r ,

Sage of Kanchi Maha periyava

Arul 1: ! ....................................................... 5
Arul 2 : .................... 8
Arul 3: (Pension for Kainkaryam).................................... 9
Arul 4 : (Poonool for an orphan boy) .......................... 12
Arul 5: - (Meeting with MGR) .. 13
Arul 6: ............................................... 16
Arul 7 : (Karna yakshini Kathil) .... 19

Arul 8 : , (Appaviyin Pattuku

Abayam ) .......................................................................................... 23
Arul 9 : r/ (Thukiri aka Rama Nama
Patti) .............................................................................................. 33
Arul 10: Mangadu Temple ............................................. 34
Arul 11: Mouna Vradham Blessings to Indira Gandhi/Gundurao
etc ............................................................................................... 39
Arul 12: - ...................................... 42
Arul 13: (Supreme Dr Cure to Pazhayanur Devaraja
Sharmas ear pain.) ........................................................................ 44
Arul 14: (Supreme Doctor Periyavah - Cured Cancer.) 45
Arul 15: (Periyava - Not a Judge but give
Justice) .......................................................................................... 46
Arul 16: ? ............................................ 47
Arul 17: Tirupathi Shetram -
............................................................................... 48
Arul 18: (CasdfaChidambaram
Dikshidars) ..................................................................................... 52
Arul 19: Horse Race - -
Pla ........................................................ 53
Arul 20: r (Nellicheri Srouthigal) ........................................ 54
Arul 21: Collecation for Chartiy - Experience of a Devotee.. ........... 55
Arul 22: r
..(Athithi Bojanam) .................................................. 58
Arul 23 : Assigned Job ..................................................................... 61
Arul 24 : Cure to Lung Cancer ........................................................ 63
Arul 25 : r! (Thenkalai Azhwar/Thumbikai Azhwar) ................ 68

Arul 26: (Arul Mozhigal ) ...................................... 72

Arul 27: - r (S Order to Stock Rice in
Rameshwaram Sankara Mutt - Miracle) .................................................... 72
Arul 28: !
Tippirajapuram Blessing ..................................................................... 73
Arul 29: ,
(Winning and Loosing ) .......................................................................... 76
Arul 30: (Gnanigal Parvai) .................................. 78
Arul 31 : (Thandam) ............................................................ 80
Arul 32:

(Bakthi Sathvigam) ................................. 81

Arul 33: -- ...................................................... 84
Arul 34: rr - .................. 85
Arul 35: (Deekshai) .................................... 87
Arul 36:

r (Charity Begins at home) .............................. 88

Arul 37: Padmavathi Kalyanam ................................................................. 90

Arul 38: ................................................................... 95
Arul 39: ! ......................................................................... 97
Arul 40 : (Esayanur Patty) .......................................... 98
Arul 41: (Ambalin Pala Roobamkal) .... 100
Arul 42: ............................................ 101
Arul 43: Foreign Trip.................................................................... 103
Arul 44 5: Shri Bodendral Swamigal ............................................ 104
Arul 45 : ! ......................................................... 109
Arul 46: "? (Kathil vizhalaya)............. 110
Arul 47 : Gajana............................................................................ 111

Arul 48 : (Dnanam) ....................................................... 114

Arul :

Periyavas order To send money to Poor Man in Calcutta 116

Arul: Blessed a poor man with Gold for Thiru mangalyam ............ 116
Arul: Paul Brunton ........................................................................ 116
Arul: Sri Sreedhara ayyawal ........................................................ 128
Arul : "Sri Subrahmanyaya Namaste" .......................................... 140
Arul: Anju pradishinam ................................................................ 146
Arul : Display of Bakthi by Dog.............................................................. 156
Arul : The value of Annadhanam ................................................. 158
Arul: Bodhendral ......................................................................... 159
Arul: Blessed with Kids.. - Mahaswamigal's Grace : P.Chennarayudu
..................................................................................................... 166
Arul: Pushpa Alankaram .............................................................. 168
Arul: Rama Nama Mahima ........................................................... 169
Arul: Purandara Kesavalu ................................................................. 170
Arul : Discovery of Atma-bhodendral Adhistanam ........................ 177
Arul Ananda Vikatan Deepavali Malar ........................................... 180
Arul: Solace in Faith ..................................................................... 183
Arul: Karunai to Old Patty ............................................................. 187
Arul: Mahaswamigal and Chandra Grahanam ............................... 190
Arul: Making a kid talk ............................................................... 192
Arul : Paramacharyas boundless concern ................................... 194
Arul : Paramacharya an Avatar of Lord Sankara Himself ............. 197
Arul : Paramacharya an Avatar of Lord Sankara Himself ............. 198

Arul 1: !

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Arul 3: (Pension for Kainkaryam)

Varagooran Narayanan

1952
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Arul 5: - (Meeting with

MGR)
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Kathil)
Varagoor Narayanan

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(Appaviyin Pattuku Abayam )
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Nama Patti)
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Arul 10: Mangadu Temple

Mr.Lakshmi Narayanans memories of Periyava:

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Arul 11: Mouna Vradham Blessings to Indira

Gandhi/Gundurao etc
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Arul 13: (Supreme Dr Cure to Pazhayanur

Devaraja Sharmas ear pain.)
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Arul 14: (Supreme Doctor Periyavah - Cured

Cancer.)
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Arul 15: (Periyava - Not a Judge

but give Justice)
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r , Scaning Apratus-?

...Super Super Apratus

Arul 17: Tirupathi Shetram -

r 40-50
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(CasdfaChidambaram Dikshidars)

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Arul 19: Horse Race - Pla

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Arul 21: Collecation for Chartiy - Experience of a Devotee..

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Arul 22: r
..(Athithi Bojanam)
r
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A(roundasda Around 1938/39A).
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Arul 23 : Assigned Job

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Arul 24 : Cure to Lung Cancer

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Arul 25 : r! (Thenkalai Azhwar/Thumbikai Azhwar)

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Arul 26: (Arul Mozhigal )

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Arul 27: - r (S Order to

Stock Rice in Rameshwaram Sankara Mutt - Miracle)
1964 r
,
r
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r.

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250 r.

Arul 28: !
Tippirajapuram Blessing
.
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Arul 29: ,
(Winning and Loosing )


r

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(Bakthi Sathvigam)

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r (Charity Begins at home)

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Roobamkal)
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Arul 43: Foreign Trip

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anaGaGanesh Chandrasekar and Kalyanasundaram Ramachandaran
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Arul :

Periyavas order To send money to Poor Man in

Calcutta
Once he suddenly called the agent of the Mutt and ordered him to
send by telegraphic money-order a sum of five hundred rupees to
one poor man at Calcutta. After some months had elapsed, one fine
day a poor fellow rushed to His Holiness sobbing and fell down at his
feet saying that Sri Mutt's money order was received in time when
his father expired and that he was able to do the last rites for him.
His father was once connected with Sri Mutt Camp and he served by
sorting Vilva leaves for Pooja.

Arul: Blessed a poor man with Gold for Thiru mangalyam

Another instance is: a man rushed to His Holiness praying that he
had settled his daughter's marriage but could not manage to find
sovereigns for Thirumangalyam as was demanded by bridegroom's
parents. His Holiness told him that as a sanyasi he did not have
sovereigns but directed him to the temple of Sri Kamakshi and pray
for the same. Meanwhile some gentlemen of High respectability from
Bombay arrived to have Darshan of His Holiness and placed before
Him some sovereigns as offering along with huge money. After they
left, the poor man after praying to Sri Kamakshi came to His
Holiness, who said to him that his prayer was heard and that he had
the ten sovereigns.

Arul: Paul Brunton

I think it'd be better if the dialog between Mr. Paul Brunton and
Periyava is in this doc, always referenceable, not lost in the wall and
in one single piece.

Paul Brunton, the British person looking for enlightenment, comes

and visits various places. He pens about them in the book, "In
Search of Secret India" in the 1930s. He mention there being more
pseudo saints than true ones and then visits various sidha purshaas.
He is somehow sent back by each one of them, he then befriends a
sidha purushar in Adyar, Chennai. Another person talks about his
Guru in Arunachala. Mr.Brunton refuses to entertain that person. The
next day, another friend comes to him and tells him about this
Peethathipathi of Kanchi (in Kumbakonam then) who is camping in
the outskirts of Chengalpet. Mr. Brunton is in Madras. He leaves for
Chengalpet and reaches Periyava's vaasasthalam.
The people there say that Periyava has not seen any foreigner before
and there is little chance that he will do so now. Mr. Brunton was
half expecting this and turns back when his friend asks him to wait,
goes inside and seeks an audience with Periyava. Periyava accedes
and I shall reproduce Mr. Brunton's meeting with Periyava here
which comes in the chapter titled, "With the Spiritual Head of South
India."
Paul Brunton:
"We pass through a tiny door way and enter a bare ante room. At
the far end, there is a dimly lit enclosure, where I behold a short
figure standing in the shadows. I know well that Shri Sankara is no
Pope, for there is no such thing in Hinduism. He is a Teacher and the
inspirer of a religious flock of vast dimensions. The whole of South
India bows down to his tutelage.
I look at him in silence. This short man is clad in the ochre colored
robe of a monk and leans his weight on a friar's staff. I have been

told his age is on the right side of 40, hence I am surprised to find is
hair quite grey.
His noble face, pictured in grey and brown, takes an honored place
in the long portrait gallery of my memory. That elusive element the
French termed spirituel is present in this face. His expression is
modest and mild, the large dark eyes being extraordinarily tranquil
and beautiful. The nose is short, straight and classically regular.
There is a rugged little beard on his chin and the gravity of his
mouth is most noticeable. Such a face might have belonged to the
Christian saints who graced the Church during the Middle Ages,
except that this one possesses the added quality of intellectuality. I
suppose we of the practical West would say he has the eyes of a
dreamer. Somehow, I feel in an inexplicable way that there is more
than just mere dreams behind those heavy lids.
"Your Holiness has been very kind to receive me," I remark, by way
of introduction.
He turns to my companion and says something in vernacular, the
meaning of which I am able to guess correctly.
"His Holiness understands your English, but is too afraid that you
might not understand his own. So he prefers to have me translate
his answers."
He asks about my personal experiences in the country; he is very
interested in ascertaining the exact impressions which Indian people
and institutions make upon a foreigner. I give him my candid
impressions, mixing praise and criticism freely and frankly.

The conversation then flows into wider channels and I am much

surprised to find that he regularly reads English newspapers, and
that he is well informed upon current affairs in the outside world.
Indeed, he is not unaware about what the latest noise in
Westminster is about, and he knows also through what painful
travail the troublous infant of democracy is passing through in
Europe.
I remember my friend's firm belief that he possesses prophetic
insight. It touches my fancy to press for some opinion about the
world's future.
"When do you think that the political and economical conditions
everywhere will begin to improve?"
"A change for the better is not easy to come by quickly," he replies.
"It is a process that must need take some time. How can things
improve when nations spend more each year on the weapons of
death?"
"There is nevertheless much talk of disarmament today. Does that
count?"
"If you scrap your battleships and let your cannons rust, that will
not stop war. People will continue to fight, even if they have to use
sticks!"
"But what can be done to help matters?"
"Nothing but spiritual understanding between one nation and
another, and between rich and poor, will produce goodwill and thus
bring real peace and prosperity."
"That seems far off. Our outlook is hardly cheerful then?" His
Holiness rests his arm a little more heavily upon his staff.
"There is still God," he remarks gently.

"If there is, He seems very far away," I boldly protest.

"God has nothing but love towards mankind," comes the soft reply.
"Judging by the unhappiness and wretchedness which afflict the
world today, He has nothing but indifference," I break out
impulsively, unable to keep the bitter force of irony out of my voice.
His Holiness looks at me strangely. I immediately regret my hasty
words.
"The eyes of a patient man see deeper. God will use human
instruments to adjust things at the appropriate hour. The turmoil
among nations, the moral wickedness among people and the
sufferings of miserable millions will provoke, as a reaction, some
great divinely inspired man to come to the rescue. In this sense,
every century has its own saviour. The process works like a law of
physics. The greater the wretchedness caused by spiritual ignorance,
materialism, the greater will be the man who will arise to help the
world."
"Then do you expect someone to arise in our time, too?"
"In our century," he corrects. "Assuredly. The need of the world is
so great and its spiritual darkness so thick, that an inspired man of
God will surely arise."
"Is it your opinion then, that men are becoming more degraded?"
"No I do not think so," he replies tolerantly. "There is an indwelling
divine soul in man which, in the end, must bring him back to God."
"But there are ruffians in our Western cities who behave as though
there are indwelling demons inside them," I counter, thinking of the
modern gangster.
"Do not blame the people so much as the environments into which
they are born. The surroundings and circumstances force them to
become worse than they really are. That is true of both the East and

the West. Society must be brought into tune with a higher note.
Materialism must be balanced by idealism; there is no other real cure
for the world's difficulties. The troubles into which countries are
being plunged are really the agonies which will force this change,
just as failure is frequently a sign post pointing to another road."
"Would you like people to introduce spiritual principles into their
worldly dealings, then?"
"Quite so. It is not impracticable, because it is the only way which
will satisfy everyone in the end, and which will not speedily
disappear. And if it were more men who found spiritual light in the
world, it would spread more quickly. India, to its honor, supports
and respects its spiritual men, though less so than in former times.
If all the world were to do the same and take its guidance from men
of spiritual vision, then all the world would soon find peace and
prosperity."
Our conversation trails on. I am quick to notice that he does not
decry the West to exalt the East, as so many in his country do. He
admits that each half of the globe possesses its own set of virtues
and vices, and that in this way, they are roughly equal! He hopes
that a wiser generation will fuse the best points of Asiatic and
European civilizations into a higher and balanced social scheme.
I drop the subject and and ask permission for some personal
questions. It is granted without difficulty.
"How long has Your Holiness held this title?"

"Since 1907. At that time, I was only 12 years old. Four years after
my appointment, I retired to a village on the banks of Cauvery,
where I gave myself upto meditation and study for 3 years. Then
only did my public work begin."
"You rarely remain at your headquarters in Kumbakonam, I take it?"
"The reason for that is I was invited by the King of Nepal in 1918.
And in all those years of my journey up north, I have not been able
to advance by more than a few hundred miles, because the tradition
of my office requires that I stay in every village and town I pass
through or which invites me, if it is not too far off. I must give a
spiritual discourse in the local temple and some teaching to the
inhabitants."
"I would like to meet someone with higher attainment in Yoga and
who can give me some sort of proof or demonstration of them. Am I
asking for too much?"
The tranquil eyes meet mine. There is a pause for a whole minute.
His Holiness fingers his beard.
"If you are seeking initiation into real Yoga, then you are not
seeking too much. Your earnestness will help you, while I can
perceive the strength of your determination; but a light is beginning
to awaken within you which will guide you to what you want,
without doubt."

I am not sure i correctly understand him. "So far I have depended on

myself for guidance. Even some of your ancient sages say that there
is no other God than that which is within ourselves," I hazard.
And the answer swiftly comes:
"God is everywhere. How can one limit Him to one's self? He
supports the entire universe."
I feel I am getting out my depth and immediately turn the talk away
from this semi-theological strain.
"What is the most practical course for me to take?"
"Go on with your travels. When you have finished them, think of the
various holy men and Yogis you have met; then pick out the one who
makes the most appeal to you. Return to him, and he will surely
bestow his initiation upon you."
I look at his calm profile and admire its singular serenity.
"But You Highness, suppose no one makes sufficient appeal to me.
What then?"
"In that case, you will have to go alone till God Himself initiates you.
Practice meditation regularly; contemplate the higher things with
love in your heart; think often of the soul and that will help to bring
you to it. The best time is to practice in the hour of waking; the next
best time is the hour of twilight. The world is calmer during those
times and will disturb your meditation less."
He gazes benevolently at me. I begin to envy the saintly peace that
dwells on his bearded face. Surely, his heart has never known the

devastating upheavals that have scarred mine? I am stirred to ask

him impulsively:
"If I fail, may I then turn to you for assistance?"
Shri Sankara gently shakes his head.
"I am at the head of a public institution, a man whose time no longer
belongs to himself. My activities demand almost all my time. For
years, I have spent only 3 hours in sleep each night. How can I take
personal pupils? You must find a master who devotes his time to
them"
"But I am told real masters are rare and a European is unlikely to
ever find them."
He nods his head in assent to my statement but adds:
"Truth exists. It can be found."
"Can you not direct me to such a master, one who is competent to
give me proofs of the higher reality of Yoga?"
His Holinees does not reply till after a protracted gap of silence.
"Yes I know only two masters in India who could give you what you
wish. One of them lives in Benares, hidden away in a large house,
which is itself hidden among spacious grounds. Few people are
permitted access to him; and certainly no European has yet been
able to intrude upon his seclusion. I could send you to him, but I
fear that he may refuse to admit a European."
"And the other? My interest is strangely stirred-"

"The other man lives in the interior, farther South. I visited him once
and know him to be a high master. I recommend that you go to
him."
"Who is he?"
"He is called Maharishee. His abode is Arunachala, the mountain of
the Holy Beacon, which is in the territory of North Arcot. Shall I
provide you with full instructions so that you may discover him?"
A vision flashes across my mind.
"Many thanks You Holiness. But I have a guide who comes from
there."
"Then will you go there?"
I hesitate. "All arrangements have been made for my departure from
the South tomorrow," I mutter uncertainly.
"In that case I have a request to make."
"With pleasure."
"Promise me that you will not leave South India before you have met
the Maharishee."
I read in his eyes a sincere desire to help me. The promise is given.

A benign smile crosses his face.

"Do not be anxious. You shall discover what you seek."
A murmer from the crowd in the street penetrates into the house.
"I have taken too much of your time. I am indeed sorry." I
apologize.
Shri Sankara's grave mouth relaxes. He follows me and my
companion and whispers something inside his ear. I catch a
reference to my name.
"You shall always remember me and I shall always remember you."
And so, hearing these cryptic and puzzling words, I reluctantly
withdraw from this interesting man whose life has been dedicated
from childhood to God. He is a pontiff who cares not for worldly
power, because he has renounced all and resigned all. Whatever
material things he is given, he at once gives it again to people who
need them. His beautiful and gentle personality will sure linger in my
memory.
I wander about Chengalpet, exploring its artistic old-world beauty
and before leaving, wish to catch a glimpse of His Holiness.
I find him in the largest temple in the city. This slim, modest, yellow
robed figure is addressing a huge concourse of men, women and
children. Utter silence prevails among the large audience. I cannot
understand his vernacular words, but I can see that he is holding the
deep attention of all those present there. I do not know, but I hazard
the guess that he speaks on the profoundest of topics in the simplest
manner, for such is the character I read in him.

Paul Brunton then comes home and goes to sleep. He witnesses

something strange while sleeping. He mentions:
The next thing I remember of is suddenly awakening. The room is
totally dark. I feel my nerves strangely tense. The atmosphere
around me seems like electrified air. I pull my watch from under the
pillow and under its radium lit dial, find the time to be a quarter to
three. It is then that I become conscious of a bright light at the foot
of my bed. I immediately sit up and look straight at it.
My astounded gaze meets the face and form of Shri Sankara. It is
clearly and unmistakably visible. He does not appear to be an
ethereal ghost, but rather a solid human being. There is a
mysterious luminosity around the figure which separates it from the
surrounding darkness.
Surely the vision is an impossible one? Have I not left him at
Chengalpet? I close my eyes tightly to test the matter. There is no
difference and I still see him quite plainly! Let it suffice that I
receive the sense of a benign and friendly presence. I open my eyes
and regard the kindly figure in the loose yellow robe.
The face alters, for the lips seem to smile and utter the words:
"Be humble, and you shall find what you seek."
Why do I feel that a living human being is addressing me thus? Why
do I not feel it is a ghost at least?
The vision disappears as mysteriously as it has come. It leaves me
feeling exalted, happy and unperturbed by its supernormal nature.
Shall I dismiss it as a dream? What matters it?
There is no more sleep for me this night. I lie awake pondering over
the day's meeting, the interview with His Holiness Shri Sankara of

Kumbakonam, the Heirarch of God to the simple people of South

India.

Arul: Sri Sreedhara ayyawal

Sri Shridhara Venkatesa, known as Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, was born

as the only son of Sri Lingaarya. Sri Lingaarya was a great scholar
and was respected by the King of Mysore. The king, who was much
impressed with Sri Lingaaryas scholarship, rewarded him with a
high post in the court and huge wealth. As the only child of Sri
Lingaarya, Sri Shridhara Venkatesa was the sole inheritor of all
these riches.
Even as a child Sri Shridhara Ayyaval cherished great devotion
towards Lord Shiva and spent most of his time in chanting the Divine
Names of Lord Shiva. He learnt all the scriptures and became an
expert at a very young age. At an appropriate age Sri Lingaarya
found a good bride for his son from a good and devout family. She
too proved to be a fitting match for Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and his
devotion.
After his fathers passing away, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was offered
the post of Divan in the Kingdom of Mysore. A personification of
dispassion that Sri Sridhara Ayyaval was, he declined the offer as he
considered any material comfort trifling compared to the wealth of
bliss attained in worshipping Lord Shiva.
Days passed in loving worship of Lord Shiva. One day, Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval decided to move from Mysore. His mind could find no rest in
residing in the same place. He could easily sense the divine call
guiding him to move around in this world and spread the divine
message of true devotion and Nama Kirtan. This meant quitting his

well-furnished home which was nothing less than a palace. Quitting

the comforts that he had hitherto enjoyed was by no means, a tough
decision for Sri Shridhara Ayyaval. But in the intent of knowing his
wifes and mothers heart, he ran it by them, only to hear back that
they were only too happy to follow him. Happily the family decided
to leave the city that very moment. On knowing his decision, the
king and people of Mysore gathered at his doorstep. Saddened at
heart and overwhelmed with sorrow, they pleaded with him to stay
back even if he does not want to accept the post in the court. But
who can stop the one who is guided by a Divine force to move on?
Addressing the loving crowd, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval said, These
riches belong to me no more! Anyone can walk in and take whatever
he/she wants without any restriction. Everybody has a right on this
wealth from now! Saying so, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval walked out of
his mansion followed by his devoted wife and loving mother, while
the King and the people watched on helplessly.
After leaving the city of Mysore, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval passed
through many cities and villages. He had taken to Unchchavriti way
of life wherein one goes on the streets singing the Divine Names of
the Lord, accepting things offered as alms and partaking of the same
after offering it to the Lord.
He would stop for a day or two in each village and teach the mass
the essence of the scriptures. He would chant the Divine Names of
the Lord and speak of its glory and ease of chanting it. After winning
the hearts of the people there and hearing them chant with
devotion, he would continue his journey.
Thus, moving about, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval reached the town of
Tirichirapalli in Tamil Nadu, South India. He continued spreading his
message of Nama Kirtan by discoursing in a simple language which

