XIV§
Swamigal’s Latter Life and Blessings of Samadhi
Swamigal stopped out of town journeys in later part of His life. We can assume that Swamigal did took into consideration His health. He lived mostly in Vannarpanai and Kaithadi. It is natural for the body to weaken due to ageing even if one has an iron body. Once, Swamigal mentioned about this as follows: “ At one time I used to sleep in the cold, as on one occasion in Maruthanamadam, I was soaked in rain all night. Later I used to sleep on the roots of the Eluppai tree. Since the body was healthy at that time, the weather didn’t affect me.”§
Later, once Swamigal joked, “ Last time my feet used to prick the pebbles but now the pebbles prick my feet.”§
Swamigal was very particular in taking care of His body. The reason was that He did not want to trouble others by becoming sick. Generally, Swamigal would not allow anybody to attend to Him. He washed His own utensils.§
Swamial was careful as far as food is concerned. Just as He preached to others, He would eat moderately. He often stood by his conviction that do not eat if you are not hungry, even the food is offered by God. He would not take breakfast in the morning, and would eat rice at noon. At night He usually ate very little string hoppers. He drank tea in the morning and evening. Though this was His regular schedule, on some days He would not eat anything the whole day. Some times He ate bread only.§
Before eating, He usually washed His legs, face and applied Holy Ash in the forehead and body. One day while Swamigal was having his meals in a restaurant, He saw a Brahmin teacher just washed his hands and sat to eat. Swamigal told him, “ You are a Brahmin, and a teacher moreover. Children will follow your examples. You should know one should wash face, legs and apply Holy Ash before eating., you should be an example to your students.” Swamigal wanted to be an example to others in taking care of the body, following certain disciplines before eating and in following Saiva traditions because people always followed what elders did. The Bhagavat Gita said, “ Whatever the high class people did, others followed them. Whatever they make it a tradition, the people in the world followed that.”§
Earlier, we saw Swamigal lived mostly in Vannarpanai and Kaithadi; more so in Vanarpanai. After the Sivathondan Nilayam in Vanarpanai started to function, He went there almost every day. Some times He would go twice or thrice in a day to advice the Sivathondan Nilayam administraters and the publication of the Sivathondan Magazine.§
Swamigal appointed Sellathurai to manage Sivathondan Nilayam who had worked as a teacher for a long time and retired as a headmaster. He became a renunciate. He had traveled all over India several times, stayed in several Ashrams, and learned carefully about their management. He was well trained in religious philosophy.§
Accountant Mylvaganam from Kaithadi, his younger brother Visuvalingam, and son-in-law Muthukumaraswami had close relationship with Swamigal for long time. That is why Swamigal made Markandu Swami to stay there. Swamigal often used to go to Kaithadi after Markandu Swami moved over there. He would eat the food prepared by Markandu Swami and in the afternoon He would return to Columbuthurai. He also made, Ramsbotham, son of Lord Salisbury, to stay in Kaithadi after he became Swamigal’s follower.§
The Thithireya Upanishad says a Guru’s life gets fulfilled by his disciples. In this Upanishad, a Rishi prays as follows: “ May the Brahmacharis come to me, may they come unbidden, from all directions. May the Brahmacharis have courage to overpower the senses and have calm mind and come to me. As streams flow towards deep place and as months are combined to complete a year, Oh Lord sustainer of all, let the Brahmacharis come from all directions and may my life get fulfilled.”§
We do not know if Swamigal prayed as above but His followers came from all four directions. So far we saw disciples who came from our country. Now, we shall look into those who came from western countries.§
Western Disciples
