Trek to Makali Durga

At the outset, I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham for everyone’s welfare and continued prosperity.

Trek to Makali Durga – 17th Dec-2011

Our passion for trekking is increasing by leaps and bounds and the team was raring to go for the next adventure. With such enthusiasm exhibited it was only a matter of time in identifying the next mountain to scale on the appointed date. We chose to scale Makali Durga as our next destination.



View of Makali Durga

Makali Durga is about 60 Kms from Bangalore. On top of the hills there is a dilapidated fort in ruins and a temple dedicated to Lord Basava ( Shiva). As always timing was on top of our agenda and all of us left Bangalore by 5:15 AM sharp and reached the village Makali Durga by 6:20 AM .

We parked our vehicles in a narrow stretch of mud road , about a kilometer away from the Makali Durga railway station.

Nature enticed us with a show of her majestic beauty. We saw the Sun rise, a huge orange ball of fire from the surrounding mountain ranges displaying the land beneath covered by fog, as a Milky ocean. It was awesome and worth the early starts.

Nature @ her majestic best - Sunrise in Makali durga village

We started our trek by 6:50 AM and crossed over the railway line and reached the base of the hills trek in quick earnest.



Our Team was On Track !!!

The Makali durga mountain is mostly made of granite rocks and the ascent was steady without much difficulties. Althrough the journey the view from the mountains was breathtaking and scenic.

Scenic view of Makalidurga village covered by Milky white fog

View of the Lake

We shared many jokes and motivated each other. All though the ascent, the picturesque views were enthralling. There is a lake at the bottom of the mountains. Makali Durga also doubles as a good spot for Rappelling and Raft building with the help of professional organizers.

Pathway to the Summit - The road less travelled!

The ruins of the fort welcomed us. Definitely the fort has been well planned and laid out and should have been used as an shelter for the people beneath during attacks or invasion and now remains in abandonment in halcyon days.

The ruined fort atop the mountain



Entrance of the fort

We took 2 short breaks in-between and reached the top of the summit by 7:50 AM. It tooks us an hour to reach the top.The scenic view from the top of the hills was just enchantingly beautiful. We spent 40 mins on the top and After taking few photographs we started the descend.

Team @ Summit

Team safely retuning back to base!

We had breakfast in Dodballapur and reached Bangalore by 11:30 AM

Team Members:

1) Srinivas Kulkarni
2) Srinivas Bonu
3) Baba shanker
4) Koteswara Rao
5) Uday Verma
6) Hrudaya Kumar
7) Madhusoodan
8) Raju MRC
9) Sundaresan J



Some helpful tips for trek enthusiasts wanting to explore this place:

1) Makali Durga – 60 Kms from BLR. Take a left in Yeshwantour and proceed to Dodabalapur. From Dodbalapur proceed to Makali Durga village. ( About 12 Kms) Once you reach the Railway station, proceed for another 1 KM and take the Mud road on the left and park your Vehicle adjacent to the Railway tracks.

2) Difficulty rating: Moderate. There are thorny bushes in many places and take care to cover yourself properly.

3) It takes approximately 1hr and 30 mins from the foot of hills to reach the top.

4) If you are attempting night trekking, take the help of locals for assistance.

5) Park you Cars/Bike near the railway tracks. It is safe to park your vehicles here.

Signing off for 2011 and see you in the Next edition - Next year 2012 :-)

Trek to Skandagiri betta

At the outset, I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham for everyone’s welfare and continued prosperity.

Trek to Skandagiri hills – 19th Nov-2011

We ( Sundaresan, Srinivas and Prashanth) planned our next trek to Skandagiri hills. This time, we decided to try our hand on a difficult trek and chose Skandgiri. Our objective was clearly to achieve good speed in climbing on a difficult mountain terrain and reaching the summit with short stops for rest. (of course, not compromising on safety) . Scenic photographs may be missing in this blog edition!

Skandagiri betta

Skandgiri is about 70 Kms from Bangalore and and one point of time served as a hill fortress of Tippu Sultan and before him a local chieftain. This is part of the Nandi hill ranges and stands top most on the scenic view. We started from Bangalore at 5:00 AM and reached Skandgiri by 6:10 AM.

