the mind. It takes courage to strive against and emerge victorious over our own sensory illusions, and walk the path of virtue and wisdom. And hence, this couplet stresses that unless we develop clarity of thought, courage and strength of conviction to walk the path of wisdom, we would not be deserving enough to sing praises of saints and sages who have shown us the path ahead. Noble are the books that praise the ascetics who walk the path of discipline and virtue. The ascetics who live a life of discipline and walk the path of virtue are the noblest of mankind. Books that sing praises of the Gurus and the wise are noble. One needs to be courageous and deserving enough, even to write about such evolved souls. It is due to merits of many lives that we get opportunity to be with a living saint like Thatha.

I try to draw a parallel here with the divine messages received through Narayan Devotee. Higher forces told, ‘5 torches ko andhar gumao’. According to me, Thatha is talking about divine design of our human body with indriyas as filters. Higher forces advised us to turn our five indriyas as five torches to turn inside so that we can have control over our indriyas once they stop bringing in info from outside world and remain single pointed in Brahma bhavana all the time. Higher forces gave an example: Ears hear about one exhibition going on in the city. Immediately eyes want to go and see. Immediately you start thinking about going, take a decision and go. In initial stages it may be an obstacle to remain in Brahma bhavana. Once we reach a stage when we can remain in Brahma Bhavana, wherever we are in, whichever circumstances we are placed, no need to worry about such things. Till such a stage is reached, we need to do sadhana as advised by higher forces.

Visit to Thirupathi, Chennai, G. Thapovanam

Thatha told that Lord Venkateswara would call us with due honour. Till such time, he will not visit Thirupathi. Suddenly one fine morning, a devotee of Thatha in Chennai called me to find out about availability of Thatha. During the telecon, he just mentioned that we may also visit Thirupathi. Immediately she said that she can help us for VIP darshan. I said that some five of us are planning to go with Thatha. She said that no problem. She took names and age. Within ten minutes she confirmed. I wanted to include one more. She agreed to try to include that person also. Within next ten minutes she confirmed inclusion of that person also. Even though it was all pre-booked, after reaching Thirupathi, we were informed that darshan will be for Kalyana Utsavam. Everything fell in place as told by Thatha.

One devotee helped for VIP darshan. It got changed to Kalyana Utsavam. Another devotee helped to witness Kalyana Utsavam from close quarters in the adjacent Kalyana mandap, just next to the stage with VIPs. Rooms were also booked and in sufficient numbers. So we were all blessed with Kalyana Utsavam Darshan, and immediately after that, Anna Prasadam in place arranged by TTD. Miracle was that tickets for Kalyana Utsavam were there for only 6 people, but with blessings    of Thatha, 8 more could witness and take darshan just by paying Rs.200/- per head! This is our wonderful  Thatha!  We were honoured by receiving first blessings from the priests who performed Kalyana Utsavam as soon as Utsavam was over. We also received laddus, vadas, blouse pieces and upper clothes from TTD.

On our way to Thirupathi from Bengaluru, we visited first Kanipakkam Ganesha. Since it was a Monday and followed  by Ratha Sapthami, the crowd was too much. When we went Abhishekam and Alankaram was going on. When we went inside with Thatha, a man standing near the main gate opened the door and all four of us went in and had darshan of Ganesha! Other four who came with us also got darshan quickly like us. Then when we went to the temple of Padmavathy, she was shining like anything. Instead of buying Rs. 400/- tickets, Madhu and Nanjundappa went and purchased one Rs. 500/- ticket and it resulted unknowingly Thatha being honoured   by priests reciting veda manthra and offering upper cloth to him by making him sit on a stage, just opposite to Sanctum Sanctorum of Padmavathy Thayar ! Again one blouse piece and sacred yellow thread and kumkum Prasad were also given to us. Like this, everywhere Thatha was specially honoured by respective deities.

A devotee called Sendhil had darshan three times on the same morning. He said that the darshan that he had with Thatha was exceptional and Lord Venkateswara was looking totally different!

