JOURNEY TO THE FEET OF GURU SRI SATHRU SAMHARA MOORTHY SWAMIGAL - PUDUKKOTTAI (TAMILNADU - INDIA) THE SIX HOMES AND THE SIX HOLY TREES OF AYYA 1. First Sacred Shrine - Vaathiripatti Kuruntha Tree 2. Second Sacred Shrine - Kudimiyanmalai Aatthi Tree 3. Third Sacred Shrine - Tandree Tree 4. Fourth Sacred Shrine -Viralimalai Vanni Tree 5. Fifth Sacred Shrine - Thiruchirappalli (District Court Campus) Mahizha Tree 6. Sixth Sacred Shrine - Thiruchendur (Panneer Tree) SRI SATHRU SAMHARA MOORTHY SWAMIGAL PUDUKKOTTAI (TAMILNADU - INDIA) Vaathiripatti Tiruchirappalli Kudimiyanmalai (Kuruntha Tree) (Mahizha Tree) (Aathi Tree) District Court Campus This book..... (FOREWORD) If there is a text on the holy Clairvoyants of Tamil Nadu, Certainly the sacred name of Sri Sathru Samhara Moorthy Swamigal will figure there. To that extent, both in his times and now, he remains for his disciples as guru, Siddha and as the God himself. Though in size, this is a small text describe the life history of Swami and includes many rare thoughts and historical anecdotes. Vallalar sought the boon of serving God and people. Similarly, Thirumathi. A. Dharmambal has written this work in an exemplary way, as a service to people. (Foreword by Dr. I. Veerasakthivel, Ph.D.,) INTRODUCTION In the Tamil land, the Clairvoyants (Gnanis) have emerged from time to time, and guided the people. Our Gurunathar who was born at Vaathiripatti, Pudukkottai District above 130 years ago, is one among them. Our Gurunathar has performed many rare deeds/miracles, thanks to his Spiritual power. Apart from an offering spiritual and medical help, he devoted himself to the cause of alleviating hunger. He volunteered to show direction- less people. Hence, Our Gurunathar had been worshipped by people. For doing meditation and worship, Guru did not opt for temples and other places. He opted for trees. Here lies a subtle message. Only till the survival of plants in this world, others can survive. In other words, our Guru realized the role of plants in preventing global warming. That is why he revived many near-dead trees and offered workship. What science says today is explained and implemented by Guru, Well-in the past. Though our Guru has shrines all over Tamil Nadu, Six shrines at Vaathiripatti, Kudimiyanmalai, Tandreeswaram, Viralimalai, Tiruchirappalli court premises and Tiruchendur are closely linked to him. The mission of his book is to write about these shrines, about their sacred trees (Thala Vriksham) and to write about the life of Ayya (Swamigal). I Salute those who have written on Ayya and those who are going to write about him. I thank all those who have helped in bringing out this book. Finally, I have great pleasure in placing this work before you. A. DHARMAMBAL This world have everything we crave for. We enjoy them through our earthly five senses and derive happiness. We conclude that only deriving pleasures is life. We totally forget that it is god who is the root/ guru behind all wordly actions. Avvai speaks of God’s tap the World as guru. Tirumoolar also equates guru with god. Hence it is clear that both god and guru are one and the same. Guru is beyond word and deed. As such, if we surrender at the feet of our guru, Sri Sathru Samhara Moorthy Swamigal, we can cross the worldly worries and reach the banks of divine bliss. Those who don’t seek the feet of guru will wander for eternity. To save the souls of even these, god himself enters this world as guru Sri Sathru Samhara Moorthy Swamigal remains the Very Incarnation of God. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SWAMIGAL (The terms “Ayya,” “ Swamigal” and “Gurunathar” all refer to our Swamigal only.) Our Guru Sri Sathru Samhara Moorthy Swamigal, for the benefit of the world and to enlighten people made his Incarnation into this world, as the third son of Shiva devotees - Muthu pillai and ponnammal couple at vaathiripatti village, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu on Vikrama year, of Aani month (13.06.1880) Sunday under the Star of Aayilyam. His Parents called him with the name, “ Kanakasabapathy” (one of the names of Lord Shiva). Being a prodigy, he excelled in studies. With the blessings of the elders, Kanakasabapathy was married with Sornathammal in 1901. They were blessed with a daughter in 1903. The child was given the name, “Kamalam-” in 1904, Kanakasabapathy started a primary school near Viralimalai. Later, he was appointed as a teacher in the government school at ponnamaravathy in 1906. In 1910, the Kanakasabapathy couple were again blessed with a daughter who was known as “Azhagu.” THILLAI DARSHANA AND THE SUDDEN CHANCES In 1915, Kanakasabapathy attended the consecration of the Chidambaram temple (the most prominent of all Shiva temples) and lost his heart to Shiva and never returned home. After a year