His Words
(Biography by Sri Baraneedharan, translated by Sri Sridhar Thiaaraan):
CHAPTER 1 - BIRTH
Sri Adi Sankara established certain methods of worship of goddess Kamakshi and in order to ensure that these are properly followed, he brought with him thirty Devi Devotees along with their families from the banks of Narmada to Kanchipuram.
They had Sri Kamakshi as their family deity and were responsible for the spread of Srividya Upaasana. They were called as “Kaamakotiyaar”. All those who belonged to the lineage of Kaamakotiyaar are devotees of Kamakshi.
In the tradition of Kaamakotiyaar, about 200 years ago, a great person was born under the Ashtasahasra Subsect. He was named Kaamakoti Sastrigal. Apart from being a devout and great follower of the Srividhya method of worship, he had acquired great proficiency and scholarship in all the shastras even at a very young age.
As he had in-depth knowledge in Vedas and Vedanta, many would come to him to seek clarification about their doubts.
However, for his lineage to thrive, Sastrigal was not blessed with a male child. He was the father of Seshammal, a girl, his only child, but he loved the children of his elder brother, Chidambara Sastrigal as his very own. Chidambara Sastrigal had two sons and two daughters.
Of them the pampered youngest was Maragatham, and she resembled an incarnation of Goddess Ambikai herself. She was bestowed with beauty, good character and a beneficent nature.
Maragatham was of marriageable age. Kamakoti Sastrigal was looking for a suitable match for his daughter. Finally he decided that his disciple, Varadarajan will be the most suitable match. On an auspicious day, Varadarajan married Maragatham, with Lord Agni as witness to the occasion.
A life as peaceful and tranquil as a clear placid lake, was disturbed by grief. Varadaraja Sastrigal and Maragatham were yearning for a male child to let their family lineage prosper and continue. “O Goddess of the Universe, Ocean of Compassion, your divine grace will bring a dead tree to life; that being the case please bless us with a child”- so they prayed to Ambikai with tear filled eyes.
The family deity showered kindness on them. That night, Mother Kamakshi, appeared in the Sastrigal’s dream and instructed “Offer butter to couple, a child of wisdom shall be born”.
Is not the mother’s prasad nectar? Maragatham conceived. Friends and relatives rejoiced. The Divine child grew as the waxing moon in her womb. All the religious functions like Valaikaapu, Seemandham were conducted.
All the ladies, enjoyed decorating Maragatham with flowers. The virtuous lady carrying the wise one, was glowing like the full moon, and she shone like a statue made of ivory.
Days passed. With the heavenly deities blessing and the mortals on earth receiving the blessings, Maragatham delivered a boy child comparable to Sri Krishna.
On a Saturday, 22 January 1870, under the auspices of the star Hastham, a boy child was born as Kamakshi’s prasadam. He was named Seshadri.
All the signs of a great soul which would shine in the future was seen in the child as it grew. Being a gift of Parasakthi, to be immersed in the thoughts of the almighty and to be involved in prayers and worship was but natural.
Sitting in his mother’s hip, during visits to temples, even as a child, Seshadri used to pray like others with palms pressed in front of his chest. Immersed in a sea of devotion, when mother Maragatham was rendering the devotional songs, Seshadri was initiated into music as he listened to these songs losing himself in them.
Even before he was 4 years of age, she had taught him devotional chants like Krishnashtakam, Ramashtakam, Mookapanchasathi, Gurusthuthi etc: Even as he toddled and fell as a child while learning to walk, Seshadri would be murmuring the slokas.
Varadaraja Josiyar’s joy knew no bounds. While he was yearning for a child at one stage, he was thrilled to have been blessed with a child of wisdom, and would think of some past deed of virtue he had done to be blessed thus.
While teaching his disciples he would keep his son in his lap. Seshadri used to attentively listen to Vedanta lessons as well.
Seeing his father sit and meditate with eyes closed, the child Seshadri also would sit in similar posture with “Chin Mudra” as if he was also meditating.
People who saw this were amazed and awestruck.
CHAPTER 2 – GOLDEN HAND
Seshadri, who shone like a golden doll, had completed 4 years of age. One day, along with his mother he went to the Sri Varadarajaswami temple. That was the season of festivities. A merchant had bought a sack of idols of Balakrishna, (baby Krishna) to sell in the market during this season.
On seeing that, Seshadri begged his mother to get him one of them (the idol of Balakrishna). Mother paid no heed to his cries, but the shopkeeper’s heart melted on seeing the child cry.
“Amma, your child resembles Krishna. He is desirous of this toy and wants it, let him take it” said the shopkeeper and called Seshadri nearby and asked him to take one with his own hands.
Thrilled at the prospect, the child dipped its cute tender hands into the sack and picked up one toy and ran away with unbounded joy. Maragatham tried to pay for the toy. The shopkeeper however refused to accept it.
What a wonder! By that evening all the bronze toys he had bought were sold out.
The next day, on seeing child Seshadri with Maragatham, the shopkeeper, overcome with ecstasy, with tears of joy brimming in his eyes, came running and fell at her feet and worshipped her. Maragatham was clueless.
Looking at the shopkeeper who stood up shivering, “Ennappa?” (What is it dear chap?) she enquired gently.
The shopkeeper was sobbing uncontrollably and crying. “Amma, your child is not an ordinary child. This is a lucky child. The moment he touched (my bag of dolls) brought in such good tidings that all the toys I brought yesterday were sold out.
I have been to many functions, and I would never be able to sell even 100 toys. Yesterday every toy got sold. This is a “golden hand” “golden hand” said he, filled with emotion and held the child’s hands to his eyes reverentially and kissed them.
The 4 year old was dumbstruck. Mother was filled with pride.
This news spread fast. Everybody called him “Golden Hand Seshadri”.
This golden hand, in later days brought good fortune to the traders and businessmen in Tiruvannamalai. The shopkeepers would anxiously wait with the sole desire and thought - “Will he not enter my shop, will he not touch our goods with his golden hands”. All that were touched by the golden hand prospered.
CHAPTER 3 – NAVANEETHA KRISHNAN
For many days, Seshadri kept that Navaneethakrishnan’s idol in his Pooja. After becoming a renunciate on attaining the knowledge of the truth and leaving his home, his brother Narasimha Josiyar continued doing Pooja to that idol. After many years, I had the good fortune of having a darshan of this idol at his relative’s house in Triplicane.
On seeing that Balakrishnan, it seemed to me to have seen Bala Seshadri himself. Seshadri, born of the grace of Kamakshi who appeared in the dream and said “Give butter, you will be blessed with a child of wisdom” and the divine child Krishna crawling with butter in His hands as a sign of consummate wisdom, were not different to my eyes but one and the same.
Somehow, I had the strong desire to immediately carry that Balakrishnan in my arms and show to Sri Maha Periva. I asked Devakunjari Ammal. With great joy, she gave the idol to me.
It was night time. At the entrance to Kanchipuram KollavaarChatram, Mahaperiyava was resting. Srikantan, who was rendering services to Mahaperiyava, went and whispered to Mahaperiyava that I had come with the idol and was waiting. I also went and stood near Acharya.
After a minute, Swamigal without opening his eyes, extended his holy hands towards me. Intently I observed those palms, which were like a lotus in full bloom. The hands that had performed Chandramouleeswara Pooja for more than sixty years, the hands that had performed more than sixty VyaasaPoojas, the hands that blessed and graced all those who came surrendering unto them, the golden cradle which sustained Dharma, in them I let the idol of krishna worshipped by the golden hand Seshadri to crawl and in that one second I subsumed myself into the bliss of having achieved the sole objective of my life, and attained the realms of no births.
Without opening His eyes, moving Krishna to his left hand, Swamigal caressed him. He touched every part of his golden body and rejoiced. With great love and affection he caressed the tuft in his head, his nose, lips, neck, hands, the ball of butter, waist, legs that crawl, the soft soles of his feet, tender fingers. Kannan was lost in the loving caress of Mother Yashodha.
True to the adage, the future crop is known in the seed – VilayumPayirMulaiyileyetheriyum, even in his 4th year, Seshadri by his mere touch had shown his divine munificence and greatness. At the age of five, on an auspicious day, his parents had initiated his education according to the formal process. The great Mahaan, KamakotiSastrigal, wrote the Saarasvatha Mahaabija Mantra on his tongue with a Dharbha grass. He also initiated him into the Panchaksharam and Ashtaksharam.
As he was the blessed child of Ambikai, goddess Sarasvati served him with all humility. As a result, Seshadri mastered the North Indian language very easily. He learnt the epics and plays in that language with ease. He showed a precocious interest in studies. Whatever he learnt remained etched in his memory and he also had a thirst for Tamil. He learnt Kambaramayanam, Thirukkural, Nannool, Naidatham also. He learnt Carnatic music from his mother.
CHAPTER 4 – FATHER’S DEMISE
Kamakoti Sastrigal performed the Upanayanam ceremony for Seshadri when he was 7 years old. He imbued in the young lad, the importance and necessity of performing Sandhyavandhanam and the significance and greatness of Gayatri Mantra. He enrolled him in the Vedapatashala and formally inducted him into the study of Vedas.
After mastering the arts of Tharka Shastram, Vyakaranam, he advised Seshadri to come and learn the secret of the self and knowledge of secrets of mantras from him. According to the instructions of his grandfather, Seshadri immersed himself in the sea of Veda Sastras and emerged enlightened with wisdom. Five years passed.
One day, on the way to the patashala he came to prostrate before his father Varadarajar and seek his blessings as was his routine. On seeing his beloved son, his father, overcome with emotion, embraced him with affection. He was speechless, choked with emotion and tears were brimming in his eyes.
Seshadri stood perplexed. Maragatham, who at that time happened to pass by was overcome with worry on seeing this and her heart pulsated rapidly.
“What sorrow has come over you suddenly? Why are you quiet? Should you hide your worries even from me?” she asked, rightfully as befits a wife. Tears rolling down his cheeks, Varadarajar replied, “I don’t know what to say Maragatham.
I was thinking about the words of praise heaped on our son by the people of the town regarding his conduct, character and intellectual sagacity. At that time he came and fell at my feet. The joy welling up inside me manifested as tears, nothing else”. As he said this, Seshadri circumambulated his parents and went to the Veda patashala.
In the evening, Varadarajar called Maragatham and gently whispered,
“By the grace of Kamakshi you became my wife. You have given me limitless happiness through your love and affectionate observances (services). It is my good fortune that Seshadri was born of you. However, am not blessed with the good fortune to see him live with fame.
Kamakshi is calling me. I take leave of you. I will depart before tomorrow’s sunrise. You stay for some more time, and after observing the glory and fame of Seshadri come and join me”. Hearing these words from her husband, Maragatham was shocked and fell down unconscious.
Varadarajar was very worried and upset. Sprinkling some water on her face he retrieved her, and consoled her saying “Maragatham, are you such a coward? Nothing will change by crying and wailing. Whatever has to happen, shall happen.” The husband spoke from the perspective of wisdom while Maragatham, entangled in emotions was lost in heartwrenching sorrow.
Varadarajar called Seshadri close to him, who was shedding tears unable to bear the grief, and embraced him. “My Child, god has blessed me with peaceful death. Till the last moment, I will not lose conscience nor awareness. Such a death is not easily granted to even great yogis. Am happy about that. Here, at my feet, death is waiting.
Till such time he takes me, without wasting time am going to meditate, but before that I would like to tell you something. Regardless of the number of shastras you learn, experience is the most important. Knowledge through experience alone is supreme. Don’t forget this”, having said thus Varadarajar closed his eyes and meditated.
Maragatham sat next to her husband transfixed. But does death have eyes? or does he have ears? Carrying Varadarajar’s life he walked away without turning back.
Maragatham’s life, deprived of all auspiciousness suddenly seemed empty.
CHAPTER 5 – MOTHER’S DEMISE
Even the wise and knowledgeable Kamakoti sastrigal could not bear the sight of the languishing Maragatham and the trauma she was undergoing. Hoping that a change of place might help in alleviating her grief, he took her and the child to Vazhur.
Seshadri was just 14 years old at that time. Shining as he was like a beacon of wisdom and intelligence, his grandfather taught him the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and Bhagavadgita. He initiated him into the secrets of mantras that were unique to his lineage. He taught him the Vedanta Shastras. He transferred all his knowledge to the shining scion. A new Jyothi (light) emanated from the present Jyothi.
After the demise of her husband, Maragatham had deprived herself of food and sleep, and with the demise of her foster father she hardly took any food. She fasted for many days in a month and devoted more time for Japam and meditation.
Seshadri was running 17, she used to call him and make him sit near her and ask him to chant the slokas she had taught him. She used to enjoy the pleasure of listening to his chanting of vedas in his shrill voice. She would enjoy unparalleled bliss listening to his explanation of vedantic themes and would discuss with him on Bhakti, and Gnana Yoga.
Both of them would sing KamakotiSastrigal’s compositions on Devi together. As far as Seshadri was concerned Kamakshi and his mother were one and the same, he saw no difference between them. He had such steadfast devotion, love and affection towards her.
Maragatham, who became weak physically and mentally and was dying gradually, wanted to get her son married.
Aunt Venkatalakshmi who was living in Daamal had a daughter by name Kaakini. She had a strong desire to get this girl married to Seshadri. One day Venkatalakshmi came to Kanchipuram. She slowly started the conversation with brother Ramaswamy.
However, Ramaswamy Josiyar, nipped this thought of his sister in the bud. He categorically said “Venku, I have thoroughly gone through Seshu’s horoscope. That horoscope has Sanyasa Yogam. That is why I said like that. It is better you look for another alliance”
Listening to the conversation between her brother and sister in the hall, while doing her japam inside the house, Maragatham felt heart broken. All her dreams of her son were reduced to rubbles. “Aiyo, you have loaded me with such a disastrous news”, so saying she fell unconscious on the floor.
Seshadri returned from the temple and approached his mother who had recovered consciousness but was looking stupefied and gently enquired “What is wrong with your health Amma?” Is it possible to explain this to a son? She just sidestepped that question and convinced him somehow.
Within 10 days, the marriage was solemnized between Kaakini and Tirupathur Venkatraman in Daamal. Nobody from Kanchipuram attended that marriage.
Maragatham was consistently fasting and torturing her body. Her body withered like the abaca fibre (vaazhainaar) and she remained bed ridden. She refused to take medicine. Grief stricken Seshadri, along with his brother Narasimhan, was offering garland of tears at the feet of his mother.
That was an auspicious Ekadasi day. Calling Seshadri by her side, Maragatham embraced him. Mother and son, together in perfect harmony sang Kamakoti Sastrigal’s composition “Amba Sive” with heartfelt devotion. After that Maragatham chanted the following stanza from AdiSankara’s BhajaGovindam, patting Seshadri 3 times on his heart;
“Sat Sangathve Nissangathvam
Nissangathve Nirmohathvam
Nirmohathve Nischalathathvam
Nischalathathve JeevanMukthihi”
Mother indicated the path of salvation to the son. She imparted the subtle knowledge of the ultimate (Brahmagnana) to her son.