helped people comprehend the profound truth with ease. His

discourses emphasized devotion towards both Lord Vishnu and Lord
Shiva without bias. Every evening he visited the temple of Lord Shiva
and spent the afternoons in chanting divine names and reading
scripture.
The king of Tirichirapalli was a devout Vaishnavaite (devotee of Lord
Vishnu). A few people, who had heard the discourses of Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval felt that he had more leaning towards Lord Shiva
than Lord Vishnu. They voiced their opinion to the king and wanted
him to test the devotion of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval towards Lord
Vishnu. The king, who was a great devotee himself, did not like the
idea of testing a saint and also feared that it might bring downfall to
him and his kingdom. However, the desire to know the heart of this
saint sprouted in him and hence he decided to test Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval without malice and hit upon a plan. He ordered the priests
to dress up Sri Mathrubhuteshwara, Lord Shiva in Tirichirapalli as
Lord Krishna and take Him in procession. He thought that Sri
Sridhara Ayyavals reaction would indicate his bias, should he have
any. When the procession passed through the home of Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval, he was meditating on Lord Shiva. Once out of his trance, he
came out of his home hurriedly and finding Lord Krishna there
spontaneously prayed to Lord Krishna Oh! Lord Krishna! When will I
spend every moment of my life in meditating on your Lotus Feet by
reminding myself of the transitory nature of this world, being
humble, knowing my deficiencies, turning blind to others faults,
being compassionate towards all living beings, being a servant of
the devotees of the Lord and eyeing both joy and sorrow alike?
He thus composed 12 verses known as Krishna Dwadasa Manjari.
In a few verses in this, he did not hesitate to sing that Lord

Krishnas vision was not easy for Lord Shiva Himself! Hearing this,
the king was relieved and the people who had induced him to test
fell at Sri Shridhara Ayyavals feet and apologized for their ignorance
and arrogance. Knowing Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to be a great saint of
uncommon devotion and glory, the king wanted him to stay in his
city forever. He spoke his mind to Sri Shridhara Ayyaval at an
appropriate time. But when Sri Shridhara Ayyaval came to know of
this, he decided to leave the city that very night. He knew that if he
chose to stay in one place forever, then his mission of spreading the
divine message to the world would not materialize.
He left Tirichirapalli that very night. The king could not console
himself when he came to know of Sri Shridhara Ayyavals departure.
Perplexed and worried, the king felt very restless, for he felt he had
offended the saint by with his request. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
appeared in the kings dream that night in the form of Lord Shiva
and said, Oh! King! Do not worry yourself. I have incarnated to
spread the Divine Name in this world. I have left the city with this
very purpose in mind. It was only then that the king realized Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval to be Lord Shiva Himself. Recounting the rare
fortune of having been in the Lords presence all this while, he
considered himself blessed.
After leaving Tirichirapalli, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval passed through
many cities and villages before reaching the city of Tanjavur. During
the course of his journey, his mother attained the Feet of the Lord.
The King of Tanjavur, Shahaji, hearing the scholarship and devotion
of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, visited him and felt blessed by his darshan.
Though Sri Shridhara Ayyaval stayed for a while in the city he could
not stand the bustle of city life for long. He wished to reside in a
more serene and peaceful atmosphere and was in search of a

suitable place. When he reached the village of Tiruvisainallur, he

realised he had found the place he had desired and decided to reside
there. Among all the great scholars who lived there, Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval was the most accomplished and revered.
King Shahaji had tremendous devotion and love for Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval and so visited him quite often. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval also
loved the king for his devotion and sincerity. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
did not hesitate to give proper counseling to the King whenever it
was essential. He had such deep affection for the king that he even
accepted the seat of 'Divan' in his court. During this period, Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval wrote many great literary works. As days passed,
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, who was naturally inclined towards a simple
and devout life felt the need to give up the association with king and
his worldly affairs. However, the king would not permit this. One
day, while Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was pondering over this a
messenger from the king arrived. Looking at Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
the messenger asked, "Oh Bhagavata (Devotee of the Lord)! Is the
Divan in?" As soon as Sri Shridhara Ayyaval heard this question, his
face bloomed with joy and he sent a reply in writing stating-"The
Divan is dead. Only the Bhagavata remains." When Shahaji saw the
reply, he thought Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to be dead and could not
contain his sorrow. Weeping, he reached the hut of Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval only to find him alive and happy. He enquired as to why Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval had written 'The Divan is dead'. Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval said, "Since I got the epithet of 'Bhagavata', which is a
higher post in the kingdom of God than that of Divan in your
kingdom, I replied so!" Shahaji understood the heart of Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval and did not compel him to continue as the Divan. His respect
for Sri Shridhara Ayyaval grew more than ever before.

Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was an embodiment of humility. For the sake

of uplifting man he composed many works. Bhagavan Nama
Bhooshanam, Aakya Shashti, Dayashatakam, Stuti Paddhathi, Shiva
Bhakti Kalpalatha, Shiva Bhakta Lakshanam, Achyutaashtakam, Dola
Navaratna Malika etc. are a few to name. Though titled differently,
all these works were primarily about the greatness and glory of the
Divine Names of the Lord.
Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Swamigal was a contemporary of Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval. Sri Bodendra Swamigal had deep reverence for
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval. They used to meet often and enjoy the bliss of
talking about the glory of the Lord. Though Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
saw no difference in the prowess of Lord Shiva's name and Lord
Vishnu's name he loved chanting the names of Lord Shiva. Similarly,
Sri Bodendra loved the name of Rama more than anything. When Sri
Bodendra Swamigal read the work of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval named
'Aakya Shashti', which primarily talked only about the greatness of
Lord Shiva's names in sixty verses, he said, "You could have named
this work as 'Shivaakyashashti' instead of 'Aakya Shashti'! Though
all the names of the Lord are equally sweet and powerful, you have
chosen to sing the greatness of only one of them! Why is it so? Don't
you like singing the divine Name of Lord Rama?" The moment Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval heard this from the great saint, he replied in a
beautiful verse emphasizing the greatness of the Divine Name of
Lord Rama. "While Lord Shiva, the glory of whose name I have sung
in these sixty verses, himself does not cease to chant the Divine
Name Rama even for a moment out of such taste and love for that
name, how can I dare to describe the beauty and glory of the Divine
Name of Rama?"

Sri Bodendra Swamigal shed tears of joy hearing this verse.

Sri Bodendra Swamigal and Sri Shridhara Ayyaval spent many such
wonderful moments of divine bliss. Sri Sadashiva Brahmendra,
another great Saint of the same time, also used to join Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval and Sri Bodendra Swamigal in their discussions.
A few learned scholars of the city envied Sri Shridhara Ayyaval for
the place he had found in the heart of the king. Once, they had
arranged for the celebration of Janmashtami festival with much
pomp and show. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval did not relish the worship
that was devoid of devotion. Therefore, he did not participate in the
function. The people who conducted the function carried a picture of
Lord Krishna in procession. When Lord Krishna's procession came to
the door of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, the priests and scholars refused to
accept the offerings of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval. Reprimanding Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval for not taking part in the festival because of pride,
they said, "Why feign devotion when you totally lack devotion?Keep
away. Our Lord Krishna hardly needs your worship." Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval smilingly replied, "Lord Krishna knows who His devotees
are!" Cut to quick by these words, the priests and scholars said,
"Well! In that case, why don't you call Lord Krishna? If you are
indeed a great devotee, let us see if Lord Krishna accepts your
invitation!" Without a moment's hesitation, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
composed and sweetly sang the names of Lord Krishna in a beautiful
verse. While Sri Shridhara Ayyaval stood on, the priests ordered the
procession to move on. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval too went inside his
humble home.
When the procession reached the next house, the priests and
scholars found the image of Lord Krishna missing in the photograph!
Trembling with fear, they ran to the house of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval

to beg his pardon. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was putting Lord Krishna to
sleep. He composed the 'Dola Navaratna Maalika' on Lord Krishna
that night. The priests and scholars who had offended Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval, out of ignorance, now understood the glory of Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval and his steadfast devotion and love for the Lord. To absolve
themselves of the sin incurred by offending a great devotee and with
a hope to develop the kind of love for the Lord which Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval had they too spent the entire night with Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval, singing the Divine Names of the Lord.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval used to visit the Temple of MahaLinga, Lord
Shiva, in the nearby city of Madhyarjuna. Rain or shine, he would not
miss visiting the temple. He preferred to see the Lord when there
was not much crowd and so chose the early hours of the morning for
the visit.
Once, Lord Shiva intended to test the love and devotion of Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval. That day, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was on his way
to the temple as usual. He had to cross the river Kaveri in order to
reach the temple. On reaching the banks of Kaveri he found the river
flooded. Boatmen refused to ferry the boat across the river. Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval could not bring himself to return home without
seeing His Lord in the temple. Gazing at the tower of the temple on
the other shore, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval stood with tear-filled eyes. He
felt he must have offended the Lord in some way and that sin acted
as a block to the darshan of His Lord. He composed a soulful prayer
called 'AarthiHara Stotra' in which he prayed, "Oh Lord! Please
bestow your loving and compassionate glance on me, who is
suffering from the pangs of separation from you! You have the
untarnished fame of relieving the one who merely chants your Divine
name from the clutches of sorrow! How is it that though I have

sought refuge in You, I am agonized? Did you not bestow your grace
on the hunter who, on death bed, chanted your divine name 'Hara
Hara Hara' unintentionally, while teaching his son the way to hunt'Prahara, Aahara, Samhara'(attack, bring, kill)? Such being your
compassion, how can you turn your face away from me who am
piteously praying- 'Save me Lord Shiva!'
While Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was lamenting thus a priest of the Shiva
Temple, who was known to him, came to him and gave Vibhoothi
Prasada (Sacred ashes). He said to Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, "I did not
find you in the temple today. Knowying that you would be saddened
at not being able to cross the river and have the vision of the Lord I
decided to come and give you the sacred ashes." Transported to
Bliss Sri Shridhara Ayyaval prostrated before the priest and accepted
the sacred ashes with reverence.
While Sri Shridhara Ayyaval moved towards his home, shedding
tears of joy thinking of the love of the Lord towards His devotees,
the question 'how did the priest manage to cross the flooded river?'
arose in him. From his memory he recalled that the priest was not a
bit wet and the sacred ashes smeared on his body were not
sumdged! Sri Shridhara Ayyaval wondered if it was Lord Shiva
himself who had come in the garb of the priest. Next day, the flood
subsided and Sri Shridhara Ayyaval went to the temple and found
the same priest there. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval thanked the priest for
his kindness and said that his mind was at peace only after receiving
the sacred ashes from him the previous day. The priest was utterly
confused hearing this. He said, "Sir! I never came to the other shore!
Indeed, who could have dared to cross the flooding river?"
On hearing this, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was moved beyond words. He
realized it was Lord Shiva himself who had taken pity on him and