Mr Sendhil adds: We experienced many things during arrangements and stay at Tirumala with Thatha, out of which two are: 1) Live Kalyanotsavam darshan for 7 of us with different seva tickets; 2) Extreme brightness in main God at Tirumala when I had darshan with Thatha. When I said about extreme brightness to Thatha, he said it is the inherent power of that God, which i could see during darshan with Thatha.

One most interesting thing that happened while in Thirupathi: as soon as we came out after having darshan of Lord Venkateswara, after collecting free Prasad, starting from that place up to the Annadana Chatram where we had our lunch,  we went playing the Train game! First, devotee called Sendhil was there. Thatha was holding his two hands on both sides of his shoulders respectively. Behind Thatha, all of us followed the same way. We were all feeling happy remembering our childhood days and none was worried about others. Enjoyed train game called Thatha’s Joy Train in Thirupathi! Thatha said Lord Venkateswara was in a very happy mood and He was showering His blessings on all of us and on those for whom all Thatha prayed!

Narayan Devotee: Here is a spiritual interpretation of the Thirupathi joy train:

ना  त रुम  हमे  जानो , ना  हम   तरुमहे   जाने   Neither You  know   me, nor I know you. I as a shadow do not know You. How can You as Light know me!

म्ग र  ल ्ग ता  ह ै  क रु  छ  ऐसा , मे रा  हमद म  म म ल  ्ग य ा  Ho we ver, I feel as if I have got my beloved. However, when I wonder on source of this shadow, I can’t find You, but can infer by feeling that You are the most Loving to whom I owe my very existence.

ये मौसम  ये रात  च रुप है  वो  होठों  की  बात  च रुप  है  This weather and this night is silent. Speeches from those lips are also silent. I am so engrossed with You my beloved that I am neither

affected by weather of circumstances nor by environment, being screened off as in sleep during night time. All self-talk has stopped as there is no blabbering of lips of all these shadow characters around me.

खामोशी स रुनाने  ल्गी  है  दासतााँ  Only silence has made me listen this story. The resulting deep silence only has made me realize this amazing Love story of ours, as I can hear Your voice

(Aum) and feel Your embrace (Presence).

नजर  बन्गयी  है  ददल  की   जबां   And this glance of mine  has become uttering of my heart. And this special quest of mine for You had made me realize that my Heart is in constant communion with You.

मोहबब त  क े   मोड़  प े  ह म  मम ले  सबको  छोड़क े   हम  I n the turn of road of Love we met after I left all others.

Only after I left company of all other shadows and am single-mindedly attentive to You at this turn of my life, we met.

िड़क ते    द दलों    क ा   ल े के     य े   कारव ा ाँ   With a shi vering heart taking a procession of shivers. How we met? Because I could feel vibrations of my heart now as my body, senses and mind are still. And I can realize that these ripples in my  heart are caused by You.

चले आज दोनों जाने  कहा  Where do we both go today!  What an irony! There is no me. It is You only dancing all the while. So where is the question of both, where is the question of time, where is the question of place and where is the question of going? I can’t even say that I merged with You as there was no separation ever. I can’t even say that I love You as this Oneness sans You and me is Love! The song has eternity in it.

Subhashini: This was also my different kinds of experience whenever I visited any temple alone and then with Thatha. Vast difference could be felt if we are alert. I felt very happy when I saw how Thatha was blessing Mr Sendil in different ways directly and indirectly. Mr. Sendhil said, “How tensed we were the previous night about having darshan along with Thatha! How easily and simply Thatha blessed all of us to have joint darshan! Such a big miracle that TTD employees were wonder- struck! Also I cannot forget our Thirumala Train. I am still sensing

Thatha’s both hands on my shoulders. I stayed just below Thatha’s room and felt continuous flow of blessings and energy.”

Finally, before leaving Thirupathi, Thatha blessed a lawyer. Within next two days when we were in Chennai, received info that he was specially honoured for his services as lawyer for 25 years, which was sudden and totally unexpected. Now he telephones me frequently to come and meet Thatha again since he feels that the recognition was a big relief to him when he was frustrated and dejected. Thatha has transmitted sufficient energy to Sendhil to manage the stress in shouldering such a big official responsibility along with family! He said: I am energized so much by Thatha which is making me think and aim to take more responsibility. You can imagine how much energy transmission happens when we are with Thatha.”