long search, his relatives brought him home. His arrival made everyone happy at home. But he spoke little; meditated and spent his time studying sacred texts.The Kanakasabapathy couple were blessed with a boy child in 1916. The child was called, “Ponnuramu.” In 1917, Kanakasabapathy asked his wife to board the cart of his friend to attend the Ceremoney of piercing the ear- lobe at his Wife’s relative’s house. There after, no one knew the where about of Kanakasabapathy. SATHRU SAMHARA MOORTHY SWAMIGAL THE ENLIGHTENED ONE After leaving his family for twelve years, in 1928, Swamigal started performing Siva pooja and explaining God’s ways to the spiritually inclined at Naganathar swamy temple, near Ucchi pillaiyar Temple at Tiruchirappalli. On knowing this, Swamigal’s relatives forcibly took him to Vaathiripatti. Among Siddhar’s, there are many types. Many live in forests without the knowledge of others. Some other’s though living among people, never reveal them selves some have revealed them selves and have done good for people. But our guru was offering spiritual explanations without revealing his stature. He advocated the worship of light and treated the physical ailments of others. In this way, the Swamigal was serving the people. Lord Muruga who reveals himself as Soora Samhara Moorthy-(Known for his prowess with lance) at Tiruchendur gave his own to our Swamigal, Calling him as “Sri Sathru Samhara Moorthy Swamigal.” Though our guru has many shrines, Lord Muruga (as in his win case) has marked six holy shrines for our guru ; thus has given us a chance to visit/read/and worship our guru and to attain Mukthi. THE FIRST SACRED SHRINE : VAATHIRIPATTI This place is located at a distance of 21 Kilometers from pudukkottai via the historically famous Sittannavasal (Famed for its cave paintings), leading to illuppur. Even to day, We can see and worship the Yagasalai where Ashwamedha yaga was performed by our Swamigal. The Kuruntha tree under which the Swamigal sat and meditated, remains the sacred tree (Thala Vriksham) here. The Samadhi of Swamigal’s wife remains inside the temple. Only here, we get the chance of workshipping our Swamigal with his wife. This is the first of the guru-sthalams. Above all our guruji had be gotten the wisdom through yoga, by yoga he fragmented his body into many parts and bewed them back thus this was the place where he demonstrated such miracles. One Thirumathi Krishnammal from Tiruvannamalai who came here fifty years ago, built a satthiram for the devotees to stay. Now in the satthiram, food is offered freely. THE GREATNESS OF THE KURUNTHA TREE The infant in the mother’s womb keeps on asking Brahma when will you bring me to the light of the world. For every human being who come to this world, Brahma, through the avatar of Sadhasiva Moorthy reveals himself under the Kuruntha tree. Once, Manickavasakar saw a rishi, teaching his disciples under the Kuruntha tree and requested him to reveal the right kind of Knowledge. The rishi too taught him and then disappeared. Not only that he sang so many songs in “Thiruvasagam” in different ways under the Kuruntha Tree whoever is under the Kuruntha Tree with the fikine feelings of God Siva, They will get the blessings of God Siva. THE ASHWAMEDHA YAGA AND OUR GURU Mahabali, the Asura king was ruling the three worlds. To rule the three worlds forever, he makes preparations to perform Ashwamedha yaga with the guidance of his guru, Sukhracharya in the northern banks of river Narmadha. The Devas who have lost heaven lost Mahabali, appeal to Sriman Narayana to help them. To save Devas and to punish Asuras, Narayan take the “ Vaamana Avatar.” At this time, Mahabali starts his yaga. Vaamana goes to the place where the yaga is performed and seeks three feet of clay. To this, Mahabali agrees. Sukhracharya tries to prevent him. Though knowing the fact that the vaamana is none other than Vishnu-his enemy, Mahabali stood by his words. soon the short Vaamana started growing and became “Thrivikrama.” Then he scaled the entire earth with one feet and the heaven with the other feet. At that time, Brahma washed the feet of Vishnu and the water fell on the hair-locks of Shiva and ultimately dell down to earth as the holy Ganga. Vishnu asked Bali ; “ Where shall I place my feet for the third time ?, Bali asked Vishnu to place his feet on his head and to bless him as the one who stood by his words. Lord Vishnu felt wondered by the words of Bali and asked him to rule the Under world and promissed that his divine would kill the enemies of Bali. Bali then asked a boon, enabling him to visit his subjects once in a year. Vishnu asked him to visit his people On the day of the Thiruvonam star. His annual visit would be celebrated as “ Onam” by his people Soon,Mahabali entered the Under world and became it’s king.