ARRIVAL IN MALAYA

After completing his education at Arunodaya College. Ponniah set sail to Singapore and arrived m Kuala Lumpur qn 14 Apnl, 1925. He was nearly seventeen then. In the beginner, he was employed as a clerk in the F.M.S'. Railways for one year; then for two and a half years in the Rubber Restriction Department and after abolition of Rubber control, in Proco Oil Corporation, for six months. In March 1929 he entered the service of the Rubber Research Institute of Malaya and retired on 28 August, 1963 after 34 years in service, having risen from the rank and file. Throughout his service. his relations with his fellow employees, superior and subordinate had been excellent; his integrity and reliability were exceptional.

EARLY SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND SPRITUAL ACTIVITIES

Sri Ponniah's life in Malaya has been a perfect example of simple living and high thinking. Remaining a Brahmachari. he identified himself conspicuously in the cultural, religious and spiritual activities notably with the Vivekananda Ashrama, the Theosophical Society, Hlndu Prachara Sabah, Malaya Arulneri Thirukootam. and the Pure Life Society during its formative years. He was deeply involved as Hon. Secretary of Swami Vipulananda. Remembrance day celebrated at Vivekananda Ashram on 21-9.47 and that brought him to limelight. The Jaffanese Cooperative Society. The K.L. Psychology Club and other socio-economic societies also claimed his services. His association with the Rama- krishna Mission runs over a period of many years. He was also a rest help to Saiva Periyar Sri K. Ramanathan Cheitiar, B.A.B.L. in conducting religious classes, prayer meetings and spiritual retreats.

While he we thus actively engaged, Sri Ponniah did not overlook his responsibilities to the family. Being the eldest son, he had to look after the education of his young brothers and sisters and settle them in life.

In the matter of his own matrimony he had an open mind and with no prejudice was willing to submit himself to the Will of Providence. He failed to fulfill his parents' longing wishes but they consoled themselves with the thought that his horoscopic indications were not in favor of any marriage!

EARLY PILGRIMAGES

Sri Ponniah had from his younger days a burning desire to visit holy shrines in Sacred Bharat and have Darshan of Spiritual Personalities. When he was on leave in Sri Lanka in 1941, he undertook a pilgrimage to Kataragama, the famous abode of Lord Muruga, led by Swami Siya Satther. This provided him the setting for his first encounter with Yogar Swamigal while traveling in a bus. It was an inspiring experince of spiritual importance, which led to many subsequent meetings and Swamiji's gracious blessings. Later. in the same year, Sri Ponniah made his first visit to India in the company of Swami Satther and worshipped at the celebrated shrines at Rameshwaram. Madurai and Chidambaram on his way to Madras enroute to Malaya by steamer with a large convoy as it was wartime. People had to undergo innumerable hardship during the period of the Japanese circulation from 1942 to 1945. Even under such exigencies, Sri Ponniah's religious and spiritual activities continued even in a bolder form. A newsletter of the clangor Theosophical Loge stated:

The K.L. Lodge of the Theosophical Society has been in existence for the last thirty years. Thirty years is a pretty long period to look back with pride. Even during the war years this Society has been kept going, by men like Mr. K.C. Sekhar and Mr. N. Ponniah, who were themselves founder members''.

Sri Ponniah made his third visit to Sri Lanka and his second to Sacred India in 1948 when he was on long leave. He was able to have Darshan of all important shrines in Sri Lanka, accompanied by Swami Satther and his devotees. In South India he had the rare Darshans of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi, at Tlruvannamalai, Sri Aurobindo and the Holy Mother, Kaviyogi Sri Shuddhananda Bharati at the Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry, and Swami Chidbhavananda at Ramakrishna Thapovanam at Tirupparaiturai, apart from visiting many celebrated temples and Shrines. Regarding Sri Ponniah's visit to Yoga Samajam at Madras. Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati wrote:

He came to me after visiting Ramada Maharishi and Sri Aurobindo and earnestly studied my books "Yoga Siddhi'', "Bharata Shakti'', "Kirtananjali'', "Bhagavad Gita'' etc. He wished to be initiated into Yoga. l showered my love on him and accepting him as my spiritual child, initiated him. Since then his heart became purified''.

On his return from leave in 1948, Sri Ponniah plunged himself into more religious and spiritual activities. The Hindu Samaya Prachara Sabah (Hindu Missionary Society) was formed and functioned for three years. Religious clads were started country wide and lectures were delivered by eminent persons ill temples and institutions and conferences were organised to propagate the ideals of Hinduism. As the Hon. secretary of the Sabah, his functions took Sri Ponniah to many places to maintain effective liaision.

When Swami Satyananda moved from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Sri Ponniah did everything possible for him to settle down. The Vivekananda Ashrama was gracious enough to provide accommodation and facilities for his stay and work until the Shuddha Samajam was inaugurated in its own premises at 6th mile Puchong Road. Inspired by its patron, Sri Yogi Shuddhananda Bharati, the Shuddha Samajam (Pure Life Society) was founded by Swami Satyanahda in 1948 to propagate and practice the ideals of spiritual life. At the specific request of Swamiji, Sri Ponhiah agreed to serve as the Hon. Secretary until he relinquished the post in 1951. Though he was not in the management, he continued to render active support to the Samajam for many years, inspired by the KaviyogiPatron.