After parking our vehicle on the base of the temple, we decided to take the difficult route to the top of the hills. ( There are 2 routes from the base). As we wanted to clock some good speed and have adventure, we choose the difficult route ( one towards the left of the temple) wherein the terrain is more steeper and challenging.

Paths of Glory : The route we took

We started our climb with a small prayer and slowly but steadily started our ascent. With just about 20 mins of climb, we saw breath taking view of the village below disappear in a ocean of white milky clouds. . A picture perfect setting created by nature!



Village covered by White Milky clouds



On the way, we saw the Sunrise and proceeded further.

Sunrsie - As viewed from the 200m from the base of hills

All through the climb, the top of the hill is visible. We divided the climb into 5 stages and every time we have completed ascending a small hill the next one unfolds herself and invites you to conquer her. On the way a couple of shelters erected (probably used as watch towers by the erstwhile rulers) can be prominently seen. Do take care not to disturb them or lean on them, as these structures are completely worn out with the ravages of time and weather.

The Pathway to the Summit !

We reached the top within 1 hr and 35 mins. Definitely, we have clocked good speed considering the average!!. On reaching the top, one can still the remnants of the old forts in dilapidated condition. On the top an old temple constructed out of stone slabs still stands guard.

Nature @ her best : A View from the top

The scenic view from the top of the hills was just enchantingly beautiful. After taking few photographs we started the descend.



On the Summit : L-R: Srinivas, Sundaresan and Prashanth

Trying our hand at Photography: Spot the Moon behind !!


On our way, we visited Muddennahalli village the birth place of the legendary Sir.M.Visweswaraih, one of the India's most accomplished engineers. We paid our homage to one of the leading sons of Indian soil. As we marveled and talked about his achievements, we were humbled by his simplicity and humility. The visit was definitely a nostalgic one

We left Bangalore by 5:00 AM and were back in Bangalore by 12:00 noon.

Some helpful tips for enthusiasts wanting to explore this place:

1) Skandagiri hills – 70 Kms from BLR on the Bellary highway. Take a left on the National highway and Proceed towards Nandi hills. At Karahalli junction take the Right turn (left turn goes to Nandi hills) towards Muddanahalli village and on reaching the village Muddanahalli take the route towards viallge Kalvarahalli…( Ask anybody Skandagiri and they will guide you)

2) There are 2 routes, for beginners and 1st timers the route towards the right of the temple and Mutt is recommended. The one towards left is recommended for experienced climbers.

3) Difficulty rating: Medium to moderately difficult. There are thorny bushes in many places and take care to cover yourself properly. In some stretches steps are carved in rocks to assist climbers

4) In Some places the mountain terrain is very steep and slippery. Ensure that you wear good shoes with proper grip.

5) If you plan to spend some time at the top, a wind sheeter will be handy as it would be very windy and chilly on the top.

6) It takes approximately 2hr and 30 mins from the foot of hills to reach the top.

7) If you are attempting night trekking, take the help of locals for assistance. Ensure that you bargain well on the fees demanded!

8) Park you Cars/Bike near the temple entrance. It is safe to park your vehicles here.

Trek to Shivagange Betta

At the outset, I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham for everyone’s welfare and continued prosperity

We completed this trek in Sept’2011 and I just found time now, to upload this article in the blog.

"Team work demands a level of understanding of which no words are said! Just a look and the other person automatically responds to your call."

The stress levels in office was increasing and we decided to unwind ourselves and wanted some more fun. On popular demand, the next trek to Shivagange betta was organized.

A Scenic View of Shivagange betta surrounded by a veil of clouds

Shivagange Betta is around 56 Kms from BLR on the BLR-Tumkur highway. Most of the trek is on a flat track and the final leg of the journey is very steep with steps carved in rocks to make it easy for the climber.



Statue of Lord Shiva @ the bottom of of the Hills

Our start time got delayed as one of the team members arrived late and we took a conscious call, not leave any team member behind.The drive to Shivagange Bette was pleasant. Most of it was on highways proceeding towards Tumkur. After about 15 Kms from the Nelamangala toll gate watch out for the diversion toward Shivagange village and proceed on the Village road. Once we got off the highways and onto the narrow village road, we could easily make out our destination (mountain surrounded by clouds). Both sides of the road had fields. As we neared the village, there was a small entrance. The vehicles were parked at the base of the mountain near the temple entrance.



Majestic Nandi @ the bottom of Shivagange betta

Finally the ascend began. After winding our way through the temple steps, we encountered a majestic Nandi at the bottom of the hills, carved out a solo rock. One more would await us at the top of the Shivagange hills who is of equal size and grandeur. We marveled at the ability of our ancient sculptors to have left brilliant masterpieces that has stood the test of time for our, and next generations to come by.

There were lot of Monkeys all though our climb and they were very eager to snatch away our belongings.As we moved on one of the monkey jumped onto our colleague’s bag, hoping to find some food; These smart monkeys had learnt to open zips and steal food; as we learned shortly and shockingly as well!



Snatch & Search : Monkey searching the bag after snatching from a Pilgrim

The range of vision was steadily increasing as we started gaining altitude.Around midway there is a cave filled with lake, sort of an underground lake. The lake extended slightly out of the cave. It is believed, and the locals had a legend, that if you bend and touch your feet while looking at the reflection of your face in water, your wishes will come true.[ More of an yogasana]

Team members Resting near 'Olakku Theertha' & practicing yogasana

The brand of monkeys in the latter part were even more audacious and were adept in opening the zips of our backpacks. The initial part of the trek had steps, after that there were none until the last leg of climb. We had reached at the last leg and we felt this was going to be a piece of cake (because of the stairs), well we couldn’t have been more mistaken! The steps were small, narrow and steep. We were lucky that these were not slippery and that there were railings on both sides, for at times the climb was almost vertical and there was no way to climb without the support of the railings.



A Step forward in evolution: A monkey removing the zip of backpack

 So it was many a puffing and panting later that we were finally at the peak. On the peak there is another huge Nandi .

The serenity and scenery of at the peak was just enchantingly beautiful. One could see for miles in any direction. We sat there talking, chatting and taking group photos in the beauty for some time.

Our team @ the Summit

 The downward journey seemed to be an equally daunting task due to the steepness. After reaching the base, we waited for everyone to gather and started our journey back home after a fantastic and challenging climb.

Some helpful tips for enthusiasts wanting to explore this place:

1) Shivagange Betta – 56 Kms from BLR on the Tumkur highway. After about 15 Kms from the Nelamangala toll gate watch out for the diversion toward Shivagange village and proceed on the Village road. There are adequate sign boards

2) To see : 'Shiva' temple @ its foothills and a holy spring (called 'Olakallu Theertha', meaning water inside the rocks) en route to the peak. The peak has a big Nandi.

3) Difficulty rating: Easy to Medium . Most of the trek is a flat track as well as steps carved in rocks to easily climb

4) It takes approximately 1hr and 30 mins from the foot of hills to reach the statue of Nandi. Start the trek early in the morning (By 7:00 AM), so that you do not get Sun burns, and be very light with your back-packs.

5) There are lot of monkeys and the evolution has provided them intelligence to the level of opening your bags.

6) Park you Cars/Bike near the temple entrance. It is safe to park your vehicles here.

For many of the colleagues this was their first trek and all of us felt that this is just the beginning of many more beautiful trips to come!



A humble beginning in memory of our ancestors

Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions – Mahabaratha

“OM Sree Gurubhyo Namaha”.

At the outset, I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham for everyone’s welfare and continued prosperity.

We were tutored by our elders that, “the young as they gain in age and stature must learn and remember their roots, heritage and ancestors". Among the many noble qualities attributed to my grandparents, I would like to recall one unique virtue that I would always remember and stands in the forefront. It is often repeated by elders in our family, that both Kunju patti and Shri J Subramani Iyer have, never had a harsh word exchanged between them or passed one adverse comment on each other in private. They accepted all people as they were and treated them equally. Such had been their love, mutual respect and understanding for each other.

To propagate the memory of these great souls Smt Alamelu and Sri J.Subramani Iyer of Sattanathapuram, we have been actively involved in many social activities and initiatives (Education sponsorships, Medical treatment expenses, Upanayanam, Mangal sutra donation for poor people marriages, Food distribution in temple functions to name a few..)

Under the aegis of Smt Alamelu Trust and Sri Kailasanathar trust, well wishers, friends and family members we initiated a scheme for free distribution of school uniforms to 300 school children (Class 1 to Class 8) hailing from poor and rural background.

Function organized by Kailasanathar Trust & Alamelu Ammal trust

School children from two Government schools (Panchayath union school in Satttanathapuram and Panchyath union school in Surakadu (Both located in Sirkazhi Taluk of Nagaipattinam district in Tamil Nadu) were identified. The school children come from a very poor and rural background.

Panchayath Union School - Sattanathapuram

Good Friendship-A couplet from Thirukural by Saint poet Thiru Valluvar written on School notice board

Thirukural Couplet No 783: The happinesss and noble thoughts resulting from good friendship is akin to the knowledge and wisdom we gain from reading wise books

True to these words of saint poet thirvalluvar, both the trusts, friends and family members have joined together for a noble and comon cause. The school uniform distribution function was done in a simple function organized on 22nd Aug’2011. It was a short ans sweet function and lasted for 90 minutes.

School Children

Prayer Song - Tamil Thai Vazthu

The function started with the invocation of prayer song followed by introduction of the 2 trusts and felicitation of chairman and members of both these trusts. Various speakers praised the efforts of these trusts. Shri S.S.Srinivasan and Cadavasal 'Sudar Finance'- S.Kalyanasundaram addressed the gathering and pledged their support for such noble activities.

One of the officials, from Education department in his speech thanked both the trusts for their charity and made a remark that, “eventhough government provides a set of uniform, this initiative would ensure that the children can now come to school with proper school uniforms on all days in a week”

This was followed by an impressive display of talents by the school children. Dance sequences for popular songs were choreographed by the teachers. A narrative on Indian Independence in English and chronicle on the life of Shri Kamaraj by a 2nd std child were very impressive. The tiny tots pitched in with patriotic songs and the phrase ‘stage fear’ was absent from their lexicon. The school children’s enthusiasm and dedication in the events were praiseworthy and heart warming.

Brief narrative on Life History of Shri K Kamaraj by 2nd Std Student

Patriotic song by 1st Std children

Dance performance by school children

Theme National Integration - Solo performance

School uniforms were distributed by members of both the trusts to all the school children in the school campus itself. Uniforms were distributed by the trust members of both the trusts as well as elders from our family. Family members, sponsors, trust members, well wishers, teachers, district education officers, parents of school children and general public participated in the function.

Kalilasnathar and Alamelu Ammal Trust, Sponsors, friends and family members handing over school uniforms to children.

Vote of thanks was proposed by the school headmaster. Tea, Coffee and sweets were served to the guests, public and school children.

My sincere thanks to all the trust members, donors and sponsors who contributed generously for the school uniforms. With their altruistic financial support, we have made a humble beginning and set ourselves a baseline. We have embarked on a journey and pray that this beginning is expanded to many other noble initiatives with the support of our sponsors, well wishers and elders.

Sincere and Special thanks to Shri S.S.Srinivisan for organizing and doing all the ground work for this school uniform function. Once again it was due to his organizing skills and acumen that the entire event, right from the identification of schools to the final distribution passed on with clockwork precision.

I offer my respectful prayers to my paternal grandparents Smt Alamelu ammal and Shri J.Subramani Iyer to guide us and give us strength to perform many more noble activities in the coming future. I had an inner feeling that , “They were watching and blessing us”

We will keep you informed, on the subsequent charitable events and requesting each of you to be part of these initiatives.