A German with the initiated name, Gowribala was the first western disciple to take Swamigal as his Guru. He was a Buddhist monk in the Island Hermitage in Dodanduwa, Sri Lanka. During the Second World War, Gowribala and other German Buddhist monks were taken to India and kept under custody in Dehradun. Gowribala crossed the security-post and was travelling in Himachal Pradesh, where he met a Sakta swami. This Swami gave him the initiated name, Gowribala.§
After the war, he came back to Sri Lanka and stayed in Kalanilayam in Jaffna. He met Yoga Swamigal many times. Once, it seems Swamigal told him, “Gowribala Summa Iru (Be Still)”. From that day, he took those words as his upadesha Mantra. He tattooed those words in his arm. Then he started doing research on Summa iru and collected materials in religious literatures. He published a book, ‘Formula for Staying Still’ (Summa Irukka Soothiram). Though this book was published twice, but each time only hundred copies were printed as special editions. In this book the explanations on the Guru tradition and staying still is explained. The following is a section of the writing on Guru tradition:§
Swamigal During Latter Years§
“In the shadow of Kallala tree §
The Lord with third eye on forehead §
Gestured hand sign, the silent teaching understood by four Sanagars, §
Just so, Murugan instructed perfect Arunagirinathan to Stay still §
Following the tradition silent Guru Tayumanavar received the grace,§
And the teaching prospered, took root§
Spread to Elam, In Nalllai town §
The Satguru of our Guru Chellappa§
The Great Wanderer Kadaitswami imparted§
The great teaching to sprout in him.§
The phrase “Summairu” is explained as follows: §
“ As mentioned in this book: Kaya Mounam (body-silence) means being without work, without any use, without any benefit, and without hindrance. Vakku Mounam (Word-silence) means, being without speech, being calm and remaining silent. Mano Mounam (Mind-silence) is being without thoughts, without reason, without expectations and without any goals. Suddha Mounam (Pure-silence) is being in usual self, without attention, without productive and being still. Para Mounam (Supreme-silence), is remaining annihilated without any desires and without any possessions. This is what this perfect phrase denotes.”§
An Australian young man, Barry became a disciple of Swamigal through Gowribala. He was given nickname “Narikutty” (young Fox) by one Amma. He traveled to many places in India and then stayed in Kathirgamam and hill country. Now he is staying in a mutt in Karampan.§
We have already seen about Ramsbotham, the son of Lord Salisbury, who got initiated name “Santhaswami.” He too went to many places in search of peace and at last took refuge in Yogaswami. In 1963 in the morning of Arudra Natchathiram in Margali month, he was initiated by Swamigal and given the name Santhaswami.§
Swamigal carefully observed him before giving the initiation. He imparted unto him all spiritual knowledge. I had the opportunity to witness the teachings once or twice. I give below what I wrote down. I give translation of which Swamigal spoke in English:§
“ Sometimes I will speak in contradicting manner. The reason is to create confusion in your mind and make it clear. When the mind is pure, everything you will see clearly.”§
“You walk in your path and stand on your feet.”§
“There is no difference among the Realised Souls. All their experiences are same.”§
“God is seen in the ox, cow, and in dog.” “You should see God in good and bad.”§
“Do not lament that you should learn Sanskrit and Tamil; your English is also a divine language.”§
“ Believe in your own power. Listen to the voice of your inner Atman. God’s Kingdom is in you.”§
“If you want to dance, go and dance, but do not do that because others are doing.”§
“In the beginning there was only one Being. Later it became many.”§
“Everybody worship God in their own way.”§
“Do not get cheated by others.“§
“Be moderate in eating and sleeping.”§
Master Subramuniya, an American, received Upadesha from Swamigal. He had established Ashrams in USA, Kauai Island in Hawaii, and Alavetty in Sri Lanka.§
Disease is a Boon
Swamigal rarely get sick. Once, a bicycle hit Him and His knee was injured and was affected for some time.§
Before He broke His leg, Swamigal said there were some premonition that something going to happen. Swamigal told Thirunavukarasu that He would not be sleeping in the shed any more and urged him to roll the bed and tie it. It is said daughter of Thirunavukarasu had cautioned Him not to approach the cow which was later responsible for Swamigal’s fall. Despite of all those premonitions and cautions, that which had to happen had happened, Swamigal said.§
