Dissection of Love 

 Love to me is the most abused word in the world atleast in this part of the world. Whoever talks about it tells me how wonderful to be in love is. And the thing which makes me wonder is the way these people are talking about love as if nobody was in love in earlier year and it was discovered only recently. They more or less confirms the old adage yah the adage is far more older than me that love is blind. it wont see caste, religion, status etc. Nowadays one more dimension has also been added to this i.e. lovewont even see the gender. Good. The human is a person who embraces everything which is good and wonderful to them. If love is such a wonderful thing why it has not bitten so many youngsters inspite of their being eligible single.

To me to be truly in love you must move with your partner atleast a minimum of ten years and should be with you 24 x 7. For some it takes more time than that.

The initial attraction towards the other gender starts on three counts 1. physical attraction 2. Emotional needs 3. Planned attraction. The third we can leave because it is planned and the person knows fully well of the consequences and will be prepared for it. The first around 90% falls under this category. The dress, the way they move, or the english they speak or their lifestyle attracts first. then people by hook or crook gets introduced and start falling in love. Here starts the play. The people while they are inlove shows the only face they want to show and not their entire face. this continues for ever till it culminates into marriage or by accident their other face comes out. Now the people are in a dilemma whether to accept it or to break it. some people meekily surrender on getting false promises and others break up. When in love they think only about them and they never think about their parents and most of them think they are going to be in thanikudithanam. but when reality stares in their face they are not in a position to free themselves ....

When such things happens i am not able to believe what is called as true love. First i want to know what today's meaning of love because i see it being expressed in my ways and in many forums.To mother on her birthday and mothers' day luv u mom same goes with father's day and friendship day, brother's day sisters' day siblings day, birthdays and a lot of luv u babies cho chweets love love everywhere. want to know whether all these loves will come under true love or not. Whether loving a person with an intention of living together either by way of marriage or otherwise is the only thing which qualify for the term true love. OK Let us talk about true love.
Now i am going to talk about love at first sight the physical attributes and love born out of compassion.
Yes you like that person because of various reasons other than compassion or planning. Now it moves to next stage. Starts with sweet nothings benefiting the mobile companies and card sellers. At this stage both of them never discuss about themselves or their future all they will be doing is dreaming about being together running in snows and going to malls and restaurants. Both of them will be having a doubt and wont reveal more about them for fear that the partner may not like that and they want to be in the good books of the partners. This will slowly grow up and the next step of going to theatres faraway from the prying eyes of their neighbours and malls and eateries. The boy's purse will always be open for her and the mobile will be immediately answered. Now also they wont discuss anything fruitful and every thing will be sweet giggles only.by this time one or more years would have gone by. If her parents are very much open minded the costly gifts will start coming home. Nowadays it is smart phones or iphones. (after the recent bursting of samsung galaxy note 7 and iphone 7 i heard the girls are not accepting them as gifts)Like this the true love is being developed. After few years when they were confident that their love matter reached everyone except their parents ( In all those love affairs it was the parents were the last people who gets to know and the entire world knows it before. I have experienced it personally) they start discussing about marriage and their future together. Now all the lying starts. The girl will be promised heaven. She need not do any work. there were servants to take care of her needs. she can hand over her entire salary to her parents. they can have a child whenever she wants it. if she does not want to undergo labour pain they can adopt a child also. he has no problems with it. If her parents object to their marriage she can simply walk out and she will be taken care of his family. Every one at his family loves her. On hearing this words she will be in cloud nine (she will even forgot that she had not met any one from the boy's side and how they knew about her? had he opened this subject with his family and what was their reaction? whether they needed any convincing?) Now she will be in a state of mind to oppose her family based on his assurances. Like wise the girl will promise him that her parents will not go against her wish. they will happily marry her. as the only child she will inherit the entire wealth of her parents. and she loves him so much and she will do anything for him. cook non vegetarian for him. will be a darling to his household and so on. So their life starts with lots and lots of lies because both of them had the fear of rejection in them. This happens mostly when the boy is from other caste/ religion. My question is with this much of lies how they call it true love

While they are in love the only crisis they are facing will be how to tell their parents. In most cases the neighbours takes that burden and informs the parents. Then depending on the circumstances the fight starts and ends up one way or other. Or they with the help of friends gets married at the Registrar's office and hides the marriage or walk out of their house. If there is support from either of the side there wont be any problems initially. If not the problem starts the moment the girl getting pregnant. Even in the arranged marriages, where the entire family of the boy's side showers love on that girl, during the pregnancy every girl wants to have her mother on her side. The emotional support a mother gives to her daughter cannot be substituted by anybody. In the love marriages where the parents are estranged it becomes an obsession for the girl and the resulted emotional outburst had to be borne entirely by the husband. He being inexperienced starts feeling the pressure and the first dissention takes place. Depending on the support she gets from her in laws the marriage goes on or breaks up. Ok. i think i have written enough about love marriages. Now i want to tell you what is true love from my own experience.

I was 55 when i went to Meghadatu in Karnataka with my entire family and brother in law's family. When we went there we were advised that there is a beautiful place down the river which will look like a ravine and the river narrows down but it will be very deep. So from the car park we crossed the river and took a jeep to reach the place. It was really beautiful and to enjoy it more i went down the steps (60 or 70 steps i think) and enjoyed for some time. When climbing up i felt some congestion in my chest and don't know how i reached the road and fell down unconscious. Nobody was there to help us. My wife and all of them started praying with no water bottle on hand. Just then, as an answer to their prayers, two shepherds came and revived me by giving water. We returned back to bangalore and then to salem where i was working. I was immediately admitted to hospital and and angio gram was done. It was diagnosed i had five blocks and bye pass operation had to be done. My wife wanted to take a second opinion and after getting it admitted to Apollo, chennai.The doctor there decided three of the blocks can be removed by tablets and for remaining two blocks angio plasty will be enough and there is no need for bye pass surgery. I was wheeled into the operation theatre. My wife accompanied the stretcher till the door. There she squeezed my hand with a smile on her face. Angio plasty was done and i was back in ICU for post operative care. Again my wife visited me with the same smile. But the smile had different meaning before and after the operation. The first meant Hey dont worry i am here to take care of things. i will fight anybody for you and you know about my fighting qualities and ability. so go with peace of mind and return back to me. The smile after operation told me "See i told you it is nothing. Stay strong and we can go home soon". I was discharged in three days. During the entire incident right from my swooning at Meghadatu to ICU at Apollo i have not seen a single drop of tear in her eyes and always they were reassuring me "You are mine and I wont leave you. I will always be on your side shouldering responsibilities for you". Yes this is what i call true love. Thanking Sadgurunathar for giving me such a wonderful wife and praying him to make me eligible for her.

Enough of my story. I have seen girls/boys falling in love with other caste/religion boys/girls. As told earlier the reason may be physical attraction or compassion or paucity of love at home or wanted to enjoy an aristocratic life. In all these there is some expectation from one to another and whoever feels that they have accomplished their goal in life regarding their expectation from their partner say their love is a success story in the initial periods. The coincidence in all these love is the boy/girl from our Community has to change his/her religion and not vice versa. In another post one of our members was narrating the experience of herself and her friend who married outside the religion. It is heart wrenching.Though i am nearing 65 and met so many successful lovers, failed lovers and people who hate love stories in short all type of people. In fact i have been a postman or hanuman in some of these love cases. But even with the experience i am not able to give her a suitable advise. May be i may be wanting or i may not have that much intelligence. But here a girl is suffering and her only sin is marrying outside the religion. Please bear it in mind that none of her brahmin relatives nor their brahmin friends were the reason for her suffering. And from what is being told by members i understand that her's is not an isolated case. In the circumstances i have the following doubts

1. Why it is always the person from our community who has been asked to change the religion?

2. I have seen some of the ladies/boys from other castes have been accepted in brahmin house hold as a brahmin but the other religion people refuse to accept those converts as equals why?

3. Though there is heavy advertisement about the effects of smoking it still continues. the smoker used to change the channel when those ads are telecast.If asked he will say i wont contract cancer. But he simply ignores that there is 90% chance of his getting cancer. Like this though there is precedence of the mostly girls who change religions suffer how even educated girls fall prey to these love jihads.

4. Why some of our own community members ridicule us if we ask such questions? but they never answer questions

5. There is an argument that as we are not following sastras fully we cannot call ourselves brahmins. But i consider those who do sandhyavandhanam daily can call themselves brahmins because no other caste or people from no other religion does it

6. Why people refuse to do sandhyavandhanam, feel shy to call themselves brahmins but want to continue to be a member tambrahm group? is it not a paradox?