It was 3 p.m. by when we finished everything and decided to start around 4 p.m. Sheela, who arranged for darshan, came to see Thatha. Thatha enquired about her family. She works as superintendent of a hospital. Her husband is an executive officer in TTD. He is also involved in Brahma Kumaris Samaj. Their son was studying in a medical college in Pondicherry. Thatha wanted to visit them in their house and bless the family, especially their son. Finally, Thatha adopted their family as one among his one crore families. Then we visited one more house and had dinner with them. Thatha discussed their problems and helped them. When we were about to leave for Chennai at 9-30 p.m. and got into the car also, suddenly husband of one lady who was in that house came. Again she took Thatha inside their house to bless him. Thatha met him also and blessed him. After fifteen minutes, finally we left for Chennai on 16th night and reached Chennai after 4 hours of journey.

There, one family of three grown up boys and a girl   was waiting to meet Thatha. Morning session started around 7 a.m. and went up to 1 p.m. We had lunch and left for attending an engagement function which was to start around 6 p.m. Thatha was the first to go to that place and clean up the energy and vibrations of that place. In the presence of Thatha, the function took place very well, attended by few devotees of Chennai. There one very unexpected thing happened. One couple came to meet Thatha. They insisted that Thatha should visit their house in Perambur, solve their problems and waited for Thatha till 10-30 p.m. Only after getting assurance from Thatha that he will certainly visit them the next day, they left. By the time we could accompany the boy-side team to their house and reach the place where we wanted  to stay,  it was  11.30 p.m.

Parents of that family had come from Walajabad and were waiting to meet Thatha. Thatha continued discussions with them till 2 a.m. Again session started around 6 AM, after a little break. More devotees joined and the session went up to 1-30 p.m. By the time we had lunch that couple had already come to take Thatha with them to their place. We had to cancel another important visit to cure a devotee. Car and driver got arranged without our efforts and we started for Perambur. On the way, I asked that lady how she came to know about Thatha. We were surprised to hear her answer that she and her husband met our Thatha in Hosur bus stand two and half months back. According to our understanding, Thatha was staying in Kovilpatti at that time. So we were wondering how this could have happened! Usually when Thatha is in Bengaluru, we do not normally allow him to travel by bus. Then that lady started telling that they like running after Siddhars.

That is their main job. One siddha told them that one Thatha will come in their life and after that all their problems will get solved. That is why they went and prostrated before Thatha when they met him in Hosur bus stand. It seems Thatha also gave them a contact number. That is how they came to meet him in that function.

While talking about various Siddhars, that lady spoke about a Siddhar near her house. There he was sitting. Immediately we stopped the car to meet that Siddhar. Thatha also accompanied us. That Siddhar looked like a mad person, clothes full of dust, sitting in a platform using some card board box sheets for bed and talking all the time, mostly in Hindi, looking at space.  We could not understand everything. Few words whispered by him were OK for us to understand. He blessed us all by looking through our eyes, touching our head and hands etc. For about 45 minutes, Thatha was just standing in front of him with folded hands and closed eyes. What transpired between them we do not know. I gave one orange fruit to that Siddhar which he energized and gave back to me. Then I peeled it and started feeding that Siddhar, since he was looking very aged. He gladly opened his mouth and accepted it and started giving more love calling me his daughter. He accepted fruit from one more lady but refused to take from another person in our group. Not only that, he went and vomited it out when he was fed against his decision. Then, again and again, he blessed us. We offered some dakshina. He took it. Then we left that place to attend to our work. Thatha spent nearly 3 to 4 hours with that family to give patient hearing to all their problems and to bless them. Finally, Thatha also agreed to eat dinner with them to save that family from a very big problem. By that time the devotee who helped that family to meet Thatha also joined us. He said  that he does not know them. To our surprise, that lady offered supari powder to Thatha even though she was meeting him for the first time. When asked how did she know, she said that she had gathered information about him. Started wondering at everything that was happening being stunned at the turn of events!

