In 1752, the King and his Dewan ordered the deportation of Devasahayam from Travancore to the Pandya country at Aralvaimozhy. He was released in the forested hills close to Aralvaimozhy, where he reportedly started intense meditations. Villagers from nearby areas started visiting him, believing him to be a holy man. According to Christian sources, during this period, upper caste Hindus conspired to eliminate Devasahayam.
There are individuals who think that the soldiers ascended the wooded hills and attempted to shoot Devasahayam, but were unsuccessful in their attempts. Following this, he held the gun, blessed it, and returned it to the soldiers, allowing them to shoot him if they desired. The soldiers retrieved the gun and shot at him five times. Subsequently, his body was callously discarded near the base of the hills at Kattadimalai.
Devasahayam Pillai passed away on January 14, 1752, at Kattadimali in Kanyakumari district. His earthly remains were laid to rest near the altar within St. Xavier's Church, Kottar, Nagercoil, which presently serves as the diocesan Cathedral. Over the years, numerous Christian pilgrims have made their way to his tomb to pay their respects and offer prayers.
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A. Held captive in the walls of Aralvaimozhy Prison:
The final prison where the Servant of God was held before his courageous death was located in Aralvaimozhy, near the eastern border of the kingdom. Devasahayam was taken there to keep his whereabouts hidden from the public. This was a place where prisoners could be executed discreetly. The King's decree was that no one should be allowed to visit Devasahayam. However, news of his presence in Aralvaimozhy spread, drawing people from nearby Christian villages like Periathazhai, Koothankuzhy, Manapad, Vadakkankulam, Thovalai, and more, turning the garrison into a bustling gathering rather than a desolate spot.
The wife of Devasahayam, the Servant of God, visited him in that prison. He comforted his tearful wife and urged her to have faith in Jesus Christ. He then advised her to leave Travancore and settle in Vadakkankulam. With a heavy heart, she bid him a tearful goodbye.
B. Third and final sentence to death and the plan to execute the Servant of God secretly :
Ramayyan Dalava, the prime minister, and Singaram Annavi, the Secretary, were concerned about the spread of Christianity by Devasahayam Pillai. They decided to have him killed, so they convinced the king that their previous orders were not followed and that Devasahayam was still spreading his religion. The prison guard was replaced, a new jailer who was not friendly towards Christians or Devasahayam was appointed, and the guards were also changed. The new officials received a secret order from the king to execute Devasahyam Pillai.
C. The Mid-night Execution :
In the depths of midnight on January 14th, 1752, Devasahayam found himself in a state of restlessness, caught between prayer and sleep. Suddenly, he was roused from his troubled state by the soldiers, who commanded him to accompany them to a different location. Unfazed, Devasahayam calmly remarked, "There is no need for pretense. I am well aware of where you are taking me. Let us proceed." The chosen venue for his execution lay on the outskirts of the untamed Aralvaimozhy forest, a desolate place that remained beyond the reach of ordinary individuals. This location was known as Kattadimalai, now referred to as "Devasahayam Pillai Mount," symbolizing a mountain perpetually caressed by the winds.
Their plan was to position Devasahayam Pillai on a modest-sized hill and shoot him from the ground. Musketeers and guns from the foundry had already been prepared for this operation. These guns were likely procured from the foundry at Udayagiri, which was overseen by De Lannoy. It was a tragic irony that the instrument of Devasahayam Pillai's demise would be wielded by the very person who had guided him towards the Christian faith.
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| Devasahayam, being carried him like a hanging animal to Kattadi Malai |
Devasahayam's legs were the only obstacle in the otherwise well-prepared plan. Chained to the fetters, he couldn't move, despite the soldiers' urgent pleas for him to walk faster. In a rush to execute the operation quietly, they resorted to using a strong stick, known as kathai in Tamil, to carry him like a hanging animal to Kattadi Malai.
This event marked a poignant moment as a respected palace official was led away in such a degrading manner, simply for his faith in Jesus Christ and his transformed way of life. The impact of his actions was evident in the tears shed by the countless lives he had touched, as well as in his own tears as he prayed for strength and resolve in the face of adversity.
D. The Final Prayer of the Servant of God :
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| The Prints of his knees and elbow seen on the Rock |
Upon arriving at the execution site, he pleaded for a moment to pray. His request was granted, and he spent fifteen minutes praying, entrusting himself to God. The rock where he knelt to say his final prayer still shows the indentations of his elbows and knees.
G. The disposal of the body into jungle, the rediscovery of the same by the Christians and the mortal remains buried in the church of St. Francis Xavier, Kottar :
Read More About : St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral
E. The shooting by soldiers and the death of the Servant of God :
After finishing his prayer, the Servant of God informed the guards that he had fulfilled his duty, allowing them to carry out theirs. The guards then positioned him on a small hill. The Servant of God stood there, prepared to sacrifice his life for his faith in Christ.
The guards shot at him from a nearby rocky area, firing three shots that failed to kill him. Despite being severely wounded, he remained alive. Two more bullets were fired, causing him to fall down and cry out for Jesus to save him. The guards, realizing he was still alive, fired two final shots, leading to his death as he uttered the names of Jesus and Mary. This tragic event took place when he was 40 years old, after spending nearly seven years following his conversion to the Catholic Faith, including three years in chains. Throughout this time, he lived with certainty and confidence in God's grace, relying on prayer, penance, and the Sacraments of the Church.
F. Home for the Bones :
Devasahayam's lifeless body tumbled to the ground, where devout Catholics have been collecting soil as a remedy for their illnesses. Adjacent to this consecrated earth lies a group of small hills, with one particular rock emitting a bell-like sound when struck, symbolizing its happiness at witnessing the passing of a brave Christian. In Tamil, this hill is known as mania dichan parai - the bell-sounding rock that rolled down from the mountain peak during the martyr's demise.
A branch of the banyan tree extends over this area, serving as a constant reminder of the martyr's sacrifice. The surroundings, including the sacred ground and the resonating rock, hold a special significance for those who revere the memory of Devasahayam. The unique features of this location continue to attract believers seeking solace and healing in the presence of these symbolic elements.
G. The disposal of the body into jungle, the rediscovery of the same by the Christians and the mortal remains buried in the church of St. Francis Xavier, Kottar :
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| St Xaviers Church, Kottar, Nagercoil - Old Church |
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| Renovated New Church |
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| within the walls of the cathedral (Image: kanyakumarians.com) |
The Christians were completely unaware of the secret execution that took place. When they couldn't find the Servant of God in prison, they eventually learned about his death. The missionaries managed to obtain the fetters of the Servant of God from the soldiers by paying a sum of money, but they were unable to get close to his remains due to the soldiers' presence.
It took five days for the missionaries to locate the place where the Servant of God's bones were left. They found only bones, indicating that the body may have been burned, leaving no flesh behind. The bones and whatever was left of the Servant of God's mortal remains were then buried with great respect and solemnity in a tomb in front of the main altar of the renowned Church of St. Francis Xavier at Kottar, honoring him as a martyr.
Devasahayam Pillai, a lay person and a newcomer to the faith, was granted a position typically reserved for Bishops and saints. This action clearly shows that those around Devasahayam considered him to be a highly esteemed saint, with his passing being viewed as that of a martyr.
The Bishop of Cochin, upon learning of the courageous death of the Servant of God, instructed that the "Te Deum" be sung in all churches within his diocese. Following a special thanksgiving ceremony, he delivered a moving eulogy from the pulpit, praising the virtues and bravery displayed by the Servant of God.
This gesture of singing the "Te Deum" and delivering a heartfelt tribute in honor of Devasahayam Pillai highlights the profound impact he had on those around him. It serves as a testament to the high regard in which he was held by his contemporaries, who recognized his extraordinary faith and ultimate sacrifice.
Read More About : St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral
