One day in early February 22/2/1961 while Appu was in Assai lyah’s cowshed, Appu’s pet calf physically nudged him on his shoulder in a friendly manner. Appu fell on the ground and had broken his left hip bone. An operation was performed successfully by the orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Rasanayagam, in the Jaffna Hospital.
From this day Appu needed a wheelchair and also required dedicated care. Various medical experts were employed for carrying out this function led by Dr. Kanagaratnam. Appu got Dr Kanagaratnam to fully train me to nurse him and attend to all his requirements. My duty was to nurse Appu 24/7 except during the school days when I attended St John’s College in Jaffna.
Appu released Dr Kanagaratnam from his caring duties in order for Dr Kanagaratnam to concentrate on other community responsibilities. “There were 3 devotees of Appu’s Guru Chellappa Swamy who were living in Columbuthurai
within a few hundred yards of the Appu’s ashram.
1) Mr Thuraiappa appa
2) Mr Thirugnanasampanthar (Vidaniar)
3) Mr Ponniah
All three of them were regular visitors to both Nallur Chellappa swamy and Appu. Thuraiappa appa was a more frequent visitor to Appu in the evening in the last days and whenever he came to Appu I could feel the comradeship between them and their discussion would go on for some time.
Their communication was direct and it was a close friendship and not like between a Guru and his disciples.One day when Thuraiappa Appa came in the evening, Appu said to him “Thuraiappa you are going to die, teach him all your songs.” This day was before Appu initiated Lord Soulbury as Santhaswamy (30/12/63) but I can’t remember the exact date.
Thuraiappa Appa taught me all the songs which includes “பெருச்சாளி வாகனத்தில்,’ (this song is not in the Natchinthanai publications) வீரமாமயில் ஏறும் வேலவ.”
பெருச்சாளி வாகனத்தில்
பெருச்சாளி வாகனத்தில் பவனி எழுந்து வாற பெருமையைப் பாரும் பாரும்
ஒருச்சாண் நெடுங்குளத்தில் ஓங்காரமான தேவர் உமையோர் பதம் பரவ எமையோர் தம்மை இரட்சிக்க
(பெருச்சாளி)
ஒருமருப்பும் இருபதமும் ஒருழூன்று நேத்திரமும், புனைக்கரவம் திருப்பொலிவும் நல்ல
கெம்புரவும்
சம்புரமும், திருவளர் கிண்கிணி மணிகள் பண்டிகை சித்தர்கள் கொண்டாட, நல்ல வேதம்
பாட
மட மின்னர்கள் ஆட கிள கிருத தகுதிகு கயவென அசுரர்கள் நெறுவிய களமிசை தகுதிகு தா தையத் தா தளங்குதா தளங்கு தோமென
(பெருச்சாளி)
வீரமாமயில் ஏறும் வேலவ
வீரமாமயில் ஏறும் வேலவ விளங்கு
கௌரி பாலகா- வா
கானக்குறத்தி மகிழும் பாதா – காக்கும்
கடவுள் துதிக்கும் நாதா (வீரமாமயில்)
எனக்கும் உனக்கும் பேதமேனோ
எடுத்துச்சொன்னால் போதம் போமோ
மணக்குஞ் சோலை நல்லுார் வாசா
வணங்கும் யோகசுவாமி நேசா (வீரமாமயில்)
That same night Thuraiappa Appa died in his daughter’s house in Columbuthurai. The following morning, when I told Appu that Thuraiappa Appa had passed away, Appu asked me to go to his house and sing all the songs he had taught me. I went to his house and sang all the songs that he taught me. Following the demise of Thuraiappa Appa, I continued to sing the songs in Appu’s Ashram. When I sang the song வீரமாமயில் ஏறும் வேலவ, Appu asked me to sing this song with the slight modification and pointed out that “அவன் கந்தசுவாமி என்னுடைய கூட்டாளி (referred that Lord Kanthaswamy was his friend, thus the modification).Modified version
வீரமாமயில் ஏறும் வேலவ
வீரமாமயில் ஏறும் வேலவ – விளங்கு
கௌரி பாலகா -வா
கானக்குறத்தி மகிழும் பாதா காக்கும்
கடவுள் துதிக்கும் நாதா
(வீரமாமயில்)
எனக்கும் உனக்கும் பேதமுண்டோ
எடுத்துச்சொன்னால் போதம் போமோ
மணக்குஞ் சோலை நல்லுார் வாசா
வணங்கும் யோகசுவாமி நேசா
(வீரமாமயில்)
I continued to sing those songs daily along with the modifications that Appu made for me to sing. In the article the reference made as “the hut was the temple of the living god” made me feel and realise how Appu has protected us from knowing this “truth” that he was the divine reincarnation. We continued to call him Appu and carried out everything that he wanted and always made him feel comfortable.