Again after return, the session with Walajabad family continued up to 11-30 PM, and resumed at 6 a.m. Thatha did not sleep the whole night. He was sitting with lights on. Some more people came to meet Thatha. After meeting them, he visited the house of a devotee. There, one Srividya Upasakar came to meet Thatha. The hug exchanged between them was very emotional and continued for long. That man looked bright with his Upasana. He said that he was advised by Divine Mother to meet Thatha and came to meet Thatha. He said that he also knew about his past three lives’ connection with Thatha.

After lunch we left for Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam, enroute Thiruvannamalai--Thirukkovilur. On the way, we visited house of another devotee. There were problems about getting accommodation for ten people which somehow got sorted out. We had wonderful darshan and dinner. Wonderful! Such is Grace of Gods and Gurus when they see their dearest person. Our Thatha, the great! Thatha will explain the light on the floor. Thatha, after seeing that photo, said that there was no further proof for grace of Swami Gnanananda which he could see and feel as if dancing everywhere in Thapovanam. Dhothi and upper cloth (angavasthram) worn by Narayan Devotee in the Padapuja photo of Thapovanam is again blessings of Thatha to Narayan Devotee. Narayan Devotee was in need of the same to do Paadhapuja in Thapovanam. Thatha had received one

new set of clothes from a devotee in Chennai just before leaving for Thapovanam. Thatha told to give it to Narayan Devotee since that will be a big blessing to that devotee than being worn by Thatha! Look at his magnanimity! Narayan Devotee came to return it. Thatha said he should use it. Such a great blessing for Narayan Devotee from Thatha Gnana Babaji and Swami Gnanananda at a time, accompanied by Adhisankara also since one pair of Padukas were of Adhisankara kept in Padapuja. Usually when Swamy Gnananandagiri was operating through his physical body, he used to encourage devotees to do Padapuja and through that he used to bless devotees and fulfill their wishes. Business people used to do it without fail so that their business would run smoothly.

Thatha says we have to accept and take whatever Narayan Devotee says since he is Gnani and there will be meaning in whatever he says. Thapovanam office could not accommodate us for two days. So we had to leave Thapovanam in one day or even less than that, after completing all pujas including Thulabharam of Gnaneshwar. There was no room available due to Sani Pradosham and Girivalam. Thatha solved this problem very quickly and easily through a devotee whom he had met in Chennai for the first time. Over a phone call, the problem got solved. Our 10-member party left Thapovanam to Thiruvannamalai around 1 PM right in time for Sani Pradosham. We visited Adhirangam on our way from Thapovanam to Thiruvannamalai and had wonderful darshan. When we were sitting with Thatha in that temple after darshan, Thatha said: As requested by me to come out to outside space after taking break from seva of his consorts who were pressing his legs, Lord Ranganatha has come out and He was with us. We can ask Him for whatever we want.

At Thiruvannamalai, we got wonderful accommodation of two suites with two bedrooms and a hall in each, one room in each suite fully air-conditioned. Such was the Grace of Annamalaiyar to welcome our group led by Thatha. All at a nominal cost of Rs.400/- only per head for one day! Thatha immediately went (pretended?!) to sleep. After half an hour he woke up and said he had spoken to Annamalaiyar and informed Him about his arrival with ten children. It seems Annamalaiyar asked Thatha why only ten, why not more! Nothing to worry. All will get darshan and blessings also. Thatha asked us to get ready to go to temple. But as we were too tired and hungry, after some rest and refreshment, we started  around

5 p.m. Since the temple was close to the place where we stayed, Thatha and three more senior citizens went by car and others walked down. Arrangement was that we would all meet at main entrance and go together for darshan. But the crowd was so much that we got divided. After waiting for the people who walked for a long time near Kambathu Ilaiyanar, we finally decided to move in after 15 minutes. We managed to go into the sea of people and find a suitable location to watch the Pradosham Puja which was going on in a grand style to the big Nandi in the front side of the temple. We sat comfortably and witnessed the entire Puja since there was no chance for us to move in. In the open space sitting in the midst of thousands of people, we saw Abhishekam, Alankaram and Karpura deepam along with our great Thatha on a Sani Pradosham day at Thiruvannamalai! What a wonderful gift! Even if we plan meticulously, it is very difficult to get something like this. But it all happened without planning and that also unexpectedly, by the blessings and grace of Thatha.

