Abraham Kovoor’s Case Diary: Rebirth and Prodigies

Abraham Kovoor

“Mr. Kovoor’s sound arguments to prove the absence of a life after death are, no doubt, very convincing. Yet, 1 like to ask Mr. Kovoor what he has to say about the numerous cases of rebirths investigated scientifically and confirmed by persons of high integrity and learning like Dr. Ian Stevenson, Prof HN Banerji, Prof K.N Jayatilleke, Mr. V.F. Gunaratne, and many others.

“How will Mr. Kovoor explain child prodigies, and inequalities in children born to the same parents?” (A. Wickramasinghe. Times of Ceylon - 29-5-1967).

Explanations for congenital variations are better sought in the science of genet­ics and the Mendalian laws of heredity than in karma and Rebirth.

Man has succeeded in producing prodigies among domesticated animals by se­lective breeding making use of his knowledge in the science of genetics. The prodi­gious egg-layers like the ‘High Line’hens, and the prodigious milk-yielders like the Jersey and Cape cows are the products of such selective breeding. The prodigious characteristics of the high-yielding hens, cows, cultivated plants etc., are governed by their genes and DNA molecules, and not by their Karma and 'previous births'.

Time will not be long before man will be using his advanced knowledge of genetics to improve the congenital qualities of his own species - Homo sapiens. Fu­ture man will surely find the need for discarding religious taboos, and to put into practice the knowledge he has gained by scientific researches to improve the quality of his own offspring. I visualize a future when the State will be interfering with the freedom of the individual in the field of procreation. By this I did not mean that individuals will be deprived by legislation their freedom to quench their sexual thirst by legitimate means.

Human procreation may become one of the most important nationalized con­cerns guided and controlled by expert geneticists and far-sighted statesmen.

It may be that semen banks, like blood banks, will be established at state ex­pense for preserving specially selected semen for artificially inseminating specially selected women possessing desired qualities. Thus, if man adopts selective breeding for improving his own species, it will be possible to plan the births of more and more child prodigies than at present. Today such prodigies are few and far between, being the product of mere chance.

It will not be too long before science works out a safe and satisfactory method of sex determination with chemicals. When such a possibility is available, man may be determining not only the quality of his offspring but also the sex.

 

Abraham Kovoor with his wife investigating a case

To say that child prodigies are born with the knowledge they had acquired in their ‘previous lives’ is as absurd as the assertion of some investigators of rebirth in Ceylon that acquired physical characteristics like wounds can reappear as scars on the bodies in subsequent births. If it is so, it will be a death-blow to the Eye Donation Society of Ceylon. The fear of being reborn blind will prevent people from donating their eyes!

A protagonist of rebirth goes about in this country proving the genuineness of an alleged case of rebirth at Balangoda on the basis of his pet theory that acquired physical characteristics, like wounds, could reappear on ‘reborn’ body. Another cham­pion of rebirth - a university don, and a close friend of mine - says, “Human birth is accountable in terms of the deaths of human beings, animals and non-human beings in this world or on other planets in this vast universe          The experimental evidence in rebirth is derived by using the age regression technique to regress a subject to ante­natal period. The subject is deeply hypnotized and taken back in time by suggestion. At any point in time in his past, the subject may be made to recount his experiences as well as to re-live them”.

Indeed, this is the first time a claim is made that rebirth can occur with both the body and mind of the previous birth intact. If this claim is correct, then there is no foundation for the don's theory that one organism can be reborn as a member of another species. If organisms retain the same bodies with all the congenital and ac­quired characteristics when reborn, how is it that the genital organs of a woman changed into male organs when she was reborn as a boy? If the pet theories of these exponents of rebirth are true, tigers and zebras should retain their stripes when they are reborn as human beings! Mathematical prodigies should be able to retain their mathematical knowledge even when they are reborn as donkeys or monkeys! We can then look forward for the wonderful day when a donkey - a mathematical prodigy­ will be occupying the Chair of Mathematics in one of our universities!

The three-pound mass of human brain built of 10 billions or so of nerve cells known as neurons, together with a mass of supporting glia cells is an organ crammed with much physicochemical activity. A great deal of physical and chemical activities takes place in its tissues. In short, it is a physicochemical laboratory where work goes on day and night throughout the period of its life. The force that makes the brain work is electricity. An adult brain works on 20 watts of electricity. Each neuron is in effect a tiny dynamo. All mental activities such as thought, will, cognition, volition, memory, reasoning, emotion etc., result from physicochemical activities which go on in the brain tissue. Mind does not exist apart from the brain. Damage to one's brain affects ones mental processes. With the death of the brain, consciousness and indi­viduality (ego) also end.

Just as there cannot be fire without a substance to burn, there cannot be life and mind without a body to respire. Mind cannot survive the death and decomposition of the brain. To say that mental faculties can remain intact after the death of the person is as absurd as saying that the body-less and brain-less spirit can appear in physical form (often dressed in white) as ghosts, and perform volitional acts.

Stories about children recalling the memories of their ‘previous births’ have to be discarded as myths, like the numerous ghost stories appearing in weekend newspapers.

  

Courtesy: Abraham Kovoor: Soul, Spirit, Rebirth and Possession; Published by B Premanand, Indian CSICOP, Podannur, Tamil Nadu; Date of Publication: 17-02-2000

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Science versus Miracles: Spirit Phenomena

B Premanand

At a séance, four or more people sit around a table in darkness, with palms down on the table. The little fingers of their hands touched that of the people on both sides. All the volunteers concentrate on a dead spirit which is to raise or move it to prove its presence. Suddenly the table trembles, moves and rises up.

