Sri Lanka Innersearch Day 11: Markanduswami's Hut and Vedanta Madham
Off we went to Kaitatady where Yogaswami built a thatched hut for his disciple and commanded him to stay there. Markanduswami settled there at age 60 and in 1985 left his body at age 92. He never left the compound all those years.
We entered into the newly renovated hut, made the same size as the original but of fresh concrete and wood. Thondunatha told the story of how Gurudeva asked him to visit here weekly, which he did for 3-4 years.
Markanduswami lived a pure and austere life here, and kept the compound spotless, meditating, singing Natchintanai and receiving visitors. He would never speak from his own knowledge or experience. Instead, he held to the sadhana of saying only what Yogaswami said, nothing more.
We saw two book, old and dusty, in the room. Taking them down, we saw they were two editions of Natchintanai! Not only did he only speak his guru's words, he seems to have only read them as well.
We Visit the Vedanta Madam
Off we bussed to one of the important institutions of our lineage. Kadaitswami had a disciple they called Sargaent Swami (since he was of that rank in the Jaffna police). He founded this madam which follows the Tirumular interpretation of Vedanta.
We were greeted by the current swami, the seventh in their lineage. He spoke lovingly of Satguru Bodhinatha’s visits (2015 and now), and after Bodhinatha gave a brief discourse and vibuthi blessings to all gathered, swami fed all the Innersearchers, personally filling the monks’ banana leaves. So pure and humble a soul he is.
3 Responses to “Sri Lanka Innersearch Day 11: Markanduswami's Hut and Vedanta Madham”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
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March 2nd, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Aum Namasivaya!
Guruparampara Thiruvaddi Thunnai!
Vanakkam to all Sivathondars!
Further to the Holy Comments of all above, about Thavathiru Markandu Swami,
I am much humbled to mention here, about my experience with Markandu Swami.
He was affectionately known as “MOWNA MUNNI”! ( Mowna means in Tamil- SILENT
& Munni means SAINT.)!
– Yogaswami always used to say that,
“Markandu is my Compass”!
– During my student days , I have been to his Aashramam at Kaithaddy many times ,
on different occasions, either with Yogaswami & my beloved Father, or with Yogaswami
& at times with my beloved Father only!.
– Many times , Markandu Swami accompanied Yogaswami & visited Our Home “Thillai Vasa”,
at Sangarathai, Vaddukoddai; They had Lunch too, at our Home in many occasions!
– The most memorable Event was that, at the time my beloved Father was ailing badly
at Ratnam’s Nursing Home in Colombo, Sri Lanka, one fine day, on 24th March,1974,
Swami suddenly appeared at the Nursing Home early Morning. In fact, he arrived
Colombo on the same morning itself by Mail Train, just to see my father only!
This was his First Visit out side Jaffna Peninsula, from the time he was settled at Kaithaddy,
by Yogaswami!
He was just with Bare Body & Dhothi + Shawl only & with a slim cloth Bag (Gandhi Bag), on his shoulder,
walked into my Father’s Room at the Nursing Home, chanting “NATCHINTHANAI”,
very loudly & walked into the Washroom, for his “Morning Duties” ; He came out & applied Holy VIBUTHI
on his Forehead & applied the same on my Father’s Forehead too & had a cup of Tea.!
Then he started chanting Thevarams, Thiruvasagam & NATCHINTHANAI( He memorised by Heart in Full)
& kept on singing , till the evening (Just had Tea only , in between without taking any Lunch).
Around 05:00 p.m., a sincere devotee of Yogaswami came to the Hospital, to pick-up Markandu Swami
& to leave him at the Fort Railway Station.
At this juncture, Swami again applied Holy Vibuthi, on my Father’s Forehead , saluted my father
& said that,
“Prince! you did your Duty , with utmost Sincerity to your GURU YOGASWAMY
& led a Pure Life!”……GOOD BYE!!!
Then he Greeted my Mother too & walked out of the Room & proceeded for the return Journey
to Kaithaddy , on the same day itself!
The same day night , my Father passed away from this World to attain the Lotus Feet of Sri Nataraja Peruman (SIVAN)
& it was the same Date of the attainment of Mahasamdhi of YOGASWAMY, on 24th March,1964.!!!
From All above , We ALL realised that, Markandu Swami’s visit to Colombo, with the ONLY purpose
of visiting my Father was that, MARKANDU SWAMI WAS SENT AS HIS EMISSARY, by YOGASWAMI ,
to CONVEY HIS BLESSINGS, TO MY BELOVED FATHER Mr.A.THILLAIAMPALAM. Aum Siva, Siva!
Aum Shanthi!
Anpudan,
Sivathondan,
Thillaiampalam Sivayogapathy,
Toronto.
March 3rd, 2018 at 7:53 am
Thanks,
Aum Namah Shivay!
March 4th, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Mikka Nandri for Sharing.