Dr. ShuddhanandaBharati

Veera Thevan

The history of Veeraththevan givesgreatness to the history of

Tamil Nadu itself

Veeraththevan

ASSAEditions

Introduction

Where Periya Marudhu was, Veeraththevan was there. IfPeriya Marudhu said ‘Hoom’, Veereththevan wouldrespond ‘Yes’ and get into action. For the revolution of theMaravas that arose in Tamil Nadu, Veeraththevan was likethe right hand. The history of Veeraththevan gives great-ness to the history of Tamil Nadu itself.

In my younger days, I used to go to Sivagangai Palacequite often. There I read my lessons with my school friend,Velu Durai, in the night. At that time, there was a noblewarrior in the Palace. His name was Delhi Paachchaa The-var. He was of youthful build. Fair in complexion, steepshoulders, strong hand muscles born out of dumbbellexercises, twisted stiff moustache, tiger look, sweet talk,Maravas dynasty quality, Tamil civilization – all theseaptly describe Dehli Paachchaa Thevar. He narrated in aninteresting manner the story of the revolutionary leaderswho fought for the freedom of Tamil Nadu. He narratedthe stories of Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu withemotion. More than anything else, he narrated the story ofVeeraththevan. On hearing that story again and again, mymind became enthusiastic. An elderly woman namedAavaarankaattu Paatti of the Maravas dynasty who hadseen Veeraththevan told me several rare stories. An oppor-tunity came for showing Veeraththevan to the world. Ourpeople’s hearts that have read and enjoyed AlexanderDumas novels, Victor Hugo novels and Sir Walter Scottnovels will get heroic thrills if they hear of Veeraththevan’s

- 7 -

life. People who have read Bankim Chandra’s book1 Anan-damath and Durga Rani will certainly enjoy Veeraththevan’sstory. Though thousands of Tamil hero gems shone inTamil history, the world knows about only a few. Someheroes of the Cheras, Chozhas (Cholas) and Pandiyas, andsome heroes of Puranaanooru, shone countrywide andfound their mention in books. There are many valorouslions that shone, hidden behind the curtain of time.Among them, Veeraththevan is an incomparable one. Tamilpeople should know about him; the world should learnabout him. The West praises sky-high bandits with bighearts like Robin Hood2 and Tim Drake3. They created sto-ries with Robin Hood as the hero. The novelist Sir WalterScott had woven a serial story called Ivanhoe based onRobin Hood. Let us also weave a serial story based on thelife of Veeraththevan and present it to the world.

Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati

1 Bankim Chandra’s respected book Anandamath (pronounced Anondomôhin Bengali), published in 1882.2 Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw in English folklore who, according to legend,was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. Hero in the book Ivanhoe by SirWalter Scott.3 Batman.

- 8 -

Preface

This novel, ‘Veeraththevan’, one of the several novels ofSwami Shudhdhananda Bharati, delineates the eventsrelated to the freedom struggle of brave Tamils in thePandiya kingdom in the form of a story. The avid readersand fans of Dr. Shudhdhananda Bharati, who swam in thewaters of his brilliant poetic flow in his books like TheEssence of Religion, Kummy Folk Dance:The History of ourCountry India, The Arrival of Buddha and many others, aretreated to Swami’s gripping narration of a story in thisnovel entitled Veeraththevan, the story of the heroes of theMarava dynasty who fearlessly opposed the East IndiaCompany’s domination and their capture of the countryof India, and of the sacrifices, turmoil and tribulations theMaravas were subjected to in their quest for freedom andin their relentless guarding of the rights of the country.

With apt and striking chapter headings, the story is wovenin a flowing style, eulogising valour, heroism and the tac-tical war methodologies of the Pandiya Kingdom in theeighteenth century. Humour is interspersed into the nar-ration in a piquant manner. The action of the terrible warin which the King Vadugunadhar Durai and the Marudhubrothers belonging to the Marava dynasty were engagedis brought out by Shudhdhananda Bharati in an elegantmanner, given atmosphere by a number of action soundstoo! The scenes, the Palace, the festivities, local fervourand charm are all conjured up before our eyes by Swami inthis historical novel.

