Hinduism

Dedicated Sithars of God Siva

Thilak V. Wijeyaratnam

Sri Lanka also can boast of about sixteen sithars of this era. Chithanaikutty Swamy of Batticaloa, Kadayitswamy of Jaffna, Periya Anaicuttyswamy of Mutwal, Navanatha Sithar of Nawalapitiya are some of the famous ones.

These four sithars came from Barath to Sri Lanka and were instrumental in laying the foundation for the Sithar Tradition in Sri Lanka. From among the sithar generation, who were disciples of the four sithars of India, we could quote Chellappa Swamy - the disciple of Kadayitswamy and Yogarswamy, the only disciple of Chellappa Swamy.

Chellappa Swamy lived a secluded life hardly known to anyone and passed away in obscurity, the way he lived. His only disciple was Yogarswamy. Yogarswamy was born in an orthodox Saivaite family in Maviddapuram, close to Keerimalai north of Jaffna. His father was a renowned Saivaite Ambalavanar and mother was Sinnachi Ammai. Their son Yoganathan (who later became Yogarswamy) was born on May 29, 1872. Ambalavanar's brother one Sinnaiah married a catholic woman from Colombothurai and became a Catholic and was named Joseph. While Ambalavanar ran a shop in Maskeliya. Joseph undertook the responsibility of educating Yoganathan.

As Saiva schools were few at Colombothurai, Yoganathan was educated in St. Patrick's College. Yoganathan was given the Christian name of John, as was went during the colonial era.

Yoganathan studied in the English medium till the eighth standard. As his mother too died earlier, her paternal aunt didn't like the idea of his studying in a Catholic school. As a result he was stopped at home. Later he went to Maskeliya and was given a small-time job. Once when he (Yoganathan) went to Adam's peak he was taken up by mature's wonders. He started talking to himself. "All this is true". "I belong to God Siva." "He owns me." "I'll go in search of Him." Seeing him like this, the father sent him back to Jaffna.

There was then some construction work going on at Iranaimadu under an engineer named Brown. Yoganathan applied for a job and was taken in as store keeper. Brown saw how dedicated Yoganathan was and had a high regard for him. But Yoganathan's mind was yearning for something higher, something nobler, and something spiritual. He wanted to give up his job to search for the truth.

Reluctantly Brown let him go. He went back to Maviddapuram. After his father's death, he would walk daily from K. K. S. to Nallur, Jaffna. At the chariot stand he met Chellappa Swamy and took him as his guru. There was another hermit called Kathiravel Swamy. All three of them lived together and walked together. They would cook together, eat together or break the chatty pots and fight together and go hungry. The people branded them as the lunatic trio.

At Colombothurai there was a famous Saivaite called Sittampalam Sampanthan. In his compound was a wide spread Illupai (Local olive) tree (Meegaha). Yoganathan, now Yogar Swamy would sit under this tree and meditate. Near this place was a deserted boutique. One Thirunavukarasu renovated this building and put up a small hut in the premises and requested Yogar Swamy to be there. So that became his Colombothurai Ashram (hermitage).

Once people heard of this Swamy or Swamyar they started flocking there. There would be prayer meetings singing the varams. Those who sought spiritual wisdom were there and those who wanted their troubles and worries remedied also were there. Swamyar gave people what they wanted.

The sithars of Sri Lanka also had certain qualities of the sithars. They could perform some miracles too. They were also capable of bilocation. They could know the past, present and future too. Devotees of Yogar Swamyar had given proven incidents of such miracles.

'It's one world and one God above'
"Do your duty come what may"
"We are born because of our past karma. Go through it'
"We know nothing"
"There is no harm in this birth"
He would quote his Guru - Chellapa Swamy's Mahavakkias (great utterances).

"No harm at all"
"It was all set long ago"
"We know not"
"The entire thing is true"

These could be surmised as, in taking this birth, there is absolutely nothing untoward. Everything was written in your destiny. We are absolutely unaware of what would happen the next minute. But whatever happens is the Truth - nothing but the Truth.

I would like to relate a few incidents by his devotees to bring out the ability of a sithar. Once a devotee wanted to go to Adam's Peak. Yogar Swamy was to accompany him. They went by car. Before the climb, the devotee took out a parcel. When Yogar Swamy queried him, he said he brought string hoppers and gravy. Swamyar laughed and said, 'Keep it back. On the way there is a boutique. You can eat all you want. This puzzled, the devotee accompanied him sure enough, half-way up was a boutique and they ate and had tea. Nevertheless the devotee had some doubt. In another occasion, he went with a friend. At the spot where he saw a boutique, there was none - only bare rocks. This is an extract from the book "Yogar Swamy - His life and guidance" - published by the Sivathenden Centre - which he established.

On another occasion, a doctor devotee said, Swamyar had expressed great sorrow because this doctor's elder brother - also a devotee was going to be left alone. His words came true when he was forsaken by his wife and the children were all abroad.