Then keeping her hand on her son’s heart chanted thrice the slokam in Sanskrit which meant
“Darshan of Chidambaram bestows Mukthi
Being born in Tiruvarur bestows Mukthi
Death in Kasi bestowsMukthi
Thought of Arunachala bestows Mukthi”.
That sound pierced Seshadri’s heart as the Sound of Arunachala. Maragatham uttered thrice “Arunachala, Arunachala, Arunachala”. The very thought of Annamalai opened the doors to the kingdom of Salvation for Maragatham. The cosmic gods were in attendance to gain the good fortune and punya by virtue of the darshan of the supreme mother who gave birth to Seshadri.
Seshadri held his mother’s divine body close to his chest. Despite being deeply rooted in the yoga of dispassion and vairagya, Seshadri was deeply shaken at that particular moment. Having lost his mother, Seshadri sought refuge in the divine grace. He spent most of his time in Pooja.
There, in his Pooja, along with Mother Kamakshi, Sri Rama, was the picture of Arunachala with five peaks. He had never seen the Arunachala mountain in person. His mother’s words, which were deeply embedded in his heart and remaining etched in his thoughts, he visualized the same and made a picture of it and had it in his Pooja.
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| Kamakshi |
CHAPTER 6 – MIRACLE CHILD
Entering the Pooja room by 5AM, he would lock it from inside and would come out only around 1 or 2PM in the afternoon. He would be chanting “Arunachalesa Shonadrinatha” loudly always. The entire night he would chant the DurgaSuktham.
He had forsaken food and sleep completely. His chittappa (father’s younger brother) and chitti (aunt) were very worried. They often used to tell him “Seshu, if you undertake fast like this and deprive yourself of sleep, it will affect your health. For your age, such intense upasana is not required, please reduce”.
As restrictions at home increased, Seshadri started spending more time at temples. In the mornings he would sit at Chakrathaazhvar Sannidhi in Sri VaradarajaPerumal temple and do Japam. In the evenings he would circumambulate Kamakshi temple.
Sitting in the sanctum he would repeatedly chant the Mookapanchasathi with tears brimming in his eyes. He would remain prostrated in front of Ambal.
Sometimes he would never come home for two days in a row. Ramaswamy Josiyar, would go searching for him all over town and find him in the outside verandah (thinnai) of a house, or in a temple Mandapam, and talk to him in kind words and bring him home. With implicit obedience to his uncle he would stay at home for 2 or 3 days and again leave home.
It would wrench the heart of people to see young Seshadri roaming the streets with a vacant blank look on his face, clad in rags, hair dry and unkempt, unshaven face, with a big kumkum on his forehead and lips constantly murmuring something. Relatives and people in the town were constantly complaining about Seshadri to RamaswamiJosiyar.
“He is getting worse day by day. He prostrates in front of anybody walking in the street. He keeps looking at the sun and prays. Like a water cormorant, he dips frequently into the tank and takes bath. He keeps on blabbering. I felt ashamed yesterday at the kamakshi temple” complained one relative and felt sad.
“Yes, I also saw. Day before yesterday he was sitting and doing japam at the Mandapam of Ekambranathar temple. “What are you doing Seshu?” I asked. “Am doing Japams to renounce all my karmas mama”, he said.
“What Japam” I asked. Immediately he said “KaamoKarsheeth” Japam and he made me sit and explained the meaning of the mantra in detail. “Oh! What knowledge, and what wisdom”, I was pleasantly surprised and shocked.
“Mama, I have already chanted this mantra 100,000 times, I need to chant another 50000 times, you also chant. Only then will we be free of karmas. Only when we are free of karmas, shall we attain Moksha. Don’t you have the desire to attain Moksha?” he asked.
He talks well. He is not mad. It is just precocious (prematurely developed) wisdom, nothing else” said another family friend in a consoling manner to Josiyar.
A young boy came running with excitement and called Josiyar saying “Mama, Mama Varadaraja Swami Procession has started and our Seshu is cleaning the streets of spent leaves (plaintain leaves left after eating food). He is talking something to himself. Everybody is laughing at him”.
He knocked on his forehead in frustration. He felt sad thinking that the one who is supposed to be a beacon to the world has now become an object of ridicule.
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| Kamakshi |
Two weeks passed. Seshadri stopped going to the temple to do Japam. In the mornings and during the day time he would stay at home. In the evening he would leave home and return the next morning only.
Nobody knew his whereabouts for the night of where he went and where he slept. Ramaswamy was very worried. He enquired with Seshadri. No use, without any reply he would walk off nonchalantly.
The mystery unfolded ten days later. Josiyar felt very sad when he heard that Seshadri went to the burial ground in the nights and did Japam. Unable to tolerate the nuisance caused by people Seshadri went to the burial ground seeking solitude.
One day his uncle pleaded with him.
“Appa Seshu, please don’t go to the burial ground. Instead of going to the impure and unclean place can’t you do your Japam either at home or temple itself?”
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| Shmashan - Rudra Bhumi |
However, the unexpected happened. Seshadri locked from inside and immersed himself in Japam and meditation. He didn’t come out for 4 days. He refused to take food as well.
Ramaswamy became apprehensive seeing Seshadri’s fasting and Satyagraha. If he died of hunger the blame would fall on him. Without any recourse, he unlocked the door. Seshadri resumed his Japam at the burial ground.
He immersed himself into intense upaasana. He undertook intense fasting. He further tortured his body. Enlightenment shone in him and reflected in his face and the world was taken by surprise.
His Chittappa however did not like his ways. At every opportunity he would express his anger.
It was a Saturday when everybody at home took oil bath. It was 10’o clock in the morning and Seshadri had not returned from the burial ground.
Ramaswamy Josiyar was in a fit of uncontrollable anger. On whom can he express it? He refused to take oil bath and went and sat in a corner frustrated.
Seshadri came. It was a practice that he would apply oil for his chittappa. He took the cup of oil and went to Josiyar. He never looked at him. His aunt kalyaniammal said, “Seshu, it seems your chittappa is not going to have oil bath today”.
“Why Chitti?” asked Seshadri surprised. “He is worried about you. Nowadays you don’t listen to him” said Chitti.
“Oh, why so? Why should he be worried about me? Am in myself, if everybody remains in themselves there will be no problem in the world” replied Seshadri with a smile and approached his chittapa.
“Are you angry with me Chittappa?” he asked with a tinge of humor as he applied oil on his head. Suddenly Seshadri stopped applying oil and came to the open- to- sky area (Mittham in old houses) and looked at the sky and returned to the room. “What did you see in the sky?” asked Ramaswami.
“Nothing Chittappa. Heard the Devathais singing in the sky as they went, so I went and saw” he replied casually and went on to tap his chittappa’s head applying oil.
Ramaswamy Iyer thought that Seshadri was talking incoherently and asked sarcastically “Are only Devathais going or are the Gandharvas also?”
“Oh, Gandharvas are also going, some have wings too. They are so beautiful. The songs of Gandharvas are so melodious”.
“What ragam are they singing?”
“Bilahari……it is beautiful”
“You have become mad. Why is it that only you can hear their music? Why can’t I hear that?” asked his chittappa mischievously.
Seshadri smiled gently. “Chittappa, those who are enmeshed in the karmic life cannot hear them, only those who are free and remain as the self can hear them” said Seshadri and went away.
Ramaswamy came to a definite conclusion that his son’s madness had reached its peak. He having shared with a few others that Seshadri heard Gandharva music, and that news spreading all over town, the whole of Kanchipuram concluded that Seshadri was mad.
CHAPTER 7 – MARRIAGE TALKS
Everybody started commenting on Seshadri’s condition depending on their mental maturity and understanding and offered different suggestions for treatment. Some suggested “if the boy gets married his madness will be cured”. Somebody came and conveyed that to Ramaswami Josiyar.
“Please don’t mistake me for telling you this Josiyar, but you are responsible for his present condition” said he, which came as a shock to Josiyar.
“Am I responsible?” asked Josiyar staring at the visitor.
“Yes, you said something and stopped his marriage. Saying that he has Sanyasa yogam is all utter nonsense, if his marriage had been performed, his fate would have been completely different. Since his marriage was stopped he has lost his mental balance.
What you did is a big mistake. His father wouldn’t have done something like this. First find a suitable girl and perform his marriage and his situation will completely change”.
Josiyar shared his grief with Seshadri one day. He felt sad thinking about the bad reputation he had amongst the people in the town. Seshadri consoled his Chittappa.
“Chittappa, why are you unnecessarily feeling sad? People will pass comments as they choose. You will have to be blamed only if I feel sad that I am not married. I, on the other hand have no interest whatsoever in marriage.
You don’t need to make any effort for my marriage based on people’s comments. If you compel me to marry, then I will never come home and I will leave this place” said Seshadri with complete clarity without any ambiguity.
“Appa Seshu, don’t talk like this again. My heart palpitates. You don’t need to get married. Remain at home that is enough. If you go anywhere, I will not be alive even for a minute” sobbed Josiyar.
One day, a relative by the name Parasurama Sastrigal who came from Daamal, cautioned Seshadri saying “Going to the burial ground and doing Japam there is not correct. It is against the Shastras. Stop it”.
Seshadri argued that what he did was right. Finally he asserted, “I am a Naishitika Brahmachari, upaasakan (devotee). Such restrictions do not apply to me.” Sastrigal got angry and admonished strongly saying, “Regardless of what you say, going to the burial ground and entering into the house is against the aachaaram.”
“OK, I will not enter into the house” said Seshadri and walked out. From that day, he spent his time in temples, near ponds and under the trees. He never returned home.
CHAPTER 8 – SANYASAM
During that time, a yogiswarar from Haridwar had come to Kanchipuram. His name was BalajiSwamigal.
On seeing BalajiSwamigal, giving darshan and blessing the devotees at Sarvatheerthakarai, Seshadri, overcome with emotion and tears in his eyes, fell at his feet and sought his blessings.
Lost in the graceful sight of the Gnaanaguru, he chanted the Dakshinamoorthy Ashtakam in a resonant voice unaware of tears flowing from his eyes. That great soul, looking at the young devotee, in a voice filled with solace, told him in Samskrit “Child, don’t feel sad, sit down”.
Seshadri, like a charmed snake sat beside him. From that moment he became his ardent disciple.
The two of them discussed matters related to Shastras for a long time. Guru’s grace – filled glance was showering kindness on the disciple. Paramahamsar had imparted all the knowledge with his very glance.
In spite of being permitted to leave by the Swamigal, Seshadri did not move from that place. At that instant he became his fifth disciple and started attending on him.
Seshadri had a friend named Pattannaa. He had offered himself in the services of BalajiSwamigal. One day, both of them fell at Swami’s feet and requested him to grace them by giving Upadesam. Swamigal initiated Pattannaa to Devi Mantra.
On seeing Seshadri’s dispassion (Vairagya) he considered him to be fit for GnaanaSanyasa and gave him Sanyasa and initiated him to the Veda Mahavaakyaas.
Seshadri, who had become a Sanyasi by heart already formally accepted the Sanyasa ashram.
Renouncing all worldly desires, he was one with the Supreme bliss, as a Jeevanmukthar, Yogasidhar, brimming with wisdom, rooted in his true self and voluntarily enjoying himself in the blissful waters of Brahmanandam.
CHAPTER 9 – THE MYSTERY OF VANISHING
It was the day of annual ceremony (Sraardham) for VaradarajaJosiyar. Chithi Kalyani wanted Seshadri to attend the ceremony. The previous day she begged her husband to somehow try and search for Seshadri and bring him home from wherever he was.
Ramaswamy Josiyar who went in search of Seshadri, finally located him on the streets and with the help of two people brought him home. The whole town was watching this incident inquisitively.
All along the way Seshadri came reluctantly, shouting, “I am a sanyasi, all my karmas are exhausted. Sanyasi doesn’t have any of these karmas.”
“Nothing doing. This is your chitti’s command. You have to stay at home the whole day. Come what may, am not leaving you” said Ramaswami Josiyar and pushed Seshadri into a room, and locked it keeping the key with him.
In the afternoon, it was around 2’o clock. At the end of the ceremony, it was time to complete the ritual of circumambulating the forefathers thrice and seek their blessings. Josiyar opened the door to call Seshadri to participate in this. Neighbors had gathered to watch this. The Vaidikas (Sastrigals) were also eagerly waiting.
Ramaswamy Josiyar unlocked the door and entered the room. Checked all around and in all corners of the room. Seshadri was NOT TO BE FOUND there!!!
From inside the locked room, somehow Seshadri had disappeared.
The news of Sri Seshadri Swamigal’s disappearance from a locked room spread all around the town like wildfire. Everyone was talking about that miracle.
Ramaswamy Josiyar and Kalyaniammal regretted that they had, without comprehending the child’s Yoga Sakthi, behaved in a manner that hurt his feelings.
CHAPTER 10 – JOURNEY BEGINS
They searched the entire town to locate Seshadri, who had disappeared from the house. He was not to be found despite searching in temples, ponds, under trees, burial grounds, mandapams, and choultry.
Chittappa and Chitti were heart broken. They were deeply aggrieved thinking of the blame that would fall on them when everybody would say “it is because of their strict attitude that the child ran away”.
A few days later news reached that Seshadri was in Kaveripakkam. Nobody knew how Swamigal reached that place which was 20 miles to the west of Kanchipuram. “Sundarakka” alias Sundarammal, Swamikal’s Periamma lived in that town. A few other relatives also lived there.
Swamikal, however did not go to their houses. He stayed in the Mukteeswarar temple in that town. His cousin brother Seshu, who was younger to him, on seeing Swamikal went home and said “elder brother is in the temple”.
On hearing this, all of them ran to the temple and felt extremely sad on seeing his plight. Despite their calling him to go with them, he refused to go home. Hence, they used to bring food to the temple daily and offered him.
One day, Seshadri was circumambulating the temple along with his younger brother. At that time, a snake hissing loudly, came out of the Punnaitree from near the northern wall of the temple. Brother Seshu, on seeing that screamed “Anna, Paambu, Paambu (Brother, Snake)!”
Seshadri, on the other hand, was calm, and in a loving voice addressed the snake saying “Come here” and just as a child runs with joy to its loving mother on hearing her call, the snake crawled towards him, climbed on to Seshadri, wound itself around his neck and spread its hood above his head.
Young Seshu was sweating with fear. He ran out scream “Aiyo, Anna has been bitten by a snake.”
In a short time a huge crowd had gathered. Sundarakka was beating herself in anxiety while the relatives stood there transfixed not knowing what to do.
Shortly, the snake slowly slithered down from Seshadri’s body and disappeared.
The temple graced by Sri Muktheeswarar with his consort Sri Alankaravalli is famous since Puranic times.
