Pujya Sri Mahaswamy Divya Charitram Part#58

 

12. From ThiruKutralam to Chengelput

Swamigal visited the holy places in Tirunelveli district, had a holy bath at the birth place of the river Tamirabarani at Bana Theertham on the nineth of June. He left for Kanyakumari via Nagercoil and had darshan of Kanyakumari Ambal on the seventeenth of June, stayed there for two days and had a holy dip in the ocean. He traveled via Nanguneri, Thirunelveli, Koilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar and reached Thiruvedagam.

Vyasa Puja at Thiruvedagam

Thiruvedagam is a holy place situated about five kilometers from Cholavandan, in the banks of the river Vaigai. This place is known for having been sung about by Thirugnanasambandar. When Gnanasambandar debated with the Jain scholars in
Madurai, they wrote a padigam ( poem) called “Vazhga Andhanar” in tablets and set it to
float on the river Vaigai. In reply, Gnanasambandar composed a padigam called
“Vanniyum Mathamum” and set it float and this Edu (Tablet) reached the shore first at a place and hence that place was called Thiruvedagam. The puranas mention a minister named Kulachiraiyar who followed the edu on horseback to the place where it reached shore, marked the land and brought the tablet back. It is noticeable that the main deity is in the form of an edu. Behind the temple, the river Vaigi flows towards the south. As this place was set in a surrounding that was conducive to our Swamigal’s meditation, he chose to spend two month of Chaturmasya vratha in the cyclic year of Vibhava (1928) at Thiruvedagam. Arrangements for his stay were coordinated by local Congress leader, Mattaparai Venkatarama Iyer, residents of the agraharam at Cholavandan and people from surrounding villages. Mysore Maharaja donated a female elephant to our Swamigal during his stay here. Mazhavarayanendal Subbarama Bhagavathar, hailing from a famous musical family performed in the presence of our Swamigal here. Swamigal praised his musical scholarship and honored him with peethambaram and other gifts.

Sir Tej Bahadur Sabru

Swamigal stayed at Madurai for a week after completion of the Chaturmasya vratha. During this stay, Sir Tej Bahadur Sabru, considered one of the top most legal minds of our country, had darshan of our Swamigal. There was a lot of confusion in the country as Gandhiji and other political leaders were put in prison. Sabru was trying to bring all political parties together in a conference and also consult with the government to bring peace. He explained in detail to our Swamigal, the efforts taken by him during the current political turmoil. Swamigal appreciated Sabru’s efforts and said it was his wish too that there be peace in the country and the people are benefited finally.

Swamigal left Madurai for Vathalagundu, Periyakulam, Theni, Chinnamanur and reached Ammayyanayakanur for Navarathri celebrations.