Photographs uploaded in google:

School function

https://picasaweb.google.com/112135165009821845164/SchoolFunction?authkey=Gv1sRgCLvzl6iC2vfl0gE&feat=email#

Felicitation event

https://picasaweb.google.com/112135165009821845164/SNPSchoolFunctionFelicitation?authkey=Gv1sRgCJSpx-3VyuLm0gE&feat=email#

Our sincere and profound thanks to our patron and donors

(Listing In alphabetical order)

Sl No Name

1.  Alamelu Trust

2.  Kailasanathar Trust

3. Ajit Ashok Shenvi - Bangalore

4. Arun Venkataraman - U.S.A

5. Smt Bhooma Srinivasan - Sattanathapuram

6. Cadavasal R Natarajan - U.S.A

7. Dr Ganesh - U.K

8. Smt Gnanam Viswanathan - Hyderabad

9. Smt Harini Manikandan - U.S.A

10. Smt Kamala Natarajan - Chennai

11. Manavalan G - Chennai

12. Ms Meenakshi Ramamorthy - Muscat

13. Smt Meenkashi Jagadeesan - Bangalore

14. Sateesh Chandrasekaran - U.S.A

15. Sekar Balasubramanian - Chennai

16. Shiva Subbarayan - U.S.A

Our sincere thanks to all of you!

Rao Sahib Arupathy Natesa Iyer

OM Sree Gurubhyo Namaha”. At the outset I start with pranams and prostrate myself to His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji on his 61st Vardhanthi (9th April’2011).

Greetings

Continuing the research series on eminent personalities, In this edition I present vignettes of another great personality Shri Rao Sahib Arupathy Natesa Iyer an eminent lawyer par excellence

Arupathy village is situated 6Km from Mayiladuthurai town (on the Mayiladuthurai –Sembanar Kovil road) in Nagaipattinam district. It is a rustic village with a calm and serene atmosphere away from the busy environs of Mayiladuthurai.
The old historical name of the Arupathy Village is "Shadartha Nayanapuram" this was recorded in the final Will of Rao Sahib.N.Natesa Iyyer. Shadartha Nayanapuram means "Lord Shiva who has Three Eyes" stays  here happily.

Another account relates to Thiru Gnana sambandar, wanting to have darshan of Lord Shiva getting stuck on the banks of river cauvery  in spate. Thiru Gnana sambandar pleads, that the spate be controlled to have darshan of Shiva's divine form and Lord Shiva readily acknowledges and acts on the disciples wish and reduces the water level to "half". Hence the place as well as village is called Arupathy ( Translated in Tamil the tributary is reduced to half)

Note:

1) As per the official gazette the village is spelt as ‘ARUPATHY’

2) I request readers not to confuse between Rao Sahib Arupathy Natesa Iyer and another musician with the same name Arupathi Natesa Iyer. The other Aruptahi Natesa Iyer is a Mirudhangam artist.

Roots
 
Arupathy Natesa Iyer was born to Shri Narayanaswamy Iyer and smt Vaalambal ammal . The couple had 6 children (4 sons and 2 daughters).

Arupathy Narayanaswamy Iyer ‘s father (Grandfather of Natesa Iyer) was Sundarapai Iyer and his mother was Lekshmi ammal . In Lord Ganesh temple in the village Arupathy, the presiding deity is Lord Selvaganapathi. A stone plaque available in the temple informs us the temple was built by Narayanaswami Iyer s/o Sundarapai Iyer. This co-relates the ancestry as well.

It is said that Narayanaswai Iyer in his later years took to Vanasarama dharma and became an ascetic. It is not clearly known, if he took to formal Sanyasa from a Guru and moved away from the family to lead a life of a Sanyasi (Monk)

Presiding deity Sri Selvaganapathy at Lord Ganesh temple in Arupathy




Co-relation to Ancestry: Stone Plaque inside Ganesh temple [In Tamil]

                      
Arupathy Natesa Iyer.

Arupathy Natesa Iyer was brilliant in his studies. He was taught in Vedas at a very young age. He was well educated and commanded mastery in Sanskrit. Due to his profound knowledge of the Vedas and Hindu religion, he commanded wide respect. He did his BA BL, and practiced Law. He was highly respected in the legal field as an honorable and suave gentleman. He carried an aura of calmness around him and was always amiable. He exhibited a countenance which reflected tranquility.

Rao Sahib Arupathhy Natesa Iyer & Smt Yogambal

Natesa Iyer was married to Yogamambal. Smt Yogambal was born and brought up in the village Maduri mangalam (Near Kuttalam in Kumbakonam) and later migrated to Salem. Her father Shri Krishnaswamy iyer was a leading advocate in Salem. The family of Shri C.Rajagopalachari’s (Shri Rajaji) were their neighbors. Smt Yogambal and C. Rajagopalachrai were childhood playmates.