- 9 -

Veeraththevan, the hero of this novel is very well portrayedin several dimensions. In the opening chapter itself, intro-ducing him in a wrestling bout is very interestinglydescribed. The monstrous foreign wrestler’s haughtiness,his burly figure, Veeraththevan’s swift and elegant moves tocounter and to fell the wrestler, huge in size, are all cap-tured by Dr. Sudhdhananda Bharati in a unique style. Theheroics of Veeraththevan, the several roles he plays, hismanoeuvres, tactics and strategies which played a big partin keeping the East India Company Army baffled andstunned are all narrated in a gripping manner are high-lights of this novel.

Juxtaposed with the easy flow of the story are the poemsinterspersed at appropriate situations. Dr. Shudhd-hananda Bharati’s rich knowledge of the Tamil culture, ofthe Tamil poetries, of the customs and traditions of theRoyal family, of the festivities and of the intense devotionto Lord Muruga can be vividly seen throughout.

Through this poignant story, in a devoted and dedicatedfashion, Swami Shudhdhananda Bharati will definitelytouch the hearts of all Indians filled with love for theircountry and make them shed at least a tear or two whenthey read about the sufferings the people of the countryunderwent in their struggle against foreign domination.Feelings of patriotism will glow in every Indian readerwho gets a chance to read this novel. Every reader whoreads it will get an insight into the selfless sacrifice of thepatriotic and courageous heroes of Tamil Nadu.

It is because of the dedicated yeoman service rendered byChristian Piaget of the Editions ASSA, Switzerland (Aum

- 10 -

Shuddha Shakti Aum) towards the noble task of spreadingthe message of the great Saint Shudhdhananda Bharati,his great works in Tamil are being made available inEnglish language so that Swami’s works and messages arespread throughout the world. This aspect is once againdisplayed by ASSA by their culling of this rare book,Veeraththevan, from the archives of Kavi Yogi’s works.

To perform the job of translating a historical novel likethis, wherein the scenes of patriotic emotions of the heroesof Bharat are so assiduously penned by the revered KaviYogi, is this translator’s privilege!

Srinivasa Rao Nagaraja Kumar

- 11 -

Swami Shuddhananda Bharati

There is but one God for the whole worldAll bodies are but temples of God

Editor’s Notes

Always with great respect and surprised to read and recog-nize the immense knowledge of Dr. Shuddhananda Bharation all matters alone, mostly about the history of the world,India and Tamil Nadu more precisely.

Easily, the whole of his work can be considered as a sum-mary of 5,000 years of history, world history, its evolution,and its vision of Maharishi, identical to the first Rishis whowrote the Vedas.

Kavi Yogi Maharishi Dr. Shuddhananda Bharati is one of thegreat men passing on earth, bringing their peace and lightfor the harmonious development of mankind.

About the meaning of Veeraththevan, from the translator:

“Though Viradevan or Veradevan, if transliterated, willalso appear as வரீதே்தவன,் the word ‘Devan’ in Tamilmeans divine, whereas ‘Thevar’ or ‘Thevan’ refers to theThevars of the Marava dynasty belonging to Tamil Nadu.Therefore, the word ‘Thevan’ is more appropriate and isgenerally used in most forms of writings. I used ‘th’ inbetween so that people who are not familiar with Tamilwill not read it as வரீ ேதவன்் (leaving out the ‘த’்) if Iwrite Veera Thevan. Dr. Shudhdhananda Bharati has writ-ten வரீதே்தவன்் as one word. So I have written it asVeeraththevan, one word. It would not be wrong to write itas ‘Veera Thevan’ too, if so desired.”

A warm thank you to M. Kumar Srinivasa Nagaraja Raofor this beautiful translation and for the preface, to PhylStewart for her help on the preparation of this book and to

- 13 -

my friend A V Ilango for his presence at my side and hisvaluable support. It is a great joy to have happiness andthe chance to know A V Ilango in Chennai, renownedpainter and sculptor. I met him some years ago in Chen-nai, we both keep a wonderful memory of a beautifulmeditation. Ties of friendships have been created and AV Ilango participates in various paintings of Shakti toachieve a major work of Shuddhananda Bharati, hisMagnum Opus, Bharata Shakti and for this work thepaintings of Veeraththevan. He is the founder of Ilango’sArtspace Pvt. Ltd.

It is a real pleasure for me to present Veeraththevan to you.Thank you to Dr. Shuddhananda Bharati for having trans-mitted Veeraththevan to us. With the blessing of Aum ShuddhaShakti Aum.

Christian Piaget

- 14 -

Courage!

The night is through,The chain of slaveryIt is already broken -I am full of courage!

Peace in the morning,A golden sun risesLike a lion superhumanTo accomplish my dream.

A hopeful smile,Docile as a childWho plays in the infiniteWith a fiery star.

My journey is over;I enjoy time;The universe is my nest;Of eternal spring.

- 15 -

Peace Anthem

Peace for all, peace for allFor all the countries peaceJoy for all, joy for allFor all the nations joyA rosy morning peaceA smiling summer joy (Peace for all)

All for each and each for allThis is the golden ruleLife and Light and Love for allFor all that live our love (Peace for all)

Work and food and clothes for allEqual status for allHealth and home and school for allA happy world for all (Peace for all)

No idle rich, no more beggarsAll are equal workersNo more tears, no more fearsThe heart is full of cheers (Peace for all)

- 16 -

No atom scare, no fat mammonNo room for war demonLike leaves in trees, like rays in the sunWe are one communion,One Divine communion (Peace for all)

The good in you is good for allYour life is life for allThe God in you is God for allYour love is love for all (Peace for all)

For he or she or it or restThis collective life is bestThis Universal Life is bestNorth or South, or East or West (Peace for all)

Peace for plants and birds and beastsFor hills and streams and woodsPeace in Home - land and air and seaDynamic peace we see

Peace for all, peace for all

Immortal Peace for All

- 17 -

Song of Unity

Unite. Unite, Unite, Oh SoulsUnite and play your rolesUnite in mind, unite in heartUnite in whole, unite in partLike words and tunes and sense in songLet East and West unite and live longTrees are many; the grove is oneBranches are many; tree is oneShores are many; sea is oneLimbs are many; body is oneBodies are many; self is oneStars are many; sky is oneFlowers are many; honey is onePages are many; book is oneThoughts are many; thinker is oneTastes are many; taster is oneActors are many; the drama is oneNations are many; the world is oneReligions are many; Truth is oneThe wise are many; Wisdom is oneBeings are many; breath is oneClasses are many; college is oneFind out this One behind the manyThen life shall enjoy peaceful harmony

- 18 -

Presentation of Dr. Shuddhananda Bharati11th May 1897 – 7th March 1990

The wise one to the cosmic ageAlthough more than 90 years old, in his school in thesouth of India, Kavi Yogi Maharishi (great divine visionary,wise poet), Dr.Shuddhananda Bharati worked like ayoung man of twenty. When he was asked his age, heanswered: “My age is Courage!” The Yogi wrote severalhundred works in English, French, Tamil, Hindi, Teluguand Sanskrit; five thousand songs, and fifteen hundredpoems in French. The magnum opus of the man consciousof the presence of God in him, Bharata Shakti, (in 50,000verses) described his ideal: only One Humanity living incommunion with only One God in a transformed world!Bharata Shakti is a monumental and unique work. The Yogidepicts the essence of all the religions, of all the prophetsand saints, all the approaches of yoga and all the cultureson an allegorical fabric. It is a book for any age which allspiritual researchers and all nations should read and med-itate on. His commitment is summarized in his book cele-brating his life, Pilgrim Soul. The three poems mentionedin the opening express perfectly his ideal. His mantra,Aum Shuddha Shakti Aum, nourishes our souls and guidesour steps toward the inner joy Ananda. It means: The lightof Grace and power of the pure supreme Almighty blessus of peace, happiness and prosperity! Let the beauty andgreatness of soul of Dr.Bharati Shuddhananda bloom andscent the entire Earth of its divine message and his spiri-tual and unifying benefactor!

Editions ASSA

Veeraththevan, painting from A V Ilango

Veeraththevan, painting from A V Ilango

Veeraththevan

1. Well done, Hero!

On the huge grounds of the Palace, a competition of val-our is taking place. The ground is decorated with sus-pended festoons made out of mango leaves and tendercoconut shoots, and colourful flags. This indicates whichsection is for which game. Valiant heroes are coming inlong lines like lion herds and taking their seats in the seatsallotted to them. Apart from the heroes from Maravas,heroes from other countries also have come for the compe-tition. To watch the valorous games, people in large num-bers are seated in the galleries. The womenfolk are watch-ing the fun from the storied portions of the Palace.

Whenever a hero comes, the blowing horns sound‘bhoom, bhoom’. The drums beat ‘dum, dunuk, dunuk’;when they play, the jambai keeps time, making a roaringnoise in the band.

Some heroes are engaged in sword fighting. Some goaround brandishing and flashing the coiling swordrepeatedly. Some show their quarter staff swings. Somefight with battle axes and spears. Some are patting theirshoulders as they wrestle. Watching these, the entire Kingstood twisting his moustache. At this time, one strongwrestler from the North called Malla Rasa appeared.Looking at the King, he spoke of his greatness and boastedthat no one could wrestle with him and win. Malla Rasawas strong, fat, with hardened thick skin grown gigantic

- 23 -

in size with haughtiness. Eggs and meat and butter andmilk and curd and badam had grown his flesh like that.His eyes were big as the eyes of a buffalo. His look was atiger’s look. His moustache was long like a sword on bothsides. His extended teeth pierced his lips. Firstly, his eyesand moustache were intimidating people. His hands wereundesirably brisk, wanting to hit someone. The part belowhis hip was bulging across like the Muniyaandi of IyanarTemple, competing with a pumpkin. Seeing his monstrousfigure, all wrestlers became afraid. No one tapped hisshoulders and entered the arena to wrestle with him.

The King was disappointed. With fire emitting from hiseyes, twisting his moustache, the King looked at thegathering and asked “Is there no Marava hero to chal-lenge this wrestler?”

The playground for valour stood bewildered. With fieryeyes, the King again looked around and said, “If there isnot a single person to give a fight to this wrestler, whyshould we perform Marava’s occupation? Why should westand before the world as heroes? “

One young man stood up, tucking up his cloth. Tappinghis shoulder, which sent vibrations in all directions, andcoming before the King, bowing he said, “I will make thiswrestler a nothing. Please give your command.” The Kinglooked at him. He doubted how this leanly built youngman sporting a thin moustache would compete againstthe monstrous figure. Periya Marudhu whispered some-thing into his ear. The King commanded.

- 24 -

“O Wrestler. There are any number of hefty wrestlers inour kingdom to fight against you. Even then, first youmust answer this young man” said the King.

The big wrestler looked, laughed out loudly and calledwith contempt: “O, little chick. Come on.” The young mantapped his shoulders with a “tup, tup” sound. Then hetapped his thighs, caught hold of his hand and shook it vio-lently. Next, he caught hold of his armpit and pressed ithard, leapt between his legs and gave a kick to the thigh.The fat wrestler swung his leg to crush him in one shot. In aflash, the young man escaped and came behind the mon-strous wrestler and gave him a kick to the waist. Thewrestler fell on his back. Saying “Not fallen on the face,” hegot up and jumped on the young man, trying to bite himlike a tender cucumber piece. The young man, running inquick circles, going here and there, wriggled out andjumped around all the four corners of the ring. The heftywrestler became tired. With sweat dripping profusely,breathing heavily, with moustache trembling and angersimmering, pushing forward his entire weight, he jumpedto crush the young hero. Because of the kick he got on hiship, he could not jump freely. The young man, leaping andgripping him, pressing hard against his thigh, stamping onhis chest, pushed him down suddenly and climbed on tohim and sat on him, pulling at both ends of the proudlytwisted moustache, like pulling the tail of a squirrel.

The assembled gathering went into raptures. “Well done,hero,“said the King. Trumpets sounded the achievementof victory. Thundering sounds of drums hit the sky. MallaRasa slowly got up; bending his back slowly and holding

- 25 -

his hip, he staggered away. Heaving a heavy breath, hesaid “I will never come again to the boundary of Maravacountry”.

The King presented a sword to the valorous young man.Saying “Well done, Hero,” he presented the award. TheKing asked “O young man who saved the dignity of Mar-avas, what is your name?”

Young man: O King! My name is Veeraththevan.

King: You only are the great hero. Who isyour father? Who is your mother?

Youth: I have not seen my parents. MarudhuServai who is standing here is my fos-ter Father.

King: O Periya Marudhu! All these days, whyyou didn’t show this youth to us?

Periya Marudhu: Instead of me showing him, let his val-our itself show him. I stayed back.

King: I am very glad. What are this swordhero’s birth and greatness?

Periya Marudhu: O King! He is the son of a great herocalled Sasi Varna Thevan (One of theKings of Marava dynasty). ValliNachchiyar’s son. Sasi Varna Thevanlost his life in the Ramanathapurambattle. His mother was a devoted wife.She took her life after the loss of herhusband. Like Pandiyamadevi,Nedunchezhiyan’s Queen, Valli

- 26 -

Nachchiyar4 also became a chaste wifeGoddess. The baby became an orphan.I and my brother brought him up. Wegot the job of carrying the betel box forthe King. Got the responsibility of look-ing after the hunting dogs. If a job isavailable with the King for this youngboy also, it would be fine.

King: Fine, Marudhu! You have done a greatjob. Give the hunting dogs to him. Mayall of you be of support to me for myvalorous actions and hunting actions.

“O King! The foreign devil is more key than the dog hunt.For that, we will be a great support “said the youth, bow-ing to the King and raising his sword. Wishing the youthwell, the King garlanded him with a garland made of fra-grant wood, presented him with a coloured dhoti, gave abag of money and honoured the youth. From that dayonwards, Veeraththevan started his life as a great hero. TheKing Vadugunadha Durai also gave him training.

4 Valli - Valli Nachchiyar, the wife of the brave warrior Sasivarnam who gavehis life in the Ramanathapuram battle. When her husband died, ValliNachchiyar also ended her life. She is the mother of Veera Thevan, the heroof this novel.

- 27 -

2. The milk of valour that Bharat fed

In the country during that period, war clouds hoveredover everywhere. Darkness encircled Indian lives; Turkishrule set in the blood coloured red sky. The domination ofNawabs slid down. The strength of our people also wasblunted. The English flag rose and irritation by English-men increased. Robberies abounded. The decayed sena ofthe Nawab joining with the East Indian Company Whitesitself began collecting stringent taxes.

The Whites sent the Nawab’s army in the front uttering“Go-go-do, collect funds, bring money”. They also fol-lowed them. If the fight intensified, those who were fallingprey to the bullets were our local people. Those whoinstalled their flags and made merriment were the Whites;those who toiled were our people; amassing wealth werethe Whites. After dividing and incensing to make themquarrel and carrying tales, those who made our peoplefight with our own people were the Whites. The headsthat were broken were the heads of our people. Enteringin between, working cunningly on both sides and leapinglike tigers were the Whites; our people shedding bloodstood like hoodwinked men. The Whites threatened ourpeople with our own people.

From 1748, the plundering by Whites increased in TamilNadu. The pillage by Chanda Saheb and Umdat Umarmade our people lean and weak. Immediately the raidingof Colonel Smith and of Jackson happened at gunpoint…scenting money, the Europeans crowded in. In front of ahouse, the White would say “Give ten thousand.” If they

- 28 -

said “Pity the poor,” he will say “Set the house on fire “…” Come on, plunder...” To carry out his command exactlyword by word, a hundred Indian slaves would be therebehind him. Out of this hundred, some four could havejoined and thrashed the White man. No one dared to ask“Hey! You! Why are you plundering our people? Who areyou to ask for our belongings? Get out!” Therefore, theforeigners grew bolder. Our people, as cowardly slaves,burying their dignity in their stomach, singing praise ofthe bread pieces that dropped from the tables of theEnglishmen, became bonded labourers.

Is there no one to guard dignity? Did no one come forwardto chest beat saying the country where we live is our right?Wasn’t there any hero to rise and say “O you White for-eigner! Get out!” Mother India cried. “Isn’t there a strongperson to show a sword to the Whites who are tying thepeople?” All of North India became slaves. There Cliveand Warren and Cornwallis and Wellesley and Bentinckand cunning scraping again and again put the countryunder the governance of the Whites, applied red andmade the Union Jack flag firmly take root.

Freedom rays rose in the South; India’s freedom battlerose in the land of the Maravas. It rose as a movement ofrefusal to pay tax. After the siege of Arcot, the Englishmenimplemented self-rule in South India, keeping a dummyNawab in front. The Nawab could not collect taxes. TamilNadu woke up. The Nawab became a slave of the EastIndia Company Whites. The Whites, using their armedforces and taking into their fold the people of slave kingslike Thondaiman, came harassing to collect taxes. Jack and

- 29 -

Smith, along with the Jamalkhans, entered into the Mar-avas land. “Give money” they said. “Go this moment”said the Maravas.

Vadugunadha Durai was the first Marava to hold the flagto oppose the Englishmen in such a manner. He was onewho lived for valour only. The personification of courage,he was one who was brave enough to say “You foreigner,get out!”, even if Yama comes. He was very well versed inmartial arts, an expert in all sports like wrestling, quarterstaff swinging, sword fight, rifle shooting and climbingforts. He had sharpened his sword with only the welfareof the country in mind. Vadugunadha Durai gave wartraining to his Marava army, often conducting mock warin his training arena.

During his time, the ‘Bharat day of significance’ was estab-lished; he tied string, reciting mantras to be free fromaffliction, in the Temple of Goddess Draupadi and orga-nized readings of Bharat every day. Reading Bharat doesnot mean reading from a book. Bharatham Pillai would goon telling the story of Bharatham in a stream style. Therewill be a raag exclusively meant for him. It was neither aMelakartha raag nor a Janaya raag. His was a furious raag,with nothing like taal or musical scale. What taal andmusical scale were there for the Kutralam Falls, thosewere there for the Bharati poet! This poet was a hereditarymusical exponent. In my younger days, I had heard hisson’s voice. Here I give some lines:

“The war of Bharat has arrived, Sirs. With the seven earthsshivering, with eight directions trembling, eighty-fourcrore living beings fluttering, the Pandava Army started

- 30 -

off. Duryodhana’s came in the opposite direction. Conchessounded ‘boom, boom’; drums beat ‘dum, damaar’. Leatherdrums were tapped ‘daka, daka, daka, dak’. Black birdsbeat ‘pateer, pateer’, the sound echoing in eight directions.See Suyodhanan rising, vowing “Hey! Bheem, Arjuna,come before me! Take up the bow! Come on, wage war! Iwill give you a thrashing. Crushing the Pandava Army,stamping feet, hitting and squeezing, mixing in blood, I willscatter the devils.” Arjuna stood at the battle line and strunghis bow, which sounded ‘gada, gada, gada, gada, daan,daan, daan, daan’. With twisted moustache, tight muscles,vibrant steps and a roar like thunder, Bheema stood majes-tically swinging his mace sky high to kill Duryodhana andperform rites to take revenge.

______________

Order online, order this book

______

Editions ASSAGrand'Rue 180 – 1454 L'Auberson – Switzerland

Phone : +41 (0) 24 454 47 07Fax : +41 (0) 24 454 47 77

Email : info@editions-assa.chWeb : www.editions-assa.ch

______________