The rise & fall of Parthasarathy ****

“அய்யா , சன்னாசி மகன் போயிட்டான் அய்யா ,” (Ayya, Sannasy’s son passed away) Muthiah stood by the roadside. He was breathless, having run all the way from the edge of the town, where Sannasy lived. Seeing Parthasarathy’s car, he had waved him down.

“அட பாவமே . நேத்து கூட பார்த்தேன் , நல்லா இருந்தான் … , சரி முத்தையா , வண்டில ஏறு . ராபெர்ட் , வண்டிய திருப்பு . சன்னாசி வீட்டுக்கு போகணும் .” (Oh, what a pity. Even yesterday I saw him, he was fine. OK, Muthiah , come, get in the car. Robert, lets go to Sannasy’s house).

***

Muthiah hugged Sannasy and comforted Sannasy’s wife, Valli. “ஆண்டவன் சொதிக்கறான் . கவலை படாதீங்க . எல்லாமே நல்லா முடியும் . ராபெர்ட் , வேண்டிய ஏற்பாடு பண்ணையா .” (It’s all a test by God. Don’t worry, everything will be ok. Robert, do whatever is needed). Sannasy and Valli were in tears. The whole community watched as Parthasarathy, a high caste aristocrat, and village zameen, hugging someone of their community – the outcaste Pallars. Parthasarathy became one of them, bathing the body, carrying the hearse, and following up to the cremation ground.

Parthasarathy was loved and respected for this characteristic. He truly treated everyone as his own. Whenever anyone in the village faced any tragedy, Parthasarathy would be there, offering solace, help and assistance. The villagers would approach him for all kind of help and assistance.

“My daughter wants to go to the city. She wants to study to be a doctor. Please advise her sar. Is that suitable for a girl ? Is it possible for us ?” Vengaiah stood with his hands folded. His daughter Thenmozhi stood behind him, eyes downcast. Mookan looked at Vengaiah sadly.

Parthasarathy looked at Thenmozhi. She looked up at him, and their eyes met. Her eyes were pleading. Parthasarathy could sense the yearning in her heart. He looked at Vengaiah. “Vengaiah, times have changed. Nowadays girls are studying many things. There are girls who are in many professions and top positions. Your daughter has the capability. She has the interest. Let her go. You will not regret it.”

Vengaiah was shocked. “அய்யா , நாங்க …” (Ayya, we…)

Parthasarathy put up his hand. He stood up, and held Vengaiah by his shoulders. “Don’t worry. Everything will be ok. I will take care. “

Vengaiah was overcome with emotion. “அய்யா …” he tried to fall at Parthasarathy’s feet, but Parthasarathy stopped him. “போ , போயி செய்யவேண்டியதை செய் ”. (Go and do whatever is needed). Vengaiah’s daughter was in tears.

As they moved away, Mookan came up, his eyes moist. “Sar, my wife is in the hospital. “ He related his problem, and Parthasarathy gave his solution.

***

Parthasarathy’s father, the late Kathiresan Ayya had been a respected elder in Mullaikurichchi, a small town near Madurai. Ever since Kathiresan Ayya passed away, Parthasarathy had taken over his father’s role. He gave advice, financial help, mediated and resolved disputes, and even offered faith healing and spiritual advice.

Parthasarathy was wealthy and successful in business. He donated large sums for the benefit of the community. The Village Temple, community halls, a school and even a college, wells, roads, hospital and all manner of community facilities were built with funds donated by him. Several youths and children were in schools and colleges, fully funded by Parthasarathy. Everyone in the village without exception had benefited from Parthasarathy’s, one way or the other.

Parthasarathy’s advice and views were accepted and revered as though they were divine. As a Shiva baktha, Parthasarathy did regular Abishekam for the Shivalinga, which he had specially obtained from a Holy man in the Himalayas.

The daily Shivalinga abishekam and pooja had started out as family prayers, conducted by Parthasarathy, in the presence of his wife, Amirthavalli and son, Kishore. It soon attracted many villagers, and soon it became the norm for a large crowd to attend the daily prayers, after which Parthasarathy would listen to the people’s issues and offer advice, and assistance, blessings and solace. Word spread, and soon, people from neighbouring villages began coming too.