Even on the day when Swamigal fell, He went to Vanarpanai. On that afternoon, He went to Columbuthurai by foot. Once he arrived there, Swamigal as usual started to clean the cowshed. At that time, one of the cows jumped. Swamigal turned around quickly to avoid but the thigh bone was hit and broke. Immediately Swamigal fell on the ground. This is the accident that happens to old people. This incident happened on 21st February 1961.§
The devotees who heard about this incident, got together and discussed the next course of action. The discussion was joined by Dr. Guruswamy and other doctors. They decided to do surgery on Him. An orthopedic specialist, Dr.V. Rasanayagam from Colombo, who is the son-in-law of Srikantha, came down and performed the surgery.§
Many wonder why Sages get sick. Devotees are aware that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Ramana Maharishi were stricken with cancer. Swami Vivekananda had clarified that, “ It is natural for the body to be affected by sickness, old age and death. The bodies of Sages are no exception. Some are of the opinion that the Saints absorp devotees’ miseries, which they must experience.§
Some of the observations of Swamigal about His sickness:§
“This sickness is a boon, one without fail must experience the Karma.” §
“When the body came, it brought all those connected with it and one of it is the sickness.”§
“We need not think deep about this sickness. It all finished long-ago. Need not be afraid of anything. Whoever know the cause for the sickness would know that it is panacea for all miseries and would remain peacefully.”§
After surgery, Swamigal stayed in the Hospital for few months. During this period, the devotees had rare gift to serve Swamigal. The devotees who were approved by Swamigal, took turns to take care of Swamigal. Swamigal allowed those devotees to attend to Him based on several factors including their family responsibilities, their physical and mental health.§
The devotees realized that Swamigal, while still in hospital, would not be able to stay in the shed any more. Therefore they built a new room near the shed with modern facilities.§
Swamigal used a wheel chair to move around in and out of that room. After some time He visited many places in car, though He was not able to walk independently.§
It was during this time Swamigal stayed in Sivathondan Nilayam and gave new life and energy to that place.§
During this period, Swamigal suffered fever and lung infection frequently. Such type of diseases affected him every now and then. It was Dr. S.A. Vettrivelu who attended and treated Swamigal daily.§
It was during this time the padayatra – pilgrimage by walking- sponsored by Sivathondan Nilayam was started. Women and men from Kaithadi, Aanaikottai, Mangumpan, and Chunnakam came on walking pilgrimage to Sivathondan Nilayam. The movement had full blessings of Swamigal.§
Swamigal had deep devotion for Lord Murugan of Nalloor and Goddess Thaiyalnayagi of Vannai Sivan Temple. In His last days, Swamigal encouraged the devotees to do Abishegam and special Poojas in these temples. Swamigal used to sing the following lines on Goddess Thaiyalnayagi (it is to be noted that we could not get the complete verses).§
“Oh, mother Thaiyalnayagi§
This is good time Amma§
Oh Vaani! Oh Sivagami! §
Thou came to live§
In world famed Vannai City§
Oh Mother thou gave birth to§
Kandasamy§
Oh Mother Thaiyalnayagi.Ӥ
Swamigal continued to have sharp memory and clarity of mind though sickness was affecting Him. Some people, who did not know Swamigal well, said His memory was declining. I was very sad to hear that and went to see Swamigal. As I went there, Swamigal asked me, “ Do you remember that you scolded so and so ( he mentioned his name) in front of Sivan temple ?”. I was surprised that Swamigal reminded me about the incident that happened several years ago, as a remedy to relieve my worry from my mind.§