Arupathy Natesa Iyer and Smt Yogambal were blessed with 7 Children ( 3 daughters and 4 sons). (refer to family tree for details). All his 4 sons were taught Vedas at a very young age. As he was well versed with Sanskrit, he used to converse very freely with scholars and his son Shri A.N.Kalyanasundaram in Sanskrit.

After marriage, Natesa Iyer moved to Madurai and took up law practice. He soon became an eminent and a very successful leading lawyer in Madurai. Within no time he had a roaring practice in Madurai. The family stayed in Nadar Bunglow in Tamil Sangam Road. He declined to buy any property in Madurai and always had the wish to spend his end years in his native village Arupathy.

Natesa Iyer was very upright in his profession. He used to take up professional cases from his clients, after ascertaining the complete facts, checking the available records from his clients and balancing them with the principles of Dharma.He founded a social group called as ‘Sanathana Dharma’ [Sanathana Dharma - A way of life adhering to eternal law as prescribed by the Sruti (Revealed) and Smruthi (Remembered) texts.] and spread the messages of religious tenets via this group to the society. He founded a school named as ‘Sanathana Dharma Vidyalaya’ and the school had classes’ upto 8th Standard. The school operated from the precincts of Nadar Bunglow.

Shri Arupathy Natesa Iyer was conferred the prestigious title "Rao Sahib" by the then British government in India.

Rao Sahib Arupathy Natesa Iyer had many juniors of notable fame and repute. Key persons among them were A.Vaidyanatha Iyer (who spearheaded the movement for entry of Harijans in Meenakshi amman temple-Madurai), Shri V.R.Viswanatha Iyer and Shri Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer

Note: Shri V. Anjaneyan (Retd District Judge in Didigul) was the son V.R.Viswanatha Iyer. Smt Vimala grand-daughter of Shri Natesa Iyer was married to V.Anjaneyan.





His Residence - The Bungalow in which Shri Arupathy Natesa Iyer Lived

Rao Sahib Natesa Iyer moved back to his village Arupathy in the year 1939. He built a temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi in Arupathi in the year 1939/1940. A nearby pond was modified and renovated by him for the temple. A portion of the pond was re-named as ‘Swarna Padmini Thadkam’ (Golden Lotus pond) and used to serve the needs for daily abhishekam to the deities of the temple. He donated one of his houses for the usage and family stay of temple priest and lands were attached for temple maintenance. The temple is still maintained by the progenies of Rao Sahib Arupathy Natesa Iyer. Recently Kumbhabishekam was performed in the year 2006. The temple construction and supervision was done by his eldest son Arupathy N.Kalayanasundaram Iyer




Goddess Meenakshi Amman Temple in Arupathy - Built by Shri A.N.Natesa Iyer

Note:

• Shri A.N.Kalyanasundaram was a reputed lawyer and then became a film maker. He has also directed 3 films. Like his father he also achieved great name and fame. He was a gold medalist in Sanskrit literature.

• Kunnam Raghupathy Iyer’s (son-in-law of Natesa Iyer) son was Shri K.R.Subbarayan. He participated in the Indian Independence movement. He was arrested on charges of planting a bomb on the railway track to kill few British officers who were travelling by the train. The plot was unearthed by the British police and Shri K.R. Subbarayan served a long prison sentence in Vellore jail.

Natesa Iyer had a residence in Mayavaram (Mayiladuthurai) as well. The family stayed in No 70 Mahadhanam Street. Natesa Iyer was a conformist to the core and followed the tenets of the Vedas in letter and spirit. He laid lot of emphasis on the day to day rituals prescribed in Vedas. Natesa Iyer family used to enjoy its summer vacation in Kodaikanal and Courtarallam.

