Unbelievably Believable

                                                                  -S. Mohan Kumar

                   "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of"

                                            ---Lord Alfred Tennyson

     "Unbelievably believable" is an oxymoron that means something is so unbelievable that it's hard to believe. 

Unbelievably: An adverb that means something is very surprising or difficult to believe. 

Believable: An adverb that means something is believable or in a believable manner.

In the divine faith context of prayer of total surrender to the  grace and benevolence of  God the Almighty,"Unbelievably Believable"  is  the 2023 summer theme of the Winkler Bible Camp. The camp also recorded a  prayer song called "Unbelievably Believable" in praise of the Lord .In fact Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote about prayer in his poem The Passing of Arthur, which is part of his narrative cycle Idylls of the King. In the poem, King Arthur says, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of"

In the above context of  faith prayer and total surrender to the God,let us look at some anecdotes seemingly true,which underscores possibility of believing what appears as unbelievably believable

  1.Every year chariot of Lord Janganath,Puri waits briefly  at the spot were it waited 3 centuries ago  till he recovered from illness and arrived, based on request and prayer of Salebagh -Muslim Devotee of Lord Jagannath ,Puri

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salabega )

Salabega occupies a prominent position among the devotional poets of Odisha, who devoted his life to Jagannath. He lived in the first half of the 17th century. Nilamani Mishra, who has written a comprehensive account of the poet and his works, determines the birth of Salabega between circa AD 1607-1608. Salabega was the son of the Mughal subedar, Lalbeg. His father, on one of his military excursions, came across Dandamukundapur. He saw a beautiful young Brahmin widow Lalita returning from her bath in a river. Lalbeg took her away by force and made her his wife. Salabega was their only son.

As soon as he was old enough, Salabega took up fighting in his father's campaigns. Once he was severely wounded in battle. Battling for life he accepted the advice of his mother, and chanted the holy name of Vishnu, which cured him miraculously.^[7] Feeling greatly indebted to Vishnu, he tried to learn more about Hinduism. His mother taught him about Jagannath, who is Vishnu. Amazed and thrilled he went to Puri but was refused entrance into the temple of Jagannath due to his religion of birth. Thereafter he went on foot to Vrindavan wherein he lived the life of an ascetic in the association of sadhus, reciting bhajans in honour of Krishna. After one year in Vraja (Vrindavana), he returned to Puri desiring to see the Ratha yatra festival of Jagannath, but on the way he suddenly fell ill. Feeling helpless and realising that he would not reach Puri in time to see the Ratha yatra festival, he offered prayers to Jagannath petitioning Him to wait until he arrived.

On the day of the Return Cart festival, Nandighosa, the cart of Jagannath, did not move until Salabega's arrival. The place where the cart remained stationary to give darshana to Salabega, was later used by Salabega to compose his many bhajans in honour of Jagannath. His body was cremated there after his death. The Samadhi of this great devotee is still standing on the Grand road in Puri called badadanda. In his honour, every year during the Rath Yatra (Cart Festival), the cart of Jagannath stays for a while near his Samadhi.

This poet was a great devotee of Sri Jagannath (Sri Krishna). His bhajans are still popular among the devotees of Jagannath. Salabega composed numerous devotional songs but not all of them have survived. Most of his compositions are prayers and hymns to Jagannath and Krishna. A good number of these deal with the romantic dalliance of Krishna with the gopis and Radha, while a few are inspired by the vatsalya ras, the sweet, motherly feeling Yashoda had for little Krishna

His deep devotion has intensity and passion, outstanding even in the devotional literature of the Bhakti era. Although the poet was denied entry into the temple, his descriptions of the inner compound and the sanctum are among the most detailed and accurate in the devotional literature of Odisha. His song ‘Ahe Nila Saila is one of the most famous prayers dedicated to Jagannatha. Many of the historical events of the period are recounted in his songs. The poet refers, with deep anguish, to the depredations of the marauders in their attacks on Puri and the repeated attempts to loot and desecrate the Srimandira. This frequently necessitated shifting the deities outside the main sanctum and the poet gives graphic details in the song Kene Gheni Jaucha Jagannathanku'.

Salabega's songs are sung in traditional tunes based on the ragas and talas of Odissi music.

2.Story of the British Officer Lt Col Martin who claimed he was saved by Lord Shiva in a battle with the Pathans in 1879

Lord Shiva rescued Lady Martin’s husband in Afghanistan -Based on the book "Yog-Yatra 4" of Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram

In 1879, when there was British Rule in India, Lt. Col. Martin of Agar Malva was leading the army in the war against Afghanistan. Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife. The war continued for long & Lady Martin stopped getting messages. She was very upset. Once riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. She was attracted to the sound of Conch & Mantra. She went inside & came to know that the Brahmanas were worshipping Lord Shiva. They saw her sad face & asked her problem. She explained everything to them. They told her that Lord Shiva listens to the prayers of devotees & takes them out of difficult situations in no time. With the advice of the Brahmanas she started the “Laghurudri Anushtthan” of the Mantra: “Om Namah Shivaya” for 11 days. She prayed to Lord Shiva that if her husband reaches home safely, then she would get the temple renovated. On the last of the “Laghurudri” a messenger came & gave a letter to her. Her husbang had written: “I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds but suddenly the Patthans surrounded us from all sides. We were entrapped in a situation where there was no scope of escaping death. Suddenly I saw a Yogi of India with long hair, carrying a weapon with three pointers (Trishul). His personality was amazing & he was maneuvering his weapon with a magnificent style. Seeing this great man, the Patthans started running back. With his grace our bad times turned into moments of victory. This was possible only because of that man of India wearing a lion skin & carrying a three-pointer weapon (Trishul). That great Yogi told me that I should not worry & that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife’s prayers.” Tears of joy were falling down the eyes of Lady Martin’s eyes while reading the letter. Her heart was overwhelmed. She fell into the feet of Lord Shiva’s statue & burst in tears. After a few weeks Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now both husband & wife became devotees of Lord Shiva. In 1883 they donated Rs. 15,000/- for renovating the temple. The information engraved slab for the same is still there in the Baijnath Mahadev Temple of Agar Malva. This is the only Hindu temple built by Britishers. When Lady Martin left for Europe she said that they would make Shiva Temple at their home and  pray to Him till the end of life.

 http://www.ashram.org/satsang/Satsang_InspirationalStories_LadyMartin.asp

3.Collector Col Lionel Place's vision of Lord Rama in Madurantakam

(https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/Mar/07/english-collectors-vision-of-rama-in-madhurantakam-1578821.html)

Madurantakam near Chengalpattu, is home to the Kodandarama temple, popularly known as the Eri Katha Rama temple.

The large stucco images in the principal sanctum are Kodandarama, Lakshmana and Sita, seen in a standing posture under the Pushpaka Vimana. In the outer prakaram is the important shrine for Sita, worshipped as Janakavalli, constructed in 1798 on the orders of Colonel Lionel Place, the Collector of Chengalpattu.

The story of his association with this temple is fascinating. Colonel Place decided to stop the flooding of this town due to breaches in the large irrigation tank in Madhurantakam which damaged the crops.  He was told that the villages were unable to build the shrine for Sita as they had no funds.The Collector said that if Lord Rama would prevent the breaches in the irrigation tank, he himself would construct the shrine for Sita.

Subsequently during heavy rains, the Collector, wanting to see if the arrangements for preventing the breaches were intact, walked near the tank when he saw two Divine Beings with bows and arrows guarding the bund.He knelt down and prayed to Rama and later said that he had a vision of Rama and Lakshmana. The tank did not breach that year and the crops were saved. Colonel. Place kept his promise and arranged for the construction of the sanctum for Janakavalli.

There is a Tamil inscription recording that Col. Place built this shrine. Other sanctums in this temple are for Andal, Sudarsana, Azhvars (Vaishnavaite saints) and the famous preceptor Vedanta Desika. Ramanuja the illustrious Srivaishnava preceptor (Acharya) also visited this temple and his meeting with Periya Nambi, a great Vaishnavite from Srirangam took place 

4. Sri Ramanujar's conversation at his tomb with Lord Munro

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_Munro,_1st_Baronet)

The village of Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh is where the tomb of the famous  Dvaita Saint Raghavendra Swami is located. An anecdote of Sir Thomas Munro is told about this place. 

When Sir Thomas Munro was the Collector of Bellary in 1800, the Madras Government ordered him to procure the annual tax from the Math and Manthralaya village. When the Revenue officials were unable to comply with this order, Sir Thomas Munro visited the Math for investigation. He removed his hat and shoes and entered the sacred precincts where the original tomb is located.

 Sri Raghavendra Swamy emerged from the tomb and conversed with him for some time, about the resumption of endowment. The Saint was visible and audible only to Munro, who received Mantraskata (God's blessing). The Collector went back and wrote an order in favour of the Math and the village.

 This notification was published in the Madras Government Gazette in Chapter XI, page 213, with the caption "Manchali Adoni Taluka". This order is still preserved in Fort St. George and Mantralayam.

Invisible Golden Thoranam and Lord Munro

On the right bank is the temple of Veera Anjaneya situated in serine atmosphere presenting a picturesque scene. The legend of how the temple of Lord Anjaneya had come to being here is very interesting.

During the Ramayana period Sri Vayudeva was on mediation here. Sri Rama had passed through this place while going southwards in search of Sri Sitadevi. While Sri Vayudeva wanted Sri Rama to stay here as his host, Sri Rama had told that he will accept his hospitality on his way back to Ayodhya from Lanka.

On hearing of Sri Rama's victory over Ravana in Lanka, Sri Vayudeva had prepared this place to welcome him and flung a wreath (garland) of golden flowers across the ravine through which the conqueror should pass on his way northwards to Ayodhya.

The golden flowers arranged in the thoranam form by Sri Vayudeva for welcoming the victorious Sri Rama are true and could be visible between the two hills. Even in this Kaliyuga it was visible for those who had faith on Lord. It is believed that those who had done their karma during this janma in full and truly are blessed to see the golden thoranam during their last days. It is also believed that for those who had the dharshan of this golden festoon are free from rebirth.

It is in record that Sir Thomas Munroe the District Collector of Cuddapah was one of the blessed to have seen the golden festoon (Bangaru thoranam) during his last visit to "Gandi". It has been recorded in the Madras District Gazetteer Cuddapah District Vol I - Chapter I - Page 3 & Chapter XV - Page 217 dated 01.10.1914.
(https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/75628-xinging-around-legend-golden-garland)

 5. Every Year one British family from England visit the temple to take Darshan of Mother Goddess Meenakshi .

 (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kishenssr_every-year-one-british-family-from-england-activity-6882558281596858368-FbHm/)

There is a most interesting story. Connected between British collector and Meenakshi Amman.
British Collector named Rous Peter was appointed as Collector of Madurai from 1812 to 1828.
Though a Christian by faith, he respected all faiths including Hinduism and also honored local practices.
Collector Peter was the temple administrator of the Meenakshi Amman Temple and conducted all his duties with sincerity and honesty and respected the religious sentiments of all people.
Collector Rous Peter respected and treated people of all faiths equally and this noble trait earned him the popular nickname *‘Peter Pandian'*
*Goddess Meenakshi Amman Temple* was situated between Collector Peter's residence and office.
Everyday he used to go to the office by his horse and while crossing the temple, he got down from his horse, removed the hat and his shoes and crossed the whole path on his foot. Through this small gesture he expressed his reverence to the Goddess!*

One day there was a heavy downpour in Madurai city and River Vaigai was in spate.
Collector was sleeping in his residence and was suddenly disturbed and woken up by the sound of anklets and he left his bed to find out from where the sound had came.
He saw a small girl wearing pattuvastrams (silk garments) and precious ornaments and addressing him as *'Peter come this way'.*
And he came out to follow her and was running behind the little girl to find out who she was! As he came out of the house and was running, he was shocked as he turned to see behind him, his residence (whole bungalow) being washed away by the flood waters of River Vaigai!
He turned to follow the girl but she disappeared into thin air! He saw that the girl ran without any shoes and was wearing anklets.*
He beleived that his devotion for Mother *Goddess Meenakshi* had saved his life.

Later, he wished to give a gift to Lord Meenakshi Amman & consulted the priest of temple and ordered for *a pair of golden shoes for Goddess Meenakshi Amman*.
It is thus that the pair of Paadhukams consisting of *412 rubies, *72 emeralds,*and *80 diamonds* were made and donated to the temple.
His name was sculpted as "Peter" on sole of the shoes.
Till this day the pair of Paadhukams are known as *'Peter Paadhukam'*
Every year at the time of 'Chaitra Festival', utsava moorthy of Goddess Meenakshi Amman is decorated with the Padukams.
He also wished that after his death he should be buried in a position that enabled his eyes to face the temple. It is interesting to note that Rous Peter’s grave is positioned the way he wished while the pther graves faces the other way.
This is the incidence that had happened 200 years back. Every year descendant of Raus Peter family visits the temple.

6.Devi Sangameswar Bhavani wakes up and saves British Collector  William Garrow from Floods

(https://ramanisblog.in/2015/09/07/devi-wakes-up-british-collector-saves-from-flood-sangameswara-bhavani/)

The bounty of Grace is not reserved for only to the adherents to Hinduism.It flows in abundance to any one who has faith and one who worships, irrespective of religious denominations.

We have Raghavendraswamy , Mantralaya. speaking to a British Collector, which was notified in the Gazette, a British collector seeing Rama and Lakshmana guarding the tank in Madhurantakam, Goddess Meenakshi saving British collector, abd Samayapuarthu Amman curing a British Officer.

There are more incidents that have been documented.

Devi Vedanayaki, Sanagameswara temple, Bhavani, Tamil Nadu saved a British collector from floods and thea  grateful Britisher donated  an Ivory Cradle.

It is, with his signature, on display at the temple even today.

Sangameswarar alayam is a temple in Bhavani, in the Erode district, of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a Hindu templededicated to Lord Shiva.

The temple was built at the confluence of Kaveri river, Bhavani river and ‘agaya gangai’, an invisible underground water source.

The temple was praised in old Tamil literatures Thirupugazh, Pillaithamizh by Thirugnanasambandar and Arunagiriyar, as Thirunana.

Sangameswarar alayam is a Tamil Nadu tourism spot and has a huge hall for social events, a beautiful river side garden, round boat ride, swim and bath area, and an elephant too. Here Kaveri river, Bhavani river and Amudha river join together. River Amudha flow as Antharvahini, just like Sarasvathy at Triveni Sangamam of Allahabad. The place is also known as Dakshina Triveni Sangamam. This place is also known as Padhuma Giri which is surrounded by Naga Giri, Veda giri, Sanga Giri and Mangala Giri.The temple is known as Kooduthurai by locals

It is  said that during the East India Company regime the then Collector of Coimbatore and Salem Districts, William Garrow, who had his headquarters at Bhavani, worshipped Goddess Vedanayaki,almost on a daily basis..But he chose to live in a Bungalow adjusant to the Amman and made 3 holes on the wall so that he can have uninterrupted Darshan every day of his favourite Deity(The holes are still there!) One night ,he was awakened in his Draem with the appearance of Amman Vedanayaki and the Goddess directed him in his dream to vacate his bungalow immediately. The moment he moved out, the entire bungalow collapsed. He wondered at this miracle and he presented to the temple an ivory cradle, which is still in the temple, with his signature…