Experiment: 100

Effect: A spirit levitating a table.

Props: A light-weight square teapoy, four chairs and four volunteers.

Method: All occult or spirit phenomena happen in utter darkness. Put off the lights, ask the volunteers to sit on the chairs kept on four sides of the teapoy, and relax. Ask them to keep their palms down on the table, touching the small fingers of the other two volunteers sitting on either side. Ask them to concen­trate on the Spirits, requesting them to show proof of their existence by moving the table or raising it up. When their concentration is complete, to experience the phenomena of the table moving put one foot under the leg of the table and raise it a little and bring it down. While the table is raised by one leg because other volunteers keep their hands on the table, it will balance by itself.

Experiment: 101

Effect: Photographing the dead sprit.

The audience sits in a half-circle in utter darkness. You have a camera with you. Someone clicks the camera in the dark where you point out, and a spirit appears on the negative when it is washed.

Props:  A good camera, film, a cigar and matchbox.

Method:  The audience is asked to sit in a half-circle in utter darkness and you stand in the front, near the wall facing them. Then you take the lighted cigar, concealing it in your palm, and ask the photographer to take a time shot of the cigar. Immediately hide the cigar and put on the light. The audience will hear the sound of the clicking of the camera. When the film is developed and a copy taken, you will see a ghost with burning head appearing from smoke. Thee cigar looks like a spirit with a long robe. The burning end looks like its head, and it seems that the spirit has materialized from the smoke.

Experiment: 102

Effect: Spirit Photographs

The photograph of a dead person appears on a photo paper.

Props: Distilled water, mercuric chloride solution, hypo solution (sodium thiosulfate in water,), and black and white photograph on solio paper.

Method: After developing a picture of a dead person on print-out paper (solio paper), wash it in distilled water and bleach it in the solution of mercuric chloride. Then wash it and dry. Keep it in a dark place, ready for the trick.

To develop the picture, place it in a solution of Hypo and the original picture will appear.

Experiment: 103

Effect: A picture of Satya Sai Baba appears when you blow on a ring, a locket, or a glass plate.

Props: Glass plate, hydrofluoric acid, new steel pen, and distilled water.

Method: Wash the glass plate clean and dry. Draw a picture on it with a new steel pen using Hydrofluoric Acid. Allow the acid to remain on the glass for 8 to 10 minutes, wash it off with distilled water, and dry the glass with a soft clean cloth. Nothing will be visible on the glass. When you breathe on it the picture will become visible. It will fade out as it dries.

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Abraham Kovoor’s Case Diary: Resurrection of Vasanth Babu Rao

Abraham Kovoor

The following news item appeared in many Indian newspapers:-

"Vasanth Babu Rao, 48, of Poona was a consumptive and a diabetic. On January 6th 1965 he had a severe chest pain, and was rushed to a nursing home in the city, but died shortly after admission. The doctor at the nursing home certified that the death was due to cardiac failure. Later in the evening, the brothers of Rao removed the body in a taxicab.

About one mile outside the city the taxi experienced severe jolts due to numer­ous pot-holes on the road. One severe jolt caused the head of the corpse hit against the door of the taxi. The occupants of the taxi were alarmed to see the right hand of the corpse move towards the side of the head which knocked against the door. The panic-stricken brothers turned the car, and drove back at pall-mall speed to the nursing home.

Two days later the late Mr. Vasanth Babu Rao was discharged from the nursing home hail and hearty."

Life or vital energy in all living organisms, including this Vasanth Rao, is sus­tained by a chemical action which goes on in the protoplasm-containing cells of their bodies. This chemical action is the slow oxidation (respiration) of nutrient substances such as glucose, fats and proteins found in the living cells. The products of this oxidizing reaction are carbon dioxide, water and vital energy (life). Of these, the first two by­products are discarded as gaseous waste during exhalation, and the third - vital energy - is utilized for all the biological activities of the organism. Respiration is conducted by all cells containing active protoplasm, a complex proteinic substance.

Modem researches have revealed that the mitochondria - the filamentous bod­ies present in the cytoplasm of living cells - are the power-plants of all life on earth. These mitochondria, with the numerous enzymes they possess, extract a very special form of energy - life or vital energy - from the chemical bonds in glucose, fats and proteins during respiration. The end product of this chemical action is adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the universal supplier of life (energy) needed for the contraction of muscles, the transmission of nerve impulses, metabolic activity etc., in short, all life-activities of the entire organism or its component organs.

Soul carried to Heaven: Painting by William Bouguereau

An organism like Mr. Vasanth Rao remains alive only as long as it respires. Respiration comes to a stand - still when (1) the protoplasm-containing cells do not get oxygen, (2) there are no fuel bodies such as glucose,fats and proteins in the cells, or (3) the protoplasm undergoes decomposition.

Thus, respiration is not in any way different from the burning of a candle. The difference between the two lies in the speed of oxidation. The fast oxidation (combus­tion) of the candle, like the slow respiration of an organism, produces carbon dioxide, water vapour and energy in the form of heat and light. Respiring organisms produce vital energy in place of the heat and light of the burning candle.

As long as the substance (hydrocarbon) of the candle does not undergo decom­position, it is possible to rekindle a put-out candle. Similarly, it is possible to revitalize a dead organism by re-establishing its respiration before decomposition of the protoplasm sets in.