During this period, Appu taught me and got me to carry out various duties for him. He has thrown the urine bottle onto me when I did not get up during the night, tease me as a தீவான் /உமல் மாறிகள்(Islander) and fondly called me “Eswara” in order to continue to carry out the work for him when I got angry with him for his punishment!
During the night/early morning, Appu would call me to get up saying that it was too late to carry out the usual morning duties which includes freshening up, followed with a hot Horlicks drink for him and myself. After this warm up, we sing THIRUVASAKAM/ NATCHINTHANAI (திருவாசகம் /நற்சிந்தனை.) After doing the recitals, he will ask for the time. When I say that it was 2AM, then he will say “Oh too early go to bed!” This process was normal for me during the night and has been repeated most of the nights. When My brother-in-law Mr T. Varatharajah was standing in for me, while I was away on my college excursion, Appu did the same thing to him.
Both Sinna Annai (Thirugnanasampanthar) and I used to look after Appu during the night. Sinna Annai was a good delegator and got me to do most of his share of the work except feeding Appu’s evening meals. When Asaimummy prepares the light meal with nicely cut bread/butter and honey, we both used to serve Appu and wait for the left overs for us to eat. Sometimes Appu would give us a few pieces which we would share. Sometimes Appu would wipe and clean the plate and return the empty plate while watching our disappointed faces with a smile. Sinna Annai always rewarded me for my services by taking me to the theatres and matches.During the same period, Dr Vettrivelu used to visit Appu daily in the morning for medical care followed by breakfast. After breakfast as per Appu’s wish I would take him in a wheelchair for a quick spin around Columbuthurai Road. He used to give me the hand signal as we left the gate of the Ashram to turn left or right. When we turned left, we go up to Dr Nadarajah’s house for a cup of tea. When we turned right, we used to go up to the Thundy road junction and return. On few occasions Appu would refrain from asking me to stop the wheelchair allowing me to take him all the way along the Columbuthurai road/main road passing Chundikuli Girl’s College/St John’s College, passing Dr Somasundaram’s surgery (sometimes Dr Somasuntharam would greet Appu) and ending the forward journey in Sir Duraisamy house on Clock Tower Road for a cup of tea. By this time, I took care of Appu’s wheelchair for minor maintenance requirements by the use of tools from Sir Duraisamy son’s Theivam’s car. Then we returned to the Columbuthurai Ashram. People always gathered behind us during our trips, all the way to town and back during our journey. Appu used to turn back and bless them with appropriate words to discourage them from following us!
During another occasion, 14/1/1964 in the morning, Appu said to me “(வாடா இன்டைக்கு ஒரு தங்கப்பவுண் எடுக்க வேணும்) we need to get a gold coin” and we started the journey from Columbuthurai along the main street and reached Sir Duraisamy residence. When we reached Sir Duraisamy’s residence at the clock tower junction in town, we were greeted by Sir Duraisamy and he offered a cup of tea. Appu said “I want a gold coin.” Sir Duraisamy replied that he did not have a gold coin with his usual laugh and Appu replied that we would not have tea with him and gave me instructions to go towards Dr Guruswamy’s house in Koddady. I took Appu along Clock Tower Road passing Jaffna Cooperative stores and onto Hospital Road and we reached Dr Guruswamy’s residence. By this time Appu was tired and falling to one side on the wheelchair. I was holding Appu firmly with one hand and pushed the wheelchair with the other hand. Mrs Guruswamy offered a cup of tea and Appu never asked her for anything. Appu asked me to take him to Kasthuriar Road to visit Dr Pasupathy.