                                                                                                                                             

OHM GURUBHYO NAMAHA

GNANANANDHA GNANANANDHA SADGURU GNANANANDHA

SADGURUNATHAR AT KALLAKKUDI

Abridged translated version of an article written by Sri N.Appan, Srirangam published in Ganna Oli issue of April 2010.

It is a historical fact that Sadgurunathar, in jadamudi thava kolam, was living in a thatched roof hut opposite to the sivan temple at Kallakkudi, Trichy district. He was inculcating good habits and teaching the people there good things.

Since 1974, on every pournami day and chithra pournami day padha pooja was being conducted to the padhukas left by Sadgurunathar at Kallakudi. However the practice was stopped for some years and with the efforts of some Gurunathar’s devotees from Chennai the poojas have started again for the past six months.

I want to tell you about the leelai of sadgurunathar when he was in kallakkudi.

Some years ago at Srirangam thai month bhoopathi thirunal urchavm was going on. Swami  was on Garuda vahanam. There was heavy rush than usual. I was sitting on the verandah of my house at East Chithrai Street. An old man was standing in front of my house waiting to have the dharshan of Perumal. He will be around 75 or 80. I asked him to sit on the verandah till the Perumal procession reaches the place. A picture of Sadgurunathar was adorning just above the entrance of my house. The old man enquired whose house is this. I told him this is my house and i have named it Gnanakriba. The old man looked at the picture once again and asked “ this is Sadguru Gnananandha Giri Swamigal isn’t it? How long this picture is here?”.

I introduced myself. I am Appan working as a TTR in southern railway and a devotee of Sadgurunathar. I was wondering whether this old man knows about Sadgurunathar? What he is going to tell me about him? As the procession of Perumal is expected to take more than half an hour to reach our place we continued our chat.

“If you are a TTR do you travel by Kallakkudi line “ Yes. I am travelling in that line daily. My duty is between Trichy junction to Egmore”. “Do you know that there is a connection between Kallakudi and our Sadgurunathar”. I was taken aback when he said our Sadgurunathar. Does this mean he is also a devotee of Sadgurunathar? How our Gurunathar joins his devotees together? Is this the satsang what Gurunathar refers frequently? With all these questions in mind i asked him “Swami do you know Sadgurunathar”. He replied Yes. I had the dharshan of Sadgurunathar when he was in Kallakudi. He was there for some time . I have seen Gurunathar even when i was a small boy. The first dharshan itself is a spellbound thing.” I asked can you tell me how and when you had that dharshan”? He continued. “It was during 1924 the execution of Villupuram – Trichy line was started and was completed in the year 1928.When the line to Kallakudi was completed a train started running between Trichy and Kallakudi. It ran twice daily. The old man was continuing. “My father told a lot of things about Gurunathar to me. When the train services started he took me also to kallakudi to have the dharshan of Gurunathar. I think it was in 1926 The train which leaves Trichy by 3.00 pm in the evening will reach Kallakudi by 5.00 pm. It will start by 8.00 pm on its return journey and will reach Trichy by 10.00 p.m. We started in that train and reached the place where Gurunathar was staying.

That was the first time i saw Gurunathar. He was with Jadamudi. The eyes shining with grace and attractive. I felt all my sins washed away the second the eyes fell on me.  Gurunathar enquired about us and our house at Thiruvanaikoil. There used to be a vilva tree and a well on the roadside of the house. Swami remembered at and enquired whether the tree is still there? Your grand father planted that tree. He used to give vilvam daily to Jambukeshwarar pooja, Are you still following it? Viswanatha Iyer hada greatest bhakthi on Akhilandeswari?. I was wondering how Gurunathar knows my grandfather’s name was Viswanath Iyer and about the Vilva Maram? Had he come to Trichy? Does he know my grand father? If he knows my grand father he must have visited that Trichy area. What would have been his age when he visited Trichy? The questions for which i could not find any answers till now. Gurunathar when talking about Jambukeshwarar temple told us about the mid noon pooja to Akhilandeswari and the principle and the meaning of the pooja. I could not understand anything at that age. Time was running. If we could not catch the 8.00 pm train we will not be able to reach Trichy. There were no trains after that and no bus transport also during that time. Moreover, the kallakkudi area was famous for its thieves. The thoughts were swirling in my head but could not say anything to Gurunathar.

Then Gurunathar told us it will be around 11.00 pm when you reach your home. You will be hungry. The dinner is ready. Eat it. Telling this he went into the hut and brought two leaves, one copper vessel and dheertham. He himself served us  hot and steamy “Venpongal”. He was talking to us for the past two hours and i was wondering when he cooked this pongal? If he had done it earlier it would not have been this steamy and hot. Gurunathar with a smile told us what is that you are thinking. Eat this and don’t think of anything now. It was like a mother feeding her children. We had our bellyful.

Then Gurunathar told us “ you have a doubt whether you can catch the train or not. It cannot leave without taking you. Come on let us start”. It was very dark out side. With a lantern in his hand he lead us to the station.   We reached the Railway station by 8.40 p.m. The train was supposed to have gone by 8.00 p.m. but it was there in the station. Why it did not go? Gurunathar asked us to take two tickets to Srirangam. After getting the ticket we enquired the station master why the train has not started till then and we got the following narration. The pointsman went to the cabin to change the lever. The a big snake was coiling round the lever. The pointsman got scared and came down. We could not change the signal. The train can start only if we change the signal and change the track. We tried our best. We even tried lighting fire and threw it on the snake. But it has not moved anywhere. It hisses more. We have contacted the control room in trichy and our superiors told us as there was no train expected to be on those tracks for some more time they asked us to wait till the snake leaves. And that is why the train has not started yet.

Gurunathar told us “ now you got the ticket. Get in to the train and it will start soon. The snake will also go. “ Once he told like that the snake started moving through the steps towards the fields in front of our eyes . When i say our it includes the station staff and the other passengers also. Once the snake left the pointsman went up and changed the track and the train moved. Swami upped his hands and bless us.

The old man completed telling his experience and the Perumal was in front of our house.

                             JAI SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

                                       MAGIZHVITHU MAGIZH 

OHM GURUBHYO NAMAHA

GNANANANDHA GNANANANDHA SADGURU GNANANANDHA

BHAGWAN SRI GNANANANDHAGIRI

Part I

This is an article by a devotee written in Gnanaoli July 2009 issue under the head “A Living God on Earth”

The purpose of life is the attainment of the Lotus Feet of the Lord, the conquest of life recurrent. Mahatmas, Sages and Saints appear off and on to show to the right minded the road to Realisation. One such great Mahatma, a descendant and disciple of Sri Adi Sankara, is Sadguru Sree Gnananandagiri Swamigal of Tapovanam ( Tirukoyilur) in Tamilnadu. This sage, known as Subramanya, in his poorvasrama, was born in Kritigai Star. His father Sri Venkoba Ganapatigal was a great Vedic scholar, and his mother was Sakkubai, a paragon of Hindu womanhood. They hailed from Mangalapuri in North Kanara.

One day at dead of night, the boyt of 12 walked out of his bed and followed a “Jothi” a leaqd us “O” light, to the banks of the Tungabadra. There he met his God-sent Guru. His Holiness Sri Sivaratnagiri Swamiji, Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya of Jyotir Mutt, who saw through the youngster’s spiritual hunger, and at once adopted him as his Sishya or Desciple. For 18 years, this youngster had his Gurukulavasa, and was initiated into the esoteric knowledge of ADvaita. Before the great Kasmir luminary His Holiness Sri Sivaratnagiri Swamiji attained Siddhi (eternal rest) he transferred all his powers to his disciple, Sree Gnananandagiri, as he was christened at the time of his “Deeksha” or entering into the order of Sanyasin, and also nominated him as his successor to the ‘Peeta” of Jyotir Mutt.

As the Swamiji wanted to leave the Mutt for various reasons, HE nominated one of the disciples there as HIS successor and proceeded to the Himalayas, where HE went into Tapas for many long years. The “Jatamuni”, he with plaited hair, started on his “Pada Yatra” from the Himalayas to Cape Comerin and beyond to the island of Ceylon.

It is on evidence that the Swamiji met Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, at Dakshineswar, where the latter gave Deeksha to his disciple Sri Vivekananda. In his walking tour of the South, the Swamiji came across Bhagwan Ramana in the Madurai temple sitting days on end, by the side of a stone pillar, and Ramana was then only 13 years old. When Ramana became Raman Maharishi, and was living in nthe Virupaksha cave at Tiruvannamalai, Sri Gnananandagiri Swamiji along with two others, used to walk during night time all the way from Polur to hold discourse with Sri Ramana. Presiding over the Arunagirinathar festival at Tiruvannamalai in 1960 the Swamiji said in the course of his talk that during such visits, they talked about “ Asi Patham” or the “ Tatvamasi” or “ Thou art that” doctrine. Sri Gnananandagiri Swamiji knew the great RAmalinga Adigal and often in his talks refers to his songs in praise of the Lord.