Interaction with Sri Ramana Maharishi

Natesa Iyer was attracted to Shri Ramana Maharishi very much. He followed the precepts of the great Ramana Maharishi and had interacted with the Maharishi on a number of occasions. One such interaction which took place in Feburary 1935 is officialy recorded and is available in the following link
http://bhagavan-ramana.org/ramana_maharshi/books/tw/tw030.html


Shree Ramana Maharishi

Some excerpts on one such interaction between Shri Ramana Maharishi and Arupathy Natesa Iyer are enclosed, wherein the great Guru Ramana Maharishi aids the Sishya in the path of ‘Self enquiry’

(Note “M”: in the conversation refers to Maharashi and “D” refers to devotee and in this case Shri Natesa Iyer)

Mr. N. Natesa Iyer, the leader of the Bar in a South Indian town, an orthodox Brahmin, asked:

"Are the gods Iswara or Vishnu and their sacred regions Kailasa or Vaikuntha real?
M.: As real as you are in this body.


D.: Do they possess a vyavahara satya, i.e., phenomenal existence , like my body? Or are they fictions like the horn of a hare?
M.: They do exist.


D.: If so, they must be somewhere. Where are they?
M.: Persons who have seen them say that they exist somewhere. So we must accept their statement.


D.: Where do they exist?
M.: In you.

D.: Then it is only idea - that which I can create and control?
M.: Everything is like that.


D.: But I can create pure fictions e.g., hare's horn or only part truths, e.g. mirage, while there are also facts irrespective of my imagination. Do the gods Iswara or Vishnu exist like that?
M.: Yes.


D.: Is He subject to pralaya (cosmic dissolution)?
M.: Why? Man becoming aware of the Self transcends cosmic dissolution (pralaya) and becomes liberated (mukta). Why not God (Iswara) who is infinitely wiser and abler?


D.: Do devas and pisachas (devils) exist similarly?
M.: Yes.


D.: How are we to conceive of Supreme Consciousness (Chaitanya Brahman)?
M.: As that which is.


D.: Should it be thought of as Self-Effulgent?
M.: It transcends light and darkness. An individual (jiva) sees both. The Self enlightens the individual to see light and darkness.


In another place the great Maharishi assists the devotee on self enquiry as below.


D.: The Vedas contain conflicting accounts of Cosmogony. Ether is said to be the first creation in one place; vital energy (prana [?]) in another place; something else in yet another; water in still another, and so on. How are these to be reconciled? Do not these impair the credibility of the Vedas?
M.: Different seers saw different aspects of truths at different times , each emphasising some one view. Why do you worry about their conflicting statements? The essential aim of the Veda is to teach us the nature of the imperishable Atman and show us that we are That.


D.: I am satisfied with that portion.
M.: Then treat all the rest as artha vada (auxiliary arguments) or expositions for the sake of the ignorant who seek to trace the genesis of things and matters.


 D.: I am a sinner. I do not perform religious sacrifices (homas), etc. Shall I have painful rebirths for that reason? Pray save me!
M.: Why do you say that you are a sinner? Your trust in God is sufficient to save you from rebirths. Cast all burden on Him. In the Tiruvachagam it is said: "Though I am worse than a dog, you have graciously undertaken to protect me. This delusion of birth and death is maintained by you. Moreover, am I the person to sift and judge? Am I the Lord here? Oh Maheswara! It is for you to roll me through bodies (by births and deaths) or to keep me fixed at your own feet." Therefore have faith and that will save you.


D.: Sir, I have faith - and still I encounter difficulties. Weakness and giddiness afflict me after I practise concentration.
M.: Breath-control (pranayama [?]) properly performed should increase one's strength.


D.: I have my professional work and yet I want to be in perpetual dhyana [?]. Will they conflict with each other?
M.: There will be no conflict. As you practise both and develop your powers you will be able to attend to both. You will begin to look on business as a dream. Says the Bhagavad Gita: "That which is the night of all beings, for the disciplined man is the time of waking; when other beings are waking, then is it night for the sage who seeth." (11.69.)

Interactions with Kanchi Seer


Kanchi Seer Shri Chandrasekara Saraswathi Swamigal during his pada yatra visited Arupathy and all arrangements for swamigal and his entourage were taken care by Arupathy Natesa Iyer.

