The Day Sri Seshadri Swamigal left Tiruvannamalai

In his 40 years at Tiruvannamalai, there was only one occasion that Sri Seshadri left this place, and that was only for just one hour. The story goes like this:

In the village of Seelaippandal, a Dikshidhar was doing puja in the house of one T.S. Jagadeesa Iyer.  He was considered as a “Guru” and the people in the house showed immense affection and regard for him. But because of his past karma, the thought of dishonesty grew in him. On two occasions he stole a hundred rupee note and a gold necklace weighing 8 sovereigns from the house and buried the same beneath the sanctum of the village deity. Three months elapsed. Even though a thorough search was conducted in the house, the lost articles could not be found.

Jagadeesa Iyer used to reside at Sannidhi street in Tiruvannamalai and when he had work visited Seelaippandal by horse drawn cart six miles distant. Once when he was on his way to the village, Sri Seshadri Swamigal asked if He could accompany him in the cart. Jagadeesa Iyer replied “This is Your vehicle. Please get in and we shall go”.

On the way Jagadeesa Iyer mentioned to Swamiji about the theft in his house. Swamiji replied that the stolen articles would be found that day. As soon as they reached Seelaippandal, Swamigal said, “The thief is in your house. The thief is in your house. There is a dog. I am leaving” and with these words He hastily left the house and returned to Tiruvannamalai on foot.

After Sri Seshadri Swamigal left Seelaipandal, the village officials gathered at Jagadeesa Iyer’s house and disclosed that the Dikshidhar had been seen digging at the sanctum of the village deity and it looked suspicious.Then they persuaded the Dikshidhar to come and made him confess.

The entire village crowded near the temple of the village deity. The Dikshidhar called, “O! Goddess! Even though I had taken refuge under You, You betrayed me! See what I will do to You”. He then tore the idol from its foundation and retrieved the cash and jewellery that had been buried underneath. Jagadeesa Iyer was content that his stolen property had been returned.

Young Sri Seshadri Swamigal

Similarities between two great Mahans

Received an interesting email (reproduced at the bottom of this posting) from Mr. K. Bharath Kumar pointing out the similarities between the two great Mahans, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba and Arunachala’s own Sri Seshadri Swamigal. 

I’ve also noted the likeness between these saints and often visit the back of the samadhi of Sri Seshadri to take darshan of the statues of the two Mahans sitting side-by-side. 

Two great Mahans

"Sri Seshadri Swamigal arrived at Tiruvannamalai in 1889 when he was 19 years old. He lived uninterruptedly at this place for the next forty 40 years until 1929. He lived the life of an Avadhuta, with no home or ashram, and moved from place to place within Tiruvannamalai. After he left the body, his devotees made his samadhi at a spot off the Chengam Road, which was later to incorporate also an Ashram in his name which is located next to Ramana Maharshi Ashram."

To learn more about the great Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal go to this link here: 

"Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi lived between 1838 and 1918 and whose real name, birthplace and date of birth are not known. An Indian spiritual guru and a fakir that transcended the barriers of religions, Sai Baba of Shirdi was regarded with great reverence by both Hindu and Muslim followers. He lived in a mosque and after death his body was cremated in a Temple. 

His philosophy ingrained 'Shraddha' meaning faith and 'Saburi' meaning compassion. According to him Shraddha and Saburi were the supreme attributes to reach the state of godliness."

To find out more about Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, go to this link here: 

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Similarities between Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi and Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai (Arunachala) 

There is a close likeness between Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi and Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai. 

1. Both lived in their chosen small towns for half a century without moving or wandering outside anywhere. 

2. They both lived moderately, placed least emphasis on external appearances, clothes, grooming, etc. 

3. Both were well versed in difficult yogic practices. 

4. Both gave away all material possessions, presents given to them - then and there - without hoarding any possessions. 

5. Both stressed on sincerity of devotion, power through prayers and right conduct to all devotees. 

6. Both were remarkable healers - even mud and sand became effective medicines when given with their blessings. 

7. Both were able to foretell the future of people and prescribed remedies for their problems. 

8. Both manifested themselves as the favorite Gods of their devotees - whatever they may be - i.e., they were personifications of many important Hindu Gods who appeared from both these saints' physical shells on many occasions based on devotees' prayers/needs. 

