disciple of Sri Periyavar and through him many other V.I.Ps of Katpaadi and other places also came to get the blessing of Sri Periyavar at the Aanmeega Nilayam in Krishnagiri.
Here I have to make a special mention about the lecture of Sri Periyavar. Unlike others he never prepared for any talk and gave his discourses importance.
In fact for a certain lecture, a person who accompanied Sri Periyavar for all the meetings asked him whether he had not prepared any script or note on the subject. To this Sri Periyavar replied that why should he prepare since his Master was talking through him so he doesn’t need to bother. Therefore for all his lectures Sri Periyavar never made any preparations. All the while he would be giving dharshan and advises and he would give the lecture spontaneously which he did even for the radio talk at Pondicherry and Madras. He never prepared any script. In fact office in charge of audition enquired his superior whether Sri Periyavar had the script but the head of the office, the station director simply replied that there was no script as such and he was instructed to record Sri Periyavar's lecture.
At the end of his recording the same officer and the subordinate mentioned to me that the frequency of the speech usually in mike would be fluctuating. But in the case of Sri Periyavar's speech, from the very beginning to the end it was having the same frequency. This was a rare opportunity in the history of recordings. Such was the eloquence and the mode of Sri Periyavar's lectures. It attracted everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, and nationality. The lecture of Sri Periyavar was unique and was much different from others’.
AT SHOLINGAR:
The lectures of Sri Periyavar given in and around T.V.Malai had attracted the people even at Sholingar, the famous place for Lord Narashima.
At this lecture another strange episode happened. An officer who had not much interest came with us for the lecture. It seemed he had asked few questions to Sri YOGI RAM SURATH KUMAR of T.V.malai and he was told by others that he would get the answers within a week.
Even at the outset in his lecture Sri Periyavar answered the questions of the officer who had actually asked the questions to the Godchild of T.V.Malai, Sri YOGI RAM SURATH KUMAR. He was not able to reconcile. He asked the question to Swamiji but he received the answers from Sri Periyavar, which he never expected. At the end of lecture the officer informed of this fact and he enquired Sri Periyavar the how he was able to give the reply to the questions which were asked to Sri Swamiji at T.V.Malai. Sri Periyavar simply laughed.
The fact in this case was Sri Swamiji was aged. Whereas Sri Periyavar was very young and it is really wonder how one gets reply from very different aged persons and at a different place. The reply would be that all saints were one and the same, and even though there was vast difference of age, time and distance but all were connected "SUTHRAI MANI GANI IVA". The same officer then came to Krishnagiri where he got answer from the PEEDAM where Sri Periyavar sits. I had already dealt in detail of this earlier.
NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE:
The same officer of whom I have mentioned above had yet another very strange experience. His son who was in Katpaadi put his cloth on a stay wire on the previous night. When he got up in the early morning the next day he pulled the cloths out from the wire but to his misfortune he got electrocuted due to lack of insulation on the wire. Accordingly as per the statement given by the boy he fell unconscious and in fact life had almost departed from his body. He had a NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, a very rare experience. Even modern science could not throw light on this. We were told that the soul leaving the body on the ground was rising up with great speed. But all of a sudden some spiritual force stopped the soul and brought the boy back to life.
The boy with his father came to Krishnagiri and explained about this episode himself. To this Sri Periyavar simply smiled and told that for a true devotee time and distance is not at all a bar. Only thing we have to do is to SURRENDER to the Master TOTALLY without any reservation. Only then he could help one to free himself from the bondage of karma. In this Kaliyuga there is no other method to get freed from the cycle of birth and death.
RELEASE OF BOOK BY SRI PERIYAVAR:
Sri Periyavar wanted a book entitled ATHEEGAM and NATHEEGAM to be released on Sri Rama Navami Day. For this Swamiji had written his blessing as follows - "Those who read the book by Sri Periyavar are very near and dear to my father and would get the blessings of the Lord". Sri Swamiji received the first copy of the book on that occasion.
MEETING WITH SRI SADHU SAIDAS:
There was yet another sadhu in the nearby village of Aanaai Piranthan. Sri Periyavar used to visit his hermitage as well. On one occasion Sri Periyavar was the chief guest. A lady who accompanied him also was given the same privilege. Therefore if any one who accompanied Sri Periyavar also used to get a very good reception.