I took Appu from Koddady via Hospital Road, KKS Road and reached Kasthuriar Road at Dr Pasupathi’s house. We saw Mr Srikanth’s two sons (Janakan and his older brother). At Dr Pasupathi’s house Appu wished them and continued our return journey via KKS road passing Sri Lanka bookshop. Mr Theventhiram (owner of Sri Lanka bookshop) offered to take us by his car to Columbuthurai. Appu did not accept the offer and we continued along Chapel Street to Columbuthurai. Appu asked me to take him into Mr & Mrs Muthukumaru’s house on Chapel Street. When we arrived at Mr & Mrs Muthukumaru’s house without any notice of our visit, Mrs Muthukumaru brought a tray with fruits and bundles of notes and gold coin on the tray. Appu said ” வந்த காரியம் முடிச்சாச்சு.” I know that he was referring to his aim to get the gold coin. We returned to Appu’s Ashram by mid-morning, I remember Mr Karthikesan telling me that all of them were searching for missing Eswaran and Swami all over Jaffna. The last long wheel chair trip was on the 13th February 1964 to Sir Vaithilingam Duraisamy’s house in Jaffna town. I did not know how I managed to retain a diary where I extracted this date. This diary was given to me by Assai lyah. Our short wheelchair journeys took place daily in the mornings and in the evenings. Long journeys by wheelchair up to Jaffna town can be counted on both hands.
Very long journeys by car took place as and when Appu desired. We have been to மாவிட்டபுரம் several times and on one occasion Appu stopped the car and inquired from an old man about a person who acted in a particular drama during his time. This old man could not remember these details. We regularly traveled by car along KKS road passing Thaiyal Nayaki temple, Vannarponnai (தையல் நாயகி/வண்ணார்பண்ணை சிவன்கோயில்) and Sivathondan Nilayam (சிவதொண்டன் நிலையம்.) We used to stop in front of சிவதொண்டன் நிலையம் and talked to whoever was available in சிவதொண்டன் but Appu never went inside the சிவதொண்டன் நிலையம். Only on one occasion Appu said to me that we will go to Sivathondan Nilayam (சிவதொண்டன் நிலையம்) and stay for a few days. This was the first time that Appu got into Sivathondan Nilayam in June/July 1963. I stayed with him in Sivathondan Nilayam (சிவதொண்டன் நிலையம்) and continued my services as I was carrying them out in Columbuthurai. The most enjoyable time for me was that I was able to sit and drive the wheelchair all over inside Sivathondan Nilayam (சிவதொண்டன் நிலையம்). During the same period our grandmother was admitted to the hospital and passed away suddenly. I believe that Appu wanted Assai lyah, Assai Mummy, Grandfather (Mr Ponnambalam – who was looking after Appu during the daytime when I finished my night duty while attending St John’s College) to be with Grandmother during her final journey in peace.
On another occasion Appu said “let us go to Mr & Mrs Navaratnam’s house (they purchased this property in Columbuthurai to stay closer to Appu) and stay one night with them”. When I took Appu to their house which we regularly passed in our daily wheelchair trips, after the first night Appu said let us go home back to the Ashram. As I was helping Appu to leave their property by wheelchair and while we were on the road towards the Ashram Appu noticed that Mrs Navaratnam was very very emotional and unstoppable tears were flowing from Mrs Navaratnam’s eyes. Appu turned round to her and said “I cannot leave him and I am indebted to him (Mr. S. Thirunavukarasu)” (நான் அவனை விட்டிட்டு வர ஏலாது, செஞ்சோற்றுக் கடன் ). She cried and walked all the way with us back to the Ashram and sat with Appu for a long time that evening while Appu consoled her.