9. Both of them were very simple in their lifestyles taking the least from humankind and nature and have given maximum service useful for several generations. 

10. Both of them did not write a single book, nor did they give any elaborate lectures. Both conveyed through simple examples and parables - sometimes meaningful sometimes confusing to their devotees. 

11. Both did not start any ashrams, nor did they start new rituals or formal procedures, or a lineage of disciples as most modern saints/sadhus typically do. They were both interested solely for the upliftment of humankind - to move humans towards realizing their true self and God and spent their entire life in this mission. 

12. Both EVEN NOW exist in subtle spiritual form LONG after their samadhis (passing away) and devotees are being helped and guided in mysterious ways by them EVEN NOW. 

[Mr. K. Bharath Kumar] 

Mother Umadeviar: Channel to Sri Seshadri Swamigal

Several of my last posts have been about the great Mahan, Sri Seshadri Swamigal. In relation to the great saint, the following is information about the luminary Uma Deviar (born May 22, 1942) who was believed to be a preeminent channel of the great Mahan. She was known to devotees of Sri Seshadri Swamigal but otherwise lived the quiet exemplar life of a married woman with meticulous attention to her duties to God and family. 

I was fortunate to have met Uma Deviar briefly in her home towards the end of her life, where she met me with kindness and courtesy and responded to a worrying spiritual difficulty I was experiencing in words that would be repeated almost exactly, sometime later, by my own guruji, Sri Nannagaru. 

Through her tapas and sadhana, Uma Deviar previously acted as a channel to various saints until she moved to Tiruvannamalai and her life became inextricably mixed with the great Sri Seshadri Swamigal. Of her connection with him; Mother Umadevi said that Swamigal would appear in front of her in response to questions asked, and thereafter she would convey the answers to those seeking his guidance. To read more about the life of Uma Deviar, go to this link here. 

Uma Deviar

I found the below narrative written by B.R. Kumar in which he talks of his experiences with Mother Umadevi, beautiful and inspirational and it reminds one that sometimes even in an ordinary guise in an ordinary home, lives a most extraordinary person. 

Mother Umadevi 

“The turning point in my personal and official life was in 1961 when I had the first darshan of Saint Uma Deviar at Thenmathadi Street, Tiruvannamalai. It was evening time, when we reached Tiruvannamalai from Pondicherry. We were at the residence of Sri S.R. Veeraraghavan, well-known Advocate-Scholar of Tiruvannamalai. Sri Veeraraghavan told us that we would be meeting a very rare personality in a few minutes time and he took us to the residence of Sri. R. Muthukumaraswamy, another Advocate of Tiruvannamalai and a prominent personality known for his erudition and benevolence. 

We were introduced to Saint Uma Deviar and we were talking to her. I was wonderstruck at her appearance, for she was bedecked with a huge Kumkuma Pottu on her face which was fully smeared with Vibhuti. I came to know that she was the wife of Sri Muthukumaraswamy. But I was wondering at her saintly appearance. She took each of us separately to an adjoining room and talked to us about our past, present and future lives. She gave vibhuti and blessed me saying that Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal was always with me for guidance and security. I was dazed at her words, for this was the first time in my life that I had met such a personality. 

We came away to Pondicherry the same night, but the memories of my meeting Saint Uma Deviar was haunting me and I wanted to make another trip to Tiruvannamalai immediately and meet the Saint once again. Yes, I did it immediately on my own and reached Tiruvannamalai within a couple of days. I waited on the verandah of the residence of Saint Uma Deviar. A servant woman came from inside and asked me whether I was from Pondicherry and if my name was Kumar. I said ‘Yes’ and I was wonderstruck. The servant maid said that the Saint was doing Puja and she would meet me very soon. After some time the Saint came out and took me inside and was speaking to me for quite a long time. She was seated in a chair and I was on the floor. Sri Muthukumaraswamy was also present by our side. After some time, with great reluctance, I took leave of her and came away to Pondicherry. 

