VIII§
Yogaswami took many proactive measures to promote Saiva Religion. He conducted Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy classes and coaching classes to recite Tirumurai in proper manner and gave new life to Puranic song and story telling.§
We have observed, from the time of His career days, that Swamigal had good training and great interest in Thirumurai. In the beginning when devotees gather to have darshan, Swamigal used to sing in distinct and commanding voice the Thevarams (Holy Hymns) and Thiruvasagam for many hours. After singing, He would sit in meditation. The devotees would sit down and wait quietly till Swamigal gave them permission to leave. Sometimes He would recognize the devotees’ problems intuitively and to their surprise, would give solutions to their problems. In those days it was rare to hear anything else (from Swamigal).§
Mr. Thambar, principal of Central College, met Yoga Swamigal for the first time in December 1922. He had written about that meeting as follows: “Darkness was setting in when we reached the junction of Columbuthurai and Swamiyar streets where we saw a divine being sitting under the shadow of the street kerosene lamp. He was wearing white vetti and sitting in Lotus Posture. With smooth skin, white beard, grey hair and sharp eyes like a lion, Yogaswami appeared like one of those great ancient rishis. After deep meditation, He opened His eyes. His eyes were shining like the eyes of a tiger at night. Then He started singing devotional songs, roaring like a dam water released into the ocean. For two hours it went on like a blowing storm. Those songs were sung as if they overflowed deep down from the naval. We all were enchanted and mesmerized by His music and songs. After He had finished, there was absolute silence like the silence after the storm. We all stood in silence. Then, He looked at us, burst into loud laughter, and enquired who we were and why we came. With fear we told the reason for coming. “I am not an astrologer to give predictions; I tell people whatever appears in my mind at that time,” He replied. Then, He said all four of us were good students, so we would succeed in the examination. Since it was late at night, about 9 pm, he asked us to go home.”§
Regular worship started in Swamigal’s Ashram and it became a tradition to recite Sivapuranam in the morning and evening. In the beginning Yogaswami used to lead the singing and others followed. Then, the owner of the land where Yoga Swamigal‘s hut was built, Mr. Thirunavukarasu was leading the Sivapuranam singing. The tradition of memorization and reciting Sivapuranam, which was started by Swamigal, began to spread among Sri Lankan Hindus. Even those people who were unaware of Sivapuranam, with Swamigal’s contact, started learning and recite. One of the followers had narrated as below in Sivathondan (Vol.30: Issue 6) about Swamigal’s service to the movement of memorizing Sivapuranam: §
Recitation of Sivapuranam §
“Swamigal had said that nothing like Sivapuranam helps a person in the spiritual practice (sadhana) in Tamil or in any other language. Swamigal popularized Sivapuranam throughout Sri Lanka and gave new impetus to Saiva religion. The movement of memorization and recitation of Sivapuranam was a great achievement of Swamigal towards Saiva Religion. Literate, illiterate, the old and young – all participated with devotion and enjoyed great benefits. It brings me the same bliss now as the first time I was sitting in front of Swamigal and in many occasions I experienced the same ecstatic state in singing Sivapuranam. We got the feeling that Siva Himself, surrounded by rishis and celestian beings, was sitting in front of us in Thiruprenthurai, chanting Vedas”.§
Generally, songs from Thevaram, Thiruvasagam and Natchinthanai were sung after Sivapuranam recitation. A friend of Swamigal, Mr. Duraiyappa of Columbuthurai, was an expert in music and had formal training in singing Thevaram songs from the time of Chellappa Swamigal. In the evenings he used to sing some of his favorite songs in Swamigal Ashram. He was an expert in singing the “Siraiyarum Maddakiliyae”, “Thondaranju Kalirum” Thevarams and Natchinthanai song “Thiruvarul Kaikooduthu” and a boat song. He had short stint in conducting Tirumurai classes in Elandaikulam Pilliyar Temple under the supervision of Swamigal. Another devotee, Ariyalai Kanthaiyah also used to sing Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, and Natchinthanai songs exactly like Swamigal. One day when, Mr. Kanthaiyah was singing, Swamigal accompanied him with vocal thalam (beats). That was a memorable experience.§
Yogaswami insisted that all children, especiallay those studying music, should learn to sing Thevaram in proper melodic mode (pann). “What is the use in singing just the verses alone without singing of the Thirumurais which are mantra power”, he would comment. As per the advice of Swamigal, the chidren of Postmaster Ramalingam and Sivapackiam, the daughter of Accountant Rasanayagam were first to study Thevaram and Tiruvasagam in proper melodic mode. Swamigal wrote some Natchinthanai songs exclusively for them.§
Sivapackiam had studied the melodic modes from Satchithnanda Rajayogi (Sankara Subbaiyer). Once she sang the Thirupallaiyeluchi, with a Veenai, in the early morning of a Maha Sivaratri day in Ariyalai, which is still ringing in my ears. Swamigal wrote the following verse with her name.§
Raham: Husseini Thalam:§
Aathi Pallavi§
I came searching wealth to thy Holy §
Feet Grant me Grace Deva §
Satgurunatha§
Anupallavi§
Sivapackiam who loves singing, searching the world §
Drive away her darkness of illusions, Oh Guru§
(I came searching) §
Saranam Can you leave me? Is it just?§
Is it worthy for Swamigal show no compassion? §
Oh King, resident of Nallur, who §
uttered the sacred word “Who§
knows”, Oh sage§
The incomparable father, Oh Chellappa§
(I came searching)§
Violin expert Somasundaram and drum expert Ratnam both from Puthuvatti, were born in same musical family. They had the honour to play accompaniment music for musical story discourses of Satchithananda Rajayogigal (Sankara Suppaiyar). One will never forget the scene when all three - Sangara Suppaiyar, Somu and Ratnam-perform together on the same stage. After the demise of his mother and uncle Ratnam, Somu was not in proper mental frame to play in concerts. He was teaching only those students who came to his house. Swamigal used to visit him and listen to his violin music while also compose music for his poems. His daughter and the daughter of his uncle, both were studying music when their financial conditions did not permit them to pursue further.§
Having taken note of Somu’s situation, Yogaswami arranged for a bhajan every Friday in Vanarpanai Sarasvathy Library. Somu used to play violin for these two girls who were singing. Usually one of the devotees would sponsor the bhajan and the girls would receive gifts. In this way, Swamigal helped many needy people on right time.§
Swamigal had demonstrated many times that miracles can happen even in this modern times by singing particular Thevaram songs that are associated with miracles in proper melodic mode. Thirunganasambanthar received gold coins from Lord Siva when he sang the Thevaram “Idarinum Thalarinum” when he appealed for money for his father who wanted to perform Yagna in Thiruvavaduthurai. Yogaswami also had received gold coins whenever He recited “Idarinum Thalarinum” Thevaram song. Mr. Vallipuram teacher had written about such an incident as follows: “One day I was with Swamigal in this lodge. There were also some other devotees. A car was coming on the road. Swamigal stood up and went to the street. One Nagalinga Swamigal got down from the car. Swamigal embraced him with His Holy Hands, and seated him on the tiger skin on which He was sitting. We gave Swamigal another seat who was sitting on the floor. Silence prevailed for some time. Swamigal asked Nagalinga swami to sing Thevaram. (Nagalinga swami is also known as Nagalinga Parathesiyar). Parathesiyar remained silent. Sensing Parathesiyar’s mind, Swamigal said, “Idarinum Thalarinum”.§
Paradesiyar started to sing those holy ten verses. Paradesiyar body started to shake. Eyes were pouring tears. Ambience of devotion pervaded everywhere. Our hearts also started to melt. When the eighth verse was sung, a car came on the street and stopped in front the house. Two people got down from the car. I thought they were Goddess Umathevi and God Siva from Holy Kailash. They washed their hands and legs from the well water and stood before Swamigal in reverence with folded hands. The tenth verse was completed. Swamigal’s Holy eyes stared at those who were standing in front of Him with folded hands. The Ammaiyar (woman) placed all those materials they had brought with them in front of Swamigal and touched His feet in obeisance. Appar (man) also did the same prostrations. Swamigal asked them to get up from the floor; they got up and stood in humility and devotion. They brought on a silver tray pooja articles, flowers, fruits, betel leaves, arecanuts, coconut and camphor together with a silk pouch. Swamigal took the silk pouch, untied, and emptied it on the floor. Many gold coins fell from the pouch with a sound. The driver who brought Parathesiyar was a Sinhalese; he was leaning on a coconut tree and watching everything. Swamigal first called him and gave him some gold coins. Then he told the priest to look after Parathesiyar. He put the rest of the coins in the bag, tied, and offered that pouch to Parathesiyar. The surprised Parathesiyar stood immediately, paid obeisance with folded hands, received the pouch with both hands from Swamigal and touched them with his eyes. He was crying standing in front of Swamigal. Then, Swamigal told Paradesiyar, “Now attend to other matters.” Parathesiyar worshipped Swamigal again, finished Siva Pooja and had his meals with the priest.”§
At one time, Nagalinga Paradesiyar was famous and uncomparable in giving music-cum-story discourses of Saiva Saints, with musical accompaniment. But at later stage, he was stricken with poverty and sickness. Knowing his distress, one Mr.V.S. Kandiah, one of Swamigal’s devotees, brought Paradesiyar to Swamigal.§