The Kannada born saint saw that his mission was in the South and there he worked for the uplift of erring mortals in several places. He stayed at Kallupatti, now known as Dalmiapuram, for some time aA Siva Temple of the place had been desecrated and converted into a cattle shed. Factioin among Hindus and conflicts between Hindus and Christians were rampant and Swamiji delivered the place from the clutches of the evil. During his stay here, the Swamiji predicted that there would emerge a big factory there and that factory is the cement factory.

At Present the Swamiji has three Ashrams- one at Attayampatti, near Salem, another at Siddhilingamadam 5 miles away from Tirukoyilur (On the Villupuram Road) and a third at Thapovanam 2 miles from Tirukkoyilur on the Tiruvannamalai Road. In all these places, where ever he be, miracles have occurred. Attayampatti and surroundings were infested with bandits and murderers and life and property were not safe. Our Swamiji stooped to conquer and as stated in Gita, “Right subsided and wrong triumphed and then , the Lord chose to be resurrected”. Sin and evil were rooted out and the people became quiet and pious villagers.

                                                                   

At Attayampatti Ashram, the Swamiji was having His “Nishtai” or communion with God, in a dark underground cellar for days (which you can see even today) for days on end and His disciples mistook the Nishtai for Samadhi or eternal rest and began breaking 108 coconuts on His pate. 107 coconuts were broken and when the hand was lifted to break the last one Swamiji opened his eyes; when asked about it, the Swamiji smiled and said “It was all like flowers falling on my head”. Even now we can notice a soft scar like spot on Bhagawan’s head.

The ashram of Siddhilinga Madam on the southern bank of the Pennar is half century old. When the Swamiji came to this place, there was severe drought and people suffered for want of water. When the people appealed to this new saint, He asked for a bucket of water and that was all the water there to be baled out of the well and poured down that water on His head. And lo the miracle occurred. For three days and nights, there was non stop downpour. Wells were full and river Pennar was flooded. The Swamiji has great power over the elements.

Once at Thapovanam a programme was arranged, and on that day it was raining cats and dogs. It was to be held in open air, as there was no big roofed hall at that tim. The sage of Tapovanam said that the function should be held in the open  quadrangle, and that he had petitioned “Varuna”, the Rain God to go West, and to the surprise of all, there was not a drop of rain from 4 to 9.30 pm. No sooner the function was over, the rains started with renewed force. Again, twice at Siddhilingamatam and once near Tapovanam disastrous fires broke out, the helpless hut dwellers rushed to the Saint for their Succour. The Swmiji bade the fire to stop and stop it did. Evil spirits fly before his merciful look, disceases disappear and dangers die away. Such Siddhis are too elementary to this exalted Jeevan Muktha.

At Thapovanam there is a tiny shrine where are housed Sri Gnana Ganesa, Sri Gnana Skandar, Sri Gnana Puriswar and Sri Gnanambikai, where daily worship is offered. The whole campus is a mango grove and there are two excellent wells in the campus. There are small tenements all around the central hall, a kitchen and a dining hall. The central hall is the common assembly and the huts are tenanted by Sanyasis and Sevarthies. The Swamiji’s greatest delight wherever he be is to treat his disciples with food and drink, anywhere, any time. Food prepared for a dozen at the great man’s glance suffices to feed a hundred and more and that to surfeit.

The Swamiji is ever in Sahaja Nishtai i.e. with you and not with you. He is all smiles and love, takes very little food and sleeps if at all very little. He is sprightly and active and to keep pace with His walk, we have to run. He has no distinction of caste, creed or colour; rich and poor are alike to him; He sees the Supreme in everything. He sheds His Grace on all, cures the body and feeds the mind. He gives out big “tatvams” in a simple lucid manner interspersed with parables and stories. He delights in music and Namasankirtans and often says that in Kaliyuga you can attain Moksha through Bhagavan Nama chanted in all sincerity. Sri Gnananandagiri Swamiji is not a mere saint; he is a living God in this Kaliyuga; to see Him is to know Him; to know Him is to Know God; cling to Him, He will never forsake you.

                                                                                     

JAI SADHGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

                                                       MAGIZHVITHU MAGIZH

                    

                 

OHM SHRI GURUBHYO NAMAHA

GNANANANDA GNANANANDA SADGURU GNANANANDA

THAYUMANAVAN

Translated and abridged version of an article written by Smt G.Mahalakshmi Ganapathy, Chennai in October 2008 issue of Gnana Oli.

It was in the year 1965. In Mumbai Sion a bhajan and the padapooja by Guruji Swami Haridoss Giri was organised by my close relative. For two weeks myself and my husband enjoyed it. Daily in the morning Padhuka Pooja with soundaryalahiri and some sthothra parayanam and in the evening bhajan along with the speech by Guruji about Gurunathar will be conducted. I was five months pregnant with my first child. The way Guruji described about Gurunathar made me wish for Gurunathar’s dharshan. With the passing of time this has become a longing for me.

My delivery time was nearing. I was always thinking about Gurunathar. Labour pain started and the nurse came to my house for delivery. She checked me up and told others that the delivery is too complicated for her to handle and she could not do it. Saying so she left. Another lady doctor came and after checking she was also worried about the complications in the delivery. But i was confident that Sadguru will help me and won’t abandon me at any cost.  I felt Gurunathar is the incarnation of Lord Siva who came as Thayumanavar. So he knows how to save me and my child. This became my conviction. The labour pain intensified and unknowingly i was shouting “ Gurunatha Gnananandha”. In a few minutes the baby was born. The lady doctor was astonished and tole me “ this delivery would have been handled by some  un known power because the complications were that much which i feared to deliver the child, From that day onwards Gurunathar became everything for us.

Only in 1969, we had the fortune of having the dharshan of Gurunathar. My two children, my husband along with my aged mother in law went to thapovanam and an eyeful of dharshan of Gurunathar. We reached thapovanam by 2.30 pm Gurunathar took us straight to the dining hall and asked us to have our lunch. When we were entering the dining hall we can see all the vessels were cleaned, washed and kept it their places. Nothing cooked food can be seen any where. But Gurunathar saw to that we were fed in full. From where that food came i don’t know. That is why we feel that he is the incarnation of “Annapoorani”. He is still taking care of us and we are leading a happy and wonderful life now.

JAI SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

MAGIZHVITHU MAGIZH

OHM SRI GURUBHYO NAMAHA

GNANANANDHA GNANANANDHA SADGURU GNANANANDHA

ABATHBANDHAVAN

Sri H.Vikku Vinayakram came to thapovanam during aradhana period some years back for performing before the adhistanam. He told us two of his experiences with Gurunathar.

One day he wanted to have the dharshan of Gurunathar so he immediately left for thapovanam. He came all alone without being accompanied by any of his sishyas or the accompanying artists. He has not even brought his ghatam with him as the trip was very personal. He reached thapovanam and had dharshan of Gurunathar. After enquiring about his kshema labangal Gurunathar suddenly asked him to perform his ghata katchery. As his wont Sri Vinayakram immediately said and started looking for a clay pot which can be suitable for the ghata katchery. Nothing was found. Then he went into the kitchen. Atlast he found out a clay pot which can be utilised as a ghatam. He has requested the kitchen incharge for that pot, in which tamarind was stocked. It was vacated immediately cleaned, washed and handed over to Sri Vinayak Ram. At the appointed time Sri Vinayak ram has started his katchery without any of the accompanying artists and the programme went off well. On completion, he prostrated before Gurunathar and sought his blessings. Then  Gurunathar blessed him and told him “ You have performed well even if the pot is a tamarind storing one” He called the kitchen staff and instructed them from that day onwards the pot should be kept separately and nothing can be stored in it as Goddess Saraswathi is residing in it now” ( Saraswathy vasam seyyum paanai athu). Sri Vinayakram still wonders how Gurunathar knows about the tamarind and the pot.

Once Shri Vinayak Ram’s father was showing his horoscope to one astrologer for some clarification. Then the astrologer told Vinayak Ram’s father that there is a gandam in Vinayak Ram’s horoscope and it is very very difficult to pass over that ghantam. As a very ardent devotee of Maha Periyava Vinayak Ram’s father sent him to Maha Periyava and to seek his blessings to ward of the ghantam. Vinayak ram did as he was told to do. Maha Periyava asked him to stay in the mutt for a few days. One fine morning Periyavaa called Vinayak Ram and told him “ Go to Gnananandha Thapovanam and he is the only person who can save you”. So Vinayak Ram left for Thapovanam.

