The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 26
Independence Scepter given to Nehru by Tamil Saivite Adheenam (Guru)
(A humble translation of the original article by Sri S.Gurumurthy, as it had appeared in Thuglak Tamil Magazine) —
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_28_04_2021.php
In the last two episodes/chapters, we saw the role of spiritual heritage in the formation of the Indian constitution. This week, I am going to share two items — the emergence of a religious scepter as a symbol of Independence and how the Tamil Saivite Adheenam got the prestigious opportunity to present it to Nehru. This rare opportunity was made available only to Tamilnadu in Independent India.
It was decided to grant Independence to India on 15th Aug 1947 midnight. The then viceroy Mountbatten was the Indian representative of the British Government. Jawaharlal Nehru would be receiving the government order on Independence declaration. Upon their signing, the authority would be transferred automatically. It was an easy act. The question was the ritual that needs to be followed as part of this transfer. The British were asking about it and our folks were clueless.
It was not an ordinary event but an emotional one for us. Not only transfer of power was involved. Somethings more than that. Therefore, a purely symbolic act was required to indicate the transfer of power. Then, an important act had happened that added glory to Tamilnadu, the Religion-spirituality of Tamilnadu, Tamil Thirumurai (devotional songs sung by Nayanmars), and Tamil Saivite Adheenam. The traditional scepter given by Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam to Nehru completed the transfer of ceremony and symbolically represented our right to rule ourselves. It gave the Spiritual & Dharmic right. It was prepared by the jeweller, Ummidi Bangaru chetty based on the order given by the Adheenam. The junior pontiff of Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam gave it to Mountbatten. Then the pontiff received it from Mountbatten, sprinkled it with Ganga theertha, sanctified it further by taking the holy name of God, and then passed on the scepter to Nehru. Nehru had accepted it as the spiritual symbol of Independent India. After the completion of the historical act, the thevaram hymn of Saint Thirugnanasambanda was sung.
தேனமர் பொழில்கொளாலை விளைசெந்நெல் துன்னி வளர்செம்பொன் எங்கும் நிகழ
நான்முகன் ஆதியாய பிரமா புரத்து மறைஞான ஞான முனிவன்
தானுறு கோளுநாளும் அடியாரை வந்து நலியாத வண்ணம் உரைசெய்
ஆனசொல் மாலையோதும் அடியார்கள் வானில் அரசாள்வர் ஆணை நமதே.
PiramApuram derives its name from Brahma (who worshipped there). It has many groves full of bees (/fragrance). Sugarcane and excellent rice varieties grow in plenty. Its abundant wealth is seen everywhere. The sage ~njAna samba~ndhan (who knows both divine and non-divine knowledge) hails from that town. He has sung this garland of words to dispel the ill effects caused by planets, stars, and other such things so that the devotees do not suffer. Those devotees who chant this padhigam (set of songs) will rule the heavens. It is Our command!
Translation: V. Subramaniam, USA. (2008)
The scepter given with the Adheenam’s blessings was the symbol of Dharmic right given to Nehru to indicate the transfer of authority. Instead of receiving from Mountbatter, why there was a intermediary? What was the religio-spiritual significance of this act?
Mahaswami informally recorded this event on 15-Aug-1978
This was shared by Kanchi Mahaswami to his assistant Rajagopalan, who in turn passed it on to me. Rajagopalan, an engineering graduate was engaging himself in spirituality. He took Sannyasa and was referred to as “Mettur Swami”. He did not share this until the Mahasamadhi of Mahaswami. It excited me and was searching around for his formal documentation. A devote Dr. P.R.Subramaniam was blessed to hear this story from Mahaswami and then brought it out in a book form. He was a doctor by profession. Because of his proficiency in Saivite devotional songs (Thevaram), he was fondly called “Thevaram Doctor”. Let me share from the book as well as from other sources.