Who is Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal and how does he speaks through Saint Uma Deviar? were questions that I was asking myself several times, but I could not find any answer, within my limited knowledge and experience in spiritual matters But I used to pray to both the Saint Uma Deviar and Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal, by continuously chanting the mantra, “Mahan Sri Seshadri Swamigal Tiruvaadikke”, which brought me immense benefits in both my personal and official life. 

In the meanwhile, I found in Sri A.D.M. Panneerselvam, a great poet and a devout follower of Mahan, answers to all my questions about the Saint and the Mahan. Sri Panneerselvam became my very close friend in the days to come and our bond of friendship grew from strength to strength. Even after 28 years, I find Sri Paneerselvam humility and friendship unfathomable. I do not know what good I have done for him but to speak to him once on the telephone brings me all memories of my previous Tiruvannamalai visits. 

Saint Uma Deviar used to politely tell all those who met her, to go around the Hill of Arunachala whenever they are in Tiruvannamalai. I used to think that it was only for others and not for me! One day, when I met her in the mid-afternoon, she told me that I should immediately go round the Hill and then return to Pondicherry. I was terrified and did not know what do to. She told me emphatically, “Yes! Go round and come back!”. With great reluctance I started, with a friend of mine from Pondicherry. It was quite hot to start with, but when I landed on the path to go round the weather cooled down and it was all pleasant. I completed the circle in about three hours and raced back to report to the Saint. She blessed me and me that I must undertake such going round frequently. 

Later in the company of Sri A.D.M. Paneerselvam, I have gone around the Hill at different times of the day and night. While going around the Hill during the nights, I have been guided by white glimmering lights to show the path and have seen red lights glowing from the Hill. I have been guided by the pleasant aroma of flowers, vibhuti and medicinal plants. Once a playful calf was leading all around the Hill and finally disappeared. Once a male saint with a dog and a stick in his hand was going in front of us and guiding us throughout our round of the Hill. And many more such incidents made me feel that the Mount Arunachala was a Hill full of throbbing life and that it took care of all those who went round at any time. 

Saint Uma Deviar became part and parcel of my personal life and our entire family bowed and followed whatever she said. Once on her visit to Pondicherry, I had arrange only for a limited number of laddus for distribution to those who came to meet her. But to our surprise, the distribution of laddus became endless and there even remained a surplus quantity! That was a very great miracle performed by Saint Uma Deviar. 

She visited us while I was at Tiruchirapalli in the year 1991 and went on a lecture tour of educational institutions. I took her to the Samadhi of Saint Thayagaraja at Tiruvaiyaru and there she rendered a beautiful composition in Telegu. Saint Uma Deviar could also play on the Veena very well. 

During my train journey from New Delhi, Saint Uma Deviar provided me a security guard and escort of an unknown person, when the train was attacked by an unruly mob. The security guard came with me till I reached my home at Pondicherry. And then he disappeared. During my unplanned long distance travels, Saint Uma Deviar used to send unknown messengers from the Railway Department, to arrange for my reserved accommodation. 

Once Saint Uma Deviar, accompanied me in an unknown form (I could not see it at all!) and set things right, with the higher officials at New Delhi. That was a great relief for me, for I was struggling with a peculiar problem for several years. She secured admission for my son in the Central School, so that I could easily move all over India on transfer. She gave me special numbers for chanting, so that I could solve problems instantly. 

Saint Uma Deviar had prepared and served coffee to me, with her own hands! Once she had served me lunch at her house. At the time, she told me that she had gone without food for over 48 days. Yet she was very cheerful and healthy. There was not a small trace of tiredness or weakness in her appearance. Always she had talked to me with a very bright and broad smile on her face. She used to be extremely cheerful and pleasant whenever she met with devotees. I have been fortunate enough to move with her very closely and I felt sad when she shed her mortal coil. She has not gone anywhere. She lives with all of us. Such is her power of penance. She had sat on the hot rocks of the Mountain of Arunachala at her young age for observing silence and penance. For years, she had not taken food at all. She had lived on a spoonful of milk and a small bit of banana fruit. For preparing the Golden Kavacha for the Goddess Unnamulai Amman of the Big Temple at Arunachala, she removed all the golden bangles that she was wearing on her hands and gave them to Sri Muthukumaraswamy to be taken to Chennai instantly for ordering ornaments for the Goddess. 