RELIEF FROM HEADACHE:
There was a North Indian lady who used to live in T.V. Malai. Once she invited Sri Periyavar to her residence and she was relieved of the headache which troubled her from a very long period. She extended an invitation to Sri Periyavar to come and stay at her house since it was quite big but Sri Periyavar politely turned down the proposal stating that he would act only on the instructions of his Master.
CONDUCT OF THIRUKKURAL FUNCTION:
The local people made elaborate arrangements for the function. But we had very heavy rain and all the arrangements were in vein. Added to this, the local authority proclaimed the section 144, which prevented the holding of any public function. But the organizer who had experience with Sri Periyavar immediately proceeded to Krishnagiri and entreated Sri Periyavar to come and bless the successful completion of the function. Sri Periyavar willingly accepted the invitation and arrived at T.V. Malai on the previous night of the function.
To the astonishment of all, with the arrival of Sri Periyavar the section 144 was withdrawn allowing the function to be conducted with out any impediment. The rain which was lashing hard also stopped all of a sudden as Sri Periyavar stepped on the platform just to have a look at the arrangement made. Thus a function threatened by nature as well as local authority could be conducted with unexpected success to the great surprise of all. In fact that was the talk of the town for few days.
Chapter 9
Sri Periyavar Ramamurthyji
COLLEGE STUDENTS STRIKE AVERTED:
Yet another episode that made a landmark in the history of T.V. Malai was that of a dramatic ending of the strike by the college students. In fact there was also a law and order problem averted at the appropriate time by the presence of two great saints who were also revered by the principal of that institution. It happened that the strike by the college students went to be vehement and furious and they threatened to blow the movable properties. The Principal's pleading were of no avail. So as a last resort he sought the blessings of the saints and wanted the presence of Sri Periyavar at that place.
But on that day there was a bus strike and there were no transport facilities available. But Sri Periyavar decided to come to T.V. Malai. To the surprise of everyone even after the strike one bus was ready to be started for T.V Malai. So the driver called all those who were willing to come with him. Sri Periyavar with his relatives boarded the bus and came to T.V. Malai to the surprise of all.
A room in Unnamalai Amman Lodge was booked for Sri Periyavar and I was waiting for his arrival. Sri Ram Surath Kumar also came there. He suddenly asked me to get the copy of Sri Bhagavath Geetha. He asked me to read the fifth sloka of 15th chapter where it has been stated "That those relieved of all likes and dislikes, those sadhu who are unattached to worldly objects are really relieved of all the effects of good and bad. So nothing could affect them". So also Sri Periyavar would soon come as decided. Just then Sri Periyavar stepped into our room. Meanwhile Sri Yogi Ram Surath Kumarji asked me to be in contact with the principal to know the situation at the college.
On the arrival of Sri Periyavar I called up the principal. At that moment he was addressing the students to call off the strike. All the striking students accepted this appeal, blessed by the two saints. The authorities not at all expected this. But the student called off the strike and attended the classes. The principal immediately came to the lodge where Sri Periyavar and Sri Swamiji were put up and prostrated before them for all their kindness and blessings without any reservation. This could not have happened at all. All of us were much blessed by the presence of both the great saints.
This episode was a surprise to the people of T.V.Malai, which otherwise would have ended in bloodshed, destruction of public property and causing of law and order problem. So such a situation was averted.
ULUNDOORPET BEGGER HOME:
During his trip to the remote hamlets in the rural areas, Sri Periyavar one day happened to pass through a home for leprosy patients. He asked me to arrange for a meeting there. Accordingly I met the superintendent of the home and sought a date and I informed Sri Periyavar about the date. So during his trip to T.V.Malai camp he expressed the desire to visit that home in the morning.
The officer in charge made special arrangements for the meeting by putting a barricade to accommodate the leprosy patients and a separate stage was put up for Sri Periyavar for delivering his lecture. But to the surprise of all, Sri Periyavar instead of sitting at the arrangement made for him sat among the patients. The officer in charge was in a dilemma since he did not expect Sri Periyavar to sit with the patients. While sitting with them he began the lecture. S
At the outset itself he said that they were all blessed by God since there was no one to trouble them from doing bhakthi. To this statement some of them protested and said that they were not blessed but instead they were cursed which is why they are confined and away from others. To this Sri Periyavar replied that even though he himself was ready to come out of the house his relatives did not allow him. So his activities were restrained like the members of the home. But no one can stop them from thinking of and praying to Almighty. He also explained them the value of "NAMAJAPA" which was the suitable remedy for all the ailments in "KALIYUGA".
At this juncture one inmate stood up and told Sri Periyavar that he was a Baktha of Lord Muruga before coming to the home. He used to go to Palani every year then why was he cursed with this disease. To this Sri Periyavar explained that only because of the past karma he had to suffer and as he was now very much attached to God all his sins would be washed away and now he would be ready to be accepted by Lord Muruga. So he should not feel sorry at all. According to the nature's law, all Karmas have to be realized either good or bad. One has to work out his karma by submitting himself to Lord.
EXPERIENCES IN VRIDHACHALAM:
As mentioned, I took it as my duty to spread the message of SriPeriyavar wherever I was transferred. So when I was transferred to Vridhachalam from T.V.Malai as Divisonal Officer whenever I got opportunity I used to tell my friends about Sri Periyavar. Through them I was able to arrange for the lectures of Sri Periyavar in the rural areas here as well.
LECTURE IN VRIDHACHALAM:
On a festival day a lecture was arranged at Vridhachalm. This place is spiritually honored by the Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Mahan PAMBATTI SWAMIGAL a great Sidhapurusha. Here also the subject was "Call of the Soul". The lecture was well attended and there was good feedback also in the later years.
AT KOLANJIAPPAR KOIL:
Here also there is Samadhi of a sadhu and the lecture by Sri Periyavar here mainly dealt with Siddhapurusha with whose Spiritual powers, temple became famous. Here I got the clearance for the script containing the experiences at Tiruvannamalai between Sri Periyavar and Sri Swamiji.
SRI PERIYAVAR'S BIRTHDAY:
In Kolinjiappar koil yet another incident happened on a later date. It was the birthday of Sri Periyavar. I went to have dharshan and took lunch and new clothes for him. But Sri Periyavar had already left by 11 am and the people there informed me that he did not say anything before he left the place. So I waited for his arrival. He came by 2:30 pm and informed me that he went for meditation and sat on the hot sand till 2 pm as per the directions of his master. Then he accepted the lunch as well as the new clothes presented by me.
FIAT CAR WADING THROUGH FLOODWATER:
On one evening we had a program at Thiagadhurgam. So we started by my car for that function. On the way there was a very strong smell of sandal perfume. But no one had any such things with us in the car. When I asked about it Sri Periyavar told me that his mater's presence was there and hence the good smell. We reached a submergible bridge on our way to the place where lecture was to be held. Here we were confronted with a problem. The situation was that due to heavy rains on the previous night there was a breach in the big tank and so the main road was flooded with the water up to knee height. We saw a loaded lorry washed away and was overturned and fell on one side of the road.
The driver said that our car couldn't pass through the knee deep flooded water which was flowing with force. But just in front of our car a boy appeared and showed us the way with a stick in his hand amidst the water flowing with high speed. The lorry driver told us that we should not take this venture since even his heavy loaded vehicle was washed away by the velocity of the running water. He said that our car with only foot clearance would not be able to wade through the water. Sri Periyavar asked the car driver to start the car and proceed as it was led by the boy with a stick in his hand showing us the way.
We were able to cross the stream without any difficulty. On reaching the other end, a drop of water did not enter the car nor was there any damage to the engine. The boy who led us the way also vanished. Sri Periyavar immediately informed that HIS MASTER had come in the guise of the boy and led us the way. He also informed us that if anyone totally surrenders to his master he would surely be saved from the "RIVER OF LIFE" and will be taken to the other end of "MOKSHA" by the master. This episode was a great lesson for my life. It was really a very strange feat to cross fast flowing flood water by a Fiat car having very limited clearance without a drop of water entering into the car or stopping the engine while doing so.
There are other episodes connected with this vehicle all by the grace of Sri Periyavar which I shall narrate at the appropriate time. On reaching our destination we entered the temple premises where the lecture was arranged. It was indeed a very pleasant experience for us after overcoming the hurdles in the form of flooded water.