come to give the sacred ashes. With a grateful heart he sang the
glory of the compassion of the Lord in the hymn 'Dayashatakam'. In
this hymn, he sings, "Oh! The Compassion of the Lord! One is
cleansed of all his sins the moment you cast your glance on him!
When will you bless me so that I will always be immersed in the
bliss of chanting the Divine names like 'Madhava', 'Murari',
'Kaamaarey', 'Shiva', 'Mahadeva', 'Govinda' and 'Purahara'! Be
pleased to bestow two boons on me! That my mind may always be
established in the Divine Form of Lord Shiva and that my tongue may
always chant the Divine Names! In my last breath, let me chant the
Divine Name 'Shiva'!"
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, who composed 100 such verses glorifying the
compassion of the Lord, was none other than Lord Shiva himself!
Needless to say, he was an epitome of compassion! He could not
bear to see anyone suffer. He considered even liberation a trifling
matter as compared to compassion to all beings.
One day, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was on his way to River Kaveri for a
bath. It was a day of 'Sraardha' (annual death rites for ancestors) in
his home and all food offerings were ready. On the way he found a
poor man belonging to a low caste fallen down in an unconscious
state due to hunger. Unable to bear the sight of the suffering of the
poor man Sri Shridhara Ayyaval rushed back to his home and
returned with the food prepared for the ceremony. He gave it to the
man. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval , who saw the Lord in all, neither had a
second thought about doing this nor was he bothered about the sin
he might incur. He knew that by appeasing the hunger of this man
he would be pleasing the Lord. After giving him food Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval went back home and cleaned the entire place. He cooked
fresh food for the priests and invited them for performing the

ceremony. The priest who were to perform the ceremony were a

jealous lot who envied Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and chose this as the
right moment to create trouble for him. They picked up an argument
with him on this matter. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval quoted scriptures to
show the greatness of timely help and said it was in no way sinful to
feed a hungry man. However, the priests were adamant and refused
to accept any explanation. They all walked out of the house and
proclaimed Sri Shridhara Ayyaval as an outcaste. Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval accepted this too as the divine will of Lord and continued
the ceremony without the help of the priests. The Trinity -- Lord
Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma -- themselves appeared at the
home of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and participated in the ceremony!
They partook of the food cooked by Sri Shridhara Ayyaval with
pleasure. What will the Lord not do for His loving devotee?
Though the ceremony was performed in this manner that year, the
following year Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, very compassionate, requested
the priests to participate in the ceremony. The arrogant priests
refused the invitation bluntly. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval pleaded with
them to accept his invitation and said that he would carry out any
atonement that they prescribed for the sin incurred. The priests then
said, "Take a dip in the Holy Ganga. That is the only atonement for
the terrible sin incurred." Sri Shridhara Ayyaval replied, "The Holy
Ganga is up in north and I am already old. I do not think I can travel
that far. Instead, I shall bring the Holy Ganga to me in the well here
my backyard." Hearing this, the priests said, "How preposterous of
you to speak so! Of course, there are some verses in the scriptures
which exalt the Holy Name of Ganga by saying that if one takes a dip
in any water chanting the name of Ganga, he would gain the merit of
having taken a dip the Holy River Ganga. But these are nothing but

exaggerations! Just as you exaggerate the glory of Divine Names!"

and laughed out. "Don't even imagine that you can trick us and
become one among us again!" Sri Shridhara Ayyaval humbly replied,
"I do not intend to cheat anybody. I shall bring the Holy Ganga right
here." Saying this, he prayed to Holy Ganga through eight verses of
Gangashtakam composed by him then. And lo! The Holy River Ganga
gushed out of the well in the backyard of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval's
home! The priests were terrified to witness this miracle. Now they
were alarmed to see the river gush out to the roads! They ran and
fell at Sri Shridhara Ayyaval's feet and begged his pardon. They
requested Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to send the river back! Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval invited all of them to take a dip in the river. The panicked
mass insisted he send it back and refused to take a dip. Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval then prayed to Mother Ganga to stay in his well in the
backyard of his home for ever. The Holy River Ganga paid heed to his
prayer and subsided into the well. This incident occurred on the new
moon day in the month of 'Karthika'. Till this day, many pilgrims
travel to Tiruvisainallur to take a dip in this well every year on the
new moon day of the Karthika month.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval joined Sri Bodendra Swamigal in spreading the
message of chanting the Divine Names as the easiest means to gain
both material and spiritual benefits. One day, while Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval was on his way to visit the temple of Lord Shiva he
discoursed to his devotees emphasizing the glory of divine names
and love for the Lord. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval looked unusually bright
and lustrous that day. In the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord, with
tears in his eyes, he prayed to the Lord through many verses.
Overwhelmed by the pangs of separation from the Lord and unable
to stand it any longer, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval rushed to the Sanctum

of the Lord in order to embrace Him. While the priests attempted to

stop him Sri Shridhara Ayyaval ran and disappeared into the
Sanctum of the Lord. The Lord, in the form of Linga, shone brightly
like a sun for some time. The awestruck devotees stood looking on,
as this wonderful incident happened, and shed tears.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval spent every moment of his life striving to
uplift the mass by spreading the nectarine Divine Names of the Lord.
Let us all pray to Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to bless us all with a taste for
the Divine Names of the Lord.
RamRam

Arul : "Sri Subrahmanyaya Namaste"

Kanchi Mahaperiyava's exposition of "Sri Subrahmanyaya
Namaste"
In June 1961, Paramacharya was camping at Devakottai (in
Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu). He was in deep penance for
several weeks, not talking or even communicating by gesture. One
could not know if he even heard the devotees' words. One morning,
some people from nearby Ariyakkudi (Nagarathar) had their
darshan of Him, and in the course of their talks, it came out that
Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, the famous carnatic musician, and
known simply as Ariyakkudi, was currently in Karaikkudi. To the
surprise of every one, Paramacharya signaled to them, asking if they
can bring Ariyakkudi over to meet Him. They agreed and left. That
afternoon by three o'clock, Ariyakkudi was at the camp. He was so
excited and tense, as Paramacharya had asked to meet him in the
midst of his 'kashta mounam' (vow of rigorous silence).
Is not Paramacharya known for His simplicity? So His
accommodation at the camp was very simple. His room was on the

garden side of a small house. Devotees had to have His darshan

through a small window, after passing through dirt and bushes. May
be that was His way of admonishing those of us who have grown
used to the luxuries of life. On being informed that Ariyakkudi had
arrived, Paramacharya signaled to bring him to the rear window. He
came, and paid obeisance by falling full stretch at His feet. That was
it. To every one's joy, Paramacharya opened His mouth and started
talking in a torrent.
"Heard of your receiving the Rashtrapathi award. You would have
walked on a red carpet, and been honored in a gathering of eminent
persons. But me, I have made you walk on stones and bush and
made you sit in a dinghy room. "Why I called you is, I long have had
a desire to listen to 'Shri Subrahmanyaya namasthe' rendered
perfectly. On hearing you are around, the desire has re-surfaced.
Perfect rendition means both the music and the lyrics (sangeetham
and sahityam). Many people disfigure the words of Sanskrit and
Telugu kirtanas to the extent that we wish they never sang. "The
music part (swaras), the rhythm part and the 'sahitya chandas'
what is called 'chandam' in Tamil - would be given for most songs.
The proper way to split and combine words would also be given. The
musician has to take care to synchronize the music, rhythm and
chandas and split and combine the words correctly so as not to spoil
the meaning. The compositions of good composers definitely allow
this (padham pirichu padaradhu) but many musicians simply
concentrate on the music and rhythm, and ignore the meaning,
sometimes leading to ridiculous meanings!

"Even in this song 'Shri Subrahmanyaya namasthe', we have a line

'guruguhayagnana dwanta savithre'. This must be split as
'guruguhaaya agnana dwanta savithre' i.e. 'the one who is the sun
for the darkness of ignorance'. Some sing it as 'guruguhaya.....
gnana dwanta savitre', ' one who is the sun for the darkness of
knowledge'!
"I do not know if you sing the kriti 'Sankaracharyam' (Sri
Subbarama Sastri's Sankarabharanam kriti), but Veena Dhanamma's
family, Semmangudi Seenu, MS sing this. There is a line
'paramadvaita sthapana leelam' means 'one who so easily, like a
game, founded the great advaita philosophy' - it is to be sung with
stress on the 'A' of 'Advaita' (Paramacharya sings
this line) to give the intended meaning. If we really cared, we can,
even without proper training, sing with proper meaning. Those I
mentioned above also sing properly. But those who do not care,
stretch the 'parama' and then sing 'dwaita sthapana leelam',
converting the Advaita Acharya to Dwaita Acharya! (laughs heartily
for a long time)
"No doubt, in music, there is no Dvaita - Advaita difference. Only
music is important. And music makes the mind of the singer into
unison with the song - the protagonist of the song. That is why, 'Shri
Subrahmanyaya namasthe' is attached to you - a Vaishnavite - or
you are attached to it! I have heard you sing that song. I do not have
to say anything about your musical ability; and the sahitya part too
you do correctly. Which is why I have called you here. "In my
dharbar there is only stones and bushes. There is no
accompaniment, not even sruti. But please do sing that kriti for me,

in spite of all these. When Paramacharya stopped his torrent,

Ariyakkudi was in tears. He prostrated once again, and said "there is
no other prestige for me than to be asked by 'periyava' to sing, and
singing for periyava. I have no words to express the magnanimity of
Periyava, considering me as somebody and giving me this chance.
Periyavas grace has to fill in for the sruti and accompaniment and
enable me to sing to the level I am expected to and readied himself
to begin the song.
Paramacharya asked "the raga of this kriti is said to be Kambodhi,
but the name given in books is Kambhoji, right?" When Ariyakkudi
said yes, Paramacharya continued, "Many of us know Kambhojam is
Cambodia (in S E Asia), and that Bharat culture had taken deep roots
there. If we inferred that Kambhoji is a raga 'imported' from that
place, researchers like Sambamurthy (the late Prof P Sambamurthy)
disagree. Cambodians might have imported many things from us, but
not we, far advanced in civilization, from them; definitely not in
music, where we were much advanced whereas they had mostly folk
music.
Then why the name 'Kambhoji'? "I have a thought here - there is
another place called 'Kambhojam along India's northern border.
Kalidasa, no ordinary poet and quite knowledgeable too, tells Yasha
to go this way and that in his 'megha sandesam' good enough to
plot a map! In his Raghuvamsam, describing Raghu's invasions and
victories, he has mentioned one 'Kambhojam', beyond the Indus and
along the Himalayas. From this, we deduce that, within the extended
India (akand Bharat), there was one Kambhojam near the
Hindukush mountains. May be our Kambodhi raga was from this

place? "Many ragas are named after places, right? Sourashtram,

Navarasa kannada, even Kannada, Sindhu Bhairavi, Yamuna Kalyani,
like this Kambodhi might have come from Kambhojam region.
"Researchers say ragas like Mohanam and Kambhoji have been
around in most civilizations from time immemorial. Later, may be
the raga was given the name of the place that 'polished' it well.
Kedaram is a place in the Himalayas - you know Kedarnath. Gowla
Gowda region - Bengal. We have ragas in both names, and even
Kedaragowla. But all three ragas have been in South Indian music how? May be the names came from musicans who 'specialized' in
these ragas and came from those regions?
People in general, musicians in particular, are referred to with their
native places. For instance Ariyakkudi means you! From this, can we
say that some of these rags - Kedaram, Gowla, Kannada, Kambhoji
etc. - were popularized by musicians from these regions? "Are you
interested in research into ancient music?" Ariyakkudi replied "Not
much". "But you have set Tiruppavai to tune! But unlike for Devaram
songs, tunes have not been specified for Tiruppavai songs, and those
whose who recited, did not use a tune. Since only Brahmins have
been reciting Divyaprabhandham songs, they have recited only with
a kind of up-down delivery (Ethal-Irakkal prasam).
You set the tune for Tiruppavai according to your manodharma
(imagination)?"
"To the best of my little ability" replied ariyakudi.