A rekindled candle gives out fresh heat and light. It is not correct to say that the heat and light 'depart' from the candle when the flame is put out, and return to it when it is rekindled. Similarly, a re-vitalized or resuscitated organism produces fresh life (energy). It is wrong to say that vital energy (life) "departs" from an organism when it ceases to repair (dies), and returns to it when it is revived by restoring its respiration. The organism simply ceases to live or to produce vital energy, as a put -out candle ceases to produce heat and light.

Though universally believed from primitive times, there is absolutely no evi­dence to think there is a soul or spirit for an organism (including man) to escape from it when it dies, and to come back to it if by chance it is revived.

Organisms breathe in various ways. Plants breathe through the thousands of stomata on the leaves, lenticels on the stems and pneumatothodes on the roots. Be­cause of the facility for breathing in carbon dioxide by any part of the bodies, plants can be fragmented, and each fragment made to live and grow under favourable condi­tions. It is absurd to think that such offspring of a plant share the fragmented soul (if any) of the parent plant, or that fresh souls get into the offsprings sprouting from the cuttings. We should not forget the fact that the life in a plant is not in any way different from the life in an animal. Biologically, both are living organisms, having common origin.

Higher up in the ladder of evolution, numerous animals like coelenterates, worms etc., conduct respiration by absorbing oxygen by their skins (cutaneous respiration). Such creatures also can be fragmented like plants, and each fragment will continue to grow into a new organism under favourable conditions. Here too, it will be absurd to think that such offsprings share the fragmented soul of the original organism if it had one.

Still higher up in the animal kingdom, insects breathe through numerous spi­racles (pores) along their bodies. The body of a cockroach or dragon fly will continue to live for a couple or more days even if its head is cut off, because that headless body can continue to breathe through the spiracles. It will die eventually when the fuel in its body gets exhausted. If the supply of the fuel is maintained in the headless body by some sort of artificial feeding, it can be made to live longer. In such a case, is it correct to say that the headless body, still alive, has a part of the original soul of the insect, the other part being lost in the severed head?

Pulmonary respiration carried on by still higher types of animals like Vasanth Rao, is slightly complicated and centralised; hence these animals are not dividuals like lower organisms. Though mammals are individuals, they too have a dividual stage during their early development in their mother's wombs. Identical twins, trip­lets, quadruplets etc., result by the division of one and the same fertilized egg-cell. Do identical twins share one soul or reborn personality divided into halves?

In pulmonary respiration air is breathed into the lungs and there the oxygen is absorbed by the hemoglobin of the blood. The oxygenated blood is then sent through the arteries and capillaries by the pumping action of the heart to all the living tissues of the body, where oxidation of glucose, fats and proteins takes place liberating vital energy. The by-products of this chemical action - carbon dioxide and water - are absorbed by the de-oxygenated blood, and brought back to the lungs to- be exhaled.

If the oxygenated blood is prevented to reach any part of the body by blocking the artery leading to that part, the tissues in that part of the body will die. But, if blood circulation to that part is restored before the protoplasm in the cells there start decom­posing due to bacterial action, it will be possible to revive the tissues in that part.

Similarly, if the protoplasm in the cells of tissues or organs severed from the parent body is preserved without decomposition under aseptic conditions, it will be possible to revive those dead tissues or organs by grafting them on the living bodies of other organisms even after many years. If a person has one or more such grafted organs in his body, does it mean that fragments of souls from the donors of such organs have merged with his own soul?

Tissues removed from organisms are made to live and grow in cultures in labo­ratories. There are numerous cases of such cultured tissues continuing to live and grow long after the death of the parent organisms. In such cases, are we to assume that a part of the soul of the dead organism is left behind in the tissues under culture? Do rebirths take place in installments in such cases?

Dismembered organs and tissues can be preserved for many years in glycerin at deep- freeze temperature to be used for future grafting. It is found that dead muscle tissues so preserved, contract like living muscles when exposed to the chemical trigger action of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). Does it mean that such tissues still retain their souls?

Desiccated yeast can be preserved for years under aseptic conditions in vacuum containers. If a pinch of such dry yeast is put into sugar solution, and kept in optimum temperature, the dead yeast cells will revive and start multiplying. When yeast cells are resuscitated thus, do the departed souls of the dead yeast return after many years to reenter their old bodies? Or, is it a case of rebirths of other dead organisms?

Single-celled organisms like the amoebae do not ordinarily die but divide down the middle to form two new offsprings, leaving behind no father, no mother, no corpse and no spirits. In a sense, they are immortal. Have such organisms no ghosts or rebirths?

Death is the cessation of respiration. In higher animals, both breathing and blood circulation are necessary to enable the living cells in all parts of the body to respire. If the involuntary muscles of the heart and the diaphragm happen to stop functioning the animal will die even if the protoplasm in the cells of its body is in perfect condition. Such dead organisms can be brought back to life by artificial meth­ods of resuscitation such as cardiac massage, 'kiss of life' or mouth to mouth breath­ing, iron lung, electronic pacemaker, heart and lungs machine etc.

In the case of Vasanth Babu Rao of Poona, his death was due to cardiac failure. His resurrection was due to the re-establishment of blood circulation before the proto­plasm in the cells of his body started decomposing. The violent jerk the corpse expe­rienced when the car was driven along the pot-holed road· gave sufficient mechanical stimulus for the muscles of the heart and the diaphragm to resume their rhythmical movements. The dead cells of the corpse now began to get sufficient oxygen to respire and produce fresh life.