CAR EPISODES:
a) CHANGE OF CAR TYRE
Sri Periyavar took a pilgrimage to the southern districts of Tamil Nadu in my fiat car. At the commencement of the journey at Thozhudhur while checking the air in the tire it was observed that one wheel was very badly damaged and that could not be used any further. So an alternate wheel was put into use whose tire was also equally bad. Then Sri Periyavar told the driver that for the whole journey only this wheel should be used. The vehicle had travelled many kilometers in all kinds of terrain including hilly tracks as well. But the tire, which was so worn out, stood all the strain throughout the journey. Not only that I used the same tire for another three months without any difficulty. So the words of Sri Periyavar had such miraculous power which made the worn out car tire to run for such a long time and distance.
b) AN ACCIDENT AVERTED
At one point Sri Periyavar during his pilgrimage had to pass a stretch of road which was washed away by rainwater. There was a big pit formed in the middle of the road which was filled with water. So it was not easily seen and recognized that there was a pit there. The driver was coming at a high speed. Suddenly Sri Periyavar touched the shoulders of the driver from the rear seat cautioning him to stop. The driver immediately stopped the car.
Then I was told by the driver that he was asked to get down from his seat to see the condition of the road. Then to the utter surprise of the driver he found the big pit in the middle of the road filled with water. Had he come at the same speed the car would have met with a major accident. Sri Periyavar averted this by timely warning the driver. The other occupants of the car who had camera with them took picture of that place, which is available with me.
c) CAR WITHOUT FUEL FROM THIRUCHENDHUR TO KRISHNAGIRI
Yet another episode much more fascinating happened on their return journey. At one point when Sri Periyavar was in trance in the rear seat of the car, the driver informed that there was no petrol. But Sri Periyavar heard it as there was no water in the radiator. So he asked the driver to use the water from the hand pump on the roadside. The driver who had never a second thought on this implicitly obeyed. He filled the petrol tank with water and they returned to Krishnagiri without fuel but only on water.
On reaching the Nilayam at Krishnagiri the driver was describing with great surprise that the vehicle had come without a drop of petrol but with water as directed by Sri Periyavar. This has also been narrated in one of the books by Sri Periyavar.
d) RETURNING OF THE DRIVER ALONE
After he dropped Sri Periyavar at Krishnagiri the driver had to return to Vriddhachalam alone. He was scared of driving the car alone in the midnight without anybody's company. So he expressed his fear to Sri Periyavar. To that he was told that he will accompany him. The driver was coming without any fear. All the while he heard the voice of Sri Periyavar from the rear seat but he was told not to turn back and see the rear seat. He reached the junction of Vriddhachalam and Salem road. Suddenly the voice of Sri Periyavar stopped. He travelled the remaining distance and on arrival in Vriddhachalam the driver narrated to me this incidence. So Sri Periyavar is always with those who trust wholeheartedly without any reservation.
AT CUDDALORE:
Sri Periyavar had a lecture in cuddalore town. It was arranged in the open theatre in the Municipal Park. The lecture was well attended. Among others the Municipal Commissioner and PA to collector also attended. At the end of the lecture SriPeriyavar invited questions or any clarification on the subject of lecture.
The Municipal Commissioner who was my friend asked one pertinent question. Sri Periyavar in his lecture had told that all karmas should be done without any expectations. For example even during prayer to God or when you go to a temple you should not expect anything in return for your prayer. By "PALASRUTHI" i.e., if anyone repeats the manthras or slokas for so many times he would get such and such a beneficial results. He asked whether this do not contradict the statement of Sri Periyavar in his lecture.
To this Sri Periyavar replied it is not so. The recitation of slokas was only like a bite we give to the child to attend the school. At the initial stages it is quite necessary to get involved in the process of Bhakthi with Lord. After some time when one gets the experiences he would not bother about the result. He would resign himself to the dictum: "DUTY IS THY CONCERN AND FRUIT IS NOT THY CONCERN". So at the initial stages just as a child before learning to walk uses go-cart to learn the art of walking so also the bhaktha at the early step is helped to get into involvement. The Palasruthi is the beginning and not end in itself.
THE ACT OF OTHER RELIGIOUS PEOPLE:
Yet another episode happened that day. Few people who belonged to R.S.S came and complained to Sri Periyavar that some others belonging to other religion were not only abusing our gods but their action like putting garlands of chappals do wound the feelings of Hindus. To this Sri Periyavar said that the HINDU religion will be able to protect itself and one cannot do any harm to it. This religion had faced many onslaughts of invasions of all kinds of faiths yet it survives, is a pertinent fact. Such people who think and act otherwise would come to their senses and repent for their action. Retaliation is not the remedy for such acts.
AT PONDICHERRY:
The next morning Sri Periyavar had a program to be recorded at the A.I.R, Pondicherry. For this I had obtained the permission of the station's Director whom I met on his official work at Kallakuruchi previously. I had already narrated about this.
