Nallur, the sacred sanctuary of Holy
Beings
by Dr. Vimala KRISHNAPILLAI
Nallur is an ancient city in Jaffna
hallowed by the sacred foot prints of Holy beings Jnanis and Siddhas.
From 18th century onward we are able to trace four sages whose presence
added to the sanctity and glory of the Nallur Kandasamy Temple.
Kadaitswami of Jaffna was honoured as a Siddhar, he was known earlier
as Swami Mukti Ananda in the state of Karnataka, India. He came to
Jaffna in 1860 invited by Vairamuttu Chettiar of Nallur. As he was seen
mostly at Periakadi, Jaffna bazaar, he was called Kadiatswami. He
frequented the Nallur temple surroundings often, Chellappah then a young
novice, recognized Kadiatswami's spiritual stature. They were drawn to
each other mutually and Chellappah was blessed by Kadaitswami.
Kadaitswami's inclination was towards the Tantric path. He did not
discriminate anyone on the basis of caste or creed and visited their
homes unreservedly; they served him with their usual fare of toddy, fish
and meat all of which he accepted with an attitude of dispassion. This
upset the feelings of some orthodox Saivites devoted to him. He attained
Mahasmadhi in 1891.
Nallur Theradi Chellappah Swami (1840-1915) was the Jnani who greatly
enhanced the sacred power of the Nallur. As he spent most of the time
reposing on the steps of theradi where the Nallur temple chariot is kept
he was known as Theradi Chellappar. Chellappah's parents from Vattukodai,
settled in Nallur to cultivate their lush fertile fields. Chellappah was
educated at Jaffna Central College and later joined Jaffna Kachcheri as
an Arachi. Very soon ascetic inclination overwhelmed his mind. Though
outwardly he carried on his normal work, inwardly he was soaring high
spiritually. During this phase he was also blessed by Kaddiaswami who
frequented the Nallur Temple precints. When the midnight puja was over
and all had left he would hurry to the entrance of the Kandaswami
temple.
Intoxicated with divine fervor in mystic communion he would call out
to Lord Murugan of Nallur 'Appa! Appa!' He appeared outwardly like a mad
man; like one possessed by Spirits; like an innocent child. To the
masses he was a madman Visar Chellappa. To confirm Himself to the guise
of a madman he behaved more and more erratically. Many supernatural
powers siddhies manifested in him but he openly declared "Chellappah
will not exhibit any such powers; he will be known as a mad man to the
world and quit away." The earnest seekers, his devotees identified him
as a great spiritualist, they felt sad seeing his radiant face crowned
with uncombed hay like hair and his thin wiry body wrapped in filthy
rags.
Siva Yogawami: (1872-1964) was no exception to the mystic magnetic
pull of Nallur. He was born at Mavidapuram to Ambalavanar and Sinnachi
Ammaiyar on 29.05.1872. He was named Sathasivam and later came to be
known as Yoganathan. He was educated at St. Patrick College, Jaffna. He
was employed as a Store Keeper at Killinochi for some time. From his
early youth he was devoted to Nallur Kanthaswami.
Every weekend he would walk all the distance of 40 miles from
Killinochi to Nallur. He composed several devotional songs praising
Nallur Murugan and his Sat Guru which have been recorded in Natchintanai.
He sang, "At Nallur where the holy and the wise meet, He made me his own
and showed me the way of Bliss. He rescued me from the pangs of birth
and death".
Life for Yoganathan, after meeting his Sat Guru became one of intense
spiritual discipline, severe austerity and stern trials. One day in 1910
Chellappah Swami made Yoganathan and Kathirveluswami to sit side by side
in meditation for about forty days on the steps of the Theradi. Later on
Chellappah under the shade of the Vilva tree beside the Theradi greeted
Yoganathan with significant words.
"You alone are worthy of being crowned by me. Come! Come! Thine be
Lankapuri, I give! I give! The crown of Kinship, To Thee! To Thee! as
long as the universe endures and the waters of the oceans perish not."
By the grace of the Guru Yogaswami blossomed into a poorana saint.
Finally the Sat Guru ordered Him to fend for himself. He immersed
himself in tapas under the illupai tree at Columbuthurai junction and
later he settled down in a hut at Columbuthurai.
The Mahavakiams which flashed spontaneously from Sat Guru Chellappah
Swami were picked up by Yogaswami and perpetuated.
Oru Pollappumillai - Intrinsic evil there is none:
Eppavo Mudintha Karium - Accomplished is His will.
Namariyom - We do not know.
Muluvathum Unmai - All that is, is Truth Absolute.
These are to us are like the Upanishad truths culled from the Vedas
and the truths propounded by the Sages Thirumular, Thaiyumanavar and
those of their lineage.
Siva Yogaswami lived as the walking expression of grace, an unfailing
refuge to souls in distress. He attained Mahasamadhi at the age of 92 on
23.03.1964. His ashes are enshrined in the Columbuthurai Ashram every
ayilium natchatharam his Guru Puja is observed. Siva Yogaswami's glory
spread from Jaffna to all corners of the world. |