Autobiography of Adhyatma Ratna Kumbakonam C N Guruswami Sarma-Chapter 8 -Of cows, cowherds and Robinhoods

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF

ADHYATMA RATNA KUMBAKONAM C N GURUSWAMI SARMA (1900-1968)

CHAPTER 8

OF COWS COWHERDS AND ROBINHOODS

Throughout the day, it was me and my grandfather keeping company to each other as my Uncle went about some "collection" work  the more about which I comprehend now. In the evening, in the adjoining courtyard, a fairly large area, bounded on all sides with mud walls flowed in a number of cows, calves and buffaloes loudly trumpeting their arrival. In to that herd, my grandfather rushed in and called each cow by  name and it came and stood by his side. They were in their places as soon as he finished giving instructions to them. A big chembu   (செம்பு) was brought and my grandfather began to milk them. He called one short cow by name Ponnu and asked me to suck the milk directly from its udder. I was its calf and the cow was licking me on the back never moving and never even resenting the human calf it had. (Ref 1) It was fun and I had a good feed. I continued what I considered a feat for many days but from only that cow.  My grandfather used to insist that I must drink a lot of milk and butter and curd with cold rice. he said they are the very things that nurture up a mother less child. I became the pet of the cowherds and oftern I was helped on the back of the buffaloes smooth and shining on the sun and I had joy rides for some miles upto the bottom of the western hills where the cattle began to graze. The homeward journey was also a joy ride collecting raw tamarinds, fruits , small berries  and prickly pear fruits for lunch. There was no anxiety or care. The life with nature was improving my senses of delight at grand natural scenes. I sometimes slept under the shade of the banyan tree on the sloping side of a hill at the bottom of which there was a spring with crystal clear water. Life Indeed!!

One other very interesting story that caught my fancy was the recounting of the village boys of the stories of the valiant heroes of the village. They told me that in the hills were big and small caves closed by a flat stone at the top where the heroes held court. They were supposed to be strong men who defied all Police force. I was told that they gathered wealth from various places and gave a share to the deity Kalla Azhagar.(Ref 2) who was their patron deity. None was caught as they were charitable to all the people. it was recounted to me how it was great fun to lift cattle from one town and transport it 40 miles within one night. They said that Melavalavu was the gate leading to number of valavus or villages uo far off Natham pass (கணவாய்) (Ref 4)and my grandfather  was "General" at the gate.None could pass him in their regions and all Government officers sought his cooperation as without it they could do nothing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Editor's note:

Ref 1: Possibly the cow had lost its calf, as otherwise, such a behaviour is not explainable.  

Ref 2: The link for knowing more about the Kalla Azhagar or Sundarrajar is given here. Kallazhagar Koil  Since the deity is the kula deivam of Kallar tribe he is called Kalla azhagar . Kallars are the tribal people known for robbery and cattle thefts in that region. Historically, they were the officers of the army in Chola empire and articipated in the campign against orissa and Andhra. later they had settled down in Thanjavur, Madurai and Ramnad districts.   
Ref 4: The road to Dindigul from Singampunari via natham passes through the hills and this is probably mentioned in the book as Natham Pass.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------