Greatness of Kanchi Mahaswami - 2.

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2-The Astrologer Who Astonished the Arcot Nawab!

 

As told by the author:

 

It is several years since the incident I have narrated here happened.

At that time, my father P.M. Nataraja Sarma was working as a Sanskrit

teacher in the Bishop Heber College, Trichy. He had immense bhakti

and respect in Kanchi Mahaswami Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati.

 

Nattham village is located on the north bank of Kaveri in Trichy

district. Once, Mahaswami was camping there. My father wanted to have

darshan of Mahaswami, who was performing puja of Sri Tripura Sundari-

Sri Chandra Mouleeswararar. With three days coming up as holidays, he

reached Nattham village on Friday night. The puja was over. Since

nobody knew my father there, he was not specifically welcomed.

Wearing the vibhuti prasadam given by Mahaswami on his front, he lay

down to sleep in a corner of the pandal. The next two days passed by

in the same manner. My father had an eyeful darshan of pujas and the

araadhanas.

 

The third day was the Vinayaka Chaturti festival day. After the

special puja was over, my father went to get the prasadam from

Swamiji and told him about going back home. Swamiji raised his head

and said, " First take the kozhukkattai (modakam) (a favourite sweet

dish of Sri Ganesha) kept in front of Pillaiyar, sit somewhere, eat

it leisurely and then come back; we shall discuss about your

returning home. "

 

My father was amazed. He wanted to take leave but Swamiji asked him

to first eat the kozhukkattai and come back! After he ate the

prasadam, Swamiji called him. Periyavaa was very happy to learn that

my father was the paternal grandson of Pudukkudi Srinivasa Josyar

(astrologer). Swamiji reminisced about his grandfather and the

incidents that happened at that time. My father was quite surprised!

Swamiji continued: " Your grandfather went to Malayala Desam and

learnt Jyotisha systematically. He also took up the upasana of

devatas (chanting mantras on demigods). It was an interesting

incident how he became an astrologer of Arcot Nawab. At that time,

Tiruchirapalli was under the rule of Arcot Nawab. The Nawab had many

astrologers. One day the Nawab ordered all the astrologers residing

in his region, including those with him to come to his kaccheri

(sabha). Many new astrologers assembled. Your grandfather was one

among those present.

 

" After the Nawab came to the kaccheri, the Diwan got up and told to

the astrologers: 'Nawab is organizing a competition for you people.

You should all write down in a piece of palm leaf the name of the

gate on the fort wall through which Nawab will go out for hunting

today, put it inside a (palm) cover and give it to us. All the palm

covers will be sealed and preserved. When Nawab returns, the seals

will be broken and the leaves will be read out. Nawab will honour the

man who has given the correct answer.' So every astrologer noted down

as east or south or west or north as the gate according to his

computation and submitted his cover.

 

" Ultimately, on that day, the Nawab did not go out of any primary

gate. He demolished the north wall of the west gate (the northern

petrol bunk side of today's Main Guard Gate) and got out, travelled

some distance towards Woraiyur on the west, then turned north and

went up to the Kaveri bank. Then he turned south and moved through

the demolished entrance in the North Andar Street (today's name is

Puduppadi Lane) to the northern street of Rockfort. Then he turned

east and came to the East Andar Street via the slanted rocky path. He

came round the Rock from the right and reached his kaccheri which was

at today's Town Hall through the Chinnakkadai Street. He did not go

for hunting at all. After the Nawab returned, the seals were broken

the palm leaves were read out. Only your grandfather's leaf had

mentioned about the Nawab's activities accurately. The Nawab was

amazed. The others in the kaccheri also were wonder-struck.

" Thereafter, the Nawab legally gifted your father 80 acres of land in

Pudukkudi. In the street south of the Rockfort, there is a black

temple on the western side. Near that temple is a tall house with an

iron gate. Opposite that house is a small house with thinnai (sit

out). The Nawab also gave these two houses. Your grandfather spent

gradually all the 80 acres of land and the two houses near the

Rockfort for dharmic activities. "

 

With this reminiscence, Mahaswami blessed my father and bid him

farewell. My father used to recite this incident to me often and feel

proud about it.

Author: Sri P.N. Sankara Raman, Kambarasampettai

Source: Sakthi Vikatan issue dated Jul 24, 2006