Sripada Srivallabha has praised witnessing Sani Pradhosham in a very big way. The good effects of witnessing it as in his Charithamrutha were coming to memory. My joy knew no bounds. Expressed sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all gods and gurus especially our Thatha the great! After Arathi was over, our missing members came in search of us to inform how they were also blessed with darshan of Annamalaiyar and Abhithakuchambal. Due to Pradosham, entire crowd was witnessing Puja to Nandikeswara. So they found it very easy to go in and have darshan. Thatha, my mother, Indrani and I were blessed with Pradosham Puja in open space and all others went inside and had darshan of main deities. When I asked Thatha how to go in and have darshan in the midst of huge crowd of devotees, Thatha said: Darshan over. That is all. You have seen open space and Karpoora Jyothi. What more you want! But somehow, I was a little disappointed with this reply, but left the temple as advised by Thatha. That night, I had chat with Thatha for a long time with the plan to visit temple again early morning before the crowd starts coming. Next morning again the plan got delayed. Four of us including Thatha who could not have darshan and one more girl, went to temple around 7-30 a.m. Crowd was less. When we stood in the queue for tickets for special darshan, suddenly from somewhere one priest came and asked all of us to go in without any ticket! We all went inside. When we were at just three-feet distance from Sanctum Sanctorum, Abhishekam started. We had to wait for Annamalaiyar to get ready to meet Thatha. After fifteen minutes, we were allowed to go inside Sanctum Sanctorum. We could stand inside very close to Annamalaiyar for more than five minutes. Then we went out after receiving vibhuthi prasad. Next we went to see Unnamulai Ammal. There also, the same thing happened.

Amma also wanted to have bath (abhishekam), get dressed up to receive son Thatha. One priest was kind enough to tell us to wait nearby. He said that he will call us, help us to have good darshan with Archana. We went and sat nearby. Abhishekam and Alankaram were over in 15 minutes. We were called and allowed to go inside Sanctum Sanctorum. We were asked to sit there. Thatha was sitting just in front of Goddess as if she was waiting for a long time to see Thatha. We had wonderful darshan and kumkum prasad. When we finished our darshan, it was 9 AM. Since Girivalam was there, we wanted to get out of the place before they started traffic diversions. We were in hurry to vacate and leave for Bengaluru after visiting Ramana Ashram and Seshadri Swamigal Ashram on our way.

There a test started for us. Suddenly, one old devotee of Thatha, came in a two wheeler just when we were about to reach our guest house. As soon as she saw Thatha sitting in the front seat next to driver, she dropped her two-wheeler and came running towards him. She started crying so loudly complaining about her health and other problems. Repeatedly, she was requesting Thatha to stay back with her. Thatha also became emotional. Somehow took Thatha to the guest house. After reaching there, she informed Thatha that her friend who was blessed by Thatha to get married is getting engaged. She is going and Thatha should go with him to bless them. I somehow felt, if I allow Thatha to go with her, we may not get him back to Bengaluru! That lady tried her best to take Thatha with her, but I gave lots of excuses like that house is in a narrow road in which car cannot go, that house is very small, etc. I told her and Thatha that I am not ready to part with him. I will go with him at any cost. We can walk down also. Then Thatha also informed that lady that I will go with him. Thatha at the same time made  it clear to me once again that no one can control him. He is at liberty to do whatever he feels like doing. I had to only listen to everything patiently and obediently. Three of us went and Thatha blessed that girl and boy who were getting engaged. Then we returned to the guest house. Again the kidnapping drama continued. That lady devotee as usual used her tears as weapon to take away Thatha with her. Our Gnaneshwar was keenly observing all this. He went near that lady to console her since she was crying! Thatha said that he would stay back that night. I requested Thatha to accompany us in our return trip also since the child was there and we had just finished his thulabaram, and that it was not fair on his part to stay back like that. In the meantime, introduced all members and explained that we need to get out of the place and headlights in one car not working etc. But that lady was not at all willing to hear even. Thatha also explained to her. Finally, what we all could not do, our Gnaneshwar did. He went and started playing with that lady so lovingly that she finally got convinced and left the place with her husband!