***

“அய்யா வீட்டு சிவலிங்கம் மேல் விபுதி வந்திருக்கு ,” (Vibhuti has materialised on Ayya's Shivalingam). Kamakshi was breathless with excitement. As the word spread, a large crowd had gathered at Parthasarathy’s house. It had been early that morning. As Amirthavalli had entered the pooja room, to get ready for the abhishekam, she noticed the Shivalingam covered in a heap of fine fragrant vibhuti. Initially she thought her husband might have done a vibhuti abhishekam, and left the Shivalingam covered in the ash, although she knew that was highly uncharacteristic of him. She called out to Parthasarathy, and the moment he entered the room and saw the sight, tears formed in his eyes. “சர்வேஸ்வரன் நமக்கு ஒரு தரிசனம் கொடுத்திட்டார் ,” (the Lord has blessed us with His divine presence) his voice trembled as he said it. But there was more to come. The vibhuti manifestation became a daily occurrence, sometimes spreading to the walls and the pictures of other deities nearby. Every morning and evening Amirthavalli would collect the Vibhuti and pack it into small packets to be given away to everyone who came. The news spread far and wide.

“Ayya has been especially blessed. His heart is pure gold. God himself has recognized Ayya’s divine character.”

“அய்யா வாரி வாரி கொடுத்தாரு , இப்போ ஆண்டவன் வாரி வாரி கொடுக்கறான் .” (Ayya gave generously, now God is showing His generosity to Ayya).

Somehow the vibhuti manifestation elevated Parthasarathy to a level which he had not achieved with all his philanthropy, and service to humanity, and love and care. He was a demi God to the simple folk of Mullaikurichchi. Even Maheshwara Ayyar, the respected temple priest acknowledged Parthasarathy’s special position. “அய்யா ஒரு தெய்வீக பிறவி . அந்த ஆண்டவனே அவரை அனுப்பி வச்சிருக்கார் , நமக்காஹ. நாம எல்லாம் ரொம்ப குடுத்து வெச்சிருக்கோம் ”. (Ayya is a divine incarnation. The Lord Himself has sent him, for our sake. We are very fortunate). Hearing this from Maheshwara Ayyar further authenticated the exalted place which the villagers of Mullaikurichchi had created for Parthasarathy.

***

It was the day before Shivarathri. Maheshwara Ayyar had turned up at Parthasarathy’s house before dawn. “அவர் குளிக்கறார் . கொஞ்சம் இருங்க அய்யா ”. (He is in his bath. Please come in and wait.) Amirthavalli led Maheshwara Ayyar into the house. Maheshwara Ayyar sat for several minutes. Then, he got up , deciding to go into the prayer room. As he entered, he saw Parthasarathy. He was kneeling at the Shivalingam. Plastering the Lingam with vibhuti, which he took from a small sack. Maheshwara Ayyar could not believe what he was seeing. Could it be ? Could Parthasarathy actually be faking the vibhuti manifestation ? He could not control the storm of emotions he felt at that moment. “Parthasarathy Ayya… என்ன செய்யறீங்க ” (Parthasarathy Ayya, what are you doing) he shouted out.

Startled, Parthasarathy stood up. He turned to Maheshwara Ayyar, still holding the tell-tale sack of vibhuti in his hand. Tears formed in his eyes. He brought the sack up and looked at it, almost surprised to see it in his own hands. At that moment Amirthavalli came in, carrying the kuthuvilakku. Taking in the scene, she immediately understood what had happened. The kuthuvillakku fell from her hands. She burst into tears, turned, and left.

***

The Parthasarathy household is deserted. A year after the incident, Parthasarathy is alone, and desolate. He looks sickly, and his body is a skeleton, with his clothes hanging loosely on his frame. He seldom goes out of the house. The Villagers shun him. The Shiva Temple which Parthasarathy built is closed and barricaded. So are the Community halls, schools, college and hospital. Parthasarathy’s wife had left him, taking their son with her to her parents’ house. The house is silent. The poojas have stopped.

Parthasarathy , the human being, was elevated to a divine status by the villagers. The divine aspect that was manifesting in Parthasarathy’s human body so strongly, encouraged them to do so. But alas, Parthasarathy was but a Human. He had the divine in him. But he had the devil in him too. Just like everyone else. And one day, in a moment of weakness, the devil had taken over….