I had met her at odd times at her residence at Tiruvannamalai, both at Thenmathadhi Street and Gopal Pillayar Koil Street and she never once frowned upon me. She had always received me with great grace and benevolence and talked to me in a very sweet manner. Once she was on a very long penance of silence, but she welcomed me inside her house and talked to me personally for several minutes. 

Once when one becomes the staunch devotee of Saint Uma Deviar, well-known as “Amma” she takes care of the entire life of the devotee, along with their family. What is required on our part is only devotion, pure devotion.” 

[By B.R. Kumar]

Relationship of Seshadri Swamigal and Ramana Maharshi

The below is a fascinating narrative written by a devotee of Sri Seshadri Swamigal about an occasion when the Mahan chased away rowdies from a meditating young Brahmana during his early days at the Pathala Lingam at Arunachaleswarar Temple. The narrative is particularly interesting because it explains how the Mahan viewed the nature of the relationship between himself and Sri Ramana. 

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‘That our Swamiji attained Jnana Siddhi after severe penance dedicated to Goddess Parasakthi is well known. Accordingly Mahan used to say many times that he was Parvathi Devi. He used to call Sri Ramana Bhagavan as Subrahmaniamurthy and characterised him as a child. The statement of devotees on the subject indicate the mother and son relationship between the two saints. 

As per his usual practice Sri Venkatachala Mudaliar went to take bath in Sivaganga at 12 noon. At that time some noise emanated from the nearby hall of thousand pillars. On investigation he found five or six rowdies pelting stones into the Pathala Iswara Temple. When he approached near the Temple, there emerged from inside our Swamiji with a loud laughter. Mudaliar was taken by surprised by his sudden appearance. Swamiji asked him not to be afraid and took a Banyan stick lying there and with it drove the rowdies away. 

Then Swamiji came back and told Mudaliar, “See my child is doing penance inside.” Mudaliar asked him how he said that it was his child. Swamiji responded, “you already know that I am Parvathi and I have told you but you have forgotten.” Saying this, Swamiji led him by his hand and asked him to look inside the Temple. Mudaliar got down two or three steps and peeped in and saw someone’s head behind the Sivalingam there. 

Outside Pathala Lingam before renovation

As it was quite dark, Mudaliar was afraid of going aone to the Sanctum and in the company of a few persons crept in and witnessed Sri Ramana Bhagavan sitting stiff like wood in Samadhi. All lifted Sri Raman and brought him out. Both is thighs bore wounds oozing blood resulting from the onslaught of insects. Swamiji patted him on the back and left after telling, “Now do you see my child Skanda.” Thus, it is brought out that our Swamiji as Parvathi had always been looking after Sri Raman as child Skanda.’ 

[By Brahmasri Kuzhumani Narayan Sastriar] 

More information about the history of the Pathala Lingam at this link here.

Healing Miracles of Sri Seshadri Swamigal

Sri Seshadri Swamigal arrived at Tiruvannamalai in 1889 when he was 19 years old. He lived uninterruptedly at this place for the next forty 40 years until 1929. He lived the life of an Avadhuta, with no home or ashram, and moved from place to place within Tiruvannamalai. After he left the body, his devotees made his samadhi at a spot off the Chengam Road, which was later to incorporate also an Ashram in his name which is located next to Ramana Maharshi Ashram. 

To those who have a connection with Sri Seshadri Swamigal, he is a great Mahan, and a source of strength, instruction and inspiration. But even to those who don’t know him, stories of his life and wanderings around Tiruvannamalai, of his interactions and miracles, are thrilling Divine leelas. For more information about his life go to this link here. 

. . . Swamiji drove away his devotees’ ailments whether it was paralysis or lung disease or fever or whatever serious illness, they all would vanish at the sight of Swamiji. Ghosts, devils, brahmarakshas would fly away. Scorpion, Snake poison would all be reduced to ashes. Swamiji would offer such patients some bits of food brought out from his mouth. Sometimes he used to give some green leaves and herbs to eat. After consuming the same, the disease would vanish. 