Chapter 10
Sri Periyavar Ramamurthyji
AT SANKARAPURAM:
Sri Periyavar gave a lecture at the temple premises of Sankarapuram, a remote place. Here also there is a very old temple where a saint's samadhi is situated. In that spiritual atmosphere Sri Periyavar gave a discourse on the "Importance of visiting temple and the power of sincere prayers". He dealt about the efficiency and embalming effect of Bhakthi especially in today’s time. Here one person asked about the laws of Karma to which Sri Periyavar replied that all have to face the consequences of his deeds of good or bad. But with the help of the master one can overcome the result.
AT PATTUKOTTAI:
When I was transferred to Pattukottai to the training center I had the fortune to arrange for a lecture there as well. The Deputy Director (Edu) for Labour also came to attend the lecture. Here also Sri Periyavar emphasized on the "DUTY OF EVERYONE" according to his status without expecting any return. He would be rewarded without any reservation.
Here another episode happened before going for the lecture. Sri Periyavar would take bath as he thinks that this was also a form of worship and with all inward and outward purity one should speak of god and on spiritual aspects. While he was bathing the Mala he wore around his neck somehow got broken and two pearl beads attached to the Mala fell and could not be traced at all.
For this Sri Periyavar remarked, "I have 2 pearls more worthy than those. So I do not bother about losing of the same". He was referring to my 4th and 5th daughters who were much attached to Sri Periyavar. They had gone to yathras with Sri Periyavar at their very young age. All by the grace of Sri Periyavar.
NATARAJA TEMPLE:
It was "SIVARATRI DAY". Sri Periyavar along with the Dy. Director (Edu) Labor wing had programmed to go. Here the discourse was in a dilapidated temple under a tree. At this place Lord SIVA gave dharsan to a bhaktha who was lame and wanted to go to Chidambaram and have dharshan. But the person was very sincere and devoted. Lord Siva came to this man and gave dharshan of the Divine Dance there itself which even other Gods or Devas would not get. Such was the spiritual significance of this place. We all were there till midnight. The returning was a problem, as one would not get a transport to come back to Pattukottai which was 10 kms from this place, at night. But to our good luck we had a van ready to go to Pattukottai and so God was kind enough to send the help when it was needed.
FIRE ACCIDENT AVERTED:
Yet another incident happened on the same day. While myself with Sri Periyavar and others had come to participate in the Pooja at the sacred place my wife who was boiling rice caught fire in her sari ofwhich she was not aware. Luckily the maidservant who noticed that immediately put it off on time. To our good luck the fire did not spread and touched her body. Thus she was saved by providence. So Sri Periyavar is always with us irrespective of time and distance. If anyone surrenders to him he is ready to accept.
AT DHARMAPURI:
At Adhiyamankottai, at the request of the local people a lecture was arranged. This is a historic place of the famous king Adhiyaman. Here apart from stressing on the need of Bhakthi Sri Periyavar explained that merely visiting the temple or putting caste marks on the forehead were not enough for the real Bhakthi. One should have purity of mind, word and action and devoid of ego to attain purity. For this the visit to temples and other religious places would help one to equip with the trials and turmoil of life. This would further help him to maintain the equilibrium of mind.
WARDING OF EVIL SPIRIT:
Yet another incident happened. Sri Periyavar explained that due to some reason if one could not preserve the Turmeric Prasad which given by him with good thoughts, the result could still be felt. When anyone was given this Prasad naturally this unseen but perceptible result would be working. So the vibrations of good thoughts would naturally begin to work as soon as Sri Periyavar hands over the Prasad to the recipients.
Again here a man seized by an evil spirit when given this Prasad at first didn’t accept it and only after Sri Periyavar put the Prasad on his head he came to his senses and accepted the same.
AT DHARMAPURI TOWN:
An officer who had some experience with Sri Periyavar at Vridachalam was very eager to meet him at the Nilayam in Krishnagiri. So, both of us started at 8 am for the Nilayam. But something or the other prevented our departure to Krishnagiri. Meantime Sri Periyavar had decided to go to Salem via Dharmapuri. But even his starting from Krishnagiri was prevented for some reasons or the other. At the end we were able to meet him at Nilayam in Krishnagiri. He explained that a powerful desire of a devotee would even postpone the planned program. Since both of us were very eager to meet Sri Periyavar it delayed his departure to Salem.
While talking to Sri Periyavar my friend mentioned that he was a staunch Christian and he believed in prayers and meditation. For this Sri Periyavar said all people irrespective of religion and other distinctions were welcomed. Sri Periyavar then explained in detail the real secret of meditation. It really meant the mind getting over the good and bad natured thoughts and even goes beyond them without any idea of having a mind at all.
For this state one should not concentrate which only makes the mind to draw unnecessary thoughts and the stillness of mind could not be attained by that concentration. The best way is to submit to God totally, the mind as well as the soul which could alone help one to get that state of mind devoid of any kind of thoughts either good or bad. It would lead to stillness with which one can reach the highest state of Bliss.
AT MARANDAHALLI:
At times Sri Periyavar makes his devotee to work out a problem. It so happened that at Marandahalli a very fertile area, two mirasudars both devotees of Sri Periyavar were entangled in a land dispute. This reached to the point that each one took up weapons to settle the dispute. At that stage I by chance went there without any prior program. I was just passing through that village. I wanted to meet a friend of mine. But when I went there it was the same person who was involved in the dispute. On seeing me he exclaimed that Sri Periyavar had averted a catastrophe by sending me here. If you had come late I would be there in the field entering the land dispute, which would have only ended in bloodshed.
I was served meals and then I took leave of them only by 3 pm. By that time the heat of the problem subsided and the dispute that would have taken a turn of law and order situation was settled amicably. Such was the compassion of Sri Periyavar towards his devotees.
3rd DAUGHTER'S MARRIAGE:
With the blessings of Sri Periyavar I had arranged for the marriage of my 3rd daughter. As mentioned earlier she had a health problem and that was solved only by blessings of Sri Periyavar. For conducting the marriage I requested the presence of the Sri Periyavar. As mentioned I had already conducted my 2nd daughter's marriage. For this Sri Yogi Ram Surat Kumar of T.V.Malai had given me enough money to meet all expenses including the Vaidheeka Karma.
Sri Periyavar came one day in advance and stayed with us till next day of the marriage. He blessed us all by his physical presence. The marriage was conducted in a grand manner.
DELIVERY OF MY 3RD DAUGHTER:
While at Dharmapuri we had to look after the 1st delivery of my 3rd daughter. As she had some problem before the marriage we thought it better to have a scan. The result was that there would be difficulty at the time of delivery and so the doctors advised to have Caesarian Operation.
We took her to Salem to have a second opinion and went for a checkup by a gynecologist. She also expressed the same opinion. But I thought that it would be better to have the blessings of Sri Periyavar under whom we had taken refuge. Sri Periyavar after seeing my daughter at the advanced stages of pregnancy said that the delivery would be quite normal and there was no need for any anxiety. And as told by Sri Periyavar she had a very normal delivery at a Nursing Home in Dharmapuri itself, in spite of the fact that the medical opinion was otherwise to resort to Caesarian Operation.
This clearly shows that medical opinions do not hold well and only the blessings of Sadhus reign supreme.
AT KUMBAKONAM:
Sri Periyavar during his camp at Kumbakonam was put up in a Lodge just near the famous Jewelery and Diamond market, M/s Gopal Das & Co. The owner of this concern had a curiosity to have dharshan of Sri Periyavar. He came there to see Sri Periyavar. At that time Sri Periyavar had to post a letter. The owner of the Jewellery offered to post that letter for him. He did so and returned again to see Sri Periyavar. Then he introduced himself as the owner of the famous shop and that put Sri Periyavar in an embarrassing position. But the Gentleman consoled Sri Periyavar that it was his duty to serve him.
Then he invited Sri Periyavar to his residence. The family was also blessed by a great soul. It seems that their KULAGURU, before he died, had left his advice at a particular point, stating that a young Sadhu would come and continue the same from where he had left.
After the formal introduction Sri Periyavar started his lecture. To the astonishment of family members the lecture was continued from the very point where their KULAGURU had left. All the members were much pleased to have a very strange experience of hearing a lecture of their KULAGURU.
As mentioned earlier, time and distance is not a bar for the Sadhus from doing their part of spiritual work. Here I have to mention also the Sholingar lecture when Sri Periyavar gave replies to the questions put to Sri YOGI Ram Surat Kumar of T.V.Malai. This proves the statement that God works through all irrespective of the age and the Sadhus spoke TRUTH at all times. All sadhus are like the beads of Rosary, which had been knitted into a garland in one string.
Chapter 11
Sri Periyavar Ramamurthyji
AT SALEM YAGAM:
A friend of mine who was in Police in the rank of Deputy Superintendent attended a Yaga Conducted by Sri Periyavar at Salem. After the function was over I introduced him to Sri Periyavar. Sri Periyavar looked at the face of the Officer. The Police Officer could not stand the piercing looks of Sri Periyavar and so turned his face away. He could not stand the power of Sri Periyavar. But when Sri Periyavar looked at the Officer's wife she was simply laughing hysterically. She stated that she was overwhelmed with the pure love and joy and that she was laughing on seeing the calm and peaceful look of Sri Periyavar. The same look of a Sadhu makes one turn away his face where as the same look makes another enjoy the bliss. This is very strange indeed.
Here I have to narrate an episode about the experience the same Police Officer had at the Samadhi of Sri MUNIYANDI SWAMIGAL OF K. RENGAPALAYAM and also at his own office where he was given physical dharsan by our Swami after 18 years of his samadhi. So this Police Officer had experience of both Sadhus, a strange thing indeed.
AT HARUR:
Sri Periyavar had program to have a lecture in the town. But he could not attend. I had his lecture in an audiotape. One Officer from Industries Dept hailed from Salem. But he was not aware of Aanmeega Nilayam about which I spoke to him at length. So as soon as he returned to Salem he visited the Aanmeega Nilayam with his family.
The strange thing in this episode is that the two daughters of the officer later became the inmates of the Nilayam doing all jobs for Sri Periyavar. In fact Sri Periyavar is looked after only by these two fortunate individuals who had done great Punya in the past to be in the service of Sri Periyavar.
So also the son of this officer was the Secretary to Sri Periyavar for very long time and only at the command of Sri Periyavar he went for a job in Coimbatore. My causal narration of experience to the officer had really worked in the right directions making his whole family to be in the service of Sri Periyavar and very rare opportunities indeed. God works in many ways and the deserving get the noble work of serving enlightened Sadhus like Sri Periyavar. All this is leela of God. We are all tools in his hands.
LOSS OF MOTOR BIKE:
A great devotee of Sri Periyavar was working as Transport Officer. Sri Periyavar had planned to go to Ceylon for lectures. For that this Officer went to Madras to get the Passport and Visa Clearance. There he left his motorbike in front of the Passport issuing office and was attending to the work. Meantime one person lifted the bike and bolted away. On returning the officer could not find the bike. But instead of lodging a complaint as usually done by others he simply returned to Salem and informed this to Sri Periyavar and then he didn’t do anything else.
After a week or so the officer got information about his lost vehicle from Rajasthan. Luckily the person who took away his bike did not tamper even the number plate. So the Officer got back the vehicle intact. All by the grace of Sri Periyavar.
PHOTO OF SRI PERIYAVAR:
One devotee who was much attached to Sri Periyavar asked his attendant to get copies of the photograph of Sri Periyavar from the studio. In fact that messenger had no faith at all. But simply to obey the command of his officer he went. It so happened that he was cycling with one hand holding the photo in the other. To his bad luck a bullock cart in front of him loaded with iron bars protruding stopped all of a sudden due to traffic jam. The attendant was coming behind that with the photo of Sri Periyavar. He was struck by that protruding iron rod on his chest and luckily he got no injuries on his chest. He was saved from a critical situation by the help of Sri Periyavar’s photo.
From that day onwards he surrendered to Sri Periyavar for saving him from the injury.
IN DHARMAPURI TOWN:
There was a businessman who had contacts with Sri Periyavar. At the beginning he showed much enthusiasm. But Sri Periyavar gave him some test to prove his sincerity, which he could not stand, and he had to face miserable failure both in his worldly as well as in spiritual life.
This clearly shows that only with whole hearted and sincere devotion to a Sadhu one can win over and not by just the outward show or pretending to be a good man. One has to reap the fruit of his own action. One cannot try to cheat others by false show.
IN CHENNAI (VADAPALANI):
Just below my apartment we have a shopping complex. Among many other shops we have a cyber café. There are two ladies who work there of which one belongs to Hindu religion and other to Islam. Why I make mention about this is because the spiritual teachings knows no bar of caste or creed. I wanted to take a photocopy of a sadhu from a book by Sri Periyavar. So I took it. These ladies who were interested on the Title of the book had an inclination towards reading the book. So I left it with them. Both of them were much involved and asked for other books written by Sri Periyavar. I gave them all the books I had. They were much pleased to read all the books and not only that I told them if they repeat Sri Periyavar Saranam as many times as possible they would get mental peace.
The Hindu lady had a son at the age of 8. Even at this age he was spoilt by the company of bad people and he was involved in all kinds of nefarious activities unbecoming of his age as well as his family traditions. This was a great headache to her. In fact the boy was sent out from every educational institution where he was admitted. So the lady was in a fix. At last the boy was admitted into a hostel some 20 Km from Chennai. At the beginning the boy played all his pranks and made the lives of other mates miserable. Whenever the lady went to see the boy the warden used to complaint of the misdeeds of the boy.
At this time she read the books of Sri Periyavar and she would pray to Sri Periyavar for the change of behavior of the boy at the hostel. Her sincere prayer was heard and when she went to see her son at the Hostel with great fear thinking that the boy would be sent out from there as well due to his bad behavior. When the warden called her she was much worried. But to her surprise the warden told her that from the past few days there was perceptible change in the boy's behavior and he was so calm and the boy was appreciated. The lady who heard this favorable statement was overwhelmed and she thanked Sri Periyavar from the bottom of her heart. From then onwards her devotion to Sri Periyavar increased so much that she totally surrendered to Sri Periyavar and she told everybody about the sincere prayer alone saved her son.
CHANGE OF OUT LOOK:
I had mentioned about another lady. She had no faith even in her religion. But after reading the books of Sri Periyavar she experienced a total change in her mental attitude. Formerly she was rude to everybody but after her experience she became soft to everyone and this was a visible change in her.
At times the institution faced monetary problem. For the EB and Telephone dues they had to break their head. But after her experience they resigned themselves to Allah. And this surrender to the Almighty gave them the strength to bear any problem. At the times of exigency they were saved somehow or other getting funds to clear their dues without any worries.
Indeed this had made them much affectionate towards Sri Periyavar even without physically seeing him. The total surrender makes one to face any problems in life with fortitude and piece of mind.
TRIP TO MECCA CONFORMED IN TIME:
The owner of the said cyber café had programmed to go to Dubai for which he already made reservation by flight. But he did not confirm the reservation. He had already gone to the airport. To his utter disappointment the person could not board on plane since there was no seat available even with reservation. The ladies who went to see him off prayed to Sri Periyavar to solve the problem. To the utter astonishment of all there was a seat vacant at the last moment due to the cancellation of a ticket. So this gentleman got the opportunity to go by air to the foreign country.
So this clearly shows that our prayers are heard at the proper time when every other attempt fails, so God stepped to help him. Sincere prayers of the ladies to Sri Periyavar helped the gentleman to get the accommodation at the last moment.
LEAVING THE 2 WHEELER ON ROAD WITHOUT LOCKING:
Once it so happened that the lady whose son had turned a new leaf at the hostel had left her two-wheeler on the road itself since the parking area was flooded due to heavy rain. She left the vehicle without locking it since she was in a hurry to attend some other urgent work.
She could return and see the vehicle only after the lapse of some hours. Generally one could not expect a vehicle to be available on the road if it was not locked. But to her surprise when she returned back the vehicle was standing at its place and this happened since she had left the vehicle after taking Sri Periyavar’s name. This was really a very strange episode in the city where we often hear of thefts of vehicles.
TEST FOR THE LADY TO BE CALM:
The same lady was often short tempered and would pick quarrels for unnecessary things. It seems that Sri Periyavar appeared in her dream and advised her to be soft to all. The very next morning she had an experience of meeting a circumstance which would certainly make one angry.
But she remembered the words of Sri Periyavar in the dreams and so she kept calm. Even after much provocation she did not become angry. From that day onwards she remembered the words of Sri Periyavar and she had adopted a very reasonable stand in her life by not becoming upset by the emotions induced by others.
ENCOMIUM BY SRI YOGI RAM SURAT KUMARJI:
I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the quotation made by Sri Yogi Ram Surath Kumar of Tiruvannamalai. "Sri Periyavar Ramamoorthi is like a great ship who is guiding every soul in the vast ocean of the mundane world. All of us should follow him so that we can liberate ourselves from the cycle of birth and death."
OM Shanti
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