A Meeting with Mookupodi Swamiyar

A reader of this blog has submitted the below narrative describing his own meeting and experience with Mokkupodi Samiyar. There is now a Facebook page dedicated to this siddhar at this link here.

"For the benefit of devotees, I wish to record the following events"

Basically I am a human with all sorts of desires, but struggling to gain inner peace. In that process – almost for the past twenty years, I read many books and followed the advices of many saints. In my pursuit of inner happiness, unfortunately, I could not have any living saints as my Guru. Further, the earthly things would also not allow me to proceed in my pursuit continuously. In short, I am an average human being, but have the desire to seek Atma or sprit. Another problem is that I always question things and won’t accept anything unless proven. May be, that’s why Children and innocent people always have good faith and chosen by God (as Jesus said those who believe in Father without seeing are blessed). 

Three years back, on seeing my quest, one of my friends introduced the name of Sri Ramana Maharishi of Tiruvannamalai and gave two volumes of Ramana Vazhi (The Path of Ramana by Sadhu Ohm). Those books and initial visit to Ramanashram wiped out most of my doubts (If I have any little more, it is purely due to my ignorance). Sri Ramana simply said to look inner and there is no other magic way to see God. 

So far, I took Girivalam about twelve times or more and I always choose a date other than full moon to avoid rush. I had many interesting events to narrate my experiences (or encounters) with GOD. But the following one, I wish to share the most. 

Mokkupodi Swami

On 07.09.2014, by 06.45 Hrs, I started my Girivalam and after paying respect to Sheshadri Swamigal (first time) I proceeded further with a silent prayer of AUM (as taught in the Isha Centre). About 08.00 Hrs (after 6th Km), while passing the Ner Annamalai Temple, I saw 15-20 people were either politely standing with folded hands or sitting on the floor near Navagragha area or lying down (Shastanga Namaskaram) seeking the blessings of someone whom I could not view because of a pillar. 

As it drew my attention, I stopped and returned few steps back to the see the incidents. Watching from the platform across the road, I had a view of a thin hand giving some signs and one umbrella stick projecting from someone’s lap. I also saw a person standing nearby (he actually talked over mobile communicating as “athu ingathan irukku”- meaning that is here). 

Curiosity overwhelmed, I asked the person “what is happening here?” 

He replied “It is Mokkupodi Samiyar. Everyone seeks Its dharshan. Sometimes It uses to scare people with stick. Even one VIP took It to her house for three days for getting ashirwad. It wandered around the hill for almost thirty years. It would not speak to anyone. Forest people moved It from the Arunachala Hill. Now It is staying in a nearby school and often comes out”. 

I was wondering whether it is publicity stunt by some beggar. Then suddenly that person stood up and rushed to beat a person (he was holding a baby on his shoulder and seeking his blessings). Everyone run off. It walked back to the temple wielding the stick vigorously. 

Another person standing nearby said it is his kind punishment to ward of past evil doings. I could not laugh because of the humbleness shown by the people. Though run away, people started to follow It wherever It goes. After two minutes, It retuned back to the pillar and sat down. 

Now acting upon my sixth sense, I prayed to God and Ramana – If that is really a saint or siddhar, then I could possibly communicate in spirit or telepathy. So I crossed the road, and from about 40 feet distance (to avoid any beating) watched Its side posture. Till this time, I did not see Its face. I kept my heart calm and didn’t think of anything. I didn’t offer any prayer to that. In fact I wanted as this my spiritual test and thought that if It is an enlightened person, It would give me a dharshan. 

After 2-4 minutes, It slowly turned and gave a sign (hand sign shooing away). I suspected whether it is for me or I have to go away. So I continued to stand there itself. Suddenly, It stood up again and moved away from me to the Temple side. Abruptly It stopped and turned back. It saw people around in a half circular movement of its head (180 degree). Then It directly looked at me. Though there were people (on sideways), that look was directed to me. I could not believe myself. The distance was now about 50-60 feet, I was on Its direct vision line and no one stood in between. May be somebody was standing behind me and probably It could have watched him – was my thought. 

Slowly, It lifted its right hand and kept above his eyes as if seeing or identifying someone in distance standing in sunlight. 

Now I could experience that all the people were looking at me. It is a direct Dharshan. But foolishly, I was inactive. I could not bow my head or pranam as I tried to keep my mind silent. Then It moved towards me. Suddenly I feared that I have to move to avoid any beating. My eyes were moved with him. It halted five feet away from my left side and turned Its head and looked at me. It gave hand sign of waving or go away. Then It walked further without turning back. A woman with a son followed It. 

The person earlier answered me came and said that It blessed you. I asked for meaning of the hand sign. He replied that It indicates that there is no problem in your life and not that telling you to go away. 

Moved by Heart, I also followed It for about half a kilometre. I wanted to offer my pranam and wanted to touch Its Feet. But It went straight into a school without turning back. Standing opposite to the school gate, I watched him till It moved away from my sight. 

On my return to Trichy, I browsed google and came to know about this enlightened Mahan. I called him as It – as he was initially introduced to me like that. I am happy that I had the dharshan and blessings of a Siddhar. But I also worried about the way he leads his life. While the so called saints and pseudo-enlightened people are moving in luxury cars and have all comforts, a real saint (you should watch his thejas - glowing face and powerful eyes in You Tube released by one Shri Megaraj). May be penance requires no comfort. 

Now I grieve that I should have behaved well in front of MPS. But by recording this, I could compensate in a way so that someone may notice it or write it – in the way people now remembers Shridi Sai." 

[By J. Ilango Jayaraman]