On his entering the thapovanam he can see Gurunathar giving dharshan to the devotees. He joined the crowd and performed namaskaram. Gurunathar called him by his side and before he could open his mouth  Gurunathar told him to have his lunch and let us meet in the evening. So he took his lunch and waited. Evening came and Vinayak Ram wanted to convey the reason for his coming to Thapovanam but could not do so because of the crowd. From the next day onwards whenever he nears Gurunathar to talk about his problem Gurunathar will simply leave that place either into his room or on some other work. Frustrated he has decided to return back to kancheepuram and to maha Periyava. On the third day he approached Gurunathar and told him  that he has to practice with Ms. M.S.Subbulakshmi for a kutchery to be performed on January 1^st and glad to have gurunathar’s permission to leave. But Gurunathar told him to wait. Came the morning of Dec 31^st. There was a sound in the well behind the mani mandapam and it was found out that an old lady who was living in Thapovanam committed suicide jumping into the well. After completion of the police formalities and necessary samskarams Gurunathar called in Sri Vinayak Ram. “ Now you can leave. I told that patti go to Kasi to obtain mukthi. But she told me that a death at Thapovanam only will get her the Mukthi she wanted and jumped into the well. Not only that with her death she took with her your kandam also. “

Sri Vinayak Ram is still wondering how Gurunathar knows the purpose of his visit to Thapovanam?

SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

MAGIZHVITHU MAGIZH

OHM GURUBHYO NAMAHA

GNANANANDHA GNANANANDHA SADGURU GNANANANDHA

UNARNTHU OTHARKARIYAVAN

Translated and abridged version of an article by Shri Al.S.Alagappan in Gnanaoli May 2007 issue. As usual the narrative will be in first person as written by Sri Alagappan

We don’t have the capacity to see God in person. But we can see Guru, can talk to him, asking him whatever we need. He blesses us and advises us. Helps us to lead a dharmic life At times of distress he consoles us by being with us. This is not philosophy. This is what we experienced with Sadguru Sri Gnanandhagiri Swamikal.

My father late Sri AL.Singaram chettiar is an ardent devotee of lord shiva.in 1960 he met Devakottai Sri P.K.Kannappa Chettiar for a business meet. Then Sri Kannappa Chettiar told my father “ There is one Sri Gnananandhagiri Swamigal in Thapovanam. Go and have dharshan of swami. All your travails will be over. Your life will be better”. But due to some exigencies my father could not visit thapovanam immediately. Sri Kannappa Chettiar reminded my father again. After three months my parents visited Thapovanam. Father after doing namaskaram was in the process of introducing himself. But before that Gurunathar, with a smile asked my father “ are you the one who was asked by Coimbatore Chettiar to come over here?”. My parents were astonished. From that day onwards our entire family surrendered ourselves to Gurunathar. My father started visiting thapovanam frequently and for anything and everything Gurunathar was consulted. Without his permission nothing will move in our family. We leave everything to Gurunathar.

At times we do things and worried about  the consequences. One such thing happened in my father’s business. We were dealers of Zenith brand pipes of Birla group of companies. Once my father sold the pipes at a lesser rate than specified by the company leading to loss to the company. The Birla company authorities asked my father to come to their headquarters to enquire about this. We thought we are going to lose the agency. As there was no time to go to Thapovanam, my father intimated Gurunathar about the problem and his trip to Mumbai by means of a telegram. When he reached Mumbai there was a reply telegram from Gurunathar stating that “Everything will be alright. Blessings of Deva”.

After meeting the officials of Birla company my father was asked to meet Sri Birla himself. When he went there, Birla’s executive officer was also there. When my father entered the room he was congratulated and patted on the back by Sri Birla himself. None could understand what is happening. Then my father was told that the prices of pipes have gone down very low and by selling the entire stock earlier my father had avoided a huge loss to the company. To what we can attribute this except the grace of Sadgurunathar.

Once Gurunathar was starting for Yercaud and my parents were there at thapovanam at that time. Gurunathar asked my father to accompany him to yercaud. But my mother said let Gurunathar go in his car let us follow in our car. After going to yercaud we can proceed to Coimbatore from there. Gurunathar then asked my mother to wait at Thapovanam and let us proceed to yercaud. But my father asked Gurunathar to proceed first and he will follow in our car. Gurunathar left in his car. But there was an accident near Kallakurichi in which a boy was killed. While our family stayed at the local Zenith pipe dealers residence my father and driver has to stay in the police station overnight. When Gurunathar heard the news “ We cannot change the fate of that boy. You were just an instrument. Don’t worry”. On enquiry it was found the boy jumped in front of the car and hence it was not the mistake of our driver he was released.

My sister and her husband went to Haridhwar. Instead of the regular snana ghat, where safety arrangements were in place, my brother in law went to some other place to take a dip in ganges. But the speed of the water washed him away. Both my sister and her husband who were distraught were simply shouting Gnananandha Gnananandha. Nobody was there to help them. Then an old man jumped into the river and pulled him out. At thapovanam people saw the dress of Gurunathar were wet. On their return to thapovanam my sister and her husband explained what happened at Haridhwar. After hearing them innocently as if he did not know what happened then informed them “Swamy  knows”.

One i had some itch on my back. Though i have consulted doctors and applied ointments the itch remained. My father directed me to inform Gurunathar. Gurunathar gently moved his hands over my back and the itch was cured.

We even prayed to him about our cow not having a calf and in that year the cow yielded a calf. A child will anything and everything to its mother without bothering whether these things can be asked or not. That is how we were treated by Gurunathar.

SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

MAGIZHVITHU MAGIZH

OHM GURUBYO NAMAHA

GNANANANDHA GNANANANDHA SADGURU GNANANANDHA

SODHANAIYUM SADHANAIYUM

This article is an abridged translated version of an article published in Gnana oli March 2004 issue written by Kalaimamani, Navagraha Selvar Kanchi Rangamani.

Sri N.Srinivasan Son of Sri B.Narasimmaiah of Tirupattur is a best friend of mine. When i went to his house, i saw a picture of some Gnani. I asked him who is this Gnani he replied that he is Sadguru Gnananandha Giri Swamigal and he has ashrams both at Thapovanam and Siddhilinga madam. He took me to Thapovanam and i had dharshan for the first time. After dharshan we had taken prasadham and when sought permission to leave were asked to stay back. I had the good fortune of staying and talking with Gurunathar on the first trip itself. Our family was very much devoted to Kanchi Periyava and he recently conferred the title “Bhakthi Nataka Sironmani” on me.

On the night, when i stayed in thapovanam i developed severe stomach pain and it was increasing hour by hour. Where to go in the midnight? The doctor is 3 km away at Tirukoyilur. So i prayed Sadguru put some vibhoothi in water drank it rubbed some vibhuthi over my stomach and closed my eyes. In five minutes i had a vision of Gurunathar shining in all glory. It lasted for one or two minutes. In another half an hour my stomach pain was cured.

At 3.30 am after taking bath we went to have the dharshan of Gurunathar. I told my friend what happened last night. He told me that Gurunathar  will be testing you and make you reach heights (Sodhanaiyum seivar, sadhanaiyum padaikka anugraham seyvar).This made me to visit Thapovanam frequently.

I am  a drama artist and now i am going to tell you how Gurunathar helped me in trying times and made it a glorious day. In those days organising a drama troupe is one of the hardest things. That too when the person who acts in your drama is a popular it will be all the more hard. We have to arrange for the Scene set, lights and colour scenes. These things have to be transported to where we are going to perform. For this the vehicle must be in good condition and the workers must also co operate. Then comes the rehearsal. Like this so many things has to be done.

Once we have to perform in Kolar (Kolar gold fields) Karumariamman temple. A good crowd was expected for the drama as Cine actor Sri Srikanth (of Vennira Aadai fame) is acting. He told us that as he has shooting on that day he will come straight to Kolar on completion of the shooting. We were waiting for him. He has not turned up. It was 7 pm. The time was running and it was 9 pm and still there was no sign of Sri Srikanth. The temple authorities were worried as the crowd is getting restive. They started asking us will Sri Srikanth will come or not. I prayed Gurunathar and told them don’t worry. He will surely come and the drama will go on. It was 10.00 pm and the organisers looked worried and it showed on their faces. Then i took the plunge. Ok I will start the drama. Sri Srikanth has to come only on 10^th scene. Before that my Gurunathar will see to that he is here. Come on let us start the drama.

We lighted the kuthuvilakku after praying to Gurunathar started the drama. The 7^th scene was going on still there was no sign of the actor. At the time of starting of the 8^th scene there was a commotion outside. We were informed that Sri Srikanth has arrived. My troupe people were worried that it will take some time for Sri Srikanth to put make up. But i felt the dress he was wearing was sufficient. When told he also accepted that and the drama went on. It was received well by the audience.