In the year 1952, the senior Kanchi Seer expressed a wish that Vasantha Navarathri for 10 days be organized in Arupathy village. Kanchi Maha periava sent word to Natesa Iyer, asking him if he can host the Kanchi Archraya and his entourage for 1 month during the month of Karthigai. Kanchi swamigal wanted to perform Rudra Homa for 10 days and enquired if Natesa Iyer had the wherewithal, men and materials to take care of his entourage for 1 month and also the visitors who would be flocking the village to have the darshan and audience of Maha Periayval. Natesa Iyer humbly sent his response to Swamigal that the auspicious dates for his visit may be fixed immediately and needed things will be secured. Natesa Iyer also expressed his happiness and was glad at the opportunity provided to be of service to Kanchi Maha periayava and readily organized the events with all humbleness and devotion. He personally managed and oversaw the preparation and his attention did not slip even of the minutest of details. The Rudha homan was conducted well with the blessings of Kanchi swamigal, and Swamigal was very well pleased with the arrangements and blessed Arupathy Natesa Iyer and his family with all prosperity and happiness.

During that time there was a huge storm with fierce winds. The family still recalls with devotion that the ‘Akanda deepam’ lit by Kanchi periava did not extinguish or got blown off by the fierce winds during the entire duration of his stay.

In spite of his wealth and fame, Shri Natesa Iyer lived a life of complete austerity. He had his own personal attendant who doubled up as his cook as well. In his end years Shri Ramamoorthy Iyer was his personal attendant and cook. (Ramamoorthy Iyer worked as Kariyasthan ( Estate Manager) with the family even after Natesa Iyer’s demise).

As they say, every great human being has his moment of weakness. Arupathi Natesa Iyer was a successful advocate in Madurai of fame and repute. He was learned man in Vedas and Sastras. It is still an enigma why he supported the Anti-temple entry movement and remained as a protagonist supporting the movement which was against the Temples of south India being opened to Harijans! Did he attempt to preserve the fossilized social structure of discrimination in places of worship? Or was he a forced pawn in the hands of ‘Sanadanis’ ? (Sanadanis – The group which opposed the entry of Harijans into temples). He filed a case against the Temple entry movement in Madras High court and lost the case.

It may be noted, On the temple entry issue Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer as Dewan of Travancore opened the temple gates in Travancore State to the Harijans. The then Maratha ruler/prince Rajaram Sahib of Thanjavur followed suit and opened the Thanjavur Big temple and other temples in and around Thanjavur district

Remarks from author (Sundaresan):

As an aside, let us not sit in Judgment, on the above instance. In this blog I have always written about both on the positive and not so positive attributes of all our ancestors and great personalities. We do not know the society, as well as the compulsions of his time and it is easier to pass judgment one way or the other. Lets take this in our stride and allow it to pass on.

The end years of Arupathy Natesa Iyer was spent in devotion. He shuttled between Arupathy and Mayiladuthurai frequently. He used to frequently attend Katha kalashebam  by Thethiyur Subramania Sastrigal. One evening, as he was preparing himself to leave for Seetha Rama kalyana katha kalashebam  by Manjakudi Rajagopala Sastrigal , He collapsed in his easy chair and passed away immediately, in the year 1955 (January) .  Smt Yogambal  passed away in 1973.  

Connections between Arupathy and Sattanatahpuram families:
Shri K N Ramanatha Iyer ( s/o Natesa Iyer of Kaveripattinam and Smt Managalam of Sattanathapuram) was married to Arupathy Natesa Iyer’s daughter, Smt Baghirathi and thereby the first 'sambandam' between the Arupathy and SNP came into existence (ofcourse via a Kaveripattan axis).

Arupathy Natesa Iyer’s granddaughter Smt Kamala is married to S.Natarajan – (s/o J.Subramani Iyer) of Sattanathapuram.

An article on Arupathy Village, which appeared on "En Vikatan" (tamil magazine)

http://en.vikatan.com/article.php?aid=23782&sid=666&mid=33

Acknowledgements:

1. My sincere and profound thanks, as well as gratitude to smt Kamala Natarajan (Granddaughter of Arupathy Natesa Iyer) for providing the valuable inputs on Natesa Iyer. On a number of occasions she consulted Smt Alamelu (Ambukka patti) Daughter in law of Shri Natesa Iyer and ensured the veracity of the contents.

2. Sincere thanks to Sekar Balasubramaniam (Grandson of Arupathy Natesa Iyer) for providing valuable details and photographs.