Pujya Sri Mahaswamy Divya Charitram Part#47

 

Interview to Raja Sir. Annamalai Chettiar

Swamigal’s visit to Kanadukathan on 2nd February, 1926 at the request of local nagarathar was mentioned earlier. S.R.M.A. Annamalai Chettiar, who was on an official trip to Delhi, cut short his trip and rushed to his native place, Kanadukatan, in order to be there during Swamigal’s visit. Annamalai Chettiar met with Swamigal and conveyed his appreciation of his long yatra which was very beneficial to the people. Such a long yatra was not undertaken by any religious leader and other religious leaders should follow his lead and conduct intensive campaigns to promote faith in God. His darshan was enough to convert any atheist to have belief in God. He also conveyed his concern about the economic decline of Brahmin families and believed that it was attributable to the dowry system. He was prepared to fund and assist any campaign that Swamigal would take to discourage the dowry system. He was also concerned that the Brahmin community showed more interest in western culture than other communities did, but other communities followed the practices of Brahmins and were unnecessarily increasing their
worldly expenses. He wanted to find out ways to change these trends in society.

Swamigal listened to Chettiar carefully and agreed that he was equally concerned with all these matters. He felt that evils were penetrating society in a manner similar to poison slowly penetrating the body. Swamigal agreed to involve Chettiar and get his help when needed.