Like this in Chennai also many have tried to take away Thatha. I had to remain alert all the time. Then around 11 a.m. we went to Ramanashramam. Thatha told Srivathsa while entering inside just in front of sitting Ramana’s statue that he is handing over responsibility of guiding him to Ramana. Thereafter, he would be guided by Ramana. After a brief visit, Thatha and myself went with two ladies of the group to help them to go back to Chennai. Other members meditated and all were waiting for us to return. Then we went to Seshadri Swamigal ashram. Priest was kind enough to perform puja for us. He blessed our Gnaneshwar with a murukku from Adhishtanam of Seshadri Swamigal. After lunch, we left Thiruvannamalai.

We reached Bengaluru around 7 p.m. on 21st evening. Thus ended our wonderful and ever memorable trip of seven days with Thatha which started with the Lord of seven hills!

Thatha says: For any life force to remain inside a body, it needs connection with something. Even Rishis are not exception to this. That is divinity. That Divine presence we get to see and receive from Thatha.

To Pithapuram to Attend an Exigency

On receiving information that Peetadhipathi of Sripada Srivallabha Samsthanam in Pithapuram was serious and suffering from health problems, Thatha, myself and one couple with their daughter, who booked our tickets to go to Pithapuram, went by Prasanthi express and reached Pithapuram in the morning. We were given rooms above office premises. We took bath and went to see Sri Ramaswamygaru, Peetadhipathi of Sripada Srivallabha Samsthanam. He is an ardent disciple of Sridhara Swamigal.

Earlier, he was at Sajjangad in Sagar district doing service. He was ordained to establish the Samsthanam in Pithapuram by his Guru Sridhara Swamigal. He was not willing to come to Andhra since he never lived there and also because of language problem. But he was brought by his Guru for the job, it seems. In his own words he said: ‘Odhdhante, juttu pattukoni laku ochadu’. Means, his Guru dragged him to Pithapuram holding his hair against his will. He came and searched for the place where Sripada Srivallaba was born and brought up. While digging, they could even find certain used items like danda, kamandala etc. This place which was unknown, has now become biggest tourist center for all devotees of Lord Dattatreya. With the  hard and tireless service of Sri Ramaswamygaru, this place has grown and growing fast.

So Thatha decided to give life extension to Ramaswamygaru. Thatha said that his service was required for humanity. He was in a very bad state, unable to get up from bed also and totally weak and bedridden. He was suffering from severe cough, cold and kapha. Due to asthma, he was experiencing breathing problems. The meeting of the two, our Thatha with Ramaswamygaru is something special. It cannot be described in words. Thatha assured him again and again that he will be alright. He will be able to start walking and go walking to nearby temple and alsosit for all programs planned for his birthday. He also became more enthusiastic. Next day morning our Thatha did the miracle by givingRamaswamygaru a life extension. I was eyewitness. He gained good health, started walking andinsisted that Thatha should eat with him only and he gave lot of love and respect to Thatha. Veryquickly, he regained good health that he was in a position to walk up to the temple and sit there for homa and other programs. He was very happy. He insisted that he will only take Thatha to various local temples. Next day, he took us in his special vehicle given to him for his road journeys, vehicle having bed to lie down, work or watch TV, toilet etc. It was gifted to him by devotees. (Recently, Sri Ramaswamygaru attained Samadhi, after celebrating his completion of 100 years).

