miraclle

LORD SIVA FIGHTS AND SAVES THE BRITISH COLONEL

J.K SIVAN

It happened during the period the British were ruling us in spite of our might, valour and strength, but for unity. History evidences the fact that the British Empire, right from the time the East India Company entered into our Bharath, and slowly and steadilyl began ruling the country, it was not easy for them. They had to wage numerous wars and battles with the local kings and Sultans throughout the country. One such war was with Afganishtan.

There are similar stories of MIRACLES happening in the lives of many Non Hindus, such as the Britishers and Muslims, who had the vision of God, seen Him/Her personally, and exchanged communication also.

For instance, a Collector at Madurantakam, Col. Lionel Place had seen Rama and Lakshmana saving the overflowing lake of Madurantakam saving it from possible breach.

Mr. Peter in Madura was saved by young Goddess Meenakshi from the collapsing Collector Bungalow. Monroe, the Governor of Madras had personal interview with Saint Ragavendra, Sultan of Golconda had Rama and Lakshmana visit him and repaid the dues on behalf of Saint Ramdas and many more.

This is in fact an incident which is recorded in History and still seen engraved in a stone tablet at Agar Malva in the temple of Baijnath Mahadev.

This famous Baijnath Mahadev Temple is located in southern banks of Banganga river in Agar Malwa of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Shiv Ling (the sacred stone form of Lord Shiva) in the Baijnath temple is believed to belong to 13th century, while some legends say it is probably more than thousand years old. As written in the foundation stone of the temple, at the end of 16th century, the local inhabitants built a small mutt like mandhir and mandap (a type of small temple structure). Then after 300 years, in 1883, with the inspiration from British army Hindu officials, and financial help of British Commander Lt. Colonel C. Martin and other local people, 15000 rupees was donated for the renovation of the temple, making it large, and also building few other temples around it.

There is also another piece of writing on one of the pillars in middle of the temple suggesting that it was built (renovated) with the orders of Lt Col C. Martin in 1883. The official website of Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh, where this temple is located, also mentions about this story.

Agar Malva, is an ancient archaeological site, located 66 KMs from Ujjain, and was a Camp (Chhavani) in English period. And Lt. Colonel C. Martin was indeed the Commander of Central India Horse British regiment during the second Anglo-Afghan war between 1878-1880:

I am going to tell you about a miracle which happened in 1879 during the British rule. I refer to the Regiment records of British Army below:

Central India Horse

Commanded by Lt. Colonel C. Martin. The men of the Central India Horse (a wing each of the 1st and 2nd Regiments) crossed the frontier at Jamrud in February 1880 where they were then employed on the Khyber line of communications. In May a portion of the force was involved with the expedition against Mullah Khalil in the Besud Valley, before they were called to Kabul to join General Roberts’ force that was to march on Kandahar. They fought at the battle of Kandahar, including the pursuit of the retreating Afghans, and then returned to India in October.

Lt. Col. C. Martin of Agar Malva was leading the army in the above war against Afghanistan. At the time of engaging himself in war, Col Martin's family lived at Agar Malva. Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife awaiting him at Agar Malva. The war continued for long and Lady Martin stopped getting messages. She was very upset and was worried about his safety.

There was an ancient dilapidated temple of Lord Siva near the place she lived at Agar Malva. The Lord's name is Baijnath Mahadev. He is still there for us to go and have dharshan.

Since the lady Martin was worried and restless one day while riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. She was attracted to the sound of conch and mantra. She went inside and came to know that the Brahmins were worshipping Lord Shiva.

They saw her sad face and asked her problem. She explained about Col Martin's being in command against the war with Afghanistan and was worried about his safety as there was no news of him for months together and cried.

The Brahmins at the temple assured her sayig ''You sincerely pray to Lord Baijnath Mahadev. He listens to the prayers of devotees & takes them out of difficult situations in no time.''

Mrs Martin received the assurance with some inexplicable mental strength and encouragement. As advised by the Brahmins she started the “Laghurudra Anushtthan” (ritual ceremony) of the Mantra: “Om Namah Shivaya” for 11 days.

She prayed to Lord Shiva and expressed her desire ''Oh Lord Shiva, this temple is very old and dilapidated. When my husband returns safely I will ask him to renovate this for devotees to conveniently visit You and worship You.''

Continuosly for 11 days she prayed and chanted the Panchakshara manthra. On the last chanting of the “Laghurudra” a messenger came and gave a letter to her. Her husband 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 and 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 or tiger skin and carrying a three-pointer weapon (Trishul). That great Yogi told me that I should not worry and 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 and burst in tears.

After a few weeks Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now both husband and 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 British.