The Jayanti of one of the revered souls, connected to Arunachala, falls on February 5. It was on this day that Sri Seshadri Swamigal (1870-1929), who identified Ramana Maharishi, was born. He spotted the young Bhagawan, doing penance in the Patala Linga Cave, and realised that he was no ordinary mortal. He took care of Ramana, who was oblivious to the world, and revealed his saintly stature. He was held in high reverence by the sage of Tiruvaanamalai, who participated in his final rites and is said to have whetted the biography of the swamigal, when the content was submitted to him. His asram lies close to Sri Ramanasram in Tiruvannamalai.
The Kanchi Mahaswami, after identifying the dilapidated house in Kanchipuram (now Sri Seshadri Nivasam, near Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple) where the Swamigal lived also supervised its renovation. Incidentally, Bharaneedharan, author of Arunachala Mahimai , played a vital role in locating the house. Trying to imitate the cross-legged (swastika) sitting posture of Swamigal, Mahaswami seems to have wondered whether he could emulate him.
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Touched by grace
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A Jivanmukta, Seshadri Swamigal saw God in everything. He was often seen worshipping animals and a stone pillar too. Touched by his grace were spiritual persons such as Vallimalai Swamigal, Kavyakanta Ganapathi Muni and Bhanu Kavi and common men rocked by worldly worries. He called upon his devotees to eschew lust, greed and anger. Keep noble company (satsang) and do namasmarana, he advised. It was Seshadri Swamigal, who suggested Girivalam of Arunachala, which is now undertaken by thousands of devotees, especially on Pournami. According to Swamigal, it is equivalent to making a thousand trips to Mount Kailash.
Many have witnessed his extraordinary powers. During a Brahmotsavam festival, the wheels of Arunachaleswara’s chariot got bogged down. With a gentle tug, Swamigal set it rolling. One evening, he beckoned hundreds of birds to his neighbourhood, standing in the verandah of a devotee’s house. He made them disperse after spending some time with them. It has been recorded by his contemporaries that they saw him simultaneously at various places. He was also known to take several forms.
On another occasion, he cried aloud that Vitobha Swamigal (of Polur about 20 km from Tiruvannamalai) was shedding his mortal coil, people around him were taken aback. When news confirmed the message, they prostrated before him for his divine powers.
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On his father’s anniversary, the young wandering Seshadri was locked in a room, so that he could have the Prasad, on completion of the ceremony. The door was later opened only to find the room empty. Subsequently he was found in a Siva temple at Kaveripakkam, far away from Kanchipuram.
During his childhood he was affectionately called the ‘boy with the golden hand’ because shopkeepers believed that whatever he touched went like hot cakes. Although an ascetic, Seshadri Swamigal endeared himself to the common people by mingling with them. He showered his grace on all those who came to him, something he continues to do, his devotees firmly believe.