Everywhere, we could see VIP treatment when they saw Ramaswamygaru and had special darshan and Pujas. We visited Kukkudeswar temple and Kunthi Madav Temple. Pithapuram is also called Padagaya kshetra. Padagaya kshetram is one among three places where one can perform rituals for pithrus (forefathers). It is the place where Gayasura was killed by Thrimurthis (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). Though an asura, he  was so good that he became eligible for the post of Indra. Indra could not leave his post. So he went to Thrimurthis and requested them to do something. But they said that Gayasura has lot of punya in his account. But somehow Indra convinced them. They came to Pithapuram to meet Gayasura in the form of three sanyasis. They requested him to allow them to perform yagnya . Gayasura readily agreed. But they demanded for such a place that Gayasura had to agree to permit yagnya on his body assuring them that he will be still for 48 days till such time they complete yagnya . So 48th day came. He was lying still. No way to kill him. As usual, Vishnu tells Siva to take form as a rooster and start crowing. Shiva did so. Thinking that 48 days are over, Gayasura slightly moved. Immediately he was killed. His body fell in three places: His head in Gaya in Bihar, body in Orissa and feet in Pithapuram. Gayasura then asked “Is it fair?” He was told that he will be worshipped by all to liberate their pithrus. He will be doing good to humanity which is a bigger boon. Since Shiva acted like a rooster,   He was called Kukkudeswar. His consort is also one among 18 shakthis . Ramaswamygaru became so attached to Thatha. He was repeatedly requesting Thatha to stay back, or at least keep visiting him frequently.

Visit to Thuthukudi, Velvarkottai, Dindigul, Palani

Thatha evinced interest to set up a solar power project. We started collecting lot of information. Thatha has land in his native place. So a team of four from Bengaluru went to Thuthukudi first. There the devotees showed some places. In a particular place, we had to walk a lot and climb up a hill and on the other side of the hill there was the place. Thatha and few more quickly  walked and climbed up and went. I had to give up by the time I became tired. After nearly an hour, they all came back. Then I joined. But Thatha was suffering from lower back pain at night. Out of anxiety, Thuthukudi devotees managed to give him an injection. Both Thatha and I were silent spectators to what they were doing. Thatha said ‘If they want to play with my body let them do so’.

Next day, we went to Velvarkottai, near Dindigul in Madurai district, the birth place of Thatha. There first Thatha took us to his house where he was born, which was a corner plot. It was in a very bad state and fully neglected. Trees and plants had grown. When Thatha spoke to me recollecting his childhood days there, Thatha became very emotional and I was feeling very bad indeed, to see that place which needs to be treated royally instead of lying like that. I requested Thatha to permit us to create a memorial there. Thatha agreed. Let us see what we can do. There is also a wish to keep all things used by him there and make it a pilgrim center for present and future generations. But Thatha only can make it happen. Only time will give answer. It is extremely difficult to come across such a great saintly person leading a simple and humble life, helping humanity in a big way, still without any advertisement and publicity. I was not able to control myself on what he said about his last moments: “That day the money required for my own funeral expenses and last rites and instructions will be there in my pocket. There will be people speaking different languages and from different cultures all over the world. People from 156 countries may participate. You will be in the front row. That day only you all will come to know about me and who am I?” I started crying. He also told, “Anyone who places his wish in that place on a new moon or full moon day and prays for  24 hours will get his wish fulfilled”. I said I do not want to be there to witness such an event rather would like to leave my body either just before or immediately on hearing about it. Then he consoled me by telling “You and Me are one. We can never get separated!” Such a high Philosophy! When the One has come as many, where is the question of separation? Same thing I have heard from Divine forces. I started wondering how same words are coming from Thatha also. 

Waiting in Palani Temple after taking Darshan for winch to go down

Then we went to see the land. The car stopped. Thatha was pretending as if he does not know. Thatha’s eldest son was with us. He was unable to identify. Then a farmer came from the opposite side seeing our car. He asked us whether we were looking for the land of salt merchant. Thatha’s father was salt merchant. When we said yes, he said that we were standing on that land only! He had grown some shrubs there. Scientists