Our Beloved Yogaswami
As we learned yesterday, this year marks the 60th since Yogaswami took his Great Departure on March 20, 1964. We opened The Guru Chronicles to visit that day and other moments in his remarkable life:
One morning a man came to share his life's sorrows with Swami, complaining that he had several daughters and could not afford the dowries that would be required to get them married. Now one had received a pro-posal. Wordless, Yogaswami reached into his veshti (into that hip pocket that is really just the cloth folded in upon itself) and handed the man ten thousand rupees for the dowry. Other fathers he told not to worry, that men would marry their daughters based on their merits. Invariably, it came to be. S. Shanmugasundaram recounts how Swami once called upon other devotees to assist a man with his daughter's dowry:
"Yogaswami's heart was full of love and compassion for everyone. Whether he smiles at you or scorns you, whether he embraces you or kicks you, every act of his is an act of love and grace. Without any outward show, he would shower so much compassion on all beings. The care and concern he had for those in need was immeasurable. He never disappointed any sincere devotee who approached him with a problem.
One fine morning, Yogaswami was seated in his hut with two devotees in front of him. He was chatting on various topics. An old man came there and stood outside the hut. Swami summoned him inside and asked, "How is everything going with you?" Without uttering a word in reply, the man broke down crying and sobbed for two or three minutes.
"Then Swami spoke, "Don't worry. Siva will show you a way out of your difculties. You may now go home in peace." The man left as directed and Swami addressed the two devotees who remained, "He is a good-hearted man. He is experiencing some difculty in giving his daughter in marriage. She is 26 years old, and a cousin of hers is willing to marry her if the father will at least provide her with the minimum jewelry. Why don't one of you help him?"
Immediately A. Thillyampalam offered to do the needful. Excusing himself, he ran after the man and got his name and address. The next day he went to his house and presented him with a gift of Rs. 5,000. The man was overjoyed. Without any delay, he got all the necessary jewelry made and gave the daughter in marriage.
5 Responses to “Our Beloved Yogaswami”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
March 23rd, 2024 at 7:32 am
Lovely to get a glimpse of Yogaswami’s life. Thank you! Aum Shanti
March 23rd, 2024 at 5:09 pm
“AUM”!.
March 24th, 2024 at 5:18 am
Aum Namasivayam 🙏🙏🙏
March 24th, 2024 at 11:36 pm
Aum Namasivaya!
Aum! Jai Yogaswami! Jai Gurudeva!
Aum!Vanakkam to All Sivathondars!
My beloved Father Late Mr.A.Thillaiampalam was a very Sincere
Devotee, of His Guru Yogaswami for many Years and performed many Sincere SIVATHONDUS ,
in his Lifetime, on the instructions of his GURU, based on principle,
SINCERE SIVATHONDU IN SILENCE!. This was endorsed by Thavathiru Markandu Swami,
of Kaithaddy, Jaffna (Yogaswami’s immediate Disciple for many years!),
in person , on the day my beloved Father attained the Lotus Feet of Sri Nadaraja Peruman.!
Aum Siva, Siva! Aum Shanthi!
Mikka Nanri (Thanks),
Anpudan, (With Love),
Siva,
(T.Sivayogapathy).
March 27th, 2024 at 4:24 am
Engal Guru Nathan ! Thanga Guru Nathan !
Gurudeva-vai thanga Guru Nathan !
Guruvey Charanam ! 💐🙏🏼🙇🏻