"But it has become the standard and accepted and sung by other
vidwans as well! It seems our ancient ragas have been preserved in
their original form (roopam) only in the Devaram songs. Just as the
Vedas have been preserved to a note by the Vaidikas through
generations, the Odhuvamurthis have preserved Devaram songs not just the lyrics, but the tunes too. What was a service to devotion,
has also been a service to music! The ragas Sankarabharanam,
Neelambari, Bhairavi etc. have all been identified as different
'pann's. This list includes Sowrashtra, Kedaragowla, Kambodhi also.
Kambodhi used to be called 'ThakkEsi' or something like that.
Kambodhi is not a mela raga?" "No. Harikambhoji is the mela raga;
Kambhoji is its janya raga" "But Kambodhi is more famous! Just like
the son being more famous than the father. Some other janya ragas
too are like this?" "Yes, Bhairavi is a janya raga, derived from
Natabhairavi"
"OK, you sing. I have been wasting time in useless chat preventing
you from doing what you came for!"
Ariyakkudi rendered the song "ShrI subrahmanyAya namasthE" - a
rare musical feast. Even without sruti or accompaniments, it still
was wholesome. Paramacharya listened to the song with full
concentration, eyes closed. Then, "Only because you sang alone (no
sruti/accompanists) the song came out with all its beauty. And the
words were crystal clear. I say 'thrupthOsmi' (Totally satisfied).
Please sing once more - you know why? I will give you the meaning
line by line, you stop after every line. Not that you do not know; but
let me have the pleasure of dissolving my mind in Sri Dikshitar's

lyrical beauty for some more time! More over, others here can also
learn the meaning and beauty behind the creations of geniuses."
Ariyakkudi sang one more, this time line-by-line and our
Paramacharya gave detailed commentry on the Dikshitar Kriti Sri
Subhramanyaya Namaste.
Paramacharya further tells Ariyakkudi and the gathering at large,
"I'm happy to see that you, coming from a good guru-sishya
parampara, are preserving good music. You must also bring up good
disciples and keep the tradition going. A Brahmin, having learnt
Veda, has a compulsory duty to teach atleast one more person
(athyApanam). This can apply to other sastras and arts
too. "One more point about musicians. You should sing the Telugu
and Sanskrit kirtanas fully aware of their meaning. It is not fair to
say that Tamil songs alone are enough. Great composers in this
country have created hundreds of Telugu and Sanskrit songs of
much musical and lyrical beauty. If we ignore them, the loss is ours.
Do not defend by saying, 'I do not understand them!' - if only we
desire, do we not spend time and energy on all sorts of useless
things? If musicians dedicate themselves to pure music and proper
rendition of words without losing the 'osandha artha visEsham',
language can not be a barrier. Now that you are #1 in the music
world, do your best towards this. May Subrahmanya's Grace be with
you in this endeavor."

Arul: Anju pradishinam

An early morning, many years ago. It was slightly drizzling. Maha
Periyavaa was seated in solitude at Kanchi Sri Sankara maTham.

After the bhaktas had darshan of him, Swamiji arose to go to his

room. Just then an old grandma and a young woman came running
and prostrated to the sage. Swamiji sat down again, looking a bit
keenly at them. With happiness crawling on his face, Swamiji said,
"adede! is it Meenakshi Paatti? What a wonder you have come in the
morning time? Who is near you? Your granddaughter? What name?"
Meenakshi Paatti said, "Periyavaa! I am coming to the maTham to
have your darshan for ever so many years. Till today I haven't
informed SwamigaL about me. There was no such opportunity. But
then, it has come now. This girl standing by my side is my
granddaughter born through my daughter. Since she was born in
this town, we named her Kamakshi. I had only one daughter, and
she closed her eyes twelve years ago, leaving this girl to my care.
Some disease she had. Her husband also died before her due to a
heart attack. "Since then I am plodding on alone with this girl. I put
her in a school. Study didn't get into her head. So I stopped it with
her fifth grade. Now she is fifteen years old. My duty will be over
once I give her hand to a man!" AcharyaL listened to her patiently.
"I understood when I saw you come here and stand before me in the
early morning itself, that you who used to bring pArijAta puS^pam
for Chandramouleesvara puja every morning around ten o' clock,
have come to me now with a purpose. What is the news?" he said.
Hesitating at first, Meenakshi Paatti began: "Nothing, Periyavaa. A
suitable alliance has come up for this girl. The boy is also from this
place. School teacher. Sixty rupees salary. Good family. No demandand-take harassments. They say that both the horoscopes match
well. Somehow only you should perform this marriage, Periyavaa!"
Paatti prostrated to him. AcharyaL's tone showed some heat as he
chided her: "What? I should perform the marriage? What are you

talking?" Within moments he cooled down and said, "Alright, what

do you expect me to do?" Paatti was happy. "It's like this,
Periyavaa! I have somehow managed to save five thousand rupees
for her marriage. I can complete the marriage within that amount.
But then the boy's mother has said compulsively, 'Paatti, whatever
or however you do it, you must present a double-stringed,
eightsovereign gold chain for the neck of your granddaughter!' I
couldn't do anything big by way of jewels-and-bolts for her within
my income. I have arranged just a bangle of one sovereign each for
each hand of this girl. Only that is possible for me. Where can I go
for an eight-sovereign doublestringed chain, Periyavaa? Only you--"
Before she could finish, Swamiji asked her with some anger: "Tell
me, you want me to provide her with a double-stringed chain in
eight-sovereigns?" Meenkshi Paatti prostrated to him and rose.
Patting her cheeks loudly, she said, "apacAram, apacAram,
Periyavaa. I am not coming to say that. A number of rich and big
people come for your darshan daily. Could you not gesture to any of
them to arrange for the eight-sovereign double-stringed chain?"
Paatti asked him longingly. "What? To gesture to the big people who
come for a darshan? There is no such practice. If you want, you seek
some other alliance where they don't demand eight or ten
sovereigns! Only that is better for you." Swamiji got up.
Meenakshi Paatti said anxiously, "I pray that Periyavaa shouldn't
leave me with such advise! This is a very good alliance, Periyavaa.
The boy has a sanguine temperament. They got their own girls
married with a gift of an eight-sovereign double-stringed chain each.
Therefore they desire that the girl coming as their daughter-in-law
should also come with a double-stringed chain. Nothing else,
Periyavaa. Only you should provide me with guidance in the matter!"

Paatti begged the sage. AcharyaL, who had got up, sat down again.
He was immersed in deep thoughts
for sometime. Then he started talking with compassion: "Will you do
something I suggest now?"
"I will do it definitely. Please tell me what!" Paatti was excited.
"Go to the Kamakshi Amman temple tomorrow with your
granddaughter. Both of you pray to Her, 'This marriage should take
place grandly with the required eight-sovereign double-stringed
chain provided. Only You should arrange it, Amma!' and do
pradakSiNa of the sannidhi five times. Prostrate before ambAL five
times and go home. Pray this way for five days. Kamakshi will
arrange the things as you have desired in your mind." AcharyaL
blessed them smilingly. As she prostrated and got up, Meenakshi
Paatti said, "What is it Periyavaa, you suggest everything five
times!" She asked with eagerness, "If I do it that way, AmbaL
Kamakshi will surely arrange my granddaughter Kamakshi's
marriage?"
"I am not suggesting the five-times requirement myself. AmbaL has
the adulation panca saMkhyopacAriNi. She grants favours happily
when she is worshipped in multiples of five." Swamiji said, "I told
you only that, nothing else!" "When do we start this, Periyavaa?"
Swamiji smiled. "It has been said shubhasya shIghram. Today is
Friday. Why, you start today itself." He said and bid them farewell.
With her granddaughter beside her, Paatti walked towards Kamakshi
Amman temple. Since it was Friday, there was a heavy rush in the
temple. Mother Kamakshi dazzled in full splendour due to special
adornments of that day. Both of them closed their eyes and prayed

as advised by Periyavaa. Paatti had an arcanA performed in her

granddaughter's birth star and secured the prasAdam.
Then they both prayed to Amman about the eight-sovereign doublestringed chain and went around the inner courtyard clockwise five
times. Then they prostrated to AmabaL five times as Swamiji had
suggested. With faith in heart, they went back home. On Saturday
morning, Paatti started from her house with her granddaughter.
Collecting the coral-jasmine flowers, she hurried to Sankara
maTham. There was a heavy rush in the maTham. Meenakshi Paatti
was standing in the queue some twenty or thirty bhaktas behind.
She heard what the person before her was telling his neighbour with
concern. 'Today is the day of the anushA star. PeriyavaL's birth star.
So Swamiji has taken up a vow of silence today. He
wouldn't talk to anybody. Only mukha darshan.'
Anxiety got hold of Meenakshi Paatti. She worried, 'I thought of
reminding Periyavaa about the eight-sovereign double-stringed
chain, but it seems that won't be possible now.' When they got near
Periyavaa, they prostrated to him. That para brahmaM was sitting
with no sign of life in him. Paatti paused, yearning that he would ask
something about the chain. Swamiji's assistant told her a bit sternly,
"Paatti, move away please! Periyavaa adopts a vow of silence today.
He won't talk. See, how many people are waiting behind you!" She
made her way towards Kamakshi Amman temple, along with her
granddaughter. As advised by Periyavaa, they performed the
pancasaMkhyopacAra worship on that day and got back home. Maha
Swamiji continued the vow of silence on the following two days also.
Paatti and her granddaughter could only have a darshan of the sage
at the maTham. Paatti started worrying, 'Four out of five days has
gone by since Periyavaa's advice but nothing happened! Will Mother

Kamakshi open her eyes and bless me or not?' She could only grieve
within herself.
It dawned on Tuesday. Sri Kanchi maTham was very brisk on that
day. A bhajan troupe from Arani was immersing the maTham in
bhaktic ecstasy. AcharyaL came and sat in his usual place. There was
such a maha tejas in his face! He had dissolved his vow of silence.
There was a large crowd waiting for PeriyavaL's darshan. A middleaged maami in the queue prostrated to Swamiji
happily as her turn came. Happiness was writ on her face. She
submitted the things she had brought--a large bunch of rastaLi
bananas, un-shorn coconuts, sweet lemons, oranges, pumpkins, and
chubby raw-bananas--and prostrated again.
Swamiji smiled to himself as he glanced at the items kept before
him. Then he narrowed his eyes and looked keenly at the woman.
"Aren't you Ambujam, wife of Needamangalam landowner Ganesa
Iyer? You came two months back. Told me something, feeling sad.
Looking at the way you have come now with a large banana bunch, it
seems that your problems would have been solved by the grace of
Kamakshi, right?"
Ambujam prostrated again and said, "True, Periyavaa. My only
daughter Mythili was made to stay away from her husband's home
for the last three years. Two months back I came running to you,
reported this humiliation and wept. It was you who advised me to do
five circumambulations and five prostrations for five days and
perform ablution and worship in the Kamakshi Amman temple of this
town. I completed them with extreme care, and what a
wonder, fifteen days back, my son-in-law Radhakrishnan who works
in Jamshedpur Tata Steel Plant came over himself and took his wife

