SIDDHA HEARTBEAT: A DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

The relationship between the guru and the disciple is beautifully illustrated in the life of Kalpattu Ramalingam who later came to be known as Kalpattu Aiya.

Ramalingam was a yogi from a town called Kalpattu in Nadu Naadu or present day Vizhuppuram. He was doing austerities on a hill at Thirunarungkundram, near present day Ulunthurpettai. Thirunarungkundram later became known as Thirunarungkondai and eventually came to be known as Thinrangkottai. Kalpattu Ramalingam lived in solitude, continuing severe tapas, only to enter the nearby town once a day to beg for food. His only wish was to advance spiritually with the guidance of a highly evolved master.

One day he declared to others that on a particular day that he mentioned, a master shall come to guide him. The miracle happened on the very specific day Kalpattu Ramalingam had indicated. Chidambara Ramalinga Adigal or Arutprakasa Vallalar's blessed feet graced the town of Thirunarungkundram that day. Vallalar's eyes fell on Kalpattu Ramalingam's thavakudil or residence. Kalpattu Ramalingam and the town folk who had anxiously awaited for the said master on seeing Ramalinga Adigal arrive, were visibly shaken and were in joy. Kalpattu Ramalingam fell for Ramalinga Adigal immediately. He cried his heart out at the much awaited master's feet. Ramalinga Adigal lifted Kalpattu Ramalingam and embraced him. "My prayers have been answered", cried out Kalpattu Ramalingam in joy. He continued, "I worship you master". "Please take me along with you", begged Kalpattu Ramalingam. Ramalinga Adigal told him to wait till he (Ramalinga Adigal) summons him.

One day Ramalinga Adigal thought about Kalpattu Ramalingam and immediately Kalpattu Ramalingam headed for Karungkuzhi where Ramalinga Adigal was staying. Kalpattu Ramalingam came to Ramalinga Adigal with high hope and aspiration to serve Ramalinga Adigal. Kalpattu Ramalingam wept in joy at reaching Ramalinga Adigal's abode at Karungkuzhi. But Ramalinga Adigal directed him to go to Chidambaram first and return after 6 months instead.

After 6 months had passed Ramalinga Adigal went looking for Kalpattu Ramalingam again and brought him to Dharmasalai at Vadalur. He had a kudil built for Kalpattu Ramalingam, east of Dharmasalai near a well, and instructed him to stay there. The same day Ramalinga Adigal gave him Gnana Upadesam. Kalpattu Ramalingam never left that kudil following that wonderful moment of initiation by his master. He immersed himself in tapas as shown by Ramalinga Adigal. Kalpattu Ramalingam lost himself in bliss.

During his meditation Kalpattu Ramalingam heard a voice question him, "Do you know from whom you received that Gnana Upadesam?", and received an answer too. "You have received it from Vallal Ramalinga Adigal. Not only are you a student of his, you are also his child." From that day on Ramalinga Adigal was addressed as Vallal.

If he has news for Kalpattu Ramalingam or Kalpattu Aiya, Vallalar will summon him. As a result of his severe tapas and its resulting Tava Kanal, Kalpattu Aiya's body became fiery hot and he developed burnt wounds. Seeing him in torment, Vallalar commanded that Kalpattu Aiya be given food once a day.

Once Vallalar was away for days on end. Before leaving he reminded and had given instructions to his followers to send food to Kalpattu Aiya daily. But sadly it was not done. Once on arrival back at Dharmasalai, Vallalar inquired if Kalpattu Aiya had eaten in his absence. As his followers stood in shame and remained silent, Vallalar summoned them to bring food and headed straight for Kalpattu Aiya's kudil. He fed Kalpattu Aiya with his own hands that day, taking him to another level of bliss.

On another instance when Vallalar was saddened that his followers were not heeding his words and openly announced his displeasure at them, Kalpattu Aiya who was sitting among them, upon hearing these words of his master, suddenly fainted. Vallalar arose and went over to where Kalpattu Aiya lay and revived him, mentioning, "I did not mean you".

People from all walks of life came to Vadalur. As the numbers of devotees fed at the Dharmasalai increased, Vallalar summoned Kalpattu Aiya and Dharmasalai's cook Velur Shanmuganaar. He asked them to take charge of preparing porridge and feeding the poor who arrived at Dharmasalai in large numbers. From that day foreword both Kalpattu Aiya and Shamuganaar, heeding Vallalar's command, took it upon themselves to doze the flame of hunger in the poor arriving continuously at the Dharmasalai.

Once as they were traveling in a cart drawn by a bull, Vallalar laid his head on the thigh of Kalpattu Aiya and took a short nap. Suddenly tears streamed from Vallalar's eyes and drenched Kalpattu Aiya's thighs, the floor of the cart and dripped onto the earthen road they traveled. Watching this unusual phenomena, questions arose in Kalpattu Aiya. Vallalar eventually quenched his thirst to know the reason for his continuous stream of tears. Vallalar had thought for a moment, "When would he see the day where peace would prevail by gods grace, where all suffering ends, where all are merged in eternal bliss, and where all come in unison bonded by love for each other". Kalpattu Aiya on hearing this from Vallalar wept thinking how many people actually think about this or have this thought. Kalpattu Aiya too prayed to see the day where all sufferings end and only bliss prevails. Returning to Dharmasalai, Vallalar passed on the full responsibility of running the Dharmasalai to Kalpattu Aiya. Later Amaavaasai Paradesi joined Kalpattu Aiya and Velur Shanmuganaar with this mighty task.

On November of 1873 Vallalar entered Siddhivalagam and stayed behind closed doors for 3 months. Kalpattu Aiya and Kattamuthupaalaiyam Narayanar kept shuttling between Dharmasalai and Siddhivalagam. Vallalar summoned Kalpattu Aiya and Karanapattu Kandasamy and passed on to them his doctrines. Vallalar stated his disappointment to them on his followers not heeding his teachings. He commanded them to continue the act of feeding with compassion. Kalpattu Aiya sensing something, summoned Vallalar's followers to Siddhivalagam.

After 3 months in solitude, Vallalar appeared in the midst of all gathered at Siddhivalagam on 30th January 1874. He spoke his last words then. Kalpattu Aiya and Karanapattu Kandasamy stood in a corner, silent with tears flowing. Vallalar revealed that he would assume the role of Gnana Sidhar for the next 42,000 years and disclosing this, entered the room at Siddhivalagam. He sat on a Peedham. Kalpattu Aiya had the honor and privilege to latch the door from outside. Vallalar went into a blissful sleep.

As ordained Kalpattu Aiya, Subburaaya Paradesi, and Kattamuthupalaiyam Narayanar carried out their duties of feeding at Dharmasalai with reverence. On the 8th of February, 1902 Kalpattu Aiya passed on his duties to his student Subburaaya Paradesi and waited to merge with Vallalar, an act that baffled those around him. They ridiculed Kalpattu Aiya asking how he was going to merge with Vallalar who had left them some 25 years ago. Kalpattu Aiya openly announced that Vallalar will come forth to take him with him just as he had done in the beginning, bringing him from Chidambaram to Vadalur.

That said miracle took place exactly after 48 days of his open decree, as ordained. It was 26th of April 1902. Vallalar appeared in front of Kalpattu Aiya. Immediately Kalpattu Aiya left his mortal frame. His life long wish was granted that day. Vallalar carried out Kalpattu Aiya's last rites. Vallalar stepped into Dharmasalai after 25 years.