There is a prevailing notion: The peaceniks are idiots. The
demonstrators are intelligent. What to do? Respect is earned by yelling,
shouting, proclamation and advertisement. Leaving it aside, apart from
rendering help to others, “What did I do? God helped them through me. It
is their luck, I served them as the instrument of God. What do I have?”
If such a person steps aside with peace in his heart, the world of
demonstrators looks at that Jñāṉi with contempt. 1
The strategy of the Mantra-meister in inviting Swamy is of that nature
(contempt). 2
A huge round mark of sandalwood paste on the forehead, an overlay of
blood-red kumkum application covering three-quarters of it, red flower
garland around the neck, the waist wrapped with a red silk cloth, and
red piercing eyes: This appearance of the Mantravāthi made people shake
and shiver. 3
Soon, Srīswāmigaḷ arrived at the scene: Shiny ochre clothes; a hand-held
staff; earrings; Gopi Sandalwood paste Vaishnava mark on the forehead;
Rudrākṣa beads garland around the neck and lotus-seed garland. He had a
noble bearing, modesty, and humility. The people stood up, opposed their
palms in homage, received his blessings, and sat down upon his orders
after Srīswāmigaḷ sat down. 4
The Mantravāthi got up with a grand flourish. Looking at Srīswāmigaḷ, he
cautioned him, “Swāmigaḷ! No competitor of mine went home alive. There
is no connection between the recluse and my Viddhai. Do not lose your
life. Nothing has yet transpired. Give me in writing that I won and get
out of here to live again.” 5
His appearance, voice, flourish, and gamesmanship impressed the
audience. As the showers come after the thunderbolts, Swāmigaḷ spoke
with compassion. 6
“No one needs to fear! You will see my Swamy Srīmūlarāmar protect and
safeguard me before your eyes. To establish the greatness of
Srīmūlarāmar, I accepted this challenge.” He turned to the Mantravāthi
and announced that the competition can begin. 7
Mantravāthi loudly enunciated his Mantras, placed seven rings on the
floor with a lemon at the center. He sprinkled kumkum on and under the
lemon. Everyone in the audience was looking at him with great fear. 8
Mantravāthi: Swāmigaḷ! Enter these rings and take the lemon. I am
warning you now. As soon as you enter the first ring, you will
experience a fiery downpour. You will be ash. If you are alive after
that and enter the second ring, black snakes will assault you. If you
escape it, spears will angrily attack you. After you traverse each
circular ring and pick the lemon, your story will end.” Such was his
loud proclamation of the end of Swamy’s life. 9
Those who were familiar with the Mantravāthi were on tenterhooks.
Srīswāmigaḷ with calmness turned towards his disciples. Swāmigaḷ called
one of his disciples Bhīmasēṉaṉ and sprinkled the water from the
Kamaṇḍalam on him and told him, “Appā! There is no need for fear. Our
Swamy is here I am here. No danger will befall you. You go get the
lemon.” 10
The disciple paid homage to Gurunātha Swāmigaḷ, receiving his blessings.
He entered the first ring. The next moment a fiery shower fell on the
disciple. Swāmigaḷ saw it, and the fiery rain changed into a cool shower
of Sandalwood paste cooling the disciple. The heart, mind, and soul of
the disciple and the onlookers were cool. Mantravāthi’s face shrunk like
a punctured balloon. The disciple entered the next ring. A tangle of
innumerable black snakes came hissing at the disciple. Srīswāmigaḷ
looked at the sky, a cloud of Garuda birds came down, plucked all the
snakes and flew away into the blue sky. Not paying attention to all the
happenings around him, the disciple entered the third ring with his
thoughts and acts concentrated on the job on hand. As he stepped into
the third ring, the spears came charging. 11
As SrīSwamigaḷ saw the spears, they changed into garlands and fell on
his neck. What next? The disciple went beyond all the seven rings,
picked up the lemon, ran towards Gurunāthar, placed the lemon at his
feet and prostrated before the Swāmigaḷ. 12
Recognizing the greatness of the Swāmigaḷ, the Mantravāthi ran towards
him, fell at his holy feet and sought forgiveness. Srīswāmigaḷ whispered
in his ears some good advice, blessed him, gave him plenty of gifts and
sent him on his way. 13
Srīvijayīnthirar excelled not only in education, inquiry, debate, arts,
and spirituality but also in compassion. He saved Madhva Siddhāntam from
eclipse. Srīvijayīnthirar was the foremost disciple of Srīviyāsarājar.
Srīrāgavēnthira Swāmigaḷ belongs to his apostolic succession. 14
Srīsrīvijayīnthirar’s Brindavanam is on the Kumbakonam Solaiappa Mudali
street. Let us get a Darśan of the Brindavanam and enjoy health and
wealth from his Divine Grace. 15
Divine Grace will flourish. |