Mythili back with him. It's all that Kamakshi's grace and your
blessings, Periyavaa!" Tears of joy filled her eyes as she spoke.
Swamiji said, "Besh, besh, very glad. Let the dampati rest in
prosperity! By the way, where did you get such a big bunch of
bananas? Looks massive!" Swamiji's laughter rolled by like thunder.
Ambujam said smilingly, "This bunch was harvested from our own
banana bed, Periyavaa; which is why it is so big!" She spoke with
humility. Showing happiness, Swamiji ordered her, "Alright, only
Amma Kamakshi has rejoined your daughter and son-in-law. So you
offer this big banana bunch to Her and distribute the fruits to the
bhaktas who visit the shrine." Ambujam said, "No no, Periyavaa. Let
it remain in this sanctum. I have an identical bunch to offer to
AmbaL.
Now I seek your leave to have a darshan of AmbaL, complete my
prayers and get back here." She prostrated. "BeshA! After
completing your prayers you must take food in the maTham and
then only should get back to your place. Remember it!" Swamiji gave
her his consent to leave him.
There was not much crowd in Kamakshi Amman temple on that day.
It was eleven in the morning. As it was later than usual, Meenakshi
Paatti hurried to the temple with her granddaughter. She halted at
the shop selling arcane packs, and told her granddaughter, "Hey
Kamakshi! Today is the day of completion. So we shall do everything
in five numbers as told by AcharyaL.
What you do, get five arcanA packs with five coconuts, five bananas,
betel leaves, nuts, etc. and come back running!" and gave her the
required money. The granddaughter bought the things as ordered.
Paatti performed the arcanAs to AmbaL and prayed Her with tearful

eyes, 'Amma Kamakshi, I am completely depending on You only! I

have no refuge except You and SwamigaL. Only You should arrange
for the eight-sovereign double-string chain and complete my
granddaughter's marriage in a fitting manner.' As Paatti sobbed, her
granddaughter was also moved and wept. Then they started going
round the inner couryard from left to right. They were on their fourth
round.
"Paatti... Paatti... Paattee!" Meekakshi Paatti looked back at the loud
call from her granddaughter and chided her angrily, "Why do you cry
so loud?
What have you lost to raise such a noise?" "Nothing lost Paatti, but
something gained! Please come here, I shall show you!" She took
her grandma to a corner, opened her right palm and showed her
something. It was a severed, double-stringed chain with a front.
"Where did you find that?" Paatti asked with surprise. Her
granddaughter said, "As I was coming behind you with a bowed
head, my eyes chanced on this chain. I took it at once, and no one
had noticed me! This chain is severed Paatti. Check if it is original
or just a coated one."
Paatti took the chain in her hands to guess its weight. She said,
"Looks like sovereign, Kamakshi! May be eight or eight-and-a-half
sovereigns. This has been granted to us by Kamakshi Herself backed
by the blessings of Periyavaa. Alright, let us go out first!" She
packed the chain inside the edge of her sari and hurriedly came out,
forgetting to complete her fifth circumambulation.
It was one in the afternoon. Four or five people were waiting for the
darshan of AcharyaL in the maTham. Meenakshi Paatti prostrated to
the sage with her granddaughter and got up. Swamiji looked at her

and laughed. She was confused whether to tell Swamiji about the
chain or not.
Swamiji forestalled her. "Today you should have completed your
pancasaMkhyopacAra pradakSiNa in order. But then it was not
completed because of a vastu that came to the hand of your
granddaughter! That sudden delight did not allow you to do more
than four pradakSiNas. You came hurriedly, thinking that Kamakshi
has given you Her pUrna anugrahah. What, am I right?"
Paatti was shocked. She became insensate, and swallowed her
words as she spoke: "SwamigaL shouldn't mistake me. Once that
(object) came to the hand of my granddaughter, I assumed that
AmbaL Herself had dropped it for my granddaughter to take. In that
sudden delight I totally fogot that I had to make one more
pradakSiNa."
Periyavaa said relentlessly, "Only that you forgot. You did not forget
to get
the vastu weighed at Rangu Patthar's shop. Or get the severed
portion melted
in the furnace to rejoin." He clinched his talk with the words, "Let it
go.
When you weighed it, was it exactly eight sovereigns?"
Paatti and her granddaughter were stunned. "All you said now is
satyam, Periyavaa!" said Paatti.
Swamiji asked her calmly, "Tell me in fairness. To whom does that
padArthaH belong?"
"To AmbaL Kamakshi."
"Tell me yourself, can you take it secretly and pack it inside the edge
of your sari?"

"A mistake... nothing else but a mistake! Should excuse me. I have
done it inadvertently." Paatti was genuninely repenting. She placed
the doublestringed sovereign chain on the brass plate that was
found before Swamiji, her hands shaking. Swamiji laughed.
It was now two in the afternoon. Swamiji asked Meenakshi Paatti
and her daughter to sit before him. It was at that time that Ambujam
AmmaL, wife of Needamangalam Ganesa Iyer, who had taken leave
in the morning, came back full of sorrow and prostrated to the sage.
Her eyes were shedding tears profusely. Swamiji saw this and said
affectionately, "adAdA, why do you shed
tears Amma?"
Ambujam Ammal wiped her tears and replied, "It is like this,
Periyavaa. Two months ago when I did the five days seva in the
Kamakshi Amman temple I prayed to AmbaL earnestly that I would
offer Her my eight-sovereign doublestringed chain if she united my
daughter and son-in-law, who were then separated. AmbaL has
united them. I went to the temple to offer my chain.
It slipped from my neck and fell down somewhere. I searched
everywhere
anxiously but the chain could not be found. What can I do now,
Periyavaa?"
She started wailing.
Swamiji turned his face to Meenakshi Paatti and looked
meaningfully. Paatti prostrated to him and got up briskly. She took
the double-stringed sovereign chain from the brass plate before the
sage in her hand. She turned to Ambujam and said holding up the
chain, "Amma Ambujam. Check if this is the double-stringed chain
you lost."

Ambujam took the chain from her hand and checked. "The same, the
same chain, Paatti. How did it come here? Looks very wonderful!"
Paatti narrated everything that happened to them in the same
breath. Ambujam Ammal hugged Meenakshi Paatti. "Paatti, you
don't worry at all!
I am informing you this before our AcharyaL. I shall arrange for a
new doublestringed chain in eight sovereigns for your
granddaughter! Her marriage will be performed grandly. This
double-stringed I have prayed to offer to AmbaL.This evening I shall
take you and your granddaughter Kamakshi to the jewellery shop in
this down and get her an eight-sovereign double-stringed chain. In
addition, I shall give you five thousand rupees for the marriage
expenses." Swamiji was sitting as the prat^yakSa kAmAkshi,
witnessing this scene.
Everyone prostrated to AcharyaL. He looked at Meenakshi Paatti and
said, "Today you and your granddaughter did not do the five
pradakSiNas. Go in the evening, do five pradakSiNas and five
prostrations, and have a darshan of AmbaL." Saying this he bid them
farewell.
It is not possible to narrate in words the happiness and ecstatic
shiver that Meenakshi Paatti and her granddaughter experienced at
that time.

Arul : Display of Bakthi by Dog

The incidence of the a sheep worshipping the deities, immediately
brought back to my mind, an incidence narrated by a Muslim woman
sometime during November/December 2004 in a public meeting.

The Muslim woman is a functionary of an organization taking care of

animals, especially Go-Samrakshanam and the organization consists
of many Muslim members. She and the members visit Kamakoti
Matam and ...used to have Acharyls Darshan. Once there was
meeting at a village called Ezhuchur, near Chennai, in connection
with Go-Samrakshnam. Our Great Acharya was to grace the
occasion. The assembly of people were eagerly waiting for the
arrival of Acharyal. Among the eager devotees was a dog, waging his
tail and moving here and there expressing happiness and eagerness
in his own way, as we do before the arrival of a VIP. Acharyal
arrived at the venue and people started chanting Jaya Jaya
Shankara Hara Hara Shankara and took Him inside with due
honours.
The dog which was moving around the area, suddenly left place and
went to a nearby pond, went inside, dipped himself into the pond. He
took a bath and cleaned himself and came running to the venue and
stood at a distant place watching the proceedings and having
Darshan of the Acharyal from a distance. He wanted to be a madi
yana dog, while having His Darshan.
The Muslim lady (unfortunately I dont remember her name)
remarked that even a dog was able to understand the importance
and greatness of the Acharyal.
She also brought out that whenever she visited the Mutt, a group of
young women also used to accompany her and added that there
would not have been a safer place than our Kanchi Mutt for them.
Pranams to the Great Acharyal, the present Sage of Kanchi, who is
an embodiment of Ahimsa and compassion.

Arul : The value of Annadhanam

It was the time when Kanchi Maha SwamigaL was staying in Kalavai,
many years before. It was a Sunday. A large crowd had gathered for
darshan. One by one the devotees prostrated to the sage, received
his blessings and moved away. A middle-aged couple prostrated to
AcharyaL and stood up with folded palms. Keenly looking at them,
SwamigaL said, "adede... who (is this)... Palu...r Gopalan! You came
a year back. That time you spoke about some problems. Aren't you
fine now?" and laughed.
That Palur Gopalan replied, "We are very fine Periyavaa. As directed
by you, from the time we started feeding an atithi in the noon time
everyday, only good things are happening, Periyavaa! Good harvest
in (my) fields. The cows don't die as before! The money that dripped
out of hands without control for expenses stays in hands now. All
that is (due to) the greatness of the atithi bhojana you have asked
us to do, by your anugraha. I am doing it daily. Nothing else (is the
reason for the prosperity)." Tears filled his eyes as he spoke. His
wife who was standing by his side was also in tears of joy.
AcharyaL said, "besh, besh. It is fine if you have understood that
good things happen due to the act of atithi bhojana. Alright. Today
both of you have come over here. There in Palur--who will do the
atithi bhojana?" AcharyaL inquired worriedly.
Gopalan's wife replied promptly, "We have made alternative
arrangements for that Periyavaa. atithi bhojana will not be missed
even for a day."
Maha SwamigaL was very happy to hear it. "That's the way you
should do it. You must have a resolution to feed the hungry. Doing

atithi upacAra will give such an anugraha and safeguard the family!
One day SAkSAt Parameshvara himself will come in the form of an
atithi, will sit and eat, you know that?" It is a maha puNya dharma
that could lead to mokSa!
Author: Sri S. Ramani Anna .