After completion of the drama, Sri Srikanth felt sorry for the delay and told us that he was in time till Palamaner.But when Kolar was just 30 km away the car developed problems. We tried to start the car. It was very dark where the car stopped with no light. We were trying to repair the car for nearly two hours but in vain. We were worried about how to reach here. Then a car came. There in the car was a Sanyasi with a kavi dress. The driver was asked to stop the car. He inquired us where we have to go and we replied we have to go to Kolar to act in a drama and we were already delayed very much because of our car broke down. Then the sanyasi said don’t worry get in my car i will drop you and that is what happened.

I have staged more than 60 plays, conferred kalaimamani, Navagraha Selvar and “Bhakthi Nataka Sironmani” conferred by Kanchi Mahaperiyava. I sincerely feel all this happened because of our Sadguru.

JAI SADGURUNATH MAHARAJ KI JAI

MAGIZHVITHU MAGIZH

ANTHA KALATHU KALYANAM

"Vango Vango" I came out of the room on hearing my father's voice. There i can see my neighbour with his wife in all smiles. I was doing my 8th standard then. He was telling my father " Bhagavan kribaiyaala annikki ponnu pathuttu ponale antha Madras varan settle aayiduthu. Nalannaikku Thanjavurla pillaiyoda chithiyathula nischayathaartham neenga ellarum kandippa varanum. Kooppidathaan vanthen. Appuram innoru samacharam Kalyanathumpothu ungathula sambandhi erangalamannu ketkalamnum vanthen". My father replied " tharalama ava inge vanthu erangattum. enakku santhosham thaan. Enakku officela velai irukku athunala neenga intha payalayum avanoda ammavaiyum nischayathaarthakku azhaichindu poittu vanthudungo". A pact sealed. I rushed out to see akka. She looked radiant and asked me Dei nee nalannaikku Thanjavur poriya when i said she okayed it and was smiling all along. The day of betrothal came. Some ten people from the agraharam including relatives left for Thanjavur. Before start of the ceremony one athai of the groom came out and asked the bride's mother " yendimma yenna seyyaporelnu pesittela pinnadi athu kutham ithu koraichalnu sollakoodathu. munnadiyae ellathaiyum pesindutungo" . The bride's mom said every thing was discussed and accepted and we have brought with us cash for dress. (The groom's side had not demanded any dowry, but giving cash for the bridegroom's dress is a custom). The ceremony went on well. Then bride's mom asked the groom's mom " Maami ungalukku Seer ethanai murukku ennennannu sollittelna engalukku thayaar panna sowkariyamaka irukkum". The groom's mom along with his sister consulted few people and told her engalukku 7 suthula 51 11 suthula 51 mathapadi ellathulayum 51 vechudungo".This was also accepted. The marriage date was fixed in another 35 days. When we are returning the bride's mom asked her husband " yenna nischayathaarthakku oorai kootti irukkalae. Kalyanathukku evvalavu per varuvzalo? theriyalaiaye. Nammaala samaalikka mudiyuma". Mama simply smiled and told her " Kozhandha athirstathukku ellam nanna nadakkum kavalai padathae". Reached our village. Next morning all ladies assembled at the bride's house. Some one undertook to prepare 2000 appalams, some one murukku some one sweet, some one undertook to book for milk and prepare therattu paal. the entire agraharam became busy with preparations. An excited expectation of the marriage is in the air. Radha, the bride was taught some cooking items like how to prepare kozhukkattai, how to behave with her in laws, how to prepare herself for varalakshmi nombu considered to be an essential qualification for becoming a house wife.

The agraharam was agog with patties talking how there marriage was conducted. Preparation of appalam, murukku, oorukai etc was in full swing. Seemed no one was free. We boys assembled at the bride’s house after school hours. Those who know cycling were asked to attend the work at some distance while the others were kept for indoor activities like collecting the appalams and storing at the house where dining has been arranged. Nathaswaram, maligai, pushpam, photographer, pandalkaran, Vadhyar, Samayalukku Chief cook like this so many people has to be contacted and the dates are to be confirmed. Elders took this job of arranging cook etc. In the evening, the bride and the boys and girls whose handwriting is legible were asked to write addresses on the invitations. Duly stamped they were sent to post office with an invitation to the post master also. Bride’s parents, uncles, aunties were sent to various places to invite their relatives. Then came logistics.

The Sambandhi people were to come from Madras. Meanwhile, at the groom’s house yathra dhaanam was completed and a yellow thread was tied in the hand of the groom. He was advised not to venture out while that kangan is in his hand. A bag containing some thing was handed over to him and he was asked to carry it throughout the journey. All the relatives are ready to start for the marriage. The usual last minute preparations viz “Neela colour pattu pudava eduthundiyodi” “ Mangalam Kozhandhaikku ennadi eduthundurukke? Flaskla paal irukka check pannikko.” When every one is satisfied that every thing has been taken and everything is somewhat perfect the people left for the station to board the train. The neighbour was asked to go to post office and inform the bride’s side that the groom’s party has started and they will reach the nearest railway station to the village by 4.00 am. The nearest railway station is 20 KM away. One person who works in a transport company took the responsibility of bringing them from Railway station to the village. Four able bodied youngsters were identified and were asked to go to railway station along with a senior member of the family to welcome the groom’s side.
At the village the Chief cook along with his team arrived in the evening before the day the groom’s party are supposed to arrive. They checked the groceries and vegetables. Checked sufficient fire wood was available. Menu was discussed and finalised. The bride’s parents were invited to the place where the cooking is going to be done. The chief cook took a fresh bath and arranged firewood in the aduppu.( don’t know the English word for it and forgot the name for the aduppu used for marriage functions) The mami was asked to lit the fire and the cook started saying slogams. “ Oh god I pray that there is possibility of some insects fall in the fire and die while I am cooking. Please forgive me for this sin. Oh God by eating my preparation every one stay healthy. Oh god please let every one eat heartily. Oh god all those people who eat my preparation lead a healthy and wonderful life. Oh god please grant them long life”. Thus the cooking for the marriage started.

The troops who went to Railway station reached in time and were ready for the arrival of the train. The train arrived. The senior from the bride’s side correctly identified the groom’s father and welcomed him. While doing so he ordered the boys to bring down the luggage from the train and load it in the bus waiting outside the station which was promptly carried out. The transport man arranged for a can of coffee which was distributed to the sambandhi. This earned a good impression on the bride’s side. The bus reached the village. Every one alighted. The boys who loaded the luggage unloaded them and were brought into our house. We were in all smiles to welcome the groom. Two old ladies came and took aarathi. The groom was garlanded by the onnu vitta brother of the bride. AS the news of arrival of the groom spread in the agraharam all the people came to see him. Saw him and some of them immediately rushed inside the bride’s house and told her “Payyan nanna irukkaandi.Lakshchanama irukkan” In the midst of it heard one patti telling “ Mappillai konjam karuppo? Namma radha colorukku maappilai niram mattuthan”. With festivity in the air the groom’s side entered into the house and were supplied coffee again. Some of the groom’s relatives were taken to other houses for bathing and dressing. The people started interacting with each other. There seems to be a possibility of yet another marriage may be fixed during this day. Easwara sankalpam