As though Swamigal had waited for an auspicious day for His Maha Samadhi, He attained Maha Samadhi on 23-4-1964, the Thiruvadi Pooja-day, early morning about 3.30am in Ashlesha Natchatra in the month of Panguni. He used to conduct Thiruvadi Pooja on every Second Monday of the month. The Thinagaran news paper had good account of the feelings and expressions of the devotees who were there during His Grand Departure. The report which is a compilation of the expressions, appeared on 25-4-1964 as follows:§
“Yoga Swamigal was over 90 years of age when He left the body. Generally speaking, we can say and console ourselves that Swamigal who worshipped the Holy Feet of the Lord daily, led a full life and attained the Holy Feet of Siva. But, to those who were with Him for long time cannot control the tears or bear the feeling of vacuum in our hearts, when we realized that we no longer going to see his Holy form in the hut with white beard, white hair, white Holy Ash, wearing white vetti and smiling gently. We cannot express our grief in words when we cannot hear His voice anymore in this life, singing in His commanding voice Manickavasagar’s Siva Puranam ‘Nama Sivaya Valga, Nathan Thal Valga, Imaipoludum yen Nenjil Neengathan Thal Valga’ with His devotees. We bound to have the disappointed feeling in us. Intense grief shatters our heart when we think of the smiling face of Swamigal- that which made us laugh belly full when He seemingly said He would solve all mundane problems in the world - would be set on fire in funeral pyre.§
Swamigal would not have worried about His death as He always considered ‘death like a bird leaving the cage; the soul leaves the body.’ He would have been peaceful because all His work had finished. However for those of us, who used to go to Him with complicated problems to receive advice and blessings, are deeply concerned as there is nobody to guide us.”§
The Hindu Sadanam published a brief summary of the happenings during the Samadhi of Swamigal. Since the report is a direct reporting, let me state it here:§
I am giving the summary account of the happenings during Maha Samadhi and the last funeral procession that appeared in Hindu Sadanam which gave live description: §
“ Yogaswamigal, the beacon light of Jaffna, attained Siva-mukti on Monday 23-4-1964 at 3:18am. When this news was announced in radio, many of His devotees started thronging from different parts of Eelanadu. On Tuesday 24-3-1964, throughout the day devotees, school students and others paid homage to His Holy body which was laid in Columbuthurai Ashram. Devotees in groups recited Thirumurai, Tamil prayer songs and Natchinthanai songs. On Wednesday 25-3-1964 5.00am morning, they did Abishegam to Swamigal’s body with devotion. Swamigal‘s holy body was covered with pure white cloth and flower garlands. His body was placed in a square box decorated with flower strings, and was carried by devotees through Columbuthurai Street to the cremation ground at Thundi. §
The procession route from the Ashram of Swamigal to the funeral ground, both sides were decorated with leaves and flowers. The people living in the streets paid homage with lighted Kuthuvilaku and water pots in front of their homes to mark their love and reverence to Him. When the body was carried on procession, they sang bhajan and devotional songs.§
The procession reached the funeral ground about 9 am. Thousands of people- men, women and children- gathered to witness the cremation. Volunteers segregated men and women to be seated separately. Silence pervaded everywhere.§
The body was placed on wooden stack, which included quarter ton of sandalwood. Every body was meditating on the Grace of Yoga Swamigal. Kokuvil Mr.T. Kumaraswamy Pulavar recited Tiruvasagam songs and one puranam song with full devotion. The body was ritually lighted on the funeral pyre. Everybody loudly said, ‘Aragara’ and worshipped the light.§
Sinhalese brothers, Muslims, and Christian also were there to pay their last respect. Everyone watched Swamigal merging with the Light. The whole place appeared like Holy Kailash had descended on Earth.§
Earlier Swamigal, with deep feelings had said, ‘ For more than fifty years, I have done whatever I have to do. I have preached whatever I have to preach. I have no regrets.’§
So, let us attain liberation by following Yogaswami who had showed us the path for more than half a century.§
There is No Evil.§
Finished Long Time Ago.§
We Know Not. §
All is Truth Absolute§