I remember a few occasions after various people visited Appu and offered him several forms of gifts/fruit/clothes/cash. After they left the Ashram Appu got me to collect all these articles and directed me to the cowshed underneath the Margo tree and burned them while he sat on the wheelchair witnessing the fire. He used to say that his body became lighter after incinerating those items! Sometimes when we got ready to go on the wheelchair trips, we came out of the Ashram and parked the wheelchair under the Margo tree in front of the Ashram. On one occasion I was able to hear a loud voice of our friend தறுமு மாமா (Mr Kulanthaivelu). I was attempting to see him by jumping to clear the parapet wall of the Ashram to get a full view of our friend தறுமு மாமா. Appu watching my attempts to view the excitement, called me and said never ignore anybody – respect their skills which you do not have (தறுமு கத்துறான் எண்டு போட்டு அவனைத் தள்ளி வைக்கக் கூடாது. அவன் செய்வதை நீ செய்வாயா?)
Tharumu mama usually enjoyed a drink or two in the afternoon. Tharumu mama was a great, sincere and loyal personality in assisting the people in grief and need and was respected in the community
After attending Appu in the night, I was attending St John’s College and preparing for my O Level Examinations. Examinations were over and I was told that the results were to be released on that day. I was very worried not knowing my results, more importantly facing the world to announce the results of the O level examinations. My spirit was very low on that day!
I prepared Appu for the morning wheelchair trip and Appu indicated the normal hand signal to turn left after leaving the Ashram towards Dr Nadarajah’s house (சிவபாக்கிய மாமி). This was our regular visiting place and I usually took Appu inside the house and parked the wheelchair on the front veranda. Followed by my visit to her kitchen and I articulate myself freely in the house. That day I took Appu inside the house and sat on the floor behind him worrying about my O level exam results. Mrs Nadarajah (சிவபாக்கிய மாமி) observed my unusual silence and said “Swami, why is Eswaran very quiet today?” (என்ன சுவாமி இண்டைக்கு ஈஸ்வரன் வலு அமைதியாக இருக்கிறார்?) To which Appu replied, he is getting his results today! (அவனுக்கு இண்டைக்கு மறுமொழி வருகுது!) This made me worry even more thinking that Appu is also aware of my exam results! I came out well in my exams and acquired all the credit to do either medicine or engineering. The following morning, I overheard a conversation between my mother and grandmother. My grandmother advised my mother not to allow me to do medicine because I was very hot tempered and may terminate all the patients with injections! Coincidently, I followed engineering as my career. Grandmother played a pivotal role in our lives and she was my role model for my early childhood character.
She told me a great many stories to strengthen my inner self. She took all the grandsons to the Pilliar temple and made us read the Pilliar Kathai when we were young. Normally Pilliar Kathai is read by more mature people in the temple. Pilliar Kathai is a purana type literature.
I was a track and field athlete in St John’s College. After the sports meet, I used to go to Appu first to show him my certificates knowing that he would not only feel happy but also announce to the world my achievements! Appu always used to comment on my hair for its appearance. My hair and my eldest sister’s hair were notably rough and we both used to break a comb every day. I managed to apply oil and water to my hair and kept the hair in good shape. Appu’s comments were about how carefully I had controlled my hair and he would say that very loudly. Of course, I used to enjoy praise from Appu particularly to the world at large. One day Appu wanted to visit Dr Guruswamy’s brother who was not well and staying in Dr Guruswamy’s house in Koddady, Jaffna. I accompanied him in the car and took him up to his bedroom. He made a few gestures to him and said goodbye and we returned to Columbuthurai Ashram. The following morning Dr Guruswamy’s brother’s demise was announced by the family. Another day we visited Mr V.A. Kandiah in Jaffna Hospital and I noticed the gesture that Appu was making. This was very much the same as what he did for Dr Guruswamy’s brother. As we returned home, I went and told my Assai mummy (Mrs Thirunavukarasu) that Mr V.A. Kandiah is going to die! Assai Mummy was not very pleased by my revelation and advised me to keep quiet. The following morning Dr Guruswamy’s son, Shankaran came to Columbuthurai and announced Mr V.A. Kandiah’s demise. Appu’s gestures were difficult to express in words on both occasions.