The groom’s party arrived and settled their luggages. Two boys were appointed to take care of their needs. “ Dei ambi, kozhandhaikku konjam sooda pasumpaal vangi thaayen. Irukkonno illai kaasu tharattuma?” “Vendam maami ella palum solli irukku”. Second point infavour of the bride’s side scored. Ellarum pal thechuttelna coffee kudikkarela?. Coffee plays an important part in Tambrahm marriages especially if the groom belongs to Thanjavur district and that too from Kumbakonam area. The groom’s side belongs to a village near Kumbakonam though they were now settled in Madras. Then Pillaiyathu Sastrigal announced “yendappa nee un appa and amma kulichuttu ready aayittela? Ingeye than Vratham. Neenga moonu per mattum tiffin ethuvum saapidatheengo. Naandhi irukku. Athula sambanda pattavallam sappidama irukkarathu slaakkiyam”. “Naanga ready mama”. Bride’s father and mother came to our house and checked with Sambandhi manushal is everything available and ok. You can ask these boys whatever you want and they will arrange it. “ “Ellam sowkariyama irukku. Neenga velaiya parungo. Ethavathu thevaina naanga pathukkarom” Sambandhi mama replied and bride’s parents were happy. Vradham started.
The same thing happened at the bride’s house also. Vradham started there also. Ladies were arranging for Paaligai. “Sakku pilliyathula poi Paligai thelikka vangonnu koopittindu vaadi” Sari mami and Sakku alias Sakunthala left for the groom’s place. Few ladies came and the procedures were carried out. After completion they were given thamboolam with some cash. On their return the groom’s mother enquired them “ Yendi ennadi mariyadhai pannina?”. “ Nanna panni irukka maami aalukku 5 ruba koduthirukka ( this in 1965 is a very big amount). “ Unakku mattuma ellarukkuma” The question was addressed towards the sister of the groom. Ellarukkumthamma” Another point scored. The some ladies approached the help boys and told them “ Pasangala naanga kovilukku poganumda appadiye kada theruvil konjam saaman vaanganum. Naanga yettu per porom. Rendu vandu yerpadu panrela” . Rendu enna maami moonu vandiye yerpadu panrom kooda Santhanathaiyum anupparom avan ungalukku kadai ellam kamippan. Poittu sappida vanthudungo”. One more mission accompalished. There was a commotion in the front yard. One of the ladies was welcoming “ Dei vaa vaa nee madras aathukke varuvennu ethirpathen. Thambi kalyanathukku ippadi lateah vara. Sari pottiya vachuttu vaa coffee kudikkalam”. He was introduced as Groom’s Periyappa son and he will be the Mappillai thozhan in the marriage ( Cousin brothernu ezhutha ponen. Just remembered Swathi Krishnakumar ’s post. So thought it better to type in thanglish than in englishnu mudivu pannitten). The the ladies left for the temple.
Around noon the cook announced Lunch is ready. A senior member from the bride’s family was sent to groom’s house to invite them for lunch which was promptly done. Some came some told they will come for next pandhi. They were taken to the house where the Lunch was served. People from bride’s side was waiting there expecting the arrival of the sambandhi people. An old man from the groom’s side “ adada engalukkaagava kathundurukkel. Pavame neenga saappida aarambikkalama. Ithu enna formality? Oy naama sambandhi aagaporom. Intha formalitylam vendam saappida vaango”. The hope of the marriage is going to be a smooth affair was confirmed in every one’s mind there. The message was conveyed to the bride and to her parents. A relaxing sigh was their answer. Then one mami came and told the cook oru 15 perukku saappaadu eduthu vachudungo. Konjam per kovilukku poyirukka. Mappillaiyoda akkavathu sambandhi ellam konjam lateah varuva. “ athukkenna maami besha varattum ellam neraya irukku. Eppa vena varattum. Neenga kavala padatheengo” replied the cook.
After finishing vradham and nandhi the groom’s side came for lunch. The eyes of the groom was searching all through the dining hall. But the person he was expecting is not there. She wont come till he completes his lunch or if he wished and said it openly she will come when he leaves. His sister understood his dilemma and told her mother “ amma naan radhavoda konjam pesanum athunaala avaloda saappittukkaren “. She went to fetch the bride. As it is against custom for the bride and groom to talk before exchange of garlands both of them could only see each other for a fleeting moment.
That was the first time i saw a blushing smile on my Radha akka’s face

Vradham completed. Saappadu over. Time for the groom’s people to take rest. The bride’s father came to enquire about whether all of them had their lunch which was immediately confirmed with a smile. He was asked when the Janvasam is going to be and what is the distance to the temple. Both the sambandhis and their wives consulted and arrived at a decision that the janvas may start around 7.00 pm and all the ladies should be ready by 5.30 p.m. Bullock driven carts will be arranged for oldies and ladies to go to the temple and others can walk. With this the bride’s parents left to take their lunch. Time for the groom’s side people to take rest. Some of them started sleeping there itself and some in neighbouring houses. Around 3.30 the groom called one of the boys and asked him whether he can purchase playing cards and offered some money. No mama i have been given money for this purpose. Then one mama came and told him “Dei ambi unakku seettu kattu pathi theriyumo? Plastic cardsnu kelu 555 illaina diamond nu rendu brand irukkum ethavathu oru brand pathu packet vangindu vaa. Ovvoru kattilum 56 card irukkanu check panni vangindu vaa” Sari mama. One more problem solved.
Around one maami from bride’s side came to groom’s residence and started giving malligai poo. Yendimma naalu pandhu poruma illai innum venuma konjam kettu sollen. Naalu panthu porum maami. Then the cook entered. Tiffin sappida ange varela illai ingeye eduthundu vandhudattuma? Enna tiffin voy? Rava Kesari, Urulai kizhangu bonda, mixture coffee mama. Ok ingeye kondu vanthudarela onnum kashtamillaiyae. Illai maama ingeye kondu vanthudarom. Yey pondukala tiffin ready seekiram dress pannindu tiffin sappida vango ellarum. Tiffin ingeye vanthudum. Ramamoorthy engada ponan. Itho irukken chithappa. Vaa vanthu tiffin saappittu un thambiya kelappu. Innum thoongindirukkan paar.
Meanwhile, some of the young ladies both married and un married started beautifying the bride. A short discussion ensued to decide which saree the girl should wear and finalised. Radha was simply sitting there smiling to the jokes the ladies are cutting in the room. Some vegetarian and some non vegetarian.
Bullock carts were ready with oldies and ladies. Yenda Nayanakarallam vanthacha? Yaar poyirukka kooppida? Mama ava nere kovilukku vanthudarennu sollitta naama purappaduvom. The kurukkal’s son came with the news the mappillai azhaippu car and nayanakarar have arrived at the temple. All of us excepting the groom, his parents and oldies started walking towards the temple. Some of us were despatched earlier to take care of the arrangements. With the help of the kurukkal the arrangements at the temple were made. Petromax lights people came and reported for duty. As darkness fell they were lighting their lights. Pookkarar was doing alankaram to the maappillai azhaippu vehicle. As desired by the bride Anna patchi alangaram was done and believe me it was very beautiful. The proceedings started in the temple. New set of dress was given to the groom. He received it handed over to the Mappillai thozhan and they were taken to the backside of the sannadhi for changing the dress. Two people were posted to stop the ladies from going round in the praharam. The groom got dressed and came. He was garlanded by the onnuvitta machinan and a chendu was given. A chain was also given to the groom. Then he was taken to the sannadhi for performing the archanai and was taken round the temple came out some one did Narayanasami act (Holding the shoes) which the groom put on and climbed into the car. Then the calamity started. All the kids started climbing up. For those who cannot climb their parents helped. The groom could not say anything as he did not know who is important and who is not. With the petromax light near him hissing and the heat emanating from it made him perspire more. The Jikina in the rose garland worsened the situation more. He started showing it in his face. Immediately his paternal aunt came and told him “ nanna irukkuda nee maappillai siricha mugama iruda” “Periyamma intha verva thaangalai. Pasanga koottam vera athigama irukku light vera sudarathu. Rumba kashtama irukku periyamma please enna kaappaathen”. Dei ithellam oru kashtamaada ithukke aluthundena mathathai ellam eppadi samalikka pore. Konja naazhithan poruthukko. Siricha mugama iru”. The procession started. With the nayanakarar and the melakaarar at their best, young girls in pattu pavadai, the petromax light hissing and spreading the white light, crackers and other vaanams lighting the sky i was looking for my crush who is simply dancing here and there in a fantastic pattu pavadai, sattai and thavani. A heaven in earth.