Arul: Bodhendral
There were a couple in Kancheepuram by name Kesava Pandurangan
and Suguna. They did not have a kid for quiet some time. They
prayed to their guru, Vishwadikendhra Saraswathi, who was then
the pontiff of Kanchi mutt. He blessed them that they would have a
child very soon and they returned happily. They then had a male
child born to them shortly. They named him Purushothaman.
Purushothaman was a very bright kid. They performed his
upananyanam (sacred thread ceremony) and took him to their guru
Vishwadikendhra Saraswathi. Their guru enquired who the kid was
and they replied that it was the Gurus kid. The guru then asked
Kesava Pandurangan if he would give the kid to the mutt if he really
meant that he was his kid. Kesavan then told his Guru that he would
check with his wife and let him know. He then stepped back to speak
to his wife. They knew that if they give him to the mutt he would
become a sanyasi and that their lineage can not continue as he was
their only son. Suguna was now crying and when her husband asked
her the reason, she said that she was crying for the only reason that
he had told their guru that he would check with her and then give
their son. She then said that she and the kid belonged to him and
that he belonged to his guru, and there was no need to ask her for
permission. Kesava Pandurangan then happily gave Purushothaman

to Vishwadikendhra Saraswathi. The guru arranged for a teacher

who would teach Purushothaman all the Vedas and sastras.
Purushothaman studied along with another boy called
Gyanasakaran. He finished all his studies when he was only 18. The
only thing left to be learned was Bhramavidhyai and he wanted to
learn this from his Guru and Vishwadikendrar had also promised that
he would teach him Bhramavidhyai personally. However
Vishwadikendrar had gone on a yatra and was now in Kasi.
Purushothaman and Gyanasakaran had to go by walk from Kanchi to
Kasi. One day they started their journey to Kasi to meet their guru.
Gyanasakaran was good in astrology and knew that he would die on
the way to Kasi. As they were close friends he told Purushothaman
that if something happens to either one of them the other should
perform their death ceremony and then give up his life in the Ganges
so that both of them can be together even after death. They had only
covered half the distance and Gyanasekaran suddenly fell ill and
passed away. After performing his death ceremony Purushothaman
continued his journey to Kasi. On reaching Kasi he met his guru
prostrated to him and told him what had happened to them on their
way. He then asked his gurus permission to give up his life in the
Ganges. The guru felt bad as he had planned to make
Purushothaman as the next pontiff of the mutt. He then told
Purushothaman that if he has do what he promised to his friend and
also do what he wanted him to do there was a solution and asked
him if he would agree to it. Purushothaman immediately replied that
he would agree to his Gurus words. The Guru then said that getting
in to Sanyasa ashram was like having a new birth. This way he
would keep up the promise made to his friend and also keep him
happy by becoming the next pontiff of the mutt. Vishwadikendrar

then gave him sanyasa and named him as Bagavannama

Bodhendrar. He then stayed in Kasi and learnt everything from his
guru. His guru then asked him to go back to south India and do
Nama pracharam and show the power of Bagavan Nama.
There was a great saint called Lakshmidharar in Puri, who had
written a book called Bagavannama kowmudhi which was a nama
siddhantha grantham. Vishwadikendrar had also instructed
Bodhendrar to collect this book on his way back and wanted him to
master that that book too. He then came to Puri had darshan of Lord
Jagannath and then went to Lakshmidharars house. Lakshmidharar
had passed away and his son Jagannatha Pandit was there. It was
evening and the house was locked from inside. Bodhendrar not
wanting to disturb them sat down outside the house and started
meditating.
A few days earlier an event had happened there. A couple from
south India had come on a yatra to Kasi. One night when they were
staying in that village the husband woke up the next morning and
found that his wife was missing. He searched for her the next
morning and could not find her. He then told the villagers about this
and they said that some Muslims would come in the night and kidnap
any women they find and take them to be with them as their
mistress. The husband felt very bad hearing this but dint want to
stop his Kasi yatra because of this.
He completed his yatra and was returning back through the same
village that day. He was performing his rituals in the river and a
Muslim lady seeing him came running to him and started crying to
him. He then realised that it was his wife. When he asked her what
had happened, she told him that there was no time now and that
they have to escape now and promised to tell him what happened

later. They then ran through the forest and came to a safer place.
The lady then told him that they had kidnapped her in the night by
tying her mouth with a cloth and ravished her. She then asked her
husband to save her from them and asked him to have her as maid if
not as a wife. The husband then told her that if the sastras allowed
this he would take her. They then decided to come to see Jaganatha
Pandit to check with him on what the Dharma sastras say.
The couple reached Jaganatha Pandits house the same night to ask
him what the Dharma Sastras say. Bodhendrar was meditating
outside the house and they knocked the door to wake up Jaganatha
Pandit. When he opened the door they told him their story and feel
on his feet asking him to give them a solution. Hearing this he asked
her to say Rama Rama Rama and after that they could live together.
As he said this his mother who was seated inside asked him why he
degraded the power of Rama Nama by asking them to say it 3 times
and told him that his father would ask even the biggest sinner to
utter Rama only once and that would take care of removing all his
sins. Bodhendrar who was sitting there now stood up and asked
Jaganatha Pandit if there was any proof for what he was saying.
Jaganatha Pandit then said that his fathers book had the proof for
the same. Bodhendrar then asked him to show the book. Bodhenrar
finished reading the book the same night with the help of a small
lamp. The next day he called the couple and Jaganatha Pandit and
said that the sastras were true and that his father had mentioned
very clearly what he told yesterday, but the outside world wouldnt
believe this. Bodhendrar then asked the couple to go to the river and
take a dip after chanting Rama nama. He then said that though she
is now wearing a Muslim dress once she takes a dip after chanting
Rama nama she will get back to her old attire and become as pure as

how she was before she left her husband. The entire city gathered
on the river bank to see this event. The lady came and prostrated
Bodhendral and he asked her if she believes that by saying Rama
nama all her sins would go away. The lady said that she doesnt
know about Rama nama but she believes him and considers him as
her guru. She then said Rama and took a dip in the river. As she
came out she had flowers in her head, kumkum in her forehead and
turmeric applied all over her body. On seeing this everyone started
chanting Rama nama and she happily went to her husband. The
couple then prostrated to Bodhendral and took his blessing.
Bodhendral then continued his yatra to south India.
On reaching Kanchi he wrote several books as desired by his guru.
Some of them that are available today are Bagavannama
Rasodhayam, Bagavannama Rasarnavam, Bagavannama Rasayanam.
Our guru Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj has translated Bagavannama
Rasodhayam in Tamil and the same is now available for people who
dont know Sanskrit. Botherndral was waiting for his guru to come
back so that he could show his books to him. Vishwadikendhra
Saraswathi finished his yatra and came back to Kanchi.
Vishwadikendhra Saraswathi was very happy with his work and
asked him to preach the importance of Bagavan Nama. Bodhenral
then travelled across India and made everyone chant Rama nama
and also preached that the only way to attain god in this Kaliyuga
was chanting the name of god.
Sridhara Ayyaval, of Tiruvisanallur was a contemporary to
Bodhendral. He was elder to Bodhendral. They happened to meet
each other once and after that they would go together to the villages
to do Nama pracharam. They would go to a village and initiate
everyone in the village with Rama nama. Once done they would

move to the next village. Bodhendral once came to a village called

Perambur. One day he was invited by a person to his house for
Biksha (lunch). His son was dumb (incapable of speaking).
Bodhendral would go to places only where people chanted Rama
nama. So he initiated him with Rama nama and also asked him to
ask his wife to chant the name of Rama while cooking. When
Bodhendral came to his house for lunch he felt very bad that there
was no way for his son to say Rama nama as he was dumb. He then
felt that his nama siddhantam could not help people like him to
reach god. After the lunch when the family prostrated to Bodhendral
he was filled with tears in his eyes for the boy. On seeing this, the
man said that it was his destiny to be born like this and asked him
not to be worried about him. Bodhenral then told him that he was
only worried about how he would attain god and not because he is
dumb. The man immediately told him that now he knew that his son
will definitely reach god as there is a guru who is bothered about
him. He also said that his guru kripa will help him attain god. After
that the kid automatically started chanting Rama nama in his mind.
Forever he would be with Bodhendral and do service to him.
Bodhendral was about to leave Perambur after 4 months and the kid
started crying as he could not bear the detachment from his guru.
Bodhendral then gave him his Sri Padukas and left.
Bodhendhral made the Nawab of Arcot as his disciple. Arcot was hit
by plague once and there was no treatment for this. The Nawab was
also attacked by plague and it so happened that Bodhendral was
there in Arcot then. The people in the city went and told their
problem to Bodhendral who then asked them to get together and
chant Rama nama. Once they did this everyone were cured and there

was no trace of plague in the city. The Nawab then gave some land
to his mutt and became his follower.
During his yatra Bodhendral once went to a village called
Thirukokarnam for nama pracharam. He was initiating everyone in
that village with Rama nama. A dassi came there to him and asked if
she could also chant Rama nama and if he would initiate her.
Bodhendral initiated her with Rama nama without any hesitation.
Those days sanyasis were not even allowed to speak to women and
when he directly initiated a women that too a dassi, the villagers
started speaking ill about him. After some days Bodhendral left the
village. The dassi was chanting Rama nama religiously and would
chant though out the day. Bodhendral happened to come back to
that village after some time. By the time Bodhendral came back she
had finished chanting crores of Rama nama. The dassi came to have
a darshan of Bodhendral and after prostrating to him she left this
world through Kabala moksham(spirit leaving the body, opening the
top of her skull at her own will) in front of her guru like how a yogi
leave this world. The villagers were surprised seeing this and
realised their mistake.
One day kids were playing in the banks of Kaveri. They would keep
their feet in the mud and close it with mud and then remove the
disappeared leg from the sand. Bodhendral had now planned to
leave this world, so he went to the children and said that he would
come out if they buried him inside the sand. Taking this for true the
kids dug a pit and asked him to get inside. They then closed him
completely with sand while he was meditating. Next day people in
the village were searching for Bodhendral and they couldnt find
him. The kids then told them that he is buried under the sand and
that he had asked them to do that. The villagers were now

frightened. They then decided to start digging there and all of a

sudden there was a voice saying that he was in Samadhi here and
that no one should disturb him. After a few years the exact location
of his Samadhi was forgotten as they had not build an Adhishtanam.
After 100 years of his Samadhi, Maruthanallur Sadguru swamigal
decided to find his Samadhi and build an Adhishtanam around it. He
searched for the exact location in Govindapuram. He would tie his
legs and crawl on the river bank as he did not want to accidentally
touch the Samadhi on his feet. At one place he could hear Rama
nama being chanted and he immediately found out that it was the
location where Bodhendral had attained Samadhi. He then went to
Maharashtrian king who was then ruling Thanjavore and with his
help built the Adhishtanam there.