Peter Sellers, the well-known film star of America, it was reported, died seven times in 1963, and each time he was revived by the use of electronic pacemaker.

Neither in the case of Vasanth Rao of Poona nor in the case of Peter Sellers of America can it be said that their 'departed' souls came back to re-enter their resur­rected bodies. Do resurrected persons get fresh souls, the old ones having gone to heaven or hell, or even reborn in some other places?

Life and mind cannot exist without there being a living body to carry on respira­tion. Mind is the product of electro-chemical activity of the nervous system. Like life, mind cannot survive the death and destruction of the neurons which constitute the nervous system of an animal. Thus, it is absurd to contend that memories of past lives can be recalled in a later rebirth as alleged to have occurred in the case of Gnanatilleke of Talawakalle or Shanthi Devi of Muttra. More and more scientific evidences are forthcoming showing that memories are molecular based. Recent researches of Prof. H. Hyden have shown that "in the nerve cells of the mature organism, experiences retained in learning lead to more or less lasting alterations in the chemical composi­tion of the cell's R N A (Ribonucleic Acid) content; a fact of great significance for the problem of memory". Hyden's opinion that memory is RNA-based finds corrobora­tion in Prof. J.V. McConnell's researches on the memory of planarial worms at the University of Michigan.

The experiments of McConnell and Jacobson have shown the possibility of trans­ferring memory from one organism to another by injecting memory-carrying mol­ecules of R N A from one to another.

Thus, in dealing with accounts of rebirth, we are only dealing with human testi­mony and often with human gullibility. They are devoid of either scientific or intellec­tual merit. A molecular-based property cannot survive the destruction of the mol­ecules on which it is based.

Cessation of respiration is also the cessation of life. The idea of an immortal soul escaping the mortal body resulted from the instinctive desire of our primitive forbears to avoid total annihilation. It is from such groundless beliefs that the earliest of reli­gions, animism and ancestor worship originated.

Survival of numerous superstitious institutions and practices such as temples, churches, mosques, devales, sacrifices, offerings, worships, prayers, pujas, pilgrimages, vows, blessings, sanctifications, devotion, exorcisms, kattadiyas, kappuralas, priests, bishops, cardinals, popes etc., stem from the unfounded belief in a 'life after death'. Man spends a good deal of his time, energy and hard-earned money unneces­sarily to secure a happy future for his imaginary soul. If he knows that death brings the end of his conscious existence, he will spend his time, energy and money to make this life better here and now, instead of enriching the priests, churches and temples.

It is a paying job for priests of all religions to perpetuate the belief that death is only the beginning of an eternal life 'in the other world', for, it is on such beliefs in the minds of the gullible that their livelihood depends. Since priests have no possible means of brainwashing the domestic or wild animals into the belief of the survival of their spirits, they are free from being haunted or possessed by departed spirits, or from the fear of going to hell or being reborn in a miserable state.

Let us be rational, and work to make our present existence happy for us and our fellow beings. Let us learn to live at peace and harmony with our neighbours even if their languages, cultures and superstitions differ from those of ours. Above all, let us refrain wisely from brain washing our own children with superstitious beliefs handed over to us by our ignorant forbears. 

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Abraham Kovoor’s Case Diary: A Religio-Maniac’s Threat

Abraham Kovoor

(Selections from the Writings of Abraham Kovoor)

On 25th January, 1969, the following challenge from an anonymous religious fanatic appeared in The Times Weekender:-

"CHALLENGE TO MR. K.

To Face the Unknown Terrors of an Unseen World?

Abraham T. Kovoor, rationalist, has from time to time over the years laughed to scorn all tales of ghosts, miracles, divine intervention, etc.,

He has challenged, openly, publicly, all who would uphold the claim that there are stranger things on this earth than Man is aware of, and has upheld the rationalist view that everything has an explanation and everything is material, matter-of-fact and ordinary.

Now, a challenger has come forward to show Mr. Kovoor how wrong or right he is. These are the conditions of the challenge:

1. A confrontation, Mr. Kovoor and his rationalists must be prepared to meet the challenger, face to face.
2. Any member among Mr. Kovoor's rationalists may be appointed as official rep­resentative or spokesman of the Rationalist Association, in the event of Mr. Kovoor himself being unwilling to face his challenger.
3. The official contender of the Rationalist Association must carry written eVidence to show that he comes forward for and on behalf of Mr. Kovoor and that he will not ·hold the challenger responsible. for anything that might cause in him fear, terror, amazement or even physical distress, when such emotions and physical distress come from a source that the challenger is in no way responsible for. Should Mr. Kovoor come forward, he would be required to give this same under­taking so that the chall~nger is completely indemnified from the powers of the spiritual forces that may be unleashed at this confrontation.
4. Mr. Kovoor must furnish the challenger with a complete list of the names of rationalists who would attend such a "showdown".
5. Mr. Kovoor may name any spot he may desire for such a meeting but the chal­lenger wishes that it be in a public place of worship, open to all who would wish to be spectators. Mr. Kovoor is free to select any church, temple, kovil or mosque for this meeting.
6. The challenger is to remain anonymous until the time of the meeting. Should Mr. Kovoor accept this challenge through the medium of this paper, the chal­lenger would then contact him by "other means."
7. The challenger states that this challenge, issued through the medium of "The Times" does not in any way implicate the newspaper or make it responsible for such a confrontation or anything that might ensue from such a meeting. He wishes Mr. Kovoor to tender to the newspaper, namely "The Times", similar under­taking.

