1. THE ADVENT
IT was the Ardra darshan celebrated as the day when Sivashowed his ananda [?]-tandava (dance of bliss) to Patanjali
and others at Chidambaram in fulfillment of a promise
made to Adisesha at Daruka forest. In the village of
Tiruchuzhi, Bhoominatheswara along with his consort
Sahayamba, was about to enter his abode after going round
the streets of the village blessing his devotees.
To the northeast of the temple was the house of
Sundaram Iyer, whose wife Alagamma was in labour to
deliver her third child. Lakshmi Ammal the mother of
Sundaram Iyer and an old lady of poor eyesight, their
neighbour, were in the room.1
That was December 29, 1879 well past midnight,
hence it was December 30. The moon was in the
constellation of Punarvasu. Bhoominatha halted a little while
at the entrance of the temple and there in the house a male
child was born. Sundaram Iyer's mother was disappointed
and gave expression to it. The lady of poor sight asked the
reason for her disappointment to which she replied, "You
know very well that my daughter Lakshmi is no more, her
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son Ramaswami is growing up here. The first child was a
girl who has gone. The second is Nagaswami. Now again it
is a boy. If the child had been a girl we could have married
her off to my daughter's son. Where is the chance now?
How will the family tie continue? This is all I am destined
for!" The old lady admonished her and consoled her,
"Enough of this, be quiet. The boy is a darling. He is
enveloped in great light. Don't you see, he is an avatar?
How can you weep over this?"
How did that lady of poor sight know?
According to the solar calendar it was the 16th day
of Margazhi of Pramadi year. According to the Lunar
calendar it was Pramadi, Margaseersha, Krishna paksha
(dark fortnight) 2nd day, night 19 1/2 ghadis, Tula lagna.