The procession moved on and reached aghraharam. The car was stopped at the entrance of the street. One old man approached the nayanakarar and asked “Yendappa unakku ‘marukelara’ paadam aayirukko” “ aayirukku saami” “appo athai konjam vasikkaraya? Nee vaasikkarathu rumba nanna irukkarathaala Ketten”. This is what the nayanakarar wanted more than the money. The fact that there is some one who knows something about music and he enjoys it cheered him and he started enthusiastically. For another half an hour it was literally raining music to the discomfiture of the groom. At last the procession moved and reached the groom’s residence. The groom alighted and as usual after performance of aarthi went inside. Some one from the groom’s side invited the bride’s side for nischayathaartham. Elders from both sides along with the parents were seated opposite to each other. After the vadhyar intoned the manthraas the plate was exchanged. Forgot to tell you that the photographer started taking pictures (black and white) from the temple itself. He was instructed to use around five or six rolls which will come to around 60 to 72 photos. Then the bride was called in and asked to perform namaskaram to the sabai. Then she was offered a saree by the groom’s side. Again she prostrated and took the saree went inside along with the groom’s sister. After draping the saree she came back performed prostration again. A diamond necklace was tied by the nathanar. Then aarathi was performed and the ceremony was over. This is the first time the groom had an eyeful of dharshan of Radha since the day he saw her first. Radha can only steal some glances but to her that is more than enough. She left for her house in the company of young ones. Once again all of them were requested to take their dinner at the arranged place and as usual some people went some stayed back. Some one asked for idlis (chappathi was not that much famous those days as most people don’t know whether they have diabetes or not) some asked for milk for themselves and some for babies. Everything was complied to their satisfaction.
Then we boys were asked to arrange a place for playing of cards. We went in search for such a place. We were secretly instructed by the groom’s father to look for a place away from their residence as their noise will disturb those who want to sleep. The instructions were carried out to the letter. Bedsheets with four or five pillows were taken to that thinnai where the game is going to start. Bed sheets were spread. Lighting arranged. Four jugs of water with tumblers, Kumbakonam vethilai, varuval seeval, yelakkai, krambu, Sunnambu, pugaiyilai everything was arranged. The ukranam ( a man appointed for the specific purpose of taking care of groceries and other duties. His duties include 1. Supplying the grocery needed for the cook 2. Keeping tab of tings especially tumblers left after drinking coffee/ water 3. Arranging vaidheeka saamans depending on the proceedings. For instance if kasi yathrai is going to start he will bring a book, umbrella prayana mudi etc before the start of the ceremony. Like wise he will arrange for the colored balls for the oonjal) came and informed the card gamers if any one of them wanted scented tobacco (Rajaji Panneer Pugaiyilai and Amme Batcha panneer pugaiyilai were so famous in those areas then) is available with him and they can get it from him. As the panneer tobacco is little bit costly it will not be given freely and those who used to chewing tobacco at times may not want it. ( i loved Rajaji panneer pugayilai and was addicted to it for years).
Some of us started watching the people playing cards. A little bit later the groom came and enquired is everything ok and was replied in affirmative. He also started watching. Then his father came “ kalambara seekkiram ezhunthurukkanum poi paduthukko thookkam varatho illaiyo konja neram udamba pottu perattu”. So the groom left. We were also advised like that. We simply went to another thinnai and lied down. It never occurred to us to ask for a bedsheet or pillow. Forced by tiredness we slept like logs till such time one from the bride’s house came to wake us up.

We woke up and went home to brush and to take bath. Found the bathing area full of ladies and went to another house in the agraharam and sought permission to use their well for bathing. “Asadu ithukku ethukkuda permission naanga ellarum kulichuttom neengallam kulingo.” Saw the tooth powder in our hand. “ yenda innum pallu theikkaliya? Appo coffee saappittirukka mattel. Naan coffee podaren. Neenga pallu thechuttu vango. Coffee kudichuttu kulikkalam”. We simply said ok and bathed and dressing and combing everything was completed there itself. Returned back home. Vangoda seekkiram tiffin saappidungo. Neraya velai irukku. Some one from bride’s home called. We completed the tiffin and went to the bride’s home. Just then the preparations for kaasi yathrai was underway. Vadhyar from bride’s side and groom’s side was telling everybody it is time for kasi yathra so every one should assemble in the pandal. Nayana goshti was also ready. Kasi yathrai started with the groom in panchakacham holding a bag, a fan and a book of Vishnu Sahasranamam took few steps (actually he was coming towards the pandal) where the bride’s father met him and repeated the words uttered by the vadhyar requesting the groom to return back and he will give his daughter’s hand in marriage. (Considering Radha’s beauty i don’t think the groom would have even dreamt of going anywhere leave alone kasi). Then Radha was brought out by her friends and close relatives. She was all in glory. The inner happiness of getting married reflecting in her face. The malai maatral went on with the accompaniment of “Maalai maatrinaal. Kodhai maalai mattrinaal” in Nayanam with usual pomp and galatta.
On completion of the malai maatral the couple were asked to come and sit in the oonjal. To the relief of the groom only two children was permitted to sit by their side. Both the bride and groom was given paal pazham. I was asked to stand behind the couple with two towels in hand. After the couple took the paal pazham it became my duty to offer the towel for them to wipe their hands. Felt like a hero because of my proximity to the couple. One patti ordered “Yendiyama ivvalavu pommnattikal irukkel yarukkum pada theriyatha. Padungolendi”. So the usual “Kannoonjal aadi irunthal kaanchana mala” started with three or four girls joining a little bit later. Then came pachapudi. All the sumangalies older to the couple were throwing the coloured balls. “ Uma unakku pidikkaatha aachu (Raju) ange nikkaram paar. Avanai kuri paathu adichudu” Jokes cut. With the bride’s mother and groom’s mother taking the light in a vessel and slightly pouring water came round the couple the oonjal was over. But Rahukalam came so the couple have to wait for some more time in oonjal. With all those people around both of them did not know what to do except looking at each other and smiling. Think both were shy to talk to each other. Then an old man was seen asking the Nayanakarar “ Yenda Kaliyamoorthy ethavathu vasiyenda. Appothanda unnoda vidhwath vanthirukkaravaalukku theriyum ethanai naalukku than ulloorileye vasichudu iruppe? Naalu ooru poi vasichu sampathikka vendama”. “Venam saami namma oorla vasikkarathe nalla irukku. Nalla varumaanam varuthu. Nalla mariyaathaiyum irukku. Aana periyavanga neenga solreenga Vasikkaren”. Then started his cutchery. A group of people sat around him and started enjoying the music. People were asked to go for their tiffin. ( Ashoka alwa, Pongal, Chidambaram Kothsu, medhu vadai, idly, Thenkai chutney, coffee). Then the marriage manthrams started. Sastrigal started manthrams for changing the gothrams. Naana nee pravaram solrayada sari mama. Time for mangalya tharanam came. All of us were asked not to shake the hands with the couple until such time panigrahanam was completed. Though we don’t know when panigrahanam will be completed we simply accepted what we were asked to  do. 

Radha was given the koorai pudavai. Accompanied by the sister of the groom she went into a room to change to madisar from the normal dress she was accustomed to till then. All of us were waiting for her. Then she came. Meanwhile pushpam ashathai were distributed to the sabhai and the thirumangalyam was taken round to seek the blessings of elders.
Arakku colour pattu pudavai. Madisar katti vida therinjava yaro katti vitturukka. Nethila chutti. Kathula lolaakku. Mookkula bullaakku. Kazhuthula Rojappo Malai, Neraya nanna pinnina thala mayiru iduppu vaaraikkum thongarathu. Surya prabai Chandra prabaiyoda nethila azhaga kungumam ittundu lesana sirippoda (oru chinna tension theriyarathu antha sirippula) annam pola ava thavazhnthu vantha azhagu irukke it is still fresh in my mind. ( enakku ippo nenaicha ore oru kurai theriyarathu. Azhaga aandal kondai pottundu muzhangal varaikkum maalai pottinduruntha innum thookkala irunthirukkum).Came and did prostrations to sabha. Her father is sitting on a chair. She was asked to sit in his lap. After completing the formalities of ulakkai thalaila vachu manthiram solrathu and all the thirumangalyam was handed over to the groom. He has been instructed to tie once and the other two will be done by his sister. “Getti Melam, Getti Melam” shouts every where. Radha has become the wife of that boy who came from Madras some days back. There were tears in the eyes of the bride’s parents though they were seen smiling. “ asadu asadu azhathedi nanna kalyanam panni irukke appuram ethukku azhare. Santhoshama irudi. Kanna thodachukko” some one was consoling the mother. Panagam was distributed to the sabai. The sweetness of the tongue spreading all over the hall with every one of them blessing “Dheerga sumangali bhava. Sarva mangalaani bhavanthu”