Mr Sivapathasundaram and Mr Ilanganayagam were regular morning visitors to Appu. One day Appu, during the morning wheelchair ride, took Mr Sivapathasundaram to the lyar shop. Appu got me to get a bunch of bananas (வாழைக் குலை ) and place them on Mr Sivapathasundaram’s shoulders and got him to walk along Ilanthaikulam Road. Appu got me to follow him on the wheelchair up to the Ilanthaikulam and blessed him not to return to Columbuthurai.
Appu’s devotee Mr. K. Thanigasalam got a first class Maths Honors Degree from the University of Ceylon and was awarded a scholarship to proceed to the UK to complete his PHD. Mr. K. Thanigasalam came to Appu’s Ashram to say goodbye before catching the Colombo mail train from Punkankulam station. He stood in front of Appu and was very emotional and the tears were flowing out of his eyes like the running water from a tap. Appu asked me to light the five eyed camphor lamp which was in the Ashram. I lit the lamp and Appu asked Mr. K. Thanigasalam to blow the lamp. Mr. K. Thanigasalam tried his best to blow the lamp and he could not even switch off one of the five eyes of the lamp. Appu at this point said “have a safe journey. I am always with you” (போய் வாரும் காணும் நான் உம்மோடுதான் இருக்கிறேன்.) Appu taught me the தையல் நாயகி song and got me to sing daily during the period 1961-1964. I thought that this song was part of Appu’s Natchinthanai (நற்சிந்தனை ). After my retirement, reading through various articles relating to Appu and his gurus, I learned that the THAIYAL NAYAKI (தையல் நாயகி) song was closely associated with Appu’s Parama Guru Kadaiswamy.
After St John’s College annual dinner, I used to go to Appu in the blazer, tie and dress and stand under the shadow of the night pilot light and greet him “Good morning Swamy.” He always greeted overseas visitors with “Good morning.” It may be that they always came in the morning. He reciprocated my greetings with “Good morning” and called me towards him and touched my blazer and complimented my dress code. I know Appu was always for style, smart and tidy/disciplined work. I remember on one occasion during the night Appu had an accident which required a complete change of his clothes, bedsheets and complete body clean. I was able to carry him by myself and gave him a good bath, Yardley powder, Eau de cologne, new towel and made him refreshed. He said to me “I feel as if I am married” (டேய் நான் கலியாணம் முடித்தது போல் இருக்குதடா). I know that he was feeling good and happy. During the nights, I used to sleep on the floor in the room with Appu sleeping on the bed. On one occasion, I was in a deep sleep and Appu threw the urine bottle on me to wake me up. I got up and was very angry with Appu and I left the room and went into the adjacent room and stayed there. He called me and I never responded. He repeatedly called me very affectionately “Eswara! Eswara! Thambi!” I felt that I should now respond so I went to the room and gave him whatever he wanted and a drink and we went to sleep. I remember that it was a Thursday night/Friday morning. On that Friday evening Appu had several visitors from Colombo in the room and the room was full. Assai lyah recited the Siva Puranam followed by the normal routine songs from Natchinthanai/Thevaram (திருவாசகம் /நற்சிந்தனை ). There was a moment where nothing happened and the Ashram was in dead silence. Appu, in a very loud voice pointing to me said “he was very angry with me during last night” (இவருக்கு எல்லோ இராத்திரி என்னிலை கோபம் வந்துவிட்டது). I felt so small in front of the crowd and I never repeated my anger behavior to Appu ever again. It was a public dress down and a great lesson for me.