Some devotees came form India. One was a university professor who has to give series of lectures on literary topics. The meeting was scheduled to be on a certain day. Just the day before, this speaker last his voice. The doctor who treated him said this happened rarely and could not be cured. "Why don't you see Swamyar?" The professor went to the Ashram and protracted himself at Swamy's feet and cried his heart out.

He was so worried about his state, that he could not comprehend what Swamy said. He finally heard swamy's words, "Young man, go and lecture in the evening and come.' Miraculously the professor found his voice.There were instances of bilocation too all in the same text. Undoubtedly Yogar Swamy was a great sithar and Jaffna is proud to be his birthplace. Source of main text: 'Eelathu Sithars' by N. Muthiah of Athmajothi.

Matale chariot festival in Vinayagar Temple tomorrow

Arulmigu Muththu Vinayagar temple which is dedicated to God Vinayagar is situated at Uduppili, a small village, four kilometres away from Matale town. The chariot festival of this temple will be held tomorrow (05).

This ancient temple was built approximately hundred and seventy years ago and it was heavily damaged during the ethnic disturbances which took place in 1977 and 1983. But, this temple was reconstructed and restored by the untiring efforts of the Chief Trustee and Priest "Sivathiru" Sinniah Sivalingam with the financial support of the philantrophists and with the co-operation of the people of the village and the Kumbabhisekam (Consecration ceremony) was held. In 2002 the chariot festival was revived.

The worship of Lord Vinayagar seems to go back almost five thousand years. With the spread of Buddhism Vinayagar worship spread as far as China, Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Afghanistan and South East Asia. Vinayagar is a God of knowledge and wisdom and He could remove any obstacles if one worships him with utter devotion. He is not only a remover of obstacles, but He can even create obstacles and immense difficulties if one does not receive His blessings before anyone embark upon any auspicious activities like weddings or any business activities. This is the only reason the Hindus first go to the Vinayagar Temple and invite His Blessings by way of breaking coconut and performing pooja to him. There is a Puranic story that his brothers God Muruga wanted to get married to Valli. He went to see her in the guise of an old man. But, he could not succeed in approaching her and failed to get the consent of Valli. Then only God Muruga realised that he did not receive the blessings of Vinayagar. Immediately God Muruga went to his elder brother Vinayagar and humbly worshipped Him and got his Blessings to remove all the obstacles. Thereafter, only he was able to get married to Valli with the tremendous support of God Vinayagar.

Vinayagar is depicted as elephant headed and pot bellied. He has one broken tusk and He sometimes wears a serpent as His Sacred threat, Artists depict Him with four hands. In one hand he holds a hatchet, in another a goad, in the third a noose and in the fourth hand, a sweet meat namely "Modhakam".

The mouse is his Vahanam (vehicle). His elephant body is bulky representing the cosmos in its entirety and embodies cosmic intelligence. C.M

Karthikai Thiruvillakkidu symbol of enlightenment, peace

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

Hindus from time immemorial have been worshipping the almighty, Lord Shiva as the Jyoti, the light, with neither beginning nor end. "Saint Manikkavasagar" refers the incomparable light which has no beginning nor end as "Aathiyum Anthamum Illaa Arumperum Jothi. In the sacred Thirumurai, the God Shiva is portrayed as light.

The Hindus worship the almighty God Shiva as Tyoti during the month of November which is called as "Thirukkarthigai" in Hindu temples and homes. During this period bright and beautiful lamps and candles are lit in Hindu houses like a garland of lamps offered in dedication to the deities. This shows the annihilation of sorrow of the people who were overpowered by the forces of darkness and later inspired with the hopes and inspiration for better times ahead.

Man's life is a constant battle between right and wrong, darkness and light, knowledge and ignorance, love and hate. The "Karthikai Thiruvilakkidu" symbolises the destruction of the forces of darkness and evil and the re-enthronement of light or God in individual and collective hearts.

This "Thiruvilakkidu" has great significance since God Skanda appeared as six divine babies in a pond and these babies were brought up by Karthikai women and later Lord Skanda was responsible and instrumental in destruction of evil minded Surapadman who created dehumanising and emasculating fear into the minds of not only the people, but even devas in the celestial kingdom. There is a puranic story where there was a challenge between Brahma and Lord Vishnu in regard to their power and superiority. Brahma claimed that he is superior to even God Shiva and Lord Vishnu since he is responsible for the creation of the world. Lord Vishnu said that he is superior due to the fact that he is the protector of the whole world.

Brahma was very adamant and he was intoxicated by egoistic arrogance. Then Lord Vishnu suggested to Brahma that they will approach Lord Shiva to settle their problem. After carefully listening to their problems Lord Shiva said that he will solve this problem. Lord Shiva suddenly appeared as a powerful Jyoti or Light and touched the sky by his head and his legs were deeply penetrated into the soil. Then Brahma went towards the sky in search of Lord Shiva's head and Lord Vishnu went downward in search of Lord Shiva's legs as swan and pig respectively.

