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High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K. CHANDRU
Thiru Sabanatha Oli Sivachariyar
Versus
The Commissioner, H.R. & C.E. Department & Others
W.P.Nos.22886 and 22887 of 2007 & M.P.NOs.1, 2, 1 and 2 of 2007
Decided On : 24-03-2010
[KEYWORD] - [SUBJECT] - [ACT SECTION LIST] - [SUMMARY]
Fact of the Case:
Vallalar (Ramalinga Pillai, Maruthur), made this revolutionary declaration in the late 19th century and ever since his spectre of Arutpa haunted throughout the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu. Though he was born on 010. 1823 and disappeared from this World on 30th January, 1874, only for a period of half a century, his mesmeric words and deeds had a sway over the people of Tamil Nadu continues and still has substantial following of the enlightened till date. He could attack the obscurantist caste bickerings and religious divides even 150 years before makes him an extraordinary human being. He was not a mere theosophist to wean persons from the material world and his teachings had relevance in his contemporary world. Of half century of his material existence during the first 40 years, after travelling widely and visiting many temples in Tamil Nadu got reflected in his hymns and verses. The last decade of his life saw a dramatic change in his outlook which based upon formless worship and his abundant love towards fellow human beings. Many of his words and deeds had remarkable influence not only on the people, but even on the colonial rulers of his time.
Finding of the Court:
The petitioner claims that Vallalar was a staunch devotee of Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram. He devoted his entire life in propagating Saivatism. He had written many lyrics in praise of Lord Siva at Padi, Lord Subramaniar at Kandakottam and Goddess Vadivudaiamman at Thiruvotriyur. Vallalar had great respect for the forefather of the petitioner, i.e. Adoor Sabapathy Sivachariyar. They had discussion over various aspects of Saivatism. Vallalar had number of disciples and followers, who donated lands and cash gifts. According to the petitioner, Vallalar had strong belief that Lord Siva is the only ultimate God. Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram was considered by him as one of Sivas manifestation. He sung many poems in praise of Lord Nataraja, which were subsequently published as "Nangam Thirumurai". Vallalar wanted to establish a temple for Lord Nataraja at Vadalur with the funds donated by his devotees. He conceived and designed the architecture of the temple and made it in the form of Lotus leaves with "Ashtakonam Formation". While he labelled Chidambaram temple as Purva Gnana Sabhai, he named his temple at Vadalur as "Uttira Gnana Sabai". He installed a "Spatika Lingam" representing "Roopa/Arupa" manifestation of Lord Shiva. The seven curtains hung therein represented seven "Sakthis". He also put a plain glass and lamp behind the glass in the "Sanctum Sanctorum". The installation and consecration function were carried out by the forefather of the petitioner as per agamic rules on 21. 1872.
Issues: Whether the present rituals are as per the tenets of Vallalar?
Ratio Decidendi: The Joint Commissioner found that Vallalar himself had delineated the nature of worship and he stated that the worship will have to be done onlly in Jyothi form and not other form of rituals are to be practiced in Sathya Gnana Sabai. On the contrary, the Poojaris have installed religious idols inside the Sathya Gnana Sabai. After performing poojas each day two times from 11.30 to 12.00 Noon and 7.30 to 8.00 p.m. with Jyothi form, subsequently, other rituals were conducted by Poojaris without knowledge of public inside the Gnana Sabai. Thereafter, when they started openly performing poojas to the knowledge of devotees, protests started mounting and representations were given that such changes in the rituals are illegal.
Final Decision: The revision petitions filed by the petitioner were dismissed.
I. The Legend:
TAMIL
[O my brothers and sisters of the world!
It is dawning in the east.
The Sun of the Glory of Compassion and Grade is coming into view.
The lotus of my heart is blooming in joy.
The evil of my mind is losing its grip.
The partisan quarrels and discords arising from castes, ashramas, sects, and dogmas are ceasing to be.
Those who have long poured over many a false treatise have lost their faith, their speech and vocal power of noisy debate, Hark, my brothers and sisters!
Do you not hear the unending roll of the drums of the Divine Spirit of the Supreme Lord, the one without an equal, and realize the Truth?
Do you not hear that compassion towards all living beings is the one universal way of attaining Him?]
TAMIL
[O ye Men and Women of the world!
Do come this way
The supreme gracious glory, which has neither beginning nor middle nor end, has filled my mind in mercy.
And I have become an eternal being.
And I will establish ye in the broad day light of the one supreme ever existing.
Lord beyond, removing from you the excrescences of caste, dogmas and sect
The Truth is spoken,
O ye Men and Women of the world
Do come quick this way.]
[Translation by A.Balakrishnan - Thiru Arutpa (1966)]
2.Vallalar - The Reformer:-
2. 1. Vallalar (Ramalinga Pillai, Maruthur), made this revolutionary declaration in the late 19th century and ever since his spectre of Arutpa haunted throughout the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu. Though he was born on 010. 1823 and disappeared from this World on 30th January, 1874, only for a period of half a century, his mesmeric words and deeds had a sway over the people of Tamil Nadu continues and still has substantial following of the enlightened till date. He could attack the obscurantist caste bickerings and religious divides even 150 years before makes him an extraordinary human being. He was not a mere theosophist to wean persons from the material world and his teachings had relevance in his contemporary world. Of half century of his material existence during the first 40 years, after travelling widely and visiting many temples in Tamil Nadu got reflected in his hymns and verses. The last decade of his life saw a dramatic change in his outlook which based upon formless worship and his abundant love towards fellow human beings. Many of his words and deeds had remarkable influence not only on the people, but even on the colonial rulers of his time.
2. 2. He could attack religions and caste as false make ups. He could derail Agamas and Vedas, making any one amazed by his boldness. The following verses composed by him will show the same:-
TAMIL
The boundless benevolent Jothi enlightens that caste, religion and creed are false.
TAMIL
The boundless benevolent Jothi towering over the Crowns of Agamas and Vedas Transcends them
TAMIL
The boundless benevolent Jothi has appeared at the right moment when the bias of religion, caste etc. were eschewed.
(Translated by Swami Saravananda)
2. 3. It will not be out of place to refer that the then colonial Government enacted The Caste Difficulties Removal Act, 1872. The Act safeguarded inter-caste marriages and declared them as valid provided parties getting married are above the prescribed age. There was extraordinary coincidence between his campaign against caste conflicts and Government enacting a law safeguarding the rights of the people.
2. 4. The then Madras Presidency witnessed grave famines including the one at Kalahandi (presently in Orissa State) in 1866 which was seen in this part of the Country. People were dying in thousands for want of food. Vallalar so moved by the plight of common people, sang in desperation. He lamented and worried on seeing the withering crops. When Vallalar saw human sufferings it gave immense pain. The hungry faces he saw reminded him of withering ear of cereals falling for want of nourishment. He felt such profound compassion in his heart because God resided there. The feeling of compassion is given only for humans. Vall
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