Both myself and sinna Annai (Thirugnnasampanthan) used to tease Thirumagal (Thiru) and call her ‘ediye’ (எடிஜேய் ). Thiru one day reacted and reported to Appu that both of us were bullying her and insulting her by calling ediye (எடிஜேய் ). Appu told her that North Indian Brahmins called their mother with love by calling எடிஜேய் and your brothers are doing the same for you. Thiru accepted the explanation in front of Appu.
I always had my dinner at home before I started my night duties with Appu. This particular day mummy was preparing very tasty emperor fish (விளை மீன்) for my grandfather and the rest of the family. Mummy was a vegetarian. I was not allowed to eat the fish, and she gave me string hoppers and Sothi (சொதி ), a fluid dish made from coconut milk. She said to me that I will never be allowed to eat non vegetables, due to the fact that I stayed and looked after Appu in the Ashram. I accepted the reason and had my usual vegetarian food in the vegetarian part of the kitchen and went to Appu. The first question that Appu asked me on my arrival in the Ashram was “what did you eat today?”. I said mummy gave me only string hoppers and sothy while all others were given fish dinner. Appu asked me “why did she give you that?”. I said, “because I am staying with you and as a result of it, I am not permitted to eat non vegetables.” Appu did not say anything. I continued with my normal duties in the Ashram and went to sleep. When my grandfather Mr Ponnambalam, who took over from me in the morning, arrived in the Ashram, Appu called him and said to him “Ponnambalam, do not spoil them. Let them eat whatever they like”. Of course, my grandfather was not aware of what went on and wanted Appu to explain his statement. Appu said, “Ponnambalam. Fish is the treasure from the sea. (மீன் கடல் தரு திரவியம் அவங்கள் சாப்பிடட்டும் ) Let them eat it. This was pleasant music to my ears when I overheard that! I went home and told mummy that Appu has approved my fish meals. She never said a word but went out, pulled a cane from the fence and caned me, saying, “why I told all these stories to Appu.” She continued to feed me only vegetarian food, while graciously discounting Appu’s approval!
My grandfather used to bring his great granddaughter Vasanthy (first daughter of my sister Mrs S Varatharajah) to the ashram when he came to take over from me on days. After my eldest sister gave birth to her second daughter (Suhanthi), Appu told my grandfather and my sister to rename Vasanthy as Ananthavalli and Suhanthy as Amuthavalli. After this my sister continued to name her next two daughters Atputhavalli and Ambujavalli.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Ceylon Dr James George, on completing his assignment in 1964 wanted to meet Appu in Columbuthurai (Jaffna, Ceylon) before his departure to Canada. The High Commissioner was introduced to Appu by Rt. Hon. Ramsbotham prior to Appu’s accident in 1961.
Appu got me to serve tea for the High Commissioner and his family as a farewell reception.The High Commissioner’s daughter was dressed in a traditional Tamil girl’s costume (பாவாடை சட்டை ). I remember Appu’s passionate conversation with the High Commissioner’s family and they flew to Canada from Jaffna Palaly airport via India to Toronto.
Appu’s divine grace was felt and enjoyed by both Easterners and Westerners, who came into contact with Appu.Appu sent a group of his devotees to take the message of Saiva Religion to the West and East. Rt. Hon. Ramsbotham, Mr K. Satchithanada, Mr and Mrs Navaratnam and Mr K. K. Nadarajan were sent to deliver a message of Saiva Siththantha in England and in Malaysia.
My most memorable day in 1963 was the INITIATION OF Rt. Hon. RAMSBOTHAM to SANTHASWAMY on 30-12-1963 by Appu.
This was the Thiruvathirai day, the last day of Thiruvemba ( திருவெண்பா ). I always went with my mother during the Thiruvemba days to the local pilliar temple and sang Thiruvemba (திருவெண்பா ) songs. After the worship in the temple, both my mother and I went to Appu. I continued with my duties to Appu in the ashram, while my mother visited her sister (Mrs Thirunavukarasu, called Assai Mummy(ஆசைமம்மி ) and enjoyed the morning coffee! Appu asked me to tell my mother to stay with Assai Mummy and prepare meals for 10 people. His words were ” கொம்மாவை இங்கு நின்று 10 பேருக்கு சமைக்கச்சொல்லு”
I passed Appu’s message to both the sisters (my mother and Assai Mummy). This was not an unusual request from Appu and preparations started. Assai Mummy said that Assai lyah (Mr Thirunavukarasu, her husband) was away in Poonakari and they required vegetables for cooking.
I went to lyer shop next door and managed to get just enough vegetables for cooking that Day.By approximately 10 am, I heard the opening of the tap outside the Ashram and saw Rt. Hon. Ramsbotham washing his feet.I went and updated Appu. Appu shouted “He has arrived! He has arrived!” (“வந்திட்டான் “) and started to give me instructions in the following order:
1) Undress Rt. Hon. Ramsbotham
2) Wash and dry his clothes
3) Bathe him in the bathroom
4) Apply holy ash (6) on his body 5) Dress him in the new clothes
6) Ordered me to hold the sacred 5 lipped camphor lamp before him and perform a “Pooja” to him.
After the above ceremony Appu said the following:
“From today onwards you are a Sanyasi (a person who surrenders all possession, life and spirit to God) and your name is “SANTHASWAMY”.
I prostrated before both swamys as per my mother and aunts order. Soon after this ceremony was over slowly people arrived from all directions. 10 in all and lunch was served.
The ten were:
- 1 Assai lyah (Mr. Thirunavukarsu) arrived from Poonery farm.
- Mr. Theivendram (Sri Lanka book depot owner)
- & 4. Mr. & Mrs. Navaratnam
- 5 & 6. Dr. & Mrs. Nadarajah
- 7 & 8. Dr. & Mrs. Pasupathy
- Dr. Jegathesan Pasupathy
- Myself
Santhaswamy was sent to rest in a nearby friend’s home (Dr Nadarajah) Appu and I visited him in the afternoon for tea.Santhaswamy’s Meeting with Appu in order/Diary of Events In 1953 Right Honourable James Ramsbotham was introduced to Appu by the German Swamy Gouribala *.
After this introduction, Right Honourable James Ramsbotham spent the time in Selva Sanithi near Thonda Manaru (North of Ceylon) and Kathirgamam (South of Ceylon) with Gouribala. Right Honourable James Ramsbotham also spent time in Kaithady with Markandu Swamy in 1955. Right Honourable James Ramsbotham stayed in Kataragama and returned to the UK in 1956. Right Honourable James Ramsbotham was planning to join the Greek Orthodox Church in 1957. Joining this establishment required an induction by the Greek Orthodox Church.
Just a day before he was to be inducted at the Orthodox ceremony, he was visited by his friend Gouribala with a message from Appu in 1957.
This message made Right Honourable James Ramsbotham cancel the Orthodox ceremony and made Right Honourable James Ramsbotham go to Yogaswamy in Ceylon.
His brother Sir Peter Ramsbotham referred to this incident as a change of religious direction of faith to pursue his search under the guidance of true belief – Appu.
When Right Honourable James Ramsbotham arrived in Ceylon in 1957 he was directed by Appu to stay in the Sivathondan Nilayam on KKS Road in Jaffna.
Mr. S Visuvalingam Master was responsible for Sivathondan Nilayam in 1957.
When Right Honourable James Ramsbotham returned to Ceylon and met Appu, Appu asked him “is there no God in London?”
In 1959, Right Honourable James Ramsbotham went back to the UK.
In 1960 Right Honourable James Ramsbotham returned to Ceylon.
In 1961, Appu had a fall and required a wheelchair to move around.
Right Honourable James Ramsbotham got a wheelchair from the UK with shock absorbers and probably the most modern wheelchair available in the market at that time. On 30/12/1963 Right Honourable James Ramsbotham was initiated by Yogaswamy who blessed him with the following words:“From today onwards, you are a Sanyasi and your name is Santhaswamy.”