Sri Seshadri Swamigal of Arunachala

Some such stories of his amazing cures go thus: 

A Poisonous Disease 

“Swamiji aunt’s son Krishnaswamy Sastriar was living in village Thandarai near Tiruvannamalai. His first wife Shankuntala (also known as Alamelu Ammal) developed a strange poisonous ailment because of which her entire body became swollen. Her hands and legs became dead like the stem of a tree. She vomited often and ever time worms as long as four inches, came out with the vomit. Sastriar was flabbergasted. Even the doctors gave her up. Finaly he put her in his horse-driven cart and drove her to Tiruvannamalai. 

Near the point where the Temple Chariot was located, he found Swamiji. He jumped out from the car and prostrated before Swamiji, “Oh Cousin! Shankuntala is lying in the cart in a precarious condition. Please see her. Except you there is none who can cure her. I have come all the way only to seek your help”, he said, all the while in tears. Swamiji saying, “Oh, is that so? Where is she?” Got into the cart, he put his feet on the lady’s legs, abdomen and neck and crossed over to the front of the cart and took hold of the horses’ reins and whipped it to speed up. 

The horse ran like the high wind. He stopped it near the Sadhu Chathram and got down from the cart. He came to the rear and picking up some earth, threw two handfuls inside the cart. He made her swallow another handful of mud. He asked her to pack three handfuls of earth in the corner of her sari and instructed that she should smear the same on her body for three days and departed. Sastriar followed the instruction and on the fourth day her ailment vanished. 

Meenakshi’s Delirium 

Chengalvarayana was a pleader in the criminal court in Tiruvannamalai since 1899. Later on in hkis old age he donned the saffron robe and was serving Swamiji as his disciple. He had a friend by name Rao Bahadur Siva Chidambaram Pillai, a Deputy Superintendent of police. Pillai’s daughter, Meenakshi, developed high fever with delirium at 105 degrees F and the fever did not abate. The doctors gave up the case as difficult to cure. 

Chidambaram Pillai wept bitterly before his friend Chengalvarayana. He, out of compassion, informed our Swamiji who was sitting in the sanctum of Lord Muruga (Kambathu Ilayanar). He directed him to appear in that direction. Hence Chengalvarayana composed a verse in Tamil and placed it at Swamiji’s feet and did obeisance. Swamiji smilingly instructed him to go into the sanctum and read it to the deity. Accordingly he went in the sanctum and read it five or six times and showed camphor flame and brought the paper to Swamiji again. 

“Lord Murugan of Red Complexion! The sick who fall at your feet get rid of their sickness in this life. If this is true, please see that this child Meenakshi becomes healthy today.” 

Swamiji told him, Go, go. It will be cured before sunrise”. Accordingly the girl’s fever receded at 4 a.m. and she became all right. 

Scabies 

Krishnamurthy was a village Munsif. He heard from his friend about Swamiji’s greatness even when he was in his school. Every summer he used to get scabies in both his hands. It used to bother him for four months. During that period he had to depend on somebody else to do his work. For ten years he struggled with it and neither application of medicine nor magic could cure him of that. 

He then remembered Swamiji and rushed to Tiruvannamalai. On reaching there he went to a restaurant and took some tiffin. When the server brought coffee, Swamiji suddenly appeared there and started pouring the coffee to cool it and also drank a little. As Krishnamurthy had not seen Swamiji before, in his ignorance, he became somewhat angry. Luckily for him, he controlled his temper. Swamiji asked him if he had scabies in his hands and advised him to apply kumkum on it the very next day. Saying this, Swamiji ran away from the place. 

When Krishnamurthy came to know that that was Swamiji he regretted what a foolish thing he had done and thought that he had not taken even a whole cup of coffee as prasad. Hating himself for the ignorance. He started searching for Swamiji, who could not be traced. The next day he applied kumkum on the scabies and by evening the scabies dried up. By next morning the entire thing had faded.” 

[By Brahmasri Kuzhumani Narayan Sastriar]