In his book, the Thevaram doctor had recorded this event, while mentioning the devotional hymns on Lord Siva (to escape from the clutches of Navagrahas). Thirty-one years had passed after the independence. If Mahaswami had not shared the details with the doctor then this historical record would have got lost forever. We were lucky that the doctor took the relevant notes too. His book, “ Golden days spent with Golden hued Lord Siva” was published in 3 volumes (Ref: Vol 2, Ch: Indian Independence & devotional hymn, P 120–122). Let me share it in the conversational form (Guru — Kancha Mahaswami, Disciple — Doctor)
Nehru reached out to Rajaji; Rajaji reached out to Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam
Guru: When did we get the independence?
Disciple:15th Aug 1947
Guru: Then, the British had decided to grant Swaraj-Swathantra to us. Lord Mountbatten was the Governor-General/Viceroy. Rajaji was to be his successor. Mountbatten told Nehru, “We have decided to grant Independence. How are you planning to receive it and how should we give it”? Nehru was clueless about the associated operations. He had requested Rajaji to give a solution for this. Rajaji had mentioned the age-old tradition in Tamilnadu, how the Rajaguru would transfer the power from the King to Yuvaraja. He suggested the same method to do the transfer of power from Mountbatten to Nehru. What happened next?
Transfer of the Scepter
Guru: Rajaji reached out to Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam that was started by a monk, Namasivayamurthi (Adheenams/seat of religious learning centers have been in existence, since the days of Saivite Saint Thirugnanasambanda). The then-senior pontiff was suffering from a high fever. He prepared the gold-minted scepter, gave it to the junior pontiff, and had asked him to go Delhi. Two senior devotional singers also accompanied him. They were advised to sing the ten devotional hymns on Lord Siva. They all traveled in a special aircraft.
The scepter was given to Mountbatten by the junior pontiff and then received from him. It was further sprinkled with the theertha of Ganga Matha. After devotional song singing, the scepter was given to Nehru. He further blessed Nehru. Then another set of devotional songs were sung. Today, what we celebrate as Independence day is based on this event. So far, no one has recorded this event in our history books (Till now, it has not been made part of the history books in Tamilnadu, says the author of the book).
We had an auspicious beginning. Our administration is on the lines mentioned by him (We govern ourselves). In 1978, I went to Thiruvaduthurai and had the darsan of Lord Siva & Saint Thirumoola. I did not go to the mutt; hence, I missed out to see the photograph. Of late, I have been in touch with the present-day pontiff of the mutt and had seen the photo too. It always reminds me of the grand event. You can understand the importance of that event since a special aircraft was arranged.
Hidden history and significance of the event
What was the reason to accept it from a Guru? The scepter represented the transfer of power, authority, and governance from the British. Their rule carries the bloody marks of the Jallianwallbagh Massacre and many other deaths of the freedom fighters. Hence, an arrangement was made. The Guru would receive it from Mountbatten, did the cleaning, and gave it to Nehru. Even this arrangement was agreed upon by atheistic Nehru himself. Unfortunately, this was not given its due in the history books of India as well as Tamilnadu. Kanchi Mahaswami was hoping that one day it would make its entry. Let us wait for that day.
Mettur Swami narrated this and mentioned, “what would happen if the same event takes place today? The secularists would have objected & insulted it”.
Where is the Scepter (from Tamil magazine Junior vikatan, 13-Apr-2019 edition)
Under the title, “The scepter that symbolically represented the transfer of power between the Nations. Where it is, now”? (https://www.vikatan.com.government-and-politics/miscellaneous/150105-thiruvavaduthurai-adheenam-story )
The assistant of the 20th pontiff of the mutt, Masilamani Pillai (who is staying with his son in Dubai) was asked about this incident. He narrated as follows,” Senior pontiff was not keeping well. We gave the order to the jewellers. I am not able to remember its weight & price. In the special aircraft arranged by Rajaji, the junior pontiff and devotional singers were sent to Delhi. Thiruvaduthurai Rajarathnam Pillai, the noted Nadaswaram player accompanied them to play the auspicious music”.
On 14th Aug 1947 at 11.45 pm, we were asked to sing the famous ten devotional songs of Thirugnanasambandar. On its completion, the scepter was received by the junior pontiff from Mountbatten…
Now, that scepter can be found in Prayagraj at Ananda Bhavan that has been turned into a museum