But Brahma failed in his attempt but he told a lie to Lord Shiva that he touched the head of Shiva, Lord Vishnu was able to succeed in his attempt to touch the legs. Since Brahma told a lie to Lord Shiva, he was not allowed to be worshipped by devotees in the temples. Lord Vishnu destroyed Narakasuran with his divine power as light and saved mankind.

Love and peace are the central theme of "Karthikaithiru Vilakkidu". Peace is a by-product of love. Hatred will never cease by hatred, but will cease only by love."

Making men of excellence

Dr. C. Srideva

Continued from November 20

In spirituality, life is never a question but life is a Quest. Questions can be answered intellectually, and two persons are involved. Quest needs to be answered existentially, the answer comes then and there within you, deep within you. Quest is original, creative, intuitive, and is spiritual.

Questions and answers are related to the mind. But quest is related to the very Being, that is you, not the body, the mind or sense. You are the Being and that being wants to be revealed, experienced and realized. Life's ambition is the quest for one's being, otherwise not worth living at all.

That being is cosmic and universal, and the real being in you is also cosmic and universal and is not separate. If separated, like what you see in this world, separate on the grounds of profession, caste or creed, nationality, race etc, then that is an expression of Ego, which has no place in religion. In spiritual sense quest is experiencing the existential being, that is, You are That - Thathwam asi. Path of quest is inquiry. Questions can be answered with your knowledge, mental potentiality and intellectuality. Who am I? The process and path of inquiry is meditative, contemplative and is eternal. Meditation is worldless, speechless, expressionless, and is an experience in a state of silence, where "I am gone or lost", your body, personality, profession, ego all lost and you just become empty.

No one knows "how does life gets in to the body and how does life leaves the body. It is an Unconscious Anonymity. So this unconscious anonymity, if it is to be experienced as conscious anonymity, then that is called meditation. Knowing and experiencing the true nature of One's own Self is the very purpose of this life. Seek and search to experience this infinitive, or Divinity the capacity which God has given and attain the true peace of mind.

Spirituality is acceptance, is surrender, and is transcendence. Acceptance is the beginning of wisdom in spirituality. There is no doubt. Doubts can occur in material science, physical experiences, on secular knowledge etc but not in spirituality.

Seek in a way that doubt has no place. Search such that bias and prejudice will find no place, because one must understand that God's actions are unpredictable, paradoxical, without any conformity, or uniformity, but full of contradictions, God also provokes, instigates, and make you to pass through that dilemma that chaos and all these should not delude you or make faith waver.

Unless the curd is churned repeatedly, you don't get the butter settling above. This churning process is going on in our mind, so that the butter of wisdom, of devotion, or steadiness, of acceptance, and of surrender, will settle all over the surface, and in this stage of choice less awareness, you grow on the path of Divinity to experience more and more without questions. This is called

Unconditional Surrender

In Spiritual journey one must have the understanding of three levels of "I" namely, "I" ness, the Body at animal level, "I" ness, the Soul at human level, "I" ness, the Cosmos, Universe, Divine.

Man is not one but three.

1). The One You think You are - It is Body which is Conscious and with feeling of illusory "I", with unripe sleeping soul, being slave of senses, indisciplined, self centered, and body centered (conscious of your hair style, dress etc), consider work is work with expectations of pay, prospects, and promotions, and the final outcome of this human or animal level of conscious I is Painful Loneliness. The "I" think that I will be continuing to be like this. Body is Perishable, with qualities like ego, pride, jealousy, and envy. The focus of attention is individuality eg feeling of importance as VIP.

This Body exhibits the relationship of friendship, enmity, love or hatred. Here one remain at the level of avoidance and indulgence. The attitude is that of individual freedom, that is do not like to be ordered or commanded or enslaved. Publicity, self boasting, self pride, and exploitation are seen at work.

2). The One others think You are - It is the Conscience, Evolving, "I", with awakened, imperishable ripe soul, and Transcendental Reality. You become the master of senses, disciplined and an enlightened citizen at human level, with enlightened self interest that is interested in the real Self within the Soul, individual freedom, social responsibility, social welfare outside but spiritual development inside and consider work as a mission. The focus of attention is Personality ie, body, mind and intellect.

The soul is driven with purity, patience and perseverance and the process leads to Merger with the final outcome as Joyful Aloneness. This evolving "I" turns inwards, and understands that this body, and life are temporary but the 'I' is the same and is permanent. The relationship of this soul is harmony, cooperation and team spirit. Here one understands that Spirituality is beyond avoidance and indulgence i.e.

Transcendence. One enjoys the individual freedom with social responsibility (I am happy but see that others too are happy). Work is at social level. i.e. social welfare outside with spiritual development within. But still feel you are separate from God but still aspiring and dreaming for Merger. The actions are driven by the soul.