It is believed that, in this temple Seshadri performed austere penance and Sri Alankaravalli appeared and graced him with immaculate wisdom.
Seshadri remained in meditation (Nishtai) for many days without food in the Navarathri Mandapam in the Muktheeswarar temple.
One day, his periamma, Sundarakka invited him home for food. Swami told her to bring curd rice and tamarind rice. Sundarakka complying with that brought him the same and Seshadri made a lingam of the curd rice and did Pooja to the lingam (archanai) using the tamarind rice.
Then, carrying the lingam in his hand he went into the pond, and remained neck deep in the water for two days doing tapas.
On hearing this, his Chittappa Ramaswamy Josiyar and Chittikalyani came from Kanchipuram. Seshadri opened his eyes, and emerging from the sea of bliss, cast his graceful glance on all those who were standing there. He also saw his Chittappa and Chitti standing next to him, their eyes moist. However in that look, there was no sign of attachment but only the shine of dispassion.
Ramaswamy Josiyar spoke very loudly as if in a trance: “Child, please forgive us. Not realizing your greatness we have troubled you. Please don’t leave us. We cannot live without you” and prostrated at Seshadri’s feet.
“Appa seshu, did your mother leave you in my care to see you in this form? Ever since you left home we have not been able to eat food or drink water. It has been long since we slept. Please come back with us.
You, who should be much better-off, are now roaming like a vagabond, ill- clad without proper food. You would look like a king, but now with sunken cheeks, eyes deep in your socket, and unshaven face, you look like an orphan.
As long as we are alive, why should you be like this? Come……start now itself”, sobbed Kalyaniammal in a voice filled with anxiety and distress.
Seshadri laughed. He said, henceforth , there was neither family nor a life for him to be spent at home. He consoled them with words. He pleaded with them to go back.
Nonetheless, they who were enmeshed and trapped in the materialistic (samsaric) life, were trying repeatedly to bring that Brahmagnaani into their fold.
As talks proved to be futile, Seshadri undertook a vow of silence (Mounaviratham). “Will the child’s mind not change, will he not return home?” these were the desperate thoughts running in their minds, but finally after a long time both Ramaswamy Josiyar and kamakshiammal returned to Kanchipuram disappointed.
People from neighbouring villages kept coming to Kaveripakkam to have a darshan and seek the blessings of Seshadri, who was performing severe penance. As the crowd increased day by day, Seshadri left that place in search of solitude.
Two to three months passed. Nobody knew the whereabouts of Seshadri. “I saw him in this place”, “I saw him in that place” – information just kept coming in at random. “He is in Chengelpet” some would say, and if you go there, they would say that he had left for Vandavasi.
But in Vandavasi, one could hear people saying “Saw him in the temple this morning, but don’t know where he went after that”. Thus Seshadri by his yogic powers would appear in and disappear from many places.
After wandering in many places, he finally arrived at Dindivanam. He had undertaken a vow of silence at that time. He wouldn’t speak to anybody. If there was anything important, he would only write and show. Everybody used to call him “MounaSwamigal” .
One day, MounaSwamigal, told his devotees there, that he wanted a quiet place of solitude for meditation. Person named T.K. Kannaiyar, requested Sri Kuppuswamy Gurukal, the priest of the Thinthirineeswarar temple, to open the temple Yaagasalai. The priest also obliged.
Seshadri went inside the room. He told them to lock it from outside and to open after a month and sat in meditation. His devotees followed his instructions.
Four days passed, and on the 5th day KuppuswamyGurukal got worried. He was worried thinking on these lines, “He is meditating without food, what if something happens to his life? Will that blame not fall on me? Not only that, if he dies the temple will become impure, and who will pay to conduct the ceremonies to be performed to wash off that impurity? Finally, it is I who has to suffer.” The worry turned to fear. He requested the devotees to take the Swamikal elsewhere.
Kannaiyar, without any recourse, finally opened the door. Inside, Seshadri sat like a log of wood in deep meditation. People from the town had gathered to witness that. Half an hour later, Seshadri came out of his trance and opened his eyes. Kannaiyar expressed Gurukal’s apprehension to him. Immediately Seshadri left that place.
Devotees and disciples followed SeshadriSwamigal. “This is going to Thiruvannamalai”, wrote Swamigal and showed it to them, and walked fast. While walking through Maarchettikulam, he asked the people who accompanied him to pick some Kalaakaai (berry) from the tree on the banks, and they did.
Tasting some of them, Swamigal reached a village named Aiyanthoppu. Since it was morning, the three people who came with him went to take bath. Before they could return, Seshadri Swamigal mysteriously disappeared.
For the next few months, Swamigal’s whereabouts were not clear. As news spread that he was at the Pandava caves in ThoosiMamandur, a village south of Kanchipuram, people thronged to that place. Swamigal’s brother, NarasimhaJosiyar also ran to the place eager to meet his brother. It was not possible to meet Swamigal there. By then, he had gone somewhere else.
Next, he was seen in Tirupathur in North Arcot. There he spent some time at the Muthukumaraswamy temple and Brahmeswaraswamy temple at the Kottai Street. (fort street).
The reason for which SeshadriSwamigal went to Tirupathur is not understood.
It can only be attributed to fate that SeshadriSwamigal went to Tirupathur where his aunt’s daughter, Kaakini was living with her husband.
Once the talks about her marriage with Seshadri failed, she got married to Venkataramana Iyer and had been living in Tirupathur ever since.
Seshadri on the other hand, after renouncing family life, roamed aimlessly in so many places, and finally reached the same Tirupathur.
In a letter to his sister Venkalakshmi’s son-in-law, Ramaswamy Josiyar from Kanchipuram wrote “If you happen to see Seshadri in Tiruppatur, inform me immediately”. VenkatramanaIyer, who saw Seshadri in the market place, spoke to him in gentle words and took him to his home.
He showed the letter written by his chittappa (RamaswamyJosiyar) to him. He then invited him to come into the house.
Seshadri, however strongly refused to enter the house and sat in the verandah outside.
On seeing his worn out face, shriveled shrunken stomach and unkempt hair, Venkatalakshmi’s grief knew no bounds. With scant regard to her relationship as his aunt, his replies were very nonchalant to her questions and this left her very sad.
Controlling her brimming tears, “come inside son” she said. Without even listening to that, Seshadri smiled, staring unblinkingly at the street.
Kaakini’s heart palpitated. She also felt inconsolable grief on seeing her “Ammanji” (uncle’s son) who was to have been her husband, sitting on the verandah like Parabrahmam (The Absolute). Her heart wilted, looking at his pitiable condition.
She felt she had to enquire something of him. Fearing that talking to him would be a mistake, she remained quiet. Seshadri did not even look in the direction where she was standing.
They brought him some food. Seshadri ate that and lay down in the verandah itself. Venkatramana Iyer also lay down next to him.
Early morning, when Venkatalakshmi came out to wash the front yard with water and to draw the kolam, she was shocked to see Seshadri missing.
Venkatramanaiyer also got up and searched all over the place. SeshadriSwamigal had left Tirupattur. He was going towards Arunachalam.
Sri SeshadriSwamigal, after leaving Tirupattur, desirous of having a darshan of Sri Renuka Devi, crossed the ‘Javvadhu hills’ forest, walked through paths strewn with thorns and stones, finding his way through swamp and marsh land, finally reached Padavedu, where he remained in the loving care of the mother for two days.
Seven miles from Padavedu, is a small village named Aathuvaampadi. If we travel 4 miles after Kelur, which is 8 miles from Polur, we can reach this village. Next, Swamigal went to that village.
Sri SehsadriSwamigal’s elder aunt was Lakshmi Ammal. Her son, was VenkataramanaSastry. He was the Village Munsif in Aathuvaampadi. Swamigal, however, did not go to his house. While passing through the village, Sastry happened to see him.
Renouncing family and home, enroute to Tiruvannamalai, though Swamigal passed through the places where his relatives lived, he neither went to their houses nor patronized their relationship. The inner meaning of that was not understood.
In Aathuvaampadi village, there is a pond named Aayakuttai. One day, the Village Munsif Venkatramana Sastri was taking bath in the pond. At that time, SeshadriSwamigal was walking along the road swirling a stick in his hand.
Noticing his Ammanji Seshadri, VenkatramanaSastri called him clapping his hands “Seshu…my child”. Swamigal turned and saw him but didn’t stop. He continued walking fast.
VenkatramanaSastri, hurriedly dried himself, came out of the pond and almost crying, pleaded desperately with Seshadri to come home. But he firmly refused to oblige.
Venkataramana Sastri invited him affectionately saying “It has been a long time since I saw you. You don’t need to stay for a long time.
Since you have come this far, please come and have some milk and then go…..please come”.
As if bound by and subservient to affection, Swamigal followed him up to his house but did not enter; he stood outside on the road itself.
By the time Sastry went in and fetched the milk, Swamigal had left. Since he could not run with the vessel of milk, he called the Thalaiyaari (headman of the village) and hurried him saying, “Go fast and somehow get him here”.
Thalaiyaari walked fast but Swamigal walked away faster than him!
CHAPTER 12 – SANYAASIPPAARAI (THE SANYAASI ROCK)
I had read that Sri SeshadriSwamigal had gone to Thurinjikuppam, a village adjoining Aathuvaampaadi, and had darshan of Sanyaasipaarai, the Samadhi of a holy person.
When I went to Aathuvaampaadi, I enquired about that with the grandson of VenkatramanaSastry. Whenever I think of his narration about the holy person, tears well up in my eyes.
About 350 years ago, a Sanyasi left for Kasi yatra from the Chola kingdom. From his earlier Ashrama he had a daughter. She lost her husband at a young age.
That girl fervently requested him to take her also along. He refused stating that it was not in accordance with the Ashrama Dharma he had undertaken. The girl cried. The person who renounced the world couldn’t renounce his affinity towards his daughter; he acceded to her request. On the way to Kasi, both of them reached Thurinjikuppam.
At that time there were many families residing in that village. Thinking that they could live off the alms from the families living there, he built a hut at the foot of the hill and stayed there.
Slightly away from his hut, he built another hut for his daughter. Daily he would go to the streets where the Brahmins lived, begged for food (Bhiksha) and he and his daughter lived off it.
One day when he went with his bowl, he observed that the doors of all the houses were closed. He was surprised that people who would happily give rice daily were remaining indoors on that day.
Hungry, he returned to the foothills and sat, when a few boys who were herding their cattle approached him and asked “Why Swami, today nobody gave you food ?”
“Yes son……all the doors were closed. I don’t know why, but nobody came out even after hearing my voice.”
One boy said, “I know Swami. It seems you are keeping (with a wrong connotation) a Brahmin girl (Pappaathi) with you. So nobody is going to feed you it seems. Yesterday they were all talking.” Little realizing the grave consequences of the serious accusation, the boy innocently spoke.
He who was leading a life of Dharma was troubled deeply by this. The person, following the path of truth on hearing this was heartbroken. Immediately he came to a decision. “There has to be an act of penitence immediately for this accusation.”
He told the young boys to bring dried flat cow dung pieces (varatti) and some dry sticks. He built a pyre out of it. He told his daughter to lie down on that.
Raising high the staff held in his hand, he chanted a mantra. Lord Surya came down as a ball of fire. Within a second, he burnt her to ashes, she who was the cause for the stain on the impeccable truth and disappeared.
That place where the girl was consumed by fire is even today called as “PappathiKulam”. After her demise, the holy saint, entered a dry lake there. He told the boys to dig a pit there. The playful boys did accordingly. The elderly person went down into that pit.
He told the boys to roll all the nearby stones over him and to take handful of the sand lying around with them and go. As soon as they did that, sand became peanuts and sugar candies. Thinking of this as a pleasantly surprising game, the kids went back happy.
How will they realize the two acts of sacrifice which happened there, very thought of which is excruciating and heart rending?
As a proof of the sanyasi having attained Jeevasamaadhi, the “Sanyasipaarai” can be seen even today.
In the month of Aadi, the people of that area, offer poojas with great devotion and sincerity. Immediately on conclusion of Pooja, it seems it rains, heavily flooding the entire area.
No member of the families, responsible for casting aspersion on that great soul, lives in Thurinjipuram now.
With the help of a resident of Aathuvaampaadi, in scorching heat, after walking through fields and hillocks, we had a darshan of Sanyaasipaarai.
Standing in the sanctum of the great person who sacrificed his daugther’s and his life to preserve the sanctity of truth, I felt a unique sense of thrill and bristling all over.
CHAPTER 13 – RESIDENT OF TIRUVANNAMALAI
Only after having had a darshan of this rock which spreads the radiance of truth, did Sri SeshadriSwamigal reach Tiruvannamalai which spreads the radiance of The Absolute. The word “Arunachala” uttered by mother Maragatham in her death bed echoed in the son’s heart as the primordial sound of Omkara.
Guided by that primordial sound transmuted into wisdom of inner radiance and spreading into the entire universe, SeshadriSwamigal reached Lord Arunachala and sought refuge in Him, the one who bestows grace.
On seeing the great mountain in front of his eyes, the one which he imagined, and painted as a picture in his thoughts, and prayed by intensely meditating on it, he realized his true self and dissolving the “I”, he became “That”.
Sri SeshadriSwamigal lost himself in devotion on seeing Arunachala, manifesting as the mountain, in the auspicious and divine form of Ardhanaareeswarar, presiding in the temple as Annamalayaar with Unnamalai Amman. He would keep enjoying the darshan of the mother and father, always. He would sit in samaadhi in the temple like a Sivalingam.
In a flash, he would get up and roam the streets like the UtsavaMoorthy(form of the gods taken in procession during festivals). Renouncing the world, oblivious to his bodily existence , totally intoxicated, seemingly lunatic but engrossed in the wisdom of the self, he remained in a state of silent penance.
Chittappa Ramaswamy Josiyar and Chitti KalyaniAmmal were worried about the son who had identified himself with Arunachala. They were constantly worried about him thinking, “Where is he living? Did he eat? Did he sleep?” Having showered more affection on him than his biological mother, Kalyaniammal was very worried unable to bear the separation.
Thinking of Seshadri’s situation, she grieved and suffered in silence, overcome by despair. She lost sleep, became physically and emotionally weak, and was surrounded by her grief stricken relatives as she lay in her death bed fighting for her life. At last, Death showered his grace of kindness. He departed with Kalyani without any delay.
To Ramaswamy Josiyar, having lost his wife, heartbroken, and with none to console, a letter from his Aththaan( uncle’s son), Aathuvaampadi VenkatramanaSastri gave him some solace and relief. In that letter he had mentioned that Sri Seshadri was moving around in Tiruvannamalai.
Immediately, he decided to go there and regardless of the effort to be spent, wanted to bring him back to Kancheepuram. Next day, Ramaswamy Josiyar along with Seshadri’s younger brother NarasimhaJosiyar left for TIruvannamalai. They searched for him in temples, ponds, and choultries.
Seshadri was not to be found. Finally they saw him in a street. His appearance deeply upset and saddened Ramaswamy Josiyar. His brother’s eyes turned moist.
On seeing Seshadri dressed in rags, his hair uncombed and unkempt, with shrivelled stomach, walking around like a mad man murmuring something to himself, Ramaswamy Josiyar, was overwhelmed with grief and hugged him dearly and cried in the middle of the road without feeling any sense of shame despite people on the road watching and pleaded, “Seshu Kanna, your chithi has passed away.
She is fortunate. That great lady passed away without having to see you in such a state. I do not know what great sins I have committed that I am still living…..Appane, my son……please come with me to Kanchipuram immediately. I will be alive only for a few more days. After that you go anywhere as you please. Will I be able to eat when you are roaming like an orphan? Come……please listen to my words.”
NarasimhaJosiyar on the other hand, embraced Swamigal crying, “Anna…..Anna”. He caressed his cheeks, tightened the dhothi which was loose, and affectionately caressed his head.
SeshadriSwamigalthough was least affected with emotion. His eyes blankly staring into empty space, lips were murmuring something. To him, who had renounced familial ties, affection and love showered by his relatives weighed like iron chains on him. Escaping from their hold, he started walking aimlessly.
People on the street, stood watching. They didn’t understand anything. They sympathisingly commented, “So unfortunate. The boy looks smart and good. Seems to have left his house and ran away in a state of insanity. Will the parents not be afflicted with grief?” That was the first day when the people of Tiruvannamalai realized that such a soul was walking their streets.
Ramaswamy Josiyar had bought some snacks from the shop, which he affectionately offered to Seshadri “Please eat this at least.” Partaking a small portion from that, he wiped his hands on his dirty dhothi, and quickly walked away.
When the Divine has its own plans, will the plans of mere mortal parents succeed?
Finally losing hope, both of them returned to Kanchipuram. Just before leaving, Ramaswamy Josiyar requested the person-in-charge of the Anna Chatram (food choultry) to provide sumptuous food for Seshadri whenever he came. The world is definitely concerned about the hunger of people who have incarnated to assuage the spiritual hunger of the commoners.
With this, the troubles from relatives ended for Swamigal. The problems from the local people increased as his fame spread. What a difference between the world where he lived mentally and the physical existence.
His thoughts, words and action were in perfect harmony with the mental world he saw and relished. The world however, easily confers on such great men the title of “Mad”. Those great men however pity this mad world.
Such a “Wise lunatic”, vanished from our eyes after spending 40 years in this world, performing miracles and making people realize his true form.
Having descended in Kanchi 130 years ago, and crawling in the lap of Parasakthi, circumambulating Arunachalam as a renunciate, remaining as a beacon of light and knowledge to the world and sea of compassion, his grace still shines upon us.
CHAPTER 14 – SRI RAMANAR AND SRI SESHADRI
Sri SeshadriSwamigal, came to Arunachalam at the age of 19, in the year 1889. Seven years later, in the year 1896, on the 1st of September a young boy of the same age as Markandeyan came from Madurai to Tiruvannamalai.
He also followed the call of Arunachala in his heart and came there in search of the source. After remaining for 50 years in the loving embrace of the father, he shed his mortal coil and merged with the great Jyothi of Karunyam.
7 years before Ramana Maharishi came to Tiruvannamalai, people of Tiruvannamalai were aware of Seshadri roaming the streets like a mad man. “THIS ONE is also mad like the OTHER ONE. THAT roams in the streets and THIS remains anchored in the temple”, perhaps that is what they thought. The new entrant was given a name as well, “ChinnaSeshadri”.
ChinnaSeshadri was driven to PeriyaSeshadri by the boys of the town. They, unknowingly performed a good deed .
The disturbances to the young yogi’s meditation in silence increased. Finally, as the trouble caused by the young boys crossed all limits, Ramanar took refuge in the Paathala (underground) Lingam in the 1000 pillared mandapam in the temple.
VenkatachalaMudaliar, who happened to pass by that way saw this. He was furious. Wielding a stick in his hands he drove the boys from there.
At that moment, he saw SeshadriSwamigal come out of the paathalalingam, Venkatachala Mudaliar was shocked. “Why is he coming out of here? What is he doing here?”
Only a realized soul recognizes another. Recognising the Bala Yogi who, listening to the voice of Arunachala, and seeking Arunachala had become one with Arunachala, Seshadri had come there to protect his penance from being disturbed.
He received the stones thrown by the boys on his body. When Parasakthi was doing penance in Tiruvannamalai, Lord Kumara (Karthik) offered support and protection. This is ArunachalaPuranam.
Later, Seshadri who was the manifestation of that Parasakthi provided protection to young Ramanar who was a manifestation of Lord Kumara. This is the greatness of Arunachala.
Approaching SeshadriSwamigal who came out of the Paataalalinga, VenkatachalaMudaliar politely enquired, “Swami, did the stones thrown by the boys fall on you?”SeshadriSwamigal as was his habit, laughed aloud and shook his head.
Devotees who thronged Ramana Maharishi, in search of guidance from his limitless wisdom never returned disappointed. Recognising the presence of this glory, it was SeshadriSwamigal who first announced this to the world.
A lady named Lakshmi Ammal, came to Tiruvannamalai, and offered respectful and devoted service to Ramana Maharishi and after a week was planning to go back to her place. She however felt sad that she had to leave without the darshan of SeshadriSwamigal.
Next day while going to Ramanashramam, Lakshmi Ammal went to the temple. On seeing SeshadriSwamigal there, she fell down prostrating at his feet. Deep in her heart she felt sad thinking, “I am not fortunate enough to offer any service to this mahaan”.
That was it, SeshadriSwamigal who possessed the powers to read others’ thoughts said “How does it matter if it is HERE , or THERE?” and left.
How explicitly had he stated that he and Ramanar were one and the same!
A devotee from Chidambaram was addicted to Ganja (a narcotic drug). He was of the opinion that consuming that would help him to revel in spiritual enquiry. Ramanar, coming to know of his habit, advised and explained to him that it was wrong.
Not paying heed to his advice, one day the devotee was suffering a great deal after consuming it. Instead of attaining a state of supreme bliss, he became a slave to baser thoughts and tendencies.
Not knowing what to do, the devotee went and stood in front of SeshadriSwamigal who was sitting in the temple Mandapam. Looking at him swamigal said, “I told you at that time itself to refrain from taking it, did you listen? Why are you suffering like this after consuming?”
That devotee was surprised beyond limits. Prior to that, SeshadriSwamigal had never given him such advice. Only Maharishi had told him. It is not surprising for the devotee to have realized that Swamigal was conveying that Ramanar and he are one and the same.
The two renunciates met often. When Ramanar was in Virupaksha cave, SeshadriSwamigal used to come there. Both of them would eat together. Many devotees have been fortunate to have seen the two great souls communicating through just their eyes.
Once, a person named VasudevaSastri was fortunate to listen to the two of them talking to each other.
In the initial stages, SeshadriSwamigal, who was intently observing Ramanar who was in complete silence, could not fathom his thought process. Pointing to Maharishi he said, “What is THIS thinking, it is not clear”.
However, Maharishi’s silence remained uninterrupted. Seshadri continued, “Paying Obeisance to Arunachala will result in salvation”.
At that time Maharishi, coming out of his silence, asked Seshadri “Who is the one who pays obeisance and to whom?” Seshadri laughing out loud like thunder said “that is what remains incomprehensible”.
After that Ramana Bhagawan spoke about the philosophy of Advaita for an hour. He explained that World, God, Jivatma are all Brahmam and there is no second to it. Listening to all this,SeshadriSwamigal said, “Somehow I don’t understand all this. To me Bhakthi is the most important. I will prostrate to God”, and he stood up and offered 15 prostrations to the peak of Annamalai and then walked down from the mountain.
Pointing out to this incident, it cannot be said that SeshadriSwamigal did not have the knowledge of Advaita or the experience of the self. Just like Maharishi, it is beyond doubt that he also considered all forms – living and inert, as a manifestation of Brahmam and remained immersed in the bliss of Satchitananda.
A small incident clarifies this truth.
Walking along the Agraharam of Tiruvannamalai, SeshadriSwamigal suddenly stared intently at a buffalo tethered there. A passerby asked “What is Swami watching?”. “Am watching this” replied Seshadri. “Is Swami watching this buffalo?” he asked mockingly. Immediately Seshadri asked another person standing there “Can you tell me what this is?” He said, “this is a buffalo”.
On hearing that, he said “Is it a buffalo? Oh no…..know it is Brahmam” and walked off quickly.
Natanaanandhar, also known as NatesaMudaliar was a primary school teacher. He had come to Tiruvannamalai in pursuit of knowledge.
He surrendered to Ramana Maharishi, but he didn’t get the grace of the guru. He was not blessed with the teachings that he desired. He was heartbroken when somebody told him, “First have a darshan of SeshadriSwamigal and seek his blessings.
He will never let anybody approach him. Will drive them away. If you get his blessings, then you can consider that as an auspicious sign and then approach Ramanar”.
After many days spent in searching, NatesaMudaliar finally went and met Swamigal and expressed his desire.
SeshadriSwamigal on hearing that said, “Child, why do you keep worrying? What is Gnaanam? If you are able to remove whatever is Anityam(that which is not permanent) with the help of your intellect, that which remains uneffaced is Gnaanam. It is madness to think that Gnaanam can be obtained only in mountains or caves……..dont be afraid, go” and blessed him.
Only after this, was NatesaMudaliar blessed with the teachings by Ramanar.
SeshadriSwamigal showed a lot of concern and grace on Echammal who used to bring food to Ramanar daily.
In the evenings, when Echammal used to come down from the mountain he would ask “Has food been given to Ramana Swamigal?” If it got dark in the evening he would accompany that lady till her house.
Once Echammal asked Swamigal about the Vedanta Mahavaakyaas. Seshadriswamigal lectured to her for 4 hours on different aspects of Vedanta for the sole reason that she was a devotee of Ramana.
Quite often SeshadriSwamigal used to indirectly hint that Arunachala, Ramanar and he were one and the same.
Many have heard him saying, “There are 3 sivalingams in Tiruvannamalai. One is the Arunachala Mountain as Jyotirlinga, second is Ramana Swami, third Seshadri”.
CHAPTER 14A – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(Here is some additional information I gathered from Sri Arunachalam)
Sri SeshadriSwamigal would look as if he was mentally unbalanced. However, everybody revered him as a great soul. Whatever he touched, flourished. Whatever he said came true.
He knew the past, present and the future. He would read our thoughts and tell us. Everybody used to eagerly wait with great anticipation, with the thought, “Will the mahaan not set foot in our house?”
Mahaan Seshadri, when walking through the market place, would suddenly enter a hotel. He would scatter the eatables kept there. The owner would be very happy. His business that day would be excellent.
He would enter a shop and open the till (box where cash is kept), and throw the cash outside. The owner of the shop would prostrate in front of Mahaan. He would make a great profit that day.
He would enter a cloth shop. The shopkeeper, would take pity on him and remove his old clothes and give him a new dhothi. Next day, Swamigal would make it dirty or sometimes he would remove his new dress and give it to a beggar.
Sometimes, he would tear them into strips and tie them on to the tail of a cow or donkey and take pleasure and clap his hands laughing on seeing it run in fright. Sometimes, somebody would catch him and make him sit.
Halfway through he would run. With a half shaven face, he would roam around oblivious to his body as Parabrahmam.
Swamigal’s words came true. One day he entered freedom fighter TilakSastri’s house. He told Sastri’s brother, “Mani, you know mani, he will die within a week” and left the house. Within a week, Mani who was playing and healthy died.
Arunachalam’s father was in death bed and his health condition was very bad. He went and prayed from the depths of his heart to the Mahaan. He said nothing.
Swamigal took two bananas lying there and said, “take this, take this”. Arunachalam took that prasadam and offered to his father. Next minute the severity of his disease tempered down and he recovered.
At any time, there would be a place ready for Swamigal to rest at Murugan Sannithi in Arunachaleswarar temple, Anna Chathram (food choultry), Mutts of Sadhus, and in the Verandah of Echchammal’s house. After roaming in many places he would come and sleep somewhere.
If he wished he would eat, if not for many days he would not even turn towards it. He would keep rotten fruits, and spoilt kuzhambu rice and eat them as if they were nectar whenever he felt like it. The rotten smell from them would be disgusting to people sitting nearby.
Visits to all the places referred above as mentioned by Arunachalam where SeshadriSwamigal used to rest, added to my virtues.
At the Anna Choultry, I asked an old Sadhu, “Have you seen SeshadriSwamigal in person?”
“No, I have heard about him. Swamigal who used to stare at empty sky or the sun, one day looking at the sky in the morning said, “There! Vittobha is going, Vittobha is going”. Nobody understood anything. Two hours later news reached us from the Vittobha Ashram near Polur, that Vittobha attained Samadhi. There is nothing the mahaan didn’t know” he said.
From the Anna Chathram, we went straight to Chinna Gurukal’s house in Sannidhi Street. It was in the verandah of that house that SeshadriSwamigal attained Samadhi.
Shedding his mortal coil in which he roamed for 40 years, he left voluntarily. ChinnaGurukal’s daughter-in-law, Parvathi was aged about 60 years. She remembered the incidents from 40 years ago with excellent clarity.
Swamigal used to come suddenly and go straight into the kitchen and if there was anything to eat, he would take them and eat without seeking any permission from anybody. One day evening he came into the house and drank the coffee kept for Gurukal and said “If he comes, tell him I drank it” and left laughing like a child.
The verandah where Swamigal slept is not there anymore. Due to partition of the property, that verandah was demolished, said Parvathi.
During his final days, Swamigal’s body was afflicted with fever. Devotees were themselves the cause for this. Devotees had a desire to take a picture of Swamigal, shaved, bathed and well dressed. One day they caught him and performed the “Pattabishekam”. When called to take bath, Swamigal first refused.
“Don’t, I will catch fever” he cautioned; in spite of it, they performed the abhishekam near the well opposite ChinnaGurukal’s house. Water was also brought from the Sivagangai in the temple. People performed Abhishekam to their heart’s content to Swamigal who sat still like a Sivalingam. Everybody considered that to be a moment of great sanctity in their lives.
After that, they dressed him in clothes, applied Vibhuthi, adorned him with Rudraksham and made him sit in a chair in ChinnaGurukal’s house and took a photograph. ParvathiAmmal searched the entire house to show that photo to us but couldn’t find it.
As Swamigal said, the next day after abhishekam he was afflicted with fever. He however did not seem to be bothered by it. He roamed the place without food despite the fever. His body became weak and thin. His walk which was always as fast as the wind, slowed down. Finally he came and sat in ChinnaGurukal’s house, lay down motionless and went into Yoga Nidra.
Parvathiammal, described Swamigal’s final days with tears in her eyes. Despite requests he never consumed medicine, or water or food and remained motionless like a log. On seeing him it seemed as if he was in Tapas and not like a person who suffered from disease. After his Mahaasamaadhi, people who came from other towns and locally, cried.
Some rolled on the ground crying, with inconsolable grief. Some, unable to bear that shock remained stunned. That day Gurukal’s house was shrouded in a pall of gloom. ParvathiAmmal, described the confusion and chaos that prevailed after that as people competed with each other in wanting to perform the final rites with honors fit for an emperor.
Sri SeshadriSwamigal attained Mukti at the age of 59. During the final rites, Sri Ramana Maharishi was present there totally silent and remained there till the very end.
Sri SeshadriSwamigal was elder to Ramanar by 10 years. He had come to Arunachalam before him. Despite the differences in age, their ways of life were the same when it came to Wisdom. That is why devotees used to call Seshadri as “PeriaSeshadri” and Ramanar as “ChinnaSeshadri”. Both these “Seshadris” made the world realize the greatness of Arunagirinathar’s Tiruppugazh.
CHAPTER 15 – SESHADRI AND VALLIMALAI SWAMIGAL
In the year 1870 Vallimalai Sachidananda Swamigal incarnated on earth. From the next year after the birth of this great soul (1871), who was born by the grace of god to spread Tiruppugazh across the world, a devotee of Lord Muruga, by name Sri Subramania Pillai involved himself in the work of collecting all the Tiruppugazh songs.
Once, while serving Sri Ramanar on top of the hill, Bhagawan ordered VallimalaiSwamigal to “Go down”. Swamigal could not comprehend this. Swamigal continued to sadly ponder but without an answer, “What mistake have I done? Why is Bhagawan ordering me to go?” Then, with due respect to Guru’s orders, he came down from the mountain.
At the foothills, a bull was stirring up the slushy pond. Seshadri, who saw the omnipresent Brahman even in a bull, was embracing it and absorbed in eternal bliss. Despite his body being covered in slush and muck, the entire surrounding was engulfed in the wafting perfume of sandal.
SeshadriSwamigal looked at VallimalaiSachidanandaswamigal, who had come down from the mountain with a heavy heart as Ramana Bhagawan had told him to go down. He (SeshadriSwamigal) came running and embraced him. Sitting down, he made him sit on his lap.
The slush on him rubbed off on him as well. The sweet perfume permeated all around with a multifold increase in intensity.
Sri SeshadriSwamigal, the Brahmagnani, who was aware of the trinity aspect of time, immediately recognized the Swamigal who had incarnated to spread the nectar of Tiruppugazh with bountiful munificence.
Sri SeshadriSwamigal accepted him, the future benevolent saint of Vallimalai as his disciple and initiated him into the “AatmathvamGirijamathi” which is one of the 5 slokas composed and rendered by Sri AdiSankara in the name of “Sivamaanasa Baja”.
Meaning of the Sloka:
“O Lord, you are my Jivatma. My intellect is Parvathidevi. Prana and the other Vayus form part of your paraphernalia. My body is the temple in which you reside. The matters that I enjoy and the equanimity of mind that I experience are poojas that are duly offered to you.
My sleep is the state of Samadhi. Whenever I walk, I circumambulate you. All the words that emanate from my mouth are paeans of your glory (Stotras). All the work that I do, are my propitiations to you.
Gurunathar blessed him saying, “When no action is done with selfish interest, and if you lead a life by offering all your thoughts, words and action to the one Supreme Being that created us, the illusionary differences of “I, Mine, You, Yours” will vanish and you will attain the supreme state of Brahma Tatva – (the changeless, imperishable subjective essence)”.
Then looking at the disciple he said “Your forefathers have also lived as Sanyasis. Your life as a renunciate will attain eminence.Tiruppugazh is the great Manthiram (chant) for you” and as soon as he said this, SachidanandhaSwamigal, was overcome with emotion, and stood shivering, his palms together in prayer.
Later, SeshadriSwamigal after explaining the subtle meaning of Sri AdiShankara’s slokam asked him, “Are there songs in Tiruppugazh conveying the same meaning?” Immediately, the disciple sang the Tiruppugazh,
“Enadhu Yaanum Veraagi, Evarum Yaadhum Yaanaagum, IdhayaPaavanaatheetham Arulvaaye”( Please grant me the mindset which will remove the thoughts of ‘ME’ and ‘MINE’ from me and think of every one and every thing as me) and explained its meaning also.
SeshadriSwamigal, who was not very conversant with Tiruppugazh songs said, “I feel, compared to Veda Mantras, subtle concepts have been explained in a much simpler way in Tiruppugazh. You are born to spread Tiruppugazh. That mahamanthiram itself is enough. You don’t need any other mantras.
You don’t need to learn the Veda Sastras. It is enough for you to keep chanting the Tiruppugazh. You go to Vallimalai, later I will also come there”, so saying he blessed Swamigal and sent him.
Arunagirinathar was born in Arunachala and he gave the Tiruppugazh to the world. Bhagwan Ramana, who was an incarnation of Lord Muruga, sent Vallimalai Swamigal who was born with the sole purpose of spreading Tiruppugazh, to SeshadriSwamigal who was a manifestation of Parasakthi.
With an incomparable motherly kindness, SeshadriSwamigal took him in his fold, blessed him with teachings and sent him to Vallimalai. Is there an end to the greatness of Arunachalam, The permanent subjective truth, whose beginning and end are unfathomable? It continues.
Once, an old man came to the cave where VallimalaiSwamigal was staying and asked, “Am hungry, please give something to eat” He drank the porridge that was kept in a vessel and went away.
Swamigal sent a few disciples to find out the identity of that intriguing person who could drink 3 padis(1 padi approximately equal to 1.5 kgs in weight)in one breath. However despite their best efforts they could not find him. He had just vanished. From the next day, he started keeping food for the old man in the ashram.
A mongoose used to come regularly and eat the food kept for the old man. It was understood only later that it was SeshadriSwamigal himself who was coming in the form of the mongoose and eating the food.
It was habitual for SeshadriSwamigal who was wandering in Tiruvannamalai to spend most of his time in the burial ground. The caretaker (groundskeeper who burns the bodies, digs graves) there had great affection towards Swamigal. Swamigal also reciprocated the kindness.
If anybody in town gave him a new dress, he would bring that and give it to the caretaker and leave wearing his rags.
When SeshadriSwamigal attained Mahasamaadhi, the caretaker was one among the thousands of people who suffered inconsolable grief. Thinking of and yearning for Swamigal always, he could not forget Swamigal’s radiant eyes, rejuvenating smile, and kind words.
One day SeshadriSwamigal appeared in his dream and affectionately embraced him. He assured him with words of consolation saying, “My son don’t grieve thinking you are not able to see me. Am in Vallimalai. Go there and I will give you darshan”
The very next day the caretaker left for Vallimalai. He explained the reason for his visit to Swamigal and others. He waited the whole morning for a darshan of SeshadriSwamigal.
In the evening he went to see the food being kept on a rock for the old man. At that time, a mongoose reached the spot. People nearby sang the Tiruppugazh. The mongoose enjoyed the food mixed with jaggeri and ate it.
The next second, the mongoose vanished and SeshadriSwamigal gave darshan to all who were present there. The caretaker intoxicated with devotional bliss started crying, “Sami…..Sami…why did you leave me alone and come here Sami?” Shortly tears of joy flowed from his eyes. He was thrilled with joy realising that Swami had invited him to Vallimalai and given Darshan.
Once, VallaimalaiSwamigal went to Tiruvannamalai and sang Tiruppugazh in the presence of Sri Ramana Maharishi. Then, he searched for SeshadriSwamigal, found him and spent some time talking to him. Finally, he sought permission to leave for Vallimalai the next day.
At that time when SeshadriSwamigal said, “Dey, even I will come to vallimalai, take me also with you” vallimalaiswamigal’s happiness knew no bounds. Suspecting that gurunathar had asked him thus playfully he left and the next morning he went and affectionately asked “Shall we go to catch the train?” “Oh yes, I will come” said SeshadriSwamigal and started with a spurt of energy and enthusiasm. Guru and Disciple went to the station and sat in the train.
The train left. In a trice, SeshadriSwamigal jumped from the train. VallimalaiSwamigal was disappointed. He felt sad that Gurunathar had suddenly changed his mind. Seshadriswamigal said, “Dey, don’t feel sad, go I will come to Vallimalai” and ran away laughing.
As soon as he reached Vallimalai Ashram, he performed Pooja for Mother Pongi (Valli) and when he turned around he was shocked and stunned to see SeshadriSwamigal standing and smiling…..he fell at his feet chanting, “Gurunatha, Prabho” and got up.
Gurunathar was not to be seen, on the contrary he saw a squirrel there running happily. Yogasiddhas have the incredible power to manifest in any form they choose even when they are alive in human form. Only a few blessed people can have their darshan.
CHAPTER 16 – SRI KAMAKOTI SESHADRI SWAMIGAL NIVAS
While reading the history of Sri SeshadriSwamigal, the episode which described his vanishing from the locked room thrilled me. A strong desire arose in me to have a darshan of that room and house where he performed that divine supernatural act. I went to Kanchipuram and enquired with many people. The location of that house was not known to anybody.
I enquired with all the elderly and aged people. It was, however of no use. A friend, pointed to the house opposite Kollachatram and said “It was said that this is where SeshadriSwamigal’s family lived”. I went inside and saw that house. Truly it was a very old house, but how to confirm that SeshadriSwamigal lived in that house?
Straightaway, I went to KanchiPeriyavar. Where else could I go?
Gradually I started the conversation, “ I was not able to exactly locate the house where Sri SeshadriSwamigal lived. If Periva knows………..”
Swamigal became pensive.
I asked, “They refer to the house opposite, would it be that?”
Shaking his head as if to say “Can’t be that”, he was lost in thoughts again. (Later I came to know that Sri NarasimhaJosiyar, brother of Sri SeshadriSwamigal lived in that house).
It is enough to ask Acharya Swami the question and wait patiently. Somehow the answer will come .
That has been my belief from experience. I waited faithfully.
Slowly Swamigal started to talk, “Behind Upanishad Brahma Mutt there are five or six small houses. In one of those houses, a purohit named Ranganathar is living. He belongs to the Ashtasahasra subsect. You go and ask him. He may probably know”.
Kanchi Periva generally performs miracles only through such simple conversations. He will merely give pointers and indicators. If we follow them and search patiently, we can see the light of truth unveiling the darkness.
Due to some urgent work I had to leave Kanchipuram on the same day and hence could not meet Sri Ranganathar on that day. I was able to meet him after two months only.
Sri Ranganathan asked, “How did you manage to come in search of this poor man?” When I informed him that Swamigal had sent me to enquire him, his eyes turned moist.
He said “It is his greatness, compassion and mercy that he has considered even me of some value and sent you to me. It is only because of that Mahaan, that it still rains” and overcome with emotion and choked, remained speechless for some time. Only after I reminded him again of the intention of my visit did Sri Ranganathar speak.
“I am not sure about the house where Sri SeshadriSwamigal lived. I have heard from my elders that it is in ChinnaKanchipuram in YaanaiKatti Street. It supposedly had a big garden and grove”.
Beyond that he did not know anything. Thanking him, we left directly for Chinnakanchipuram. We were informed that there was no such place or house in YaanaiKattiStreet. Despite that I didn’t lose hope.
The local resident Padmanabhan who accompanied me, took me to an elderly person named Nallappaa Jeeyappangaar. His face shone with the wisdom of education and courtesy.
A great character, who was an epitome of hospitality and desirous of helping others. We asked him about the topic we had come in search of. He, who was lying down, got up enthusiastically and sat down . He told us also to sit.
“The house which am referring to is at the east end of the south street. It has changed 4 hands. Many years before one of my friends was living there. He informed me, “the house in which am living is the house where SeshadriSwamigal lived”.
That is why I am so certain about this. Come, I will show you that house” he invited us. Without any further delay we went.
Pointing to a single storied house, Jeeyappangaar Swami said “This is the house I was mentioning. This is where my friend lived”
We went to the house and knocked on the door. Since there were no elders other than 4 or 5 children we could not enquire further. We went and saw the backside of the house.
It was a dense coconut grove. Based on the indications given by Sri Ranganathar we concluded that this must be the house. In spite of it, there was a lingering doubt. I was not fully satisfied.
Adjoining that single storied house, to its east there was a house with tiled roof (OttuVeedu). I Had a doubt if that could be the house.
Next to that small house was a vacant plot. Next to that was a small verandah. An old man lay curled on that verandah.
An old lady said, “Ask him. He is also from here. He is aged more than 90 years, perhaps he might be knowing…..”
We woke up the elderly person. He slowly got up and sat. It took him ten minutes to understand us and our question.
“Periyavare, do you remember who lived in this neighbouring house?”
“Which one? That one storied house? I built that house. That belongs to Panchaangakkaara Iyer” he said.
That elderly man’s name was KrishnappaMudaliar; he worked as a mason.
“Who lived in that house next to that?”
“Even in that house their relatives lived. The senior person in the family died….then they sold the house and went somewhere”
“There was a person named Seshadri in this house, have you seen him?”
The old man tried to jog his memory, but he could not recollect any names.
“It seems he became a Sanyaasi at a young age, do you not remember….?”
From somewhere like a spark, his memories slowly revived.
“There was a boy, fair and lean…..he……left the house……then the elders also died…..others sold the house, grove etc; and left.
After that I saw Iyer twice. He said he was living in PeriaKanchipuram. I didn’t pay much heed”.
My instincts were telling me that SeshadriSwamigal must have lived in that tiled house referred by the elderly person, so we entered the house again.
The front door was slightly open. An elderly person was lying down just beyond the entrance.
We woke him up and said that we wanted to see the house. He immediately got up and let us pass.
The front portion of that house was demolished and reconstructed. I peeked into the room on the right side.
“Was SeshadriSwamigal locked up in this room by his uncle Ramaswamy Josiyar? Did he vanish mysteriously from this room”, as I was lost in these thoughts I felt a shock as if hit by a jolt of electricity.
We went inside. The second portion of the house was in ruins. There was a well in the open- to-- sky area (Miththam).
Seeing the broken bricks and the peeled flakes of limestone paint, I felt that this house must have been built a hundred years ago. The thought that Sri SeshadriSwamigal must have lived in this house gained root in my mind”.
The person there said, “They are going to demolish these also and reconstruct….”
I was shocked. I felt sad thinking that heritage sites are being demolished.
For us it is history to be revered, for them it is just a building
After taking pictures of the ruins, I went directly to Kollachatram and reported to Swamigal all that we saw and heard. “Was it that house for sure?” a streak of doubt was still bothering me.
Swamigal silently listened to all that I said with a smile on his face. Realizing my state of mind, he said “It should be that house” and thus brought an end to all my doubts.
One night when staying at KollachatramSwamigal started a conversation by asking, “Shall we buy the house where SeshadriSwamigal lived?” (Any grand scheme of Periyava starts in such a humble way) and subsequently, based on the advice of Swamigal a committee was constituted.
We spoke to the owner of that house Sri Sivaprakasam. The house numbered 6 on South Street changed hands to the committee. According to the blessed instruction of Swamigal, GopalaDikshithar’s family started living there.
Homams were performed daily. A portrait of Sri SeshadriSwamigal was unveiled, the rear side of the house was reconstructed and rooms were built for elderly people to stay.
As per the advice of Swamigal, the procedures for the Aaradhanai in Margazhi month Navami were laid down and that responsibility was given to Sri Dikshithar’s family.
The huge portrait of SeshadriSwamigal currently kept in the mandapam, is by courtesy of Sri Arunachalam’s son-in-law who was performing poojas in the Tiruvannamalai Adhishtaanam.
Fortunately he had preserved the negative of the photo that he shot. When he was informed that KanchiPeriyavar, desired to install a full size picture in the kanchipuram house, generally being a strict and intractable person, he volunteered to enlarge and frame the picture and accordingly on completion came to Chennai and handed it over to me and went..
After the portrait was installed, Mahaswamigal graced the house and stayed there for 3 days thereby adding to the auspiciousness.
Later after a year, he ordained to perform Swamigal’sjayanthi in the month of Thai on the day of Hastha Nakshathram.
Arrangements were made to host music programs with Vocal, Violin, Veena and flute concerts.
Two years passed. Early morning when I went to Srimatam to submit the Jayanthi invitation, and when I narrated the details of my visit to the Thyagaraja Aaradhana, Mahaswamigal instructed to conduct Unjuvriththi as is performed in Tiruvaiyaaru.
Pointing out to Sethuraman who was standing there Perivaa instructed, “He resembles Thyagayya. Take him for Unjuvrithi. Start from this year itself.”
I hesitated thinking, “it is difficult to organize for a Bhajanai group at such short notice” and he graced by saying “You go ahead of him chanting, Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Kamakshi, Jaya Jaya JayaJaya Kamakoti, Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Seshadri in all the Maadaveedhis”.
This is how the current UnjuvrithiBhajanai which is performed with the chanting of “Jaya Jaya” was started.
Next in 1977, in the holy presence of MahaSwamigal, based on his advice, the rules and regulations for the trust were drafted. Four people referred by Swamigal became the initial trustees.
Subsequently, Periyavaa blessed stating that a Manimandapam be built in the ground where the house was, and gave instructions and advice regarding how it had to be executed. The necessary finances were organized. As planned, Manimandapam, Sanctum (Sannithi) and Vimanam were completed to the fullest satisfaction.
It was named “Sri Kamakoti Seshadri Swamigal Nivasam” by MahaSwamigal himself.After the completion of construction of the NivasaMandapam, in the year 1989 on 27th of January when the Jayanthi function was inaugurated, “Bala Perivaa” Sri SankaraVijayendraSaraswathiSwamigal graced the occasion according to the instructions of MahaSwamigal.
During the Jayanthi function the following year, Sri KamakotiPeedathipathi, Sri JayendraSaraswathiSwamigal attended and graced the function.
Beyond doubt, the underlying reasons for devotees’ surging love, affection and devotion from all parts of our holy country are the greatness of Sri SeshadriSwamigal to describe which mere words are not enough and the devotion of KanchiMahaswamigal towards him and his grace.
I seek permission from all of you to let me describe the incident (already written) about the two great saints of wisdom of the last century, which has left an indelible mark in my body and soul.
On receiving the full size picture of Sri SeshadriSwamigal, I took it to Thenambakkam to show Sri Periyavar.
Sitting very close to the picture Periyavar looked at it very closely with great attention. Then, as depicted in the picture, folding his legs, left hand on the chin and with a gentle smile adorning his lips said, “This is how Swamigal is sitting isn’t it?”
For a second I couldn’t observe any difference between Sri SeshadriSwamigal and Periyavaal. Having had a darshan of this rare sight, I was moved and ecstatic at the same time, and prostrated to both of them simultaneously and got up.
Later one day, while explaining SeshadriSwamigal’s state of the Ultimate Being, Kanchiperiyavar asked me a question which resulted in my unceasing and steadfast devotion towards Swamigal:
“Dey…..Will I become like SeshadriSwamigal? Will that state come to me?”
My eyes moist, I just stood there speechless.
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Sri Kamakoti Seshadri Swamigal – a tribute to the holy feet of Sri Kanchi Maha Periva
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One day Venkatachala Mudaliar had to go out of town for some work and requested Swamiji to take care of his house as he would be away for five or six days. Swamiji told Mudaliar’s wife Subbalakshmi “Tomorrow night there will be a hubbub as in the next house some thieves will come. But don’t be afraid as I am here”.
Accordingly, a neighbouring lady who had kept gold weighing 20 sovereigns inside her pillow, was robbed of her pillow with all the gold inside it. She started wailing aloud and crowd collected there. Swamiji said “You see, the thief came. However you need not be afraid. “The next night he woke her at 11pm. She opened the door and let Swamiji in. As she treated Swamiji as her family deity, she spoke to him with great respect and stood by his side with humility. She always used to ask him queries relating to devotional or spiritual matters. The same way she started her queries that night.
Brushing aside
questions, Swamiji told her “I am going to show you Lord Narayana,
Parvathi-Parameswara, Brahma, Indra and Swargaloka” and asked her to lie
in her bed. Swamiji put his right hand on her chest and told her to
look up. When she did so, she could hear divine music with the blowing
of conches, ringing of bells etc., the like of which she had not heard
anytime. Next moment she saw beautiful globes with illumination,
exquisite jewellery and an indescribable light which was descending. In
the middle of that halo, was a handsome person sitting on a white
elephant. On seeing that sight she was overwhelmed and swooned. Swamiji
who was announcing “Look here, there is Indra, there is Rudra, there is
Parvathi, there is Vishnu; describing individually the deities and when
she swooned he removed his hand from her chest.
Because of that divine illumination Subbalakshmi lost her eye sight. Swamiji patted her on the back and when she sat up, told her “You are not fortunate. Your previous karma is not wiped out. That is a big hurdle. Sleep well” and he departed. Because of her having seen the Devas and other celestial beings and because of having lost her vision, she was restless throughout that night and did not sleep. Somehow she woke up in the morning fumbling her way and crying loudly bemoaning her lot. Swamiji came at 11 am. He asked her why she was weeping. She said, “see what you have done! I have lost my eye-sight”. With his shoulder cloth, Swamiji wiped her eyes, immediately she regained her vision. Thus, Swamiji had very unique powers.
Source: Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai by Kuzhumani Narayana Sastrigal in Tamil (1939) and translated into English by S.A.Subramanian (1998)
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Experiences with Seshadri Swamigal: Records located
The brother-in-law of Post Master F.T.Peters, an Englishman, was a station master in M.S.M.Railways. The latter and his wife (Mr. Peter’s Sister) were great devotees of our Swamiji.
There was a complaint against him. A wealthy Gujarati filed a suit against the Railways claiming damages to an amount of Rs.1 lakh. It appeared that because of that case Mr. Peter’s brother-in-law might lose his job and might have to pay a penalty of Rs.10,000/-.
To protect himself from such an eventuality, he had submitted the relevant records of accounts to the court. Because of miscarriage, those records did not reach the destination in time. This increased the suspicion against him and threatened his career. He immediately sent a telegram to his brother-in-law to seek Swamiji’s blessings. The PMG sent Postmaster, Govindaswamy Iyer to meet Swamiji. Accordingly Govindaswamy Iyer went to Tiruvannamalai but could not locate him the whole day. He was able to see him at 8 p.m.
Immediately, Swamiji looked at him saying, “Bus, bus, bus, Gup, Gup, Ooh! Ooh! It went that way and came this way”. Govindaswamy Iyer inferred that Swamiji referred to the Railway by his initial words and from the subsequent words that the records have been found and sent a message accordingly to the PMG. When the latter received that telegram, there came another telegram to the effect that the records had been located. He was happy with that and the danger to his brother-in-law was averted.
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Swamiji and Sri Ramana Bhagawan were one
Though from the worldly angle, there were certain differences between the two, both were the same in that they had realised the Supreme Soul within. Sri Ramana was Sri Seshadri and Sri Seshadri was Sri Ramana. It may be difficult for ordinary people to appreciate that. Sri Ramana would say that Sri Seshadri was great and Sri Seshadri would call Sri Ramana great. Gnanis could speak through their eyes, by their actions, with their minds, and by their attitudes. That is a big secret.
The experiences below will indicate that both were one.
1. Srimathi Lakshmi Ammal of Sethuppat in North Arcot, was an ardent devotee of Sri Ramana Bhagawan. She was serving in the Asram and was always meditating on Bhagawan. She had not seen Sri Seshadri Swamigal. One day she had a desire to see Swamiji. After some efforts did not bear fruit for five or six days, she located him on the seventh day. With immense delight she was standing near Swamiji contemplating Sri Ramana Bhagawan. A minute later Swamiji stated “What if you are there or here? Both are one.” From this it is clear that one should not delude oneself by differentiating between them and that both of them were the same.
2. M. K. Subramania Sastry was a believer in God (Aasthik). He had a desire to do meditation. One day he approached Sri Ramana and asked him “Is it true that, as some people claim, taking Purna Lehiyam (an Ayurvedic medicine) facilitates meditation?” Sri Ramana Bhagawan replied “Never, never, never. That thought should never occur”. Sastry accepted and departed.
But subsequently three days later, either on his own or due to prompting by others, he tried an experiment on himself by swallowing Purna Lehiyam. His experiment was an utter failure, it did not facilitate meditation. On the contrary his mind went into a spin and the whole sky and earth appeared to be revolving. He stood up, sat down, lay down, walked. Later by God’s grace, at 9 p.m. it occurred to him to have darshan of Swamiji. Immediately he rushed to the temple of Lord Muruga.
The Swamiji with four others was indulging in the usual peculiar talk. He did obeisance and sat down. Then Swamiji looking at Sastry, said “I had told you not to take, never, never, never. Why did you take it?” Sastry hung his head in shame. It was Sri Ramana Bhagawan who had said “Never, never, never”, but Swamiji said “I told you so” – what a surprise! He admired Mahan’s grace and concluded that both were one.
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Miraculous powers of Seshadri Swamigal: Causing Rainfall
Tiruvannamalai is a place where there is hardly any rainfall. Even in the rainy season the lakes, ponds etc., do not get filled. Drinking water is also difficult to get. As for sunshine, there is an excess of it. True to its name, Agni mountain (Fire mountain), the lord of fire, Agni, himself would prevail and subject the people to tremendous heat. As for summer, it would be mostly, unbearably hot. On such occasions, people used to plead with Swamiji and request him to bring some rain. Hearing that, Swamiji would look at the sky and say “See it will now rain”. Within a few minutes after that, there would be a tremendous downpour.
Once R.V.Ardhanari Iyer of Aiyankulam street requested Swamiji to bring rain. Immediately Swamiji looked at the spotlessly clear sky and said “Very clear sky. The whole body is drenched. Have to dry the clothes.” Within ten minutes thereafter, there came a virtual cloud burst from a sky which had been devoid of any speck of cloud previously. From 12 noon to 3 pm, there was an incessant downpour, causing great inconvenience to the people. The streets were flowing with knee-deep water. Till then Swamiji was watching the fun from verandah of the house where he was seated. When one thinks of such ability of our Swamiji to bring rain, one is reminded of the deeds of yore of Maharishi Rishya Sringar who brought rain to the parched land of Anga State.
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Experiences with Seshadri Swamigal: S.Parasurama Iyer
S. Parasurama Iyer was Swamiji’s devotee and had infinite faith in him. His daughter and son-in-law were living in Srivilliputhur. His daughter took seriously ill after delivering a child in 1926. It appeared as if she might not even survive. Even eminent doctors had given up hopes. Accordingly his son-in-law had sent a telegram to him saying that his daughter was seriously ill and if they wanted to have a look at their daughter, they should come immediately.
Parasurama Iyer and his wife both swooned on receiving the above telegram. Even though Iyer gained his senses, his wife was very upset and started wailing beating her chest. Iyer thought that he should see Swamiji and take his Vibuthi Prasad and started towards Lord Muruga’s temple campus. Lo, Swamiji was seen on the way running very fast and remarking, “Oh! If your wife is weeping, she is mad. Go-Go! She will be cured”.
Parasurama Iyer conveyed this to his wife and they both were pacified and did not go to Srivilliputhur. Two days later they got a letter from the son-in-law asking them not to come as their daughter had become alright. Thus Swamiji would not allow his devotees to be aggrieved.
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Experiences with Seshadri Swamigal: Natesa Iyer of Adi Annamalai
Natesa Iyer was a relative of Swamiji. He had a son who was in good health up to his fourth year. In his fifth year, the boy was afflicted with a toxic fever and small pox and suddenly lost his vision as the eye-balls became like shells and protruded from the sockets. After the fever subsided and the small pox got cured, attempts were made for treatment of the eyes but it was not effective.
Natesa Iyer was unperturbed at this failure and remembered Swamiji. He came to Swamiji and pleaded with him to cure his son of the eye problem saying he had exhausted all other remedial measures. Swamiji told him to bring his son to him and leave him with him for the night. When Natesa Iyer replied that he would bring his son to him immediately, he told him that he need not bring the boy to Swamiji but that he should leave him at night in the sanctum sanctorum of Ambal.
When the temple priests were informed of Swamiji’s instruction, they agreed and locked up the boy in the deity’s sanctum overnight. At 7 am, the next morning they opened the sanctum after breaking a coconut and showing camphor. Lo! How can the miracle be described? Having had his vision fully restored, the boy himself came running out of the sanctum. Iyer shed tears of joy and embraced his son and this miracle became the talk of the town.
The above incident proves that Sri Parvathi Herself was Swamiji and vice versa.
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Seshadri Swamigal explains the concept of realising the ultimate truth (jnana or wisdom) to a disciple by standing along with him before a mirror. There are both the real persons as well as the mirror images. When the mirror is removed all that remains are the persons themselves. The reflection then ceases to exist. Similarly, until the dawning of wisdom there are two entities, the Jeevatman or the individual soul and the Paramatman or the light supreme. With the shedding of maya, the illusion that the two are separate, ends. Then there is only one complete whole of the Jeevatman merged in the infinite bliss of the Paramatman.
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"For me? All this Compassion of His for a sinner like me?!"
Filmmaker Sando Chinnappa Thevar and famous Tamil Poet Kannadasan were close friends and were travelling in a car for a film shooting. Their vehicle met with an accident. Thevar escaped with minor injuries whereas Kannadasan sustained severe injuries and was admitted in a hospital in Madras in an unconscious state.
Thevar had a lot of respect and devotion for Swamigal. He rushed to have darshan of Swamigal, Who was camped at Brahmapureeswarar temple in Sivasthanam (Thenambakkam).