I have forgotten to tell you about one thing  the sastrigal said during the muhurtham. “ Ellarum utkarntha idathulernthe akshathaiya veesi eriyatheengo. Innum homam, pori idarathunnu neraya irukku. Thambathigal ingeye utkarnthundu iruppa. Aakaiyinaalae konjam sramam paakkaama pakkathile vanthu thambathikalukku akshathai pottu manasaara aseervatham pannungo. Ithan moolam akshathai tharaila ella idathulayum kedakkarathum illama pogum”. The people except a few did as they were told. After distribution of panakam and visiri (printed with the name of the new couple) all of them were asked to assemble for lunch. The boys were directed to take care of the lunch and the people who came for the marriage. We went there. A person little bit older than us took charge of directing us what to do. Some of us took water jugs and tumblers. Some took sambar bucket. Some took payasam bucket. Some pachadi. Some the cooked vegetables. Aviyal, Kosumalli, Urulaikizhangu kari, Rojappo Kulkanthu, Sweet manga pachadi every bucket was taken by some of us. We were asked to stand in a queue depending on which should be served first and where. One mama accompanied the boy serving and directed him where the item should be placed. Next Next the serving continued. The chief cook was supervising looking at the rush and availability of sadham and other things. After  two or three pandhis he directed his cooks to prepare thideer rasam as he felt there will be shortage. The rasam pandhi was going on. Sweet sambudam was taken by four persons one person for each row followed by payasam. After serving payasam appalam was served for a second time. (in those days payasam will be eaten by the people after pressing appalams in it.)  Then pickles were served followed with rice and curd. There was a plate with Kumbakonam Kozhundhu Vethalai, seeval, kalippaakku, thekkam pakku and kotta pakku along with a pakku vetti, sunnambu and pugaiyilai. As usual  the ugranam mama was standing near that thaamboola plate to serve panneer pugaiyilai. Some one was sent to bring the seettaata goshti to the dining hall. When we went there to call them, the wives of some of them were already there telling them “ yenna kalyanathukku vanthela illai seettattathukku vanthela. Enna ezhavu seetto? Our kalyanam illai kaatchi illai eppa paathalum seettu enga vanthaalum seettu. Ekkedo kettu ozhinchu pongo. Kalyanam mudinchu pochu. Ellarum saappittum aachu. Neenga enna panna porel. Saappittittu oorukku kelambara ennam irukka illai ingeye seettu aadindirukka porela? “Kathathaadi iru varen sappittu oorukku kelambalam”. “ Appo swamigale naan kelambaren appurama parppom. Enna oru korai enakku kadaisi aattathumpothu innum rendu joker vanthirukkalam. Elaarukkum poittu varen”. Seettatta sabai kalainthathu.

Meanwhile grahapravesam was done in our house. The newly married couple along with some maamis and maamas came to our house (supposed to be the groom’s residence) Aarathi was taken by my mom and one more maami from groom’s side.  Radha akka nakkala sirikkara madhiri i felt. Yenda ungathukku varathukku enakku aarathiyannu. I too smiled back. After taking milk and fruit and prostrations before the swami  photo both of them returned to the bride’s house. Then maappillai was asked to go home and change to a convenient dress and come back for lunch.

A special place was reserved for the new couple. Kolam was put and two vaazhai ilai pottu theertham thelithu ilai readya vachuruntha. The couple along with their parents and some relatives who were waiting for the couple and their parents also joined. Usual kindal and keli started. Maappillai was asked to feed Radha and vice versa. The high light was Radha vekkapattunde thalaiya kunichu oottinathil jaangiri maappillai mookkil nuzhaiya mudiayaamal thavikka avar vaaya thiranthu jaangiriyai kavvindathuthaan. With every one cutting jokes and bride’s father thinking about further work the lunch was over. One of the best thing i observed in the marriage was the groom’s father called the master cook and told them “ Sappadu, tiffin ellam nanna irunthuthu. Parcharaka ellarum nanna gavanicha. Romba thanks”. The master cook was almost in tears “ anna ithupola yaarum ithuvarai enga kitta sonna thillai. Naan manapoorvama aseervatham panren kozhanthel nanna iruppa”.

Yarda thenga pai kodukka pora? Ammadi neeyum pathu thenka pai eduthundu poi pommanattikalukkellam kudu. Irungo mami bakshanam tharen vaangindu pongo. Raaji nalanju bakshana pai kondaadi. Veedu ore kalebarama irukku. Yenda maappillai aathukku thenga pai rendu moottaiyum bakshana pai konjamum kondu poi koduthelo? Aachu mama.  Avalai poi pai poruma illai innum konjam venumannu kettundu vaa.  Appadiye vethalai, seeval kunguma santhanam ellam kondu poi kodu. Instructions followed to the letter. Some of the people started saying good bye. Vechiles ( enna ellam maattu vandi than) arranged. The person who works in the bus company was stationed in the bus stop till all of them whoever were going on that day went.  There was a lull in the house. Some us went and slept. We were asked to come back by 9.00 pm and the packing may be done after night dinner.

Around 5.00 pm the ladies assembled for Nalangu at the groom’s residence. Kids were permitted and the gents were talking about what further to be done. With his sister as his mate the groom started Nalangu. Usual pranks like showing the mirror on reverse, asking the bride to put the flower in the groom’s head (thalaila poo vachu vidarathu), appalam udaikkarathukku thinnuda koodathu ponne all these were going on. As in other cases, Radha did things beautifully like maappillai kaalukku manjal poosarathu, nalangu idarathu, thalai vari vidarathu, pottu vachu vidarathu all these things were done beautifully by her and the groom did it as how a man does things which were supposed to be beautiful. After completion of formalities like appalam udaikkarathu Radha was asked to sing and she sang the song “Bandureethi kolo” with her sweet voice which made some of the mamis and mamas very happy. Besh Besh Ramamoorthy un matt upon nanna padeara inime navarathrimbothu en ambadaiya kuralai kettuttu azhugai varadhu. The thanjavur kusumbu was at its peak. One of the wonderful thing is the groom has also joined Radha midway making her stop singing and wondering whether to continue or not. Can see her blushing and smiling. Her inner happiness was on show on her face which is already radiating. With both of them singing and completing it the nalangu came to an end.

Meanwhile, the logistics were discussed with the groom’s father. He asked us to pack the things like seer pathiram etc in a card board boxes and can be shipped to Madras through Southern Roadways ( a TVS company a reputed goods transporter those days). A person was despatched to the local branch of Southern Roadways to check up how the boxes were to be packed and what are the formalities to be completed. We were asked to pack the things tight in card board boxes with both sender’s and receiver’s name prominently printed on a paper to be pasted on all the sides of the boxes. They have to be numbered serially and the luggage form should be completed and should be delivered to the parcel office along with a marriage invitation so that the tax authorities can be convinced that the vessels in the boxes are not for sale.

The vadhyar came around 7.30 pm and the santhi muhurtham mandhrams were on. Two silver plates were placed . On completion of sastra formalities both of them were given milk rice (Paal sadham) then ushered into a room which was supposedly decorated for this purpose. ( The decoration involves neat beds, oothuvathi, one small scent bottle, with an oiled fan and some flowers sprinkled over the bed and with a night lamp. Thats all). Once they went inside all the boys were asked to assemble at both the bride and groom’s residence packing started. Some one directed which vessel should be put to which box? Some one took the work of striping the box with metal wire, some one took the work of fixing the nails, some one selected good boxes, some one repaired the broken boxes, unusable ones were discarded and taken to kottai aduppu. Some of us were deputed to bride’s house where we started packing Radha’s dresses. Silk sarees in one tin box with papers spread below the sarees. Daily use sarees in another box, cosmetics, powder bangles etc in another box. It was around  4.00 am when everything was completed. As usual we went to a thinnai and slept.

In the morning woke to the sound of Nayanam. The couple were ready to go to the river for distributing Paalikai. (Paalikai karaikka) We went home had our coffee took bath had our tiffin and presented ourselves at Radha’s home. A small group accompanied the procession to river. With all the people enroute blessing and looking at them the newly married couple  went to river and finished their job and returned back. Breakfast happened to be Sadham, Vatha kozhambu, Milagu rasam, Poricha appalam, Paruppu Payasam, konjama puliyotharai and curd. After feasting for three days this meals seemed wonderful and tasty.  One person from Groom’s side was entrusted with kattu sadha koodai. A big poosani kai, konjam vazhakkai, matha karikai konjam konjam, Puloiyodharai, Thayirsadham, Mavadu, Konjam molaga podi thadavina idly, konjam ghee, ordinary idly konjam, four flasks full of milk, two thookku full of hot water every thing was loaded in bullock cart. The boxes belonging to both the group were also loaded. The maternal uncle and his wife were asked to accompany Radha to Madras as they were also from Madras.

Farewell began. Most of the ladies were seen crying. The mappillai stood there with a confused look whether to smile, whether to console his wife or to keep mum. His mother assured Raedha’s mother that Radha will be like a maharani at her house and her parents need not worry. Radha’s father was seen talking to Groom’s father telling him how Radha was dear to our heart and so on. The sambandhi mama was telling him not to worry and also told him “Kalyanam nanna panninel. Engalukku rumba santhosham oru chinna koraiyum illa. Neenga eppa vena Madras vango unga ponna parka engalukku letter podanumnu kooda thevai illai”. This words soothed the parents of Radha. The carts started. We boys were asked to accompany the carts and to load things in bus and train. As i was considered a small boy i am supposed to go to bus stop only. With crying eyes Radha took leave of every one. Asked my parents to visit her and send me to Madras for annual leave. The person of transport company brought the bus to the bus stop.

We were all there. The bus came. Things were loaded. All of them boarded the bus. A window seat was allotted for Radha. I stood there watching her.The bus started moving. She was looking  at me with tears in her eyes and waving her hand. I waved back with misty eyes. In those days the boys are not supposed to cry openly.