Swamigal always advised his devotees to recite the Kolaru Pathigam to drive away sickness and similar miseries. Once, Swamigal’s close devotee and the President of Sivathondan Nilayam, Dr. Guruswamy, was suffering from sickness. Swamigal urged his children to recite Kolaru Pathigam. The next day, there was no change in his illness condition. Swamigal told his children, “You did not sing the song properly” and started to sing Kolaru Pathigam himself and the illness began to subside.§
Swamigal had emphasised the power of Kolaru Pathigam and other two Holy Pathigams as follows: “With Nada (sound) they cure sickness. Mannar Kudi Swami knew only few Thevaram like, ‘Veyuru Tholi Pangan’, yet he recites them often and he developed many powers to do miracles. We can strengthen our mind by reading Thevarams like, “Namarkum Kudiyallom” and “Naallen Cheyum”.§
It was Yogaswami’s desire that all Saivaites must learn well the Siddhanta literature. Swamigal had high regards for I.Ponnaiya, the Physician from Erlaalai, for his deep knowledge in Siddhanta philosophy. Swamigal arranged him to conduct Meikandar’s Siddhanta philosophy classes first in Vanarpanai and then in Erlalai. Swamigal arranged to write essays on Saiva Siddhantha and published in Sivathondan. It should be pointed out that a delegation was sent to England to expound and promote Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy.§
Swamigal wished that Puranas are read in the temples and Ashrams regularly. Swamigal stressed that all miseries afflicting the Tamil community would be dispelled by reading Kandapuranam. Kandapuranam and Periyapuranam were read regularly in the verandah of Mr. Muthukumaraswami Chettiyar’s residence in Vanarpanai. In this reading discourse several people participated including Navali Thambaiya teacher, Erlaalai physician Ponnaiya, Vannai Thambiyappa, Thikkam Chellaiyapillai, M.V. Thirugnanasambanthar, and V. Ramanathan. Teacher Thambaiya was fluent in reading Periyapuranam and an expert in explaining the meaning of the verses. In Periyapuranam, wherever, Thevaram Pathigam (ten verses) appeared, the verses of Periyapuranam would also be in the same melodic mode (pann) as those of Thevaram. Thambaiya used to sing in the appropriate melodic mode. Swamigal liked the commentaries given by Ponnaiya on the Siddhantha principles wherever they appeared.§
One day Sri La Sri Ambalavana Swamigal (Navalar) presented a discourse on Kandapuranam. For a phrase “Kanthanai Payantha Nathan” (Siva who was afraid of Kanthan) he delivered a speech for three hours.§
Later, Ambalavana Swamigal told Mr. M. Mylvaganam, the teacher from Hindu College, about Yoga Swamigal as follows: “ Yoga Swamigal do not wear saffron robes nor don Holy ash or rudraksha beats, yet all the famous people, judges, proctors and advocates of Jaffna, all bowed to Him. What a miracle. The secret is Swamigal has deep devotion for God and live without desire. Those qualities adorn His renunciate life.”§
For many years, Swamigal celebrated Maha Sivarathri with devotees in many places. On those days Puranam discourse was given prominence. Once, Sivarathri Puranam was read. When the story of Sukumaran was read, Yogaswami asked to stop the reading. It was not suitable to be read in a public assembly, and this was the reason why Swamigal requested to stop. Later, during Maha Sivarathri celebration “adiimudi thedum” – (fathoming the feet and head of the Lord) the chapter from Kandapuranam took prominence to be read.§
For some time, monthly Sivarathri was also observed along with Maha Sivarathri. The monthly Sivarathri prayers were conducted in Columbuthurai Elandaikulam Pillaiyar Temple. Many professionals participated in the discourses. However, Kokuvil Kumaraswamy Pulavar took an important and active role in this activity. Swamigal was much fond of listening to his commentaries on Periyapuranam. Parameswara Iyer who was an expert in violin, usually played in Pulavar’s discourses. Once, the entire Sandeswara Nayanar Puranam was read by Parameswara Iyer and Kumaraswamy Pulavar gave commentaries. The pair was combatible as a team and Swamigal did not want them to be disturbed.§
Swamigal made Kumaraswamy Pulavar to write an abridged version of Kandapuranam and published it through Mr. Thillaiyampalam.§
I want to mention here, about an incident, which demonstrates Swamigal’s interest in Periya Puranam. Once, Kokuvil Kumaraswami Pulavar gave a discourse in a portion of Periya Puranam. Swamigal was listening to the discourse from his Ashram through the loud speakers. Swamigal confessed later that He shed tears when he heard the description of the meeting of Saint Appar and Saint Sampanthar.§
Whenever monthly Sivarathri was celebrated, the following day Swamigal usually would go to Mr. S.R. Kandaiah’s garden in Ariyalai along with some devotees in cars and bullock carts. He would cook and eat there. Several devotes participated in this rare sacred activity –among them were Chavakachcheri advocate Kasipillai, Alaveddy retired principal Kanapathipillai, Mr.& Mrs. Ponnaiya, Mr.& Mrs. Sinnappa, Mr. & Mrs. Elaiyathambi, Kaithadi Mr. & Mrs. Mylvaganam and his sister. It was indeed a sight to see Swamigal and others bathe and wear dry clean clothes and pray in the nearest temple before having meals together. Whoever participated in this rare opportunity were blessed souls indeed.§