My reply to this challenge was published in the same paper on 1" February 1969, in an edited article thus:-

KOVOOR PICKS UP THE ANONYMOUS GAUNTLET

7 points before 1 make afool of this challenger

Mr. Abraham T. Kovoor writes:

I was thrilled to read in THE TIMES WEEKENDER (Jan. 25th) the challenge issued by an anonymous person to me and my fellow rationalists, because I knew that this would give me an opportunity to prove before the public the absurdity of man's irrational beliefs in the existence of spiritual and supernatural POWERS and BE­INGS. I wish to thank and congratulate THE TIMES WEEKENDER for publishing this challenge which, I am sure, will eventually result in eradicating some of the superstitious belief and practices of mankind.

As I am accepting this challenge, I am giving below my answers and comments on the seven points mentioned in that challenge:

1. I and my fellow rationalists are prepared to meet the challenger "face to face" on February 24th 1969, at 5 pm. at Thurstan College Hall. 

2. I myself with a few fellow rationalists will be facing the challenge if and when it is conducted. 

3. We are prepared to sign a document indemnifying the challenger for any adverse effects we may suffer from the so-called SUPERNATURAL powers of spirits, devils, demons, ghosts, satins, angels, gods, saints, priests, holy men, divine beings, goblins, gins, curses, vas kavi, kattadiyas, kappuralas, manthrakarayas, hoothyamkarayas etc., but not from NATURAL crimes or illegal acts such as fraud, deception, poisoning, stabbing, shooting, electric shock, radiation, etc.

To prevent fraud and deception we insist on the 'showdown' being conducted during day-time and in a public place. We rationalists know by experience that sun­light, criminal laws and the presence of fellow human beings have better effect on man to make him refrain from, doing illegal acts, than the presence of an omnipresent and omnipotent god.

We must be given full freedom to search the challenger for hidden gimmicks.

4. The names of persons who will be accompanying me to face the 'showdown' will be given to the challenger if and when he comes to Thurstan College on February 24th, 1969.

5. As I feel there will be a large number of spectators to see this "farce", I suggest an arena such as the Sugathadasa Stadium or the Oval as the venue. From the day this challenge appeared in The Times Weekender I have been receiving hundreds of telephone calls requesting me to give them an opportunity to witness the "stunt" in case I am accepting the challenge. In fact, I was woken up from my sleep on the morning of January 25th by a phone call from a friend asking me whether I had read the challenge to me in that morning's 'Weekender'. This shows how interested people are to witness this, and the need for a large area to accommodate the crowd.

Since there is no bet involved in this, the challenger will have to meet the ex­penses connected with it.

6. This challenger’s desire to remain anonymous makes me suspect his genuine­ness. I say this from my past experience with similar challengers. In 1967 a kattadiya from Panadura claimed that he could by his powerful charms and the demons under his control, perform various miracles such as putting a ghost in my palm, showing a "Mahasona" in a mirror, producing a ghost before me to be photographed, getting me stuck to the chair I was seated in and smashing up all the pieces of furniture in my bungalow. Though several dates were fixed for him to perform these miracles, he never turned up.

In 1966, a Buddhist Monk, whose specialty is writing "vas kavi" and preparing talismans, told me in the presence of a large crowd, that he could read the serial number on a ten-rupee currency note sealed up in an envelope. Even after repeated requests by letter, he never, appeared again.

There were numerous similar threats of accepting my various challenges from astrologers, palmists and manthrakkarayas. But none of them ever came forward. As a result of three challenges issued by me on three occasions to all occultists and spiritualists in this country to kill me during specified time limits, by their charms, vas kavi necromancy, curses, hoonyam etc, I received 48 charms by post from various parts of the Island. Of these 33 were on copper and silver foils, and the rest on paper. In spite of all these powerful charms sent to kill me, I am still alive - hale and hearty. Of course, like all mortals when I die these occultists might claim that my death was due to the delayed action of their charms.

Is the present challenger's desire to remain anonymous a special device to con­veniently back out in the end without any loss of personal prestige?

Since there is no bet attached to this challenge, I insist that the identity of the challenge~ must be revealed to the public before we face the so-called 'showdown'. He must either lose some money or become a fool before the public.

Since the challenger has not divulged the nature of the "showdown" I reserve to myself the right to stipulate further conditions depending on its nature.'

While thanking The Times Weekender for publicity, I assure the newspa­per that neither I nor the Ceylon Rationalist Association will hold "The Times" responsible for anything connected with this confrontation."

  

The following article published in The Times Weekender of 9th February, 1969, contained the anonymous challenger s rejoinder:-

"Terms of the confrontation' twixt theist and rationalist still not settled:

"YOU ARE THE CHALLENGER, MR. KOVOOR"

The anonymous challenger, who has expressed great pleasure at Mr. Abraham Kovoor's spirited reply, has sent us the following letter. He states:

"I wish to make one point very clear. It is something that was not mentioned earlier. I am not Mr. Kovoor's challenger. The reading public of this country will remember that Mr. Kovoor has issued through the medium of the rress, a Challenge to any person to prove that there is a spiritual plane that affects us. If I remember right, Mr. Kovoor offered a cash 'bet' of Rs.l,000 in this regard.

"Hence, I am now, although belatedly, accepting his challenge. I feel that as an acceptor, Mr. Kovoor is in no position to state terms. He has ridiculed and scorned and shown a heavy intolerance for the beliefs of many.

"I come forward in all humility to offer to show Mr. Kovoor that he is wrong.' There is no need for bets or wagers or the tactics of a boxing ring.

"My original terms stand. Mr. Kovoor may select any religious place of worship where the public may also be free, to witness our meeting.

"He may search me, but should he insist, I would also claim the same privilege. Indeed, it may be better that we both strip to loincloths!

"I have little else to say in this matter. Mr. Kovoor, like a doubting Thomas or an unbelieving Paul, must come to realize some day that there is a greater power of God that can change his life. I am aware that he will come to scoff. I firmly believe that he will remain to pray.

"There is nothing evil in my designs. Instead, I feel a warm sense of satisfaction that soon I would meet a gentleman who has been firm enough to scoff because God did not show him by divine sign the fact ofRis presence. But I believe in the existence of this Super Goodness and know that Mr. Kovoor must ultimately also believe. For even in Mr. Kovoor are the seeds of the divinity for we can all reach up to the stars.

"I trust that you will give me your venue according to my terms, Mr. Kovoor. You have no fear of the Unknown, so why fear a religious place of worship? You may bring a police escort but I assure you, you will have no reason to fear, for 1 love you as a child of God. It is in us that we love each other and draw closer to each other in the true awareness of the divine light that will soon infuse us.

"I would be most happy to have your firm word by next Poya morning. If you do not wish to accept me on my terms you fail - and I will pray for you."

  

On the same day the following letter from a reader also was published in the same paper:

DISCLOSE YOUR IDENTITY

Mr. Ariya Pathirana of Kurunegala has sent us the following letter in connection with the Kovoor confrontation:

Mr. Abraham Kovoor (vide The Times Weekender, February, 1st) states that he was thrilled to read the challenge issued by an anonymous person who has challenged in general the rationalist viewpoint.

I have before me The Times Weekender of February 1^st. With reference to the conditions that this great man or woman has laid down, I would unhesitatingly answer them as briefly as possible.

Condition No.1: Both Mr. Kovoor and I are prepared to meet this challenger face to face, my condition being that through the medium of your valuable journal he should disclose his complete identity. On our part, we will not frighten him or send him any threats.

In view of my reply to condition No.1, a reply to condition No.2 does not arise. In regard to Condition No.3, our reply is that we will indemnify everyone in­cluding 'The Times'. Our condition with regard to this is that the challenger should first allow himself at the spot, at the hour, and date specified, to be examined by a medical man who knows forensic science, and a representative of the Inspector General of Police.        .

To Condition No.4, our answer is that we are agreeable to satisfy this challenger and everything will be done in deference to his wishes. But there is no need to go to a place of worship, be it Buddhist, Christian or Hindu. lf the supernatural powers of spirits, demons, devils, ghosts, saints, and kappuralas are to be accepted, then it must be equally feasible for them to perform these powers in the open and in daylight.

In regard to condition No.5, the rationalist will have no objection to anyone being present at the show, indeed, we shall invite, believers as well as non-believers in religion as well as rationalism.

As regards Condition No.6, it seems to me, as it should to anyone else, with commonsense, to be the height of absurdity and cowardice for this challenger to re­main anonymous. He should have had the courage both of his convictions and powers to come out openly.

As mentioned by Mr. Kovoor, there are several - nay, thousands in my opinion - who wish to witness this performance.

I request that this return challenge be accepted by the end of February."

***

My rejoinder to the anonymous challenger’s reply appeared in the Times Weekender on 16th February. It was as follows:-

The Kovoor confrontation

'THESE ARE MY CHALLENGES & WHICH DO YOU ACCEPT?'

Mr. Abraham T. Kovoor writes:

The reluctance of the anonymous challenger to disclose his identity even after my acceptance of his challenge confirms my suspicion that he is planning ahead to back out anonymously in the end without any loss of personal prestige.

From what he has Written on 9-2-1969, (in The Times Weekender) it appears that he is not a charlatan like astrologers, palmists, priests, kattadiyas, kappuralas, manthrakkarayas, hoonyamkarayas, exorcists, vas-kavi and seth-kavi writers, spirit media and other types of specialists in witchcrafts, nor like the precog­nitive prophet Jeane Dixon who has a special knack for giving publicity to her so-called predictions of the death of only eminent persons who are no more in the land of the living, and thus not available for verification. Unlike these charlatans who seek newspaper publicity to advertise their fraudulent trades, Mr. Anonymous appears to be just a pious and blind believer in the supernatural powers of imaginary gods, goddesses and demons.

Out of his piety, goodness and utter ignorance Mr. Anonymous states, "Even in Mr. Kovoor there are seeds of divinity, for we can all reach up to the stars" with divine help. It would be good for this credulous ignoramus to know that man is going to reach the moon entirely by the help of science and technology, and not through any divine help. Neither the atheistic Academy of Science in Russia, nor the NASA in America consults religious books and omniscient gods for their space research. Al­though most religious pundits of today try to prove that their brand of religion is in perfect harmony with modem science, none of the research laboratories stock reli­gious books for reference purpose.

Mr. Anonymous confirms his ignorance when he says, "We love each other and draw closer to each other in the true awareness of the divine light". This statement simply shows his lack of historical knowledge. It is a well-known historical fact that more human beings were killed on this planet for the sake of religion than for any other cause. Is he not aware that even today people are killing each other because of religious conflicts between Hindus and Muslims in India, between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East, between the so-called high and low castes in Jaffna? Instead of "drawing man closer to each other" the diversity of gods and their religions have made, and are still making, men hate each other!

Although Mr. Anonymous came out with challenge on 25-1-1969, he now states that I am the challenger, and that he is only a ''belated acceptor" of one of my earlier challenges. Yet, he exhibits his muddled reasoning in the very next sentence. He says, "I feel that as an acceptor Mr. Kovoor is in no position to state terms". It is funny that I am both the challenger as well as the challenged. Only an anonymous person can make such a nonsensical statement in a newspaper without any feeling of shame.

However, since he does not say which of my numerous challenges he is accepting, I am giving below my permanent challenges which would remain in force till my death, so that he may tell me which one he is accepting.

1. To astrologers and palmists

I promised to give a reward of Rs.1000 to each astrologer who could say cor­rectly the sex and the date of death (if dead) of ten persons whose dates and times of birth - correct to the minute, together with the latitudes and longitudes of the places of their births - are supplied. To prevent the general public from rushing to take part in this GAMBLE; I stipulated that a genuine contestant should make a refundable deposit of Rs.75. For the benefit of palmists, I would be supplying the palm-prints of ten persons, instead of the dates of birth. A margin of 5% error would be allowed. The deposit of those who lose the challenge will not be refunded. There is no bet attached to this challenge.  

2. To clairvoyants, telepathists, fortune-tellers, card-readers, light-readers, umbler-talkers. Crystal-gazers, anjanakkarayas, mystics, saints, yogis, gods and their prophets, who claim supernatural powers.

I waged any amount between Rs.75 and Rs.75000 against an equal amount that no person, whatever his mystical powers be, can tell correctly the serial number on a currency note sealed up in an envelope.  For the benefit of those who claim to possess telepathic powers, I would allow one of the judges to read the number on the note so that the telepathist in another room could “read the mind” of the judge and give the correct number.

3. To fire-walkers

The person, who walks on fire during fire-walking ceremonies, does it in an auto-hypnotized state of analgesia, induced by the effect of drumming and the chant­ing of refrains on his nervous system. Although he does not feel any pain, he is sure to burn his feet if he walks slowly on the red-hot embers. To prove that the fire-walker is not helped by any god or demon, I promised to pay Rs.1000 to each fire-walker who mold stand on fire for one minute without burning his feet. Neither his god nor the god of Mr. Anonymous will be able to protect the 'devotee'. There is no bet attached to this.

4. To hypnotists who claim to make their subjects clairvoyant

I promised to pay any amount up to Rs.75000 on a reciprocal basis, to any hypnotist who could make a person under hypnosis to read the serial number on a currency note sealed up in an envelope

5. To charmists and necromancists

I challenged on three occasions all the manthrakkarayas, hoonyamkarayas and vas kavi poets in this country to kill me during specified period, using their miraculous powers. In response to these challenges I received numerous charms. Yet I am still alive.

In view of my advanced age, and three coronary heart attacks, this challenge will not be repeated. The only reason why I do not want to repeat this challenge is not because I have developed any faith in charms, but because I do not like to give these charlatans a chance to succeed even by fluke if my natural death should happen to take place during one such period.

6. To parapsychologists who claim that they can prove REBIRTH by hypnotic age regression.

I offered a reward of any amount between Rs.75 and Rs.75000 on a reciprocal basis to any hypnotist who could regress two identical twins to their "pre-natal life" and make them give identical descriptions of their common "previous birth".

Hypnosis being a state of hallucination, induced by suggestion, it is utter fool­ishness to accept the utterances of hypnotized persons as "gospel truth". Of course, such talks are of immense value to a psychiatrist to study the working o(the uncon­scious mind of the subject.

7. To spiritualists

When four persons - two Buddhist monks and two kattadiyas-boasted through newspapers that they could show me ghosts if I could accompany them to cemeteries at midnight, I offered to pay them Rs.5,000 on a reciprocal basis if they could produce a ghost to be photographed. I stipulated this condition because, unlike the human mind, a photographic camera cannot be influenced by hypnotic suggestions or delu­sional fears. This challenge applies to Mr. Anonymous also if he can produce his god to be photographed!

I have been adopting the method of challenge all these years because I feel that it is the most effective way by which these charlatans can be silenced, and proved to be frauds before gullibles like Mr. Anonymous. Of course, I am aware that these challenges, staking large sums of money, are liable to create a wrong impression in the minds of the public that I am a fabulously rich person with plenty of money to throw about for cheap publicity and sensation. I am also aware of the dire conse­quences of these challenges. If astrologers, palmists, charmers, fortune-tellers, telepathists, clairvoyants, spiritualists, mystics, parapsychologists, hypnotists, gods, demons, spirits, priests, saints, yogis, holy men etc., have the spiritual or mysterious powers they claim to possess, I would have to spend my old age in a "Home for the Destitutes". But I am sure that I will not be losing even a single cent because there is absolutely no scientific evidence on which these superstitious beliefs are based, ex­cept many fables, anecdotes and the blind beliefs of gullibles.

I hope Mr. Anonymous will tell me through the columns of this newspaper which of the above challenges he is accepting. As Mr. Arya Pathirana of Kurunegala says, it is absolutely necessary that this anonymous person should reveal his identity, and state specifically what kind of "showdown" he is contemplating.