Arul: Blessed with Kids.. - Mahaswamigal's Grace

P.Chennarayudu
I would like to state my personal experience with Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Varu of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
In about February, 1939, while I was working as a teacher in
sulurpet, Nellore District, the Swamiji camped in a house exactly
opposite of mine, on His return from Benares. His Diwanji and his
wife camped in my residence while the Nadaswara Vidwan of the
Kamakoti Peetham stationed himself in the verandah of my house. I
was witness to a miracle that evening.
The Nadaswara Vidwan had been demanding increment in his salary
but the Swamiji did not sanction it. So that morning he informed the
Swamiji that he was leaving the services and going home. The

Swamiji bade him play the Mangalaharati at the end of the Puja that
day and leave. At about 3 p.m. at the end of the Puja, he tried in vain
to produce a note on his Nadaswaram. The music eluded him. In
desperation he ran to the Swamiji, prostrated before Him and
begged His pardon. Then He got back his powers to play the music
as usual.
Next day my wife and I prostrated before Paramacharya and begged
for His blessings for a child. We had been married for about 6 years
and my wife had three miscarriages in the stages of advanced
pregnancy. His Holiness pleaded that He had no readymade mantram
to oblige us and advised my wife to do Puja daily and pray to God.
He presented her a silver image of the Goddess and two balls of
sandal paste to be worshipped. On the day of His departure, I was
standing with a number of my friends in my verandah watching the
grandeur of the Swamiji's departure with His vast retinue. He was
seated in His palanquin. Someone came to me and said that the
Swamiji was calling me. I did not believe it and did not go. He came
again and asked me if I had not met the Swamiji the previous day
with my wife seeking His blessings for a child and he repeated the
call. I immediately ran to the palanquin. When I stood beside the
palanquin, He didn't even look at me. The palanquin started. I stood
there motionless. The Diwanji, standing by, advised me to run with
the palanquin since He had sent for me. I obeyed. I ran behind the
palanquin for about two furlongs till we came to the middle of the
river Kalangi, flowing by the side of Sulurpet. He stopped the
palanquin and allowed me a few minutes to regain my breath. Then
He talked to me in chaste English for about twenty minutes. He
enquired about the condition of the Brahmins at the village and
asked why they had not offered him Bhiksha. I explained that it was

due to their small number and poverty. In the end He referred to my

prayer the previous day and said "Tell your wife that you will have
three sons late in your life, and that they'll be boys of whom any
parent can be proud. See me at Kanchi when you chance to visit
madras."
Seven years later, I had my first son in 1946, my second son in 1948
and the third in 1953. My eldest son is a Chartered Accountant, the
second and Engineer and the third is a Bank Manager. I am reaping
the fruits of His blessings. I am proud of my sons as the Swamiji
predicted. I met Him again on two occasions and He could remember
me. He also enquired about my children.

Arul: Pushpa Alankaram

Four or five baskets of lush rose flowers were offered to SriMaTham
one day. The assistants thought that Sri ChandraMauleesvara puja
vimAnam (puja construct dome) would get a wonderful
puSpAlaNkAram (flowery decoration).
A group of school children came. Giving them darshan, the Grandpa
of grace ordered the baskets of roses to be brought to him.
'Why this unusual custom of distribution of flowers t...o the children
today?'--The attendants could not understand.
Our Gurunathan made them understand from the mouth of the
children themselves.
"What is special about today?" he asked them.
"Nehruji's birthday", they said in one voice.
"What is his most favourite?"

"The rose flower!"

"In his memory, one rose flower for each of you!"
Thus our Maha Periyavah who is a ripe fruit of grace, according to
the saying 'the child and the God are one', distributed the flowers
that his assistants thought were meant for the puja, to the children
in the bud of their youth.

Arul: Rama Nama Mahima

Shri Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal while camping at Kanchipuram,
went to Tirukokarnam for observing Chaturmasya Vrata. To some
scholars, he was expounding sutra bhashya; so some he was
expounding veda rahasyas and to some mandAdhikArIs, he was
initiating into rAma nAma. Among them was one untouchable lady
who asked the Swamigal if she could chant rAma nAma being an
outca...ste. Swamigal immediately with affectionate tone said that
he would initiate her in rAma mantram. And saying so, initiated
that untouchable lady into rAma mantra. This lead to repercussions
among the orthodox scholars and started speaking ill of Swamigal
saying that how an orthodox brahmin being a muttadhipati of
Sankara Mutt could initiate an untouchable that too a lady into the
mantra japa.
Swamigal didnt care all this and left that place. After several years,
again, Swamigal visited that same place for observance of
Chaturmasya Vrata. The moment swamigal came to the village, the
same untouchable lady, who became old by them, came to have the
darshan of the saint and fell at his feet. On being asked by Swamigal
about the progress in rAma mantra anushtAna, she said that she had
already finished 1 crore of rAma nAma.

Saying so, she sat cross legged in padmasana posture, uttered rAma
nAma with kumbhaka, held her breath, raised the kundalini and
piercing all the 6 chakras alongwith Brahmarandhra at Sahasrara
Chakra, shed her mortal coil. Her spirit left the body from Sahasrara
thereby achieving Kapala Moksha.
Swamigal blessed her by performing the antya samskaras

Arul: Purandara Kesavalu

Once His holiness Shri Kanchi Maha Swamigal started on a divya darshana Yatra
along with his entourage to Srisailam (Also called Dakshina Kailayam). Yatra
reached Karnool. Acharyal was given a rousing reception at the town entrance.
He stayed in a Bhajan mandapam there and gave a lecture on Sanatana
Dharma and gave prasadams to all and resumed his yatra.
On the way, a drizzle started and intensified into a very heavy downpour. There
was no place to take shelter. The devotees requested Acharyal to sit inside the
Pallanquin. Acharyal refused and continued his journey till they reached a Shiva
temple. Acharyal was given a poorna kumba reception there. Everyone changed
into dry clothes, worshipped in the temple and the Yatra resumed.
A short distance away from Kurnool, on the way they thro a fertile village. All the
village folk with their children welcome Acharyal at the village entrance. The
zamindar of that village requested You should honour our village, by gracing it
with your holy feet. There is a big choultry for your entourage, which also has a
pond nearby.
The entire crowd along with the Zamindar fell at Acharyals feet and paid their
respects. Moved by this gesture, Acharyal told them that he will stay there for 21
days. The whole village was rejoiced at this.

Next day, the village wore a festive look. Preparations were on in the choultry for
Shri Chandra mouleeswara Pooja. Acharyal went to the pond for bathing. The
mutt secretary in a concerned voice asked the members of the entourage You
have all organized a huge quantity of flowers for the pooja. But I do not see any
Vilva leaves in it. How will Acharyal perform Sahasra nama archana without it?
Anyone who knows Telugu, please request the villagers for Vilva leaves and also
tell them to bring it every day till Acharyal stays here. The members went to the
village and requested for urgent help as Acharyal wil start pooja immediately after
bathing. The villagers clearly said that there are no Vilva tree anywhere in the
village.
Acharyal returned after bath and after looking at the pooja arrangements asked
Have you organized for Vilva leaves?.
The secretary was hesitant in his reply.
Acharyal asked Why what is the matter? Did you ask the villagers?.
The secretary said Yes. We asked and the villagers have said that there are no
Vilva trees in this village
It was 10.30 AM in the morning and Acharyal went to the rear yard of the choultry
into the Go shala (Cow shed). He sat on a granite stone and closed his eyes in
meditation. The message went to the Zamindar who sent all his men to look
around for Vilva tree / leaves. They all returned empty handed after an hour. The
mutt secretary was in tears that the Chandra mouleeswara pooja and Acharyals
Bikshavandanam will be affected because of this. Everyone was standing in total
silence near the go shala. Periyava in meditation looked like Sakshat
Parameswaran in Kailaya parvatham.
Suddenly one of the mutt youth walked into the hall of the choultry with a
bamboo basket full of Vilva leaves. His face was full of joy and surprise. Acharyal
opened his eyes and asked the Secretary Have the Vilva leaves arrived. Let us all

start the pooja and entered into the hall and looked at the bamboo basket with
Vilva leaves. He took those fresh green leaves in his hand and told the secretary
Some one has plucked the leaves with great care. None of them are damaged.
How come the villagers said that there are no vilva trees nearby? Who brought it
here?.
The mutt youth said, I happened to go to the front entrance and found this basket
placed at the foot of one of the legs of the pandal (Temporary shelter).
Acharyal asked That is OK. Did you ask who brought it?
The mutt youth said I asked periyava. No one knows who brought it here.
Smilingly Acharyal looked around and asked Who could have brought it? Was it
Shri Chandra mouleeswara himself?
Acharyal started the pooja and that day Acharyal performing Sahasra nama
pooja with those lush green Vilva leaves was a great spectacle. Prasadams were
distributed and in the evening Acharyal gave a discourse on Ramayana in Telugu.
The whole village was happy. Next day morning local Bhajan group in the village
performed bhajans and Acharyal went to the pond with a few mutt members for
bathing.
The mutt secretary asked the mutt youth who identified the Vilva basket the
previous day Hey, you seem to have some luck. Look for Vilva leaves today also.
He ran to the entrance and was surprised to see the Vilva leaves in a bamboo
basket again. He told the secretary It was there in the same place. I do not know
who brought it here
The secretary wondered Why are the leaves being placed in the same place
without anyones knowledge. Acharyal returned after bath and looked at the
Vilva leaves and looked at the Secretary. The secretary said Yes periyava. Today

also the basket was there full of Vilva leaves in the same location. Again nobody
knows who brought it.
Periyava completed the pooja, Bikshavandanam and was sitting alone. He called
the secretary and told him Tomorrow morning, you should wake up early, go to
the front side and stand in an un-noticeable place and observe as to who is
placing this basket. Bring that person to me and do not ask any questions.
That day evening also Acharyal continued his Ramayana lecture. The whole
village came and happily listened to it.
Third dayEarly morning the mutt secretary took a vantage position near a
banyan tree and was observing. On the eastern side a boy emerged from a nearby
mangrove. He was carrying a bamboo basket in his head and was dressed in a
dirty dhoti. He looked around and after ensuring that no one is watching he
moved in, placed and basket and was about to turn back, when the mutt secretary
came out and stood before him. On seeing him, the boys legs were shivering and
he fell at the feet of the secretary.
The secretary asked him Are you the one who brought the Vilva leaves for the
last two days also? The boy nodded his head in affirmation. Secretary told him
OK.OK. You go, have a good bath, apply the sacred ash in the fore head and
come again in the afternoon. I will take you to the big saint. The boy nodded and
ran away.
The secretary briefed Acharyal on the same. Acharyal said Good, Good. He is
doing a big help for the last two days. We will give him prasadams and bless him
and moved on to take bath.
Evening 3oclock, the boy came as told and was hesitantly standing in a corner.
Acharyal looked at him and asked him to come near him. He came, fell at the feet
of the Acharyal and stood with his hands folded across his chest. Acharyal
smilingly looked at him. He was well bathed, had applied sacred ash liberally in

his forehead and all over his body and was wearing a bright white dhoti. Acharyal
asked him to sit and he did not.
Acharyal asked him in Telugu What is your name?
He replied in chaste Tamil Purandara kesavalu.
Acharyal said Oh! You know Tamil. Good Good. By the way what is the name you
said. He repeated Purandara kesavalu and said in a tearful voice You should
kindly hear my story Acharyal encouragingly said Oh sure sure. Come on tell
me
Purandarakesavalu started in a native tone My native is Usilampatti village near
Madurai. Within two years of my birth my mother dies of sickness. My father only
brought me up. When I was six years of age, he came here for livelihood along
with me.
He got the job of grazing the cattle here in this Zamin. I have never gone to
school. All my education was from my father. He (My father) used to sing very
well. He loved the songs of Purandara dasar and Thyagaraja swamigal. That is
why named me as Purandara kesavalu. He has taught me also. I will sing well. But
he is not alive now. Two years before he went to moksha. Since then I am grazing
the cattle. Now I am twelve. Here they feed me and also give money.
Acharyal was moved. He said Ok. I was told that there is no Vilva tree nearby.
How come you are able to get so much every day?
Purandarkesavalu obediently and respectfully said A few miles from here at the
foot of a hill, there is a lot of grass. My father used to take the cattle there for
grazing. There are three Vilva trees there. My father used to tell me It is great
punya to offer these leaves to Shiva. I remembered this leaf, when your mutt
members came into the village three days ago and showed a sample leaf while
asking for it. Then I ran to the tree and plucked them. If you had known that it was

brought by a cattