Chief Minister N Rangasamy, who is into his third term as chief minister has been taking all important decisions in the ‘Jeeva Samadhi’ of his Guru Appa Paithiyam Samay, near Salem. It is reported that he receives divine telepathic messages from the guru, who is no more. Now some of his activities are going to shift to Gorimedu, where the chief minister is building a temple for the guru.
This may sound as an exaggeration and weird, but for the 63-year-old bachelor Rangasamy his entire life revolves around his Guru Appa Paithiyam Samay. He never undertakes any important work without getting it approved by the guru.
Rangasamy, who attributes his political success to his guru’s guidance and direction, is building the temple, just adjoining the court where he plays tennis regularly. The construction of the temple has commenced, and the ‘Gopuram’ is getting shaped. There would also be a statue of the guru in the temple. “Though I had been desiring to construct a temple for a long time, I got the approval from my guru only recently. Thereafter I started the work. It is going to be completed in about five months,” Rangasamy said. “I am planning for Kumbhavisekham in the auspicious Tamil month of ‘Karthigai’ (Nov –Dec),” he added.
Appa Paithiyam Swamy was born in the zamindar family of Karur Fort in the year 1859. In his 16th year, he is said to have left home and gone to Palani. While he was roaming around in the hills of Palani, he is said to have met his Gnana Guru, Sri Azhukku Swamigal of Vettaikaaran pudhur. Together they travelled the length and breadth of India. After Azhukku Swamigal attained samadhi at Pollachi, Sri Appa Paithiyam Swamigal moved to several places like Tiruvannamalai, Tindivanam, Cuddalore, Puducherry and finally to Salem where he attained samadhi in the year 2000 when he was 141 years old.
Rangasamy’s belief in the guru came, after he lost the very first election he contested in 1990. He even contemplated quitting politics. At that time on the advice of a friend, Rangasamy met him for the first time at a small house in the heart of the town where the guru was living. Rangasamy told him that since he had no money, he would not be contesting again and wanted to quit politics. But the guru advised him against it and said he would not have to wait for five years, as the government would fall and also predicted a bright political future including his becoming the chief minister. As predicted, the government led by Janata Dal fell and elections were conducted. On the advice of the guru, Rangasamy contested by selling off his ancetral lands. He won the election against the then strong man and former health minister V Pethaperumal. The Congress came to power and he became Agriculture Minister and there was no looking back since then. He went on to become the chief minister in 2001.
The guru’s fallacy came true and Rangasamy became his ardent devotee. Since then Rangasamy takes all major decisions only after consulting his guru. This practice continued even after the guru attained samadhi.