As promised in my last reply. I will be giving him a list of men and women who will be accompanying me to face the challenge on 24th February 1969, at Thurstan College Hall. But I like to tell Mr. Anonymous categorically that neither I nor the ladies and gentlemen facing the challenge are prepared to strip in public to satisfy the god of Mr. Anonymous. Of course, we don't mind Mr. Anonymous performing a "strip tease". At least let the spectators enjoy a free show at the expense of this pious fool!

As I do not wish to give him even a flimsy excuse to back out, I am agreeing to this encounter being conducted at a so-called "place of worship". I suggest the pre­mises of the Raja Maha Vihara at Kelaniya as the venue, if the temple authorities are agreeable. The open space available there may be just enough to accommodate the vast crowd."

Without divulging his identity the challenger gave his final reply fixing the confrontation for 3rd March. This was published in the Times Weekender of 24th February.

"MEET ME AT THE MAKARA THORANA SAYS KOVOOR'S DEFIER"

The Kovoor confrontation is fixed; the correspondence is closed, and theist and rationalist are now on their own. Below is a reply to Mr. K's challenges.

The Editor,      

The Times Weekender,

22nd February, 1969

I wish to thank you for having, on three Poya days, given my acceptance of Mr. Abraham Kovoor's challenge, due publicity. Last week, Mr. Kovoor detailed his gen­eral challenge and asked me to name which section of his long written harangue I come under and which of his several challenges I accept.

I have clearly stated that I wish to confront this gentleman and show him by the faith of my convictions that there is a God. That is all. I do not therefore fall into any of the categories Mr. Kovoor describes. I am neither kattadiya nor hooniyamkaraya, nor do I chant vas kavi or resort to charms or signs of devil worshippers. I do not wonder that all these droll persons have so far failed for they have tried to fight Kavoor's evil with their own. Evil can never be fought with evil- only good. Kovoor will find that r am thus not conforming with his accepted ideas of wild-eyed fanatics who ask the powers of darkness to manifest themselves. Rationalism and the denial of the spiritual is the most blanketing evil of all, for it denies God and all His wonders.

I thank you for having up to now preserved my anonymity. I wish it to be so even now. I would have dearly wished to have met Mr. Kovoor this week, but since our tussle is now a week-by week one, I find that this, my reply, must first find its place in your Poya paper before Mr. Kovoor and I can meet. This letter is my reply. I will be at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare at 8 a.m. on Poya day, the 3rd of March. Mr. Kovoor will find me under the Makara Thorana, after the flight of steps leading to the temple.

I will then identify myself to Mr. Kovoor with these words: "I COME IN THE NAME OF GOD"

Mr. Kovoor may take any precautions he deems fit. As for me, I face him alone and, he may be assured, unarmed.

My name is not yet to be disclosed but I will give you permission to do so after the 3rd of March."

(Ed-This correspondence is now closed)

In my replies I insisted on the following three specific conditions:- 

1. The Challenger should reveal his identity before the 'showdown '.
2. The nature of the confrontation should be revealed in. advance.
3. The challenger should be responsible for the expenses and arrangements in connection with the confrontation.

My insistence on the challenger revealing his identity before hand was mainly to prevent others appearing on the scene posing as challengers. Similarly, if the challenger does not state precisely how he is going to prove that God exists, it would be open to him and others to interpret any chance occurrence such as a rainbow, a sudden shower of rain, the disappearance of the sun under clouds, the blowing away of the cap on my head by a sudden gust of wind or any other incident as evidence of God’s working, as this type of credulous fools often do.

Abraham Kovoor

Ignoring all these stipulations, this agent of God publicly announced in the paper that he would be meeting me 'anonymously' at the Kelaniya Temple on 3m March at 8 a.m. He exhibited his cowardice by failing to meet me and my fellow rationalists 'face to face' on 24th February at Thurstan College to receive the list of other rationalists who were prepared to 'face' him at the final encounter. This was one of the conditions he stipulated in his first challenge.

On 27th February, the chief priest of the Raja Maha Vihara, Kelaniya, informed me that nobody had sought permission from him, and that he was not in favour of any one exhibiting his 'madness' within the premises of his temple.

This necessitated my making the following paid announcement in the Times Weekender and the Daily News or the benefit of the members of the Ceylon Rationalist Association and the public:-

"RATIONALISTS - As the encounter with the anonymous challenger is post­poned till his identity is revealed, and the venue booked, members who volunteered to face the challenge with me are requested to wait till further announcement."

Why are these God’s representatives, unlike rationalists, keen on doing things stealthily? His insistence to remain anonymous to the last confirmed my suspicion that he was determined to escape without personal humiliation. I must accept that I have failed in my hope to make a fool of this pious fanatic in public!

POSTSCRIPT:

Information just received from the newspaper office reveals the identity of the challenger as a European skin diver turned film producer and director, who recently preferred transcendental meditation to psychiatric treatment!

This accounts for the eccentric announcement about his appearance under the 'Makarathorana' at 8 a.m. on 3rd March, shouting "I COME IN THE NAME OF GOD", without obtaining prior or later permission from the temple authorities, and finally failing to appear on the scene at the appointed hour!

Now that his identity is revealed, at least unofficially, will he come out in the open, courageously, and give a chance to the public to witness him performing a "strip tease" in the name of God to convince the rationalists that God exists?!! 

Courtesy: Abraham Kovoor: Exposing Paranormal Claims; Published by B Premanand, Indian CSICOP, Podannur-641023; Date of Publication: 15-3-2000

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