"An accident happened", said Thevar to Swamigal.
Immediately Swamigal replied, "How is Kannadasan?"
Thevar was wonderstruck at Swamigal's enquiry about the poet as he had not told Him about the poet. Thevar told Swamigal about the major accident and how he escaped with minor injuries and how Kannadasan had got seriously injured and was also in unconscious state in the hospital.
Sensing Thevar's anguish, Swamigal pacified him saying, "It is OK, do not worry!" He then asked Thevar to apply vibhuthi (holy ash) on the forehead of Kannadasan, put some into his mouth and keep the remaining vibhuthi below his pillow in the hospital. Swamigal Himself packed the vibhuthi in a small packet and handed it to Thevar!
Thevar took the vibhuthi with a lot of hesitation, reason being, Kannadasan was an atheist, a non-believer in God. Those days Kannadasan was seriously involved in the atheist activities of the Dravida political parties and was always speaking ill of Brahmins and Sanatana Dharma. In fact, just a week before the accident, Kannadasan had sullied the image of the Shankaracharyas in a meeting conducted just opposite the Shankara Matam in Kanchi! "How can I carry this vibhuthi to such a person?", wondered Thevar.
The Trikala Gnani understood the Thevar's reluctance and told him:
"Without any hesitation go and apply the vibhuthi on Kannadasan. Just like how a small cloud hides a mighty Sun, this cloud of atheism is obstructing him so far. From now onwards He will shine like the Sun! Do you know how illustrious his ancestors were? His great grand father had rendered renovation service at Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple, his grand father rendered renovation service to Kanchi Ekambareshwara temple and his father had rendered renovation service to Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple. He has come from such a Parampara of holy temple service. Now do you understand?"
Thevar did as ordered by going to the Hospital. He applied the sacred vibhuthi prasadam given by Swamigal, put some in his mouth and kept the remaining vibhuti in the packet under the pillow. It was evening and Kavinjar Kannadasan was still unconscious. Thevar went to his home to rest for the night and came back in the morning to the hospital to see his friend. He went home worried as to what Kannadasan will say after he regained consciousness.
The next day Thevar went to the hospital to check on Kannadasan. He had recovered consciousness and was lying down with his eyes open. "For how many days have I been in this hospital? Please bring me a mirror, I want to see my face!” said Kanndasan. Thevar obliged. On seeing his face and vibuthi on his forehead, Kannadasan did not show any signs of anger. Instead he asked who applied it! Thevar mustered some courage and narrated his meeting Paramacharya and how He blessed him!
When Kannadasan heard this, tears streamed down from his eyes!
"For me? All this Compassion of His for me? Just last week I spoke ill of Him. What a sinner I am!” cried out Kannadasan! "After I recover completely I will not first go to my home. Please take me to that Mahan first, who showered His Compassion on a Sinner like me", pleaded him to Thevar!
Per Kannadasan's request He had darshan of Swamigal and pleaded with Him to forgive him. His mind changed from atheism to Spirituality. Out sprang a Poem on Swamigal from the Poet Maestro. He submitted the poem to Swamigal when he had His darshan again:
This is the poem:
"Just by a mere look are the sins washed away
He who is the embodiment of Thiruvachagam (a great piece of Literature on Lord Shiva composed by Manickavachagar)
The One who expounds the meanings of Truth and Knowledge
with His razor sharp Intellect
The God who came to protect this world
The One who is accepted by people of all religions
as their own God
Let us pray and submit ourselves at His Lotus Feet
Come Everybody!"
Swamigal read the poem and gently told Kannadasan:
"What you have said applies only to Seshadri Swamigal. The One who is the Ardhanari of Thiruvannamalai! The One Who is Superhuman!"
"Write wholeheartedly about the greatness of Hindu religion!” Swamigal told Kannadasan and blessed him.
And at that very instant the seed was implanted in Kannadasan's mind, the result of which was his magnum opus of a book, 'Arthamulla Hindu Madham, the Insightful Hindu Religion!
Ignorance lasts as long as one has ego. There can be no liberation as
long as the ego remains. “O! God, Thou art the doer and not I”- that is
knowledge. The feeling of “Thee and Thine” is the outcome of knowledge;
“I and mine” comes from ignorance. Knowledge makes one feel, “O! God,
Thou art the doer and I am Thy instrument.
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I declare that I am in everyone, in every being. So, do not hate anyone or cavil at anyone. Spread love always, everywhere. That is the way of revering Me. Do not seek to measure Me or evaluate Me. I am beyond your imagination or understanding. Pray or worship for your own satisfaction and contentment.
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Actions done with a motive achieves the objective that it is done for but binds the one who has performed it. But when one performs actions as an offering to God, they do not produce any such consequences. Therefore, only actions performed without any motive or any sense of ownership (that one has done it) and those done as one’s duty cleanse one’s mind and aid in spiritual elevation.
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If my actions cause confusion, it is because of your lack of complete trust. Therefore, uproot all doubt and remember well that whatever I do is for the best. All my actions are my divine response born of my divine love.
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If one turns away from the Guru who is near at hand and seeks to meditate on the Divine which is difficult for attaining it may be similar to one who throws away the treasure he already has and goes in search of a hidden treasure.
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The verse states “Now that which is the subtle essence – in it, all that exists has its self. That is the Truth. That is the Self. That thou art, Svetaketu. Tat Tvam Asi is the first of the Great Teachings that is delivered to the qualified disciple. In the statement, Tat (that) refers to the Supreme Self, Tvam (you) refers to the individual Self, and Asi (are) clearly shows the identical nature of the two. In other words, the statement emphasizes the oneness of the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness.
In this Upanishad, this same statement is repeated by the guru nine times to the disciple. For the aspirant who is just beginning the contemplation of the Great Teachings, no amount of emphasis can be too much. Continuously identifying ourselves with the body-mind and its limitations, we find it difficult to even comprehend this Truth. The seeker cannot see how he, the limited, ignorant individual, can be identical with the universal consciousness. To break this false identification, the guru repeatedly advises the disciple to go beyond the differences of name and form, and see the unity of Self. Since the individual Self and the universal Self are perceived by the disciple as two distinct entities, the guru has to start his instruction from this point. For the sake of the disciple, he refers to two distinct selves (thou and That), although in truth, only the one Self exists. Working with the assumption of duality, the disciple meditates and discovers that in tuth, no two selves exist. That and thou both stand revealed as the non-dual, all-pervading Self alone.
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Ways advised by Seshadri Swamigal to get Liberation (moksha):
If one sings hymns in praise of Sri Ranganatha one attains Liberation (moksha).
If one narrates the Lord’s stories (Harikatha), one attains Liberation (moksha).
One can attain Liberation (moksha) by meditating on Narayana.
The path to liberation is one of Bhakti (Divine Love). In that path of Bhakti, worship of Devi is the most effective. The mother’s concern for a child is greater than that of the father. Hence Devi, who is the mother of the entire world has manifested herself as Visalakshi at Kasi, Kamakshi at Kanchi and Meenakshi at Madurai. The three Godesses, Kamakshi, Meenakshi and Visalakshi are one and the same. They will confer liberation on those who contemplate on them. Devotees who dedicate their mind to any of the three would reap the same benefits.
Because of that divine illumination Subbalakshmi lost her eye sight. Swamiji patted her on the back and when she sat up, told her “You are not fortunate. Your previous karma is not wiped out. That is a big hurdle. Sleep well” and he departed. Because of her having seen the Devas and other celestial beings and because of having lost her vision, she was restless throughout that night and did not sleep. Somehow she woke up in the morning fumbling her way and crying loudly bemoaning her lot. Swamiji came at 11 am. He asked her why she was weeping. She said, “see what you have done! I have lost my eye-sight”. With his shoulder cloth, Swamiji wiped her eyes, immediately she regained her vision. Thus, Swamiji had very unique powers.
Source: Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai by Kuzhumani Narayana Sastrigal in Tamil (1939) and translated into English by S.A.Subramanian (1998)
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Experiences with Seshadri Swamigal: Records located
The brother-in-law of Post Master F.T.Peters, an Englishman, was a station master in M.S.M.Railways. The latter and his wife (Mr. Peter’s Sister) were great devotees of our Swamiji.
There was a complaint against him. A wealthy Gujarati filed a suit against the Railways claiming damages to an amount of Rs.1 lakh. It appeared that because of that case Mr. Peter’s brother-in-law might lose his job and might have to pay a penalty of Rs.10,000/-.
To protect himself from such an eventuality, he had submitted the relevant records of accounts to the court. Because of miscarriage, those records did not reach the destination in time. This increased the suspicion against him and threatened his career. He immediately sent a telegram to his brother-in-law to seek Swamiji’s blessings. The PMG sent Postmaster, Govindaswamy Iyer to meet Swamiji. Accordingly Govindaswamy Iyer went to Tiruvannamalai but could not locate him the whole day. He was able to see him at 8 p.m.
Immediately, Swamiji looked at him saying, “Bus, bus, bus, Gup, Gup, Ooh! Ooh! It went that way and came this way”. Govindaswamy Iyer inferred that Swamiji referred to the Railway by his initial words and from the subsequent words that the records have been found and sent a message accordingly to the PMG. When the latter received that telegram, there came another telegram to the effect that the records had been located. He was happy with that and the danger to his brother-in-law was averted.
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Swamiji and Sri Ramana Bhagawan were one
Though from the worldly angle, there were certain differences between the two, both were the same in that they had realised the Supreme Soul within. Sri Ramana was Sri Seshadri and Sri Seshadri was Sri Ramana. It may be difficult for ordinary people to appreciate that. Sri Ramana would say that Sri Seshadri was great and Sri Seshadri would call Sri Ramana great. Gnanis could speak through their eyes, by their actions, with their minds, and by their attitudes. That is a big secret.
The experiences below will indicate that both were one.
1. Srimathi Lakshmi Ammal of Sethuppat in North Arcot, was an ardent devotee of Sri Ramana Bhagawan. She was serving in the Asram and was always meditating on Bhagawan. She had not seen Sri Seshadri Swamigal. One day she had a desire to see Swamiji. After some efforts did not bear fruit for five or six days, she located him on the seventh day. With immense delight she was standing near Swamiji contemplating Sri Ramana Bhagawan. A minute later Swamiji stated “What if you are there or here? Both are one.” From this it is clear that one should not delude oneself by differentiating between them and that both of them were the same.
2. M. K. Subramania Sastry was a believer in God (Aasthik). He had a desire to do meditation. One day he approached Sri Ramana and asked him “Is it true that, as some people claim, taking Purna Lehiyam (an Ayurvedic medicine) facilitates meditation?” Sri Ramana Bhagawan replied “Never, never, never. That thought should never occur”. Sastry accepted and departed.
But subsequently three days later, either on his own or due to prompting by others, he tried an experiment on himself by swallowing Purna Lehiyam. His experiment was an utter failure, it did not facilitate meditation. On the contrary his mind went into a spin and the whole sky and earth appeared to be revolving. He stood up, sat down, lay down, walked. Later by God’s grace, at 9 p.m. it occurred to him to have darshan of Swamiji. Immediately he rushed to the temple of Lord Muruga.
The Swamiji with four others was indulging in the usual peculiar talk. He did obeisance and sat down. Then Swamiji looking at Sastry, said “I had told you not to take, never, never, never. Why did you take it?” Sastry hung his head in shame. It was Sri Ramana Bhagawan who had said “Never, never, never”, but Swamiji said “I told you so” – what a surprise! He admired Mahan’s grace and concluded that both were one.
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Miraculous powers of Seshadri Swamigal: Causing Rainfall
Tiruvannamalai is a place where there is hardly any rainfall. Even in the rainy season the lakes, ponds etc., do not get filled. Drinking water is also difficult to get. As for sunshine, there is an excess of it. True to its name, Agni mountain (Fire mountain), the lord of fire, Agni, himself would prevail and subject the people to tremendous heat. As for summer, it would be mostly, unbearably hot. On such occasions, people used to plead with Swamiji and request him to bring some rain. Hearing that, Swamiji would look at the sky and say “See it will now rain”. Within a few minutes after that, there would be a tremendous downpour.
Once R.V.Ardhanari Iyer of Aiyankulam street requested Swamiji to bring rain. Immediately Swamiji looked at the spotlessly clear sky and said “Very clear sky. The whole body is drenched. Have to dry the clothes.” Within ten minutes thereafter, there came a virtual cloud burst from a sky which had been devoid of any speck of cloud previously. From 12 noon to 3 pm, there was an incessant downpour, causing great inconvenience to the people. The streets were flowing with knee-deep water. Till then Swamiji was watching the fun from verandah of the house where he was seated. When one thinks of such ability of our Swamiji to bring rain, one is reminded of the deeds of yore of Maharishi Rishya Sringar who brought rain to the parched land of Anga State.
-----
Experiences with Seshadri Swamigal: S.Parasurama Iyer
S. Parasurama Iyer was Swamiji’s devotee and had infinite faith in him. His daughter and son-in-law were living in Srivilliputhur. His daughter took seriously ill after delivering a child in 1926. It appeared as if she might not even survive. Even eminent doctors had given up hopes. Accordingly his son-in-law had sent a telegram to him saying that his daughter was seriously ill and if they wanted to have a look at their daughter, they should come immediately.
Parasurama Iyer and his wife both swooned on receiving the above telegram. Even though Iyer gained his senses, his wife was very upset and started wailing beating her chest. Iyer thought that he should see Swamiji and take his Vibuthi Prasad and started towards Lord Muruga’s temple campus. Lo, Swamiji was seen on the way running very fast and remarking, “Oh! If your wife is weeping, she is mad. Go-Go! She will be cured”.
Parasurama Iyer conveyed this to his wife and they both were pacified and did not go to Srivilliputhur. Two days later they got a letter from the son-in-law asking them not to come as their daughter had become alright. Thus Swamiji would not allow his devotees to be aggrieved.
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Experiences with Seshadri Swamigal: Natesa Iyer of Adi Annamalai
Natesa Iyer was a relative of Swamiji. He had a son who was in good health up to his fourth year. In his fifth year, the boy was afflicted with a toxic fever and small pox and suddenly lost his vision as the eye-balls became like shells and protruded from the sockets. After the fever subsided and the small pox got cured, attempts were made for treatment of the eyes but it was not effective.
Natesa Iyer was unperturbed at this failure and remembered Swamiji. He came to Swamiji and pleaded with him to cure his son of the eye problem saying he had exhausted all other remedial measures. Swamiji told him to bring his son to him and leave him with him for the night. When Natesa Iyer replied that he would bring his son to him immediately, he told him that he need not bring the boy to Swamiji but that he should leave him at night in the sanctum sanctorum of Ambal.
When the temple priests were informed of Swamiji’s instruction, they agreed and locked up the boy in the deity’s sanctum overnight. At 7 am, the next morning they opened the sanctum after breaking a coconut and showing camphor. Lo! How can the miracle be described? Having had his vision fully restored, the boy himself came running out of the sanctum. Iyer shed tears of joy and embraced his son and this miracle became the talk of the town.
The above incident proves that Sri Parvathi Herself was Swamiji and vice versa.
-------------------------
“Vishwam Darpanadrshyamaana Nagaritulyam Nijantargatam
Pashyannatmani Mayaya Bahirivodbhutam Yatha Nidraya
Yat-Sakshat-Kurute Prabodhasamaye Swatmanamevadwayam
Tasmai Srigurumurtaye Namaidam Sri Dakshinamurtaye”
Seshadri Swamigal has advised devotees to recite the above sloka from Sri Dakshinamurthy Ashtakam composed by Sri Adi Shankara.
The above sloka tells us that the world which is outside us is same as our soul but we see them as different entities due to the veil of ignorance. As soon as we wake up, we realise that the dream is false and even while seeing our image in the mirror, we know that we are not seeing ourselves in the mirror but our image. When we get knowledge from the Guru, we are in the wakeful state without the veil of ignorance.
To that Dakshinamurty, who is the manifestation of the spiritual illumination; who removes this veil of Maya; I offer my profound salutations. Link to Sri Dakshinamurthi Ashtakam:
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As moonlight soothes the turbulent mind, similarly the Sadguru gives Jnana to his disciples. He lights the flame of God realisation in an unawakened soul.
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“Vishwam Darpanadrshyamaana Nagaritulyam Nijantargatam
Pashyannatmani Mayaya Bahirivodbhutam Yatha Nidraya
Yat-Sakshat-Kurute Prabodhasamaye Swatmanamevadwayam
Tasmai Srigurumurtaye Namaidam Sri Dakshinamurtaye”
Seshadri Swamigal has advised devotees to recite the above sloka from Sri Dakshinamurthy Ashtakam composed by Sri Adi Shankara.
The above sloka tells us that the world which is outside us is same as our soul but we see them as different entities due to the veil of ignorance. As soon as we wake up, we realise that the dream is false and even while seeing our image in the mirror, we know that we are not seeing ourselves in the mirror but our image. When we get knowledge from the Guru, we are in the wakeful state without the veil of ignorance.
To that Dakshinamurty, who is the manifestation of the spiritual illumination; who removes this veil of Maya; I offer my profound salutations. Link to Sri Dakshinamurthi Ashtakam:
-------------
As moonlight soothes the turbulent mind, similarly the Sadguru gives Jnana to his disciples. He lights the flame of God realisation in an unawakened soul.
----------
----------
Seshadri Swamigal explains the concept of realising the ultimate truth (jnana or wisdom) to a disciple by standing along with him before a mirror. There are both the real persons as well as the mirror images. When the mirror is removed all that remains are the persons themselves. The reflection then ceases to exist. Similarly, until the dawning of wisdom there are two entities, the Jeevatman or the individual soul and the Paramatman or the light supreme. With the shedding of maya, the illusion that the two are separate, ends. Then there is only one complete whole of the Jeevatman merged in the infinite bliss of the Paramatman.
----------
"For me? All this Compassion of His for a sinner like me?!"
Filmmaker Sando Chinnappa Thevar and famous Tamil Poet Kannadasan were close friends and were travelling in a car for a film shooting. Their vehicle met with an accident. Thevar escaped with minor injuries whereas Kannadasan sustained severe injuries and was admitted in a hospital in Madras in an unconscious state.
Thevar had a lot of respect and devotion for Swamigal. He rushed to have darshan of Swamigal, Who was camped at Brahmapureeswarar temple in Sivasthanam (Thenambakkam).
"An accident happened", said Thevar to Swamigal.
Immediately Swamigal replied, "How is Kannadasan?"
Thevar was wonderstruck at Swamigal's enquiry about the poet as he had not told Him about the poet. Thevar told Swamigal about the major accident and how he escaped with minor injuries and how Kannadasan had got seriously injured and was also in unconscious state in the hospital.
Sensing Thevar's anguish, Swamigal pacified him saying, "It is OK, do not worry!" He then asked Thevar to apply vibhuthi (holy ash) on the forehead of Kannadasan, put some into his mouth and keep the remaining vibhuthi below his pillow in the hospital. Swamigal Himself packed the vibhuthi in a small packet and handed it to Thevar!
Thevar took the vibhuthi with a lot of hesitation, reason being, Kannadasan was an atheist, a non-believer in God. Those days Kannadasan was seriously involved in the atheist activities of the Dravida political parties and was always speaking ill of Brahmins and Sanatana Dharma. In fact, just a week before the accident, Kannadasan had sullied the image of the Shankaracharyas in a meeting conducted just opposite the Shankara Matam in Kanchi! "How can I carry this vibhuthi to such a person?", wondered Thevar.
The Trikala Gnani understood the Thevar's reluctance and told him:
"Without any hesitation go and apply the vibhuthi on Kannadasan. Just like how a small cloud hides a mighty Sun, this cloud of atheism is obstructing him so far. From now onwards He will shine like the Sun! Do you know how illustrious his ancestors were? His great grand father had rendered renovation service at Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple, his grand father rendered renovation service to Kanchi Ekambareshwara temple and his father had rendered renovation service to Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple. He has come from such a Parampara of holy temple service. Now do you understand?"
Thevar did as ordered by going to the Hospital. He applied the sacred vibhuthi prasadam given by Swamigal, put some in his mouth and kept the remaining vibhuti in the packet under the pillow. It was evening and Kavinjar Kannadasan was still unconscious. Thevar went to his home to rest for the night and came back in the morning to the hospital to see his friend. He went home worried as to what Kannadasan will say after he regained consciousness.
The next day Thevar went to the hospital to check on Kannadasan. He had recovered consciousness and was lying down with his eyes open. "For how many days have I been in this hospital? Please bring me a mirror, I want to see my face!” said Kanndasan. Thevar obliged. On seeing his face and vibuthi on his forehead, Kannadasan did not show any signs of anger. Instead he asked who applied it! Thevar mustered some courage and narrated his meeting Paramacharya and how He blessed him!
When Kannadasan heard this, tears streamed down from his eyes!
"For me? All this Compassion of His for me? Just last week I spoke ill of Him. What a sinner I am!” cried out Kannadasan! "After I recover completely I will not first go to my home. Please take me to that Mahan first, who showered His Compassion on a Sinner like me", pleaded him to Thevar!
Per Kannadasan's request He had darshan of Swamigal and pleaded with Him to forgive him. His mind changed from atheism to Spirituality. Out sprang a Poem on Swamigal from the Poet Maestro. He submitted the poem to Swamigal when he had His darshan again:
This is the poem:
"Just by a mere look are the sins washed away
He who is the embodiment of Thiruvachagam (a great piece of Literature on Lord Shiva composed by Manickavachagar)
The One who expounds the meanings of Truth and Knowledge
with His razor sharp Intellect
The God who came to protect this world
The One who is accepted by people of all religions
as their own God
Let us pray and submit ourselves at His Lotus Feet
Come Everybody!"
Swamigal read the poem and gently told Kannadasan:
"What you have said applies only to Seshadri Swamigal. The One who is the Ardhanari of Thiruvannamalai! The One Who is Superhuman!"
"Write wholeheartedly about the greatness of Hindu religion!” Swamigal told Kannadasan and blessed him.
And at that very instant the seed was implanted in Kannadasan's mind, the result of which was his magnum opus of a book, 'Arthamulla Hindu Madham, the Insightful Hindu Religion!
His words
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I declare that I am in everyone, in every being. So, do not hate anyone or cavil at anyone. Spread love always, everywhere. That is the way of revering Me. Do not seek to measure Me or evaluate Me. I am beyond your imagination or understanding. Pray or worship for your own satisfaction and contentment.
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Actions done with a motive achieves the objective that it is done for but binds the one who has performed it. But when one performs actions as an offering to God, they do not produce any such consequences. Therefore, only actions performed without any motive or any sense of ownership (that one has done it) and those done as one’s duty cleanse one’s mind and aid in spiritual elevation.
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If my actions cause confusion, it is because of your lack of complete trust. Therefore, uproot all doubt and remember well that whatever I do is for the best. All my actions are my divine response born of my divine love.
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If one turns away from the Guru who is near at hand and seeks to meditate on the Divine which is difficult for attaining it may be similar to one who throws away the treasure he already has and goes in search of a hidden treasure.
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One
should realise the true inner nature of the self as one goes about
their daily activities and think of God at all times; even in the midst
of difficult work.
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One
should kill the Ravana and Rakshasa within oneself; Ravana signifying
the desire of any object and Rakshasa signifying anger. One should get
rid of negative emotions such as lust, greed and anger.
Practice truth, peace, restraint and patience. Worship the Sun God by chanting Aditya Hridayam Stotram. Chanting this helps to control anger, shows one the light and gives jnana (knowledge) to the mind which in turn leads to moksha (liberation).
Practice truth, peace, restraint and patience. Worship the Sun God by chanting Aditya Hridayam Stotram. Chanting this helps to control anger, shows one the light and gives jnana (knowledge) to the mind which in turn leads to moksha (liberation).
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Total faith and surrender to the Sadguru is the path to eternal peace and happiness.
------
Pray
to the Mahan with a heart full of faith and surrender to turn difficult
situations in life to happy ones. The tough situations one encounters
in life are due to karma brought forward from previous births and they
seem impossible to handle. Sincere devotion and worship of the Sadguru
is an effective way to get rid of past karma. The grace and guidance of
the Sadguru shows one the way to overcome the problems during times of
conflict and relieves the suffering. Mahan also leads a true devotee to
achieve self realisation.
------------
God
is like a mirror. If you are doing the right things, and feel good
about yourself, that is exactly how the Divine will receive you. It is
best to clear the mind as soon as a bad thought arises, lest the dust
settle!
------
I promise to help all those who come to me, regardless of their race, creed, colour or religion.
----------
One
should realise the true inner nature of the Self as one goes about
their daily activities and think of God at all times; even in the midst
of difficult work.
-----------
In
order to cross the ocean of life and unite with God, one should have
the soul in command; the mind drawn inwards and conquer the five senses.
To discipline the mind, one only needs faith and surrender to the
Sadguru and thereafter follow the instructions he receives from the Guru
with total sincerity and devotion.
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Truth, peace, humility, patience, control of the senses along with the ability to treat grief and happiness alike are qualities that must be practiced to achieve spiritual elevation.
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“As you get butter when you churn buttermilk, so also you get Jnana when you work your way through the sea of Karma.”
The Sadguru likens life to a sea and the varied experiences in life as the working off of Karma. This can be compared to the forming of butter as a result of the churning of buttermilk. Man as he works his way through life, works off karma, and wisdom and clarity form within his mind, resulting in Jnana or enlightenment.
The Sadguru likens life to a sea and the varied experiences in life as the working off of Karma. This can be compared to the forming of butter as a result of the churning of buttermilk. Man as he works his way through life, works off karma, and wisdom and clarity form within his mind, resulting in Jnana or enlightenment.
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Hanuman
with the blessings of Lord Rama crossed the ocean effortlessly and
united Sita with Lord Rama. Similarly, a disciple with the blessings of
the Sadguru, can not only cross the ocean of life and merge with God but
also burn the ignorance or illusion of Maya. The Guru and his abundant
grace are essential to achieve this
-----
This great teaching occurs in the Chhandogya Upanishad. It is known as the upadesha vakya, or the statement of instruction.
The verse states “Now that which is the subtle essence – in it, all that exists has its self. That is the Truth. That is the Self. That thou art, Svetaketu. Tat Tvam Asi is the first of the Great Teachings that is delivered to the qualified disciple. In the statement, Tat (that) refers to the Supreme Self, Tvam (you) refers to the individual Self, and Asi (are) clearly shows the identical nature of the two. In other words, the statement emphasizes the oneness of the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness.
In this Upanishad, this same statement is repeated by the guru nine times to the disciple. For the aspirant who is just beginning the contemplation of the Great Teachings, no amount of emphasis can be too much. Continuously identifying ourselves with the body-mind and its limitations, we find it difficult to even comprehend this Truth. The seeker cannot see how he, the limited, ignorant individual, can be identical with the universal consciousness. To break this false identification, the guru repeatedly advises the disciple to go beyond the differences of name and form, and see the unity of Self. Since the individual Self and the universal Self are perceived by the disciple as two distinct entities, the guru has to start his instruction from this point. For the sake of the disciple, he refers to two distinct selves (thou and That), although in truth, only the one Self exists. Working with the assumption of duality, the disciple meditates and discovers that in tuth, no two selves exist. That and thou both stand revealed as the non-dual, all-pervading Self alone.
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Ways advised by Seshadri Swamigal to get Liberation (moksha):
If one sings hymns in praise of Sri Ranganatha one attains Liberation (moksha).
If one narrates the Lord’s stories (Harikatha), one attains Liberation (moksha).
One can attain Liberation (moksha) by meditating on Narayana.
The path to liberation is one of Bhakti (Divine Love). In that path of Bhakti, worship of Devi is the most effective. The mother’s concern for a child is greater than that of the father. Hence Devi, who is the mother of the entire world has manifested herself as Visalakshi at Kasi, Kamakshi at Kanchi and Meenakshi at Madurai. The three Godesses, Kamakshi, Meenakshi and Visalakshi are one and the same. They will confer liberation on those who contemplate on them. Devotees who dedicate their mind to any of the three would reap the same benefits.
No words to share my experience from yesterday. Suddenly I read this article yesterday and today with full of tears. Yesterday 4th January 2020 Margazhi Navami Sadguru Seshadri swamigal Aaradana day. Really Sadguru & MahaPeriyava poured all His Blessings to this poor soul (me). Ananthakoti Namaskarams
ReplyDeleteSrinivasan K
Mahaperiava casually mentioned Bharanidharan that both seshadri and
ReplyDeleteSeshachalam both same.when Periava says something it may mean more than
Casual.I found some striking similarities.Seshachalam was born in Tindivanam in 1892.shifted to chennai
Around 1900.3 or 4 yrs later his father died and brought up by his mother Parvati.At his age of 25 he became a vakil.But he learnt classical
Tamil including the difficult grammar.
He mastered in kambaramayanam, Thirukkural,mahabharatham,Nidatham,Nanool etc.seshadri Swamigal had mastered
Them when he was 15 or so.Swamigal in kanchi would have taught others these as well as sanskrit scriptures.Srshachalam in 1933 or so taken tamil classes in kanchi and many
Men and ladies have attended and learnt classical tamil.A great achievement those days.His students were from all castes and all ages.They
Were taught free.But seshachalam died at his age of 46 .He was the father of Bharanidharan who passed away on 3td jan 2020.May be to this extent of teaching others irrespective of their
Birth Seshachalam must have followed
Seshadri Swamigal.
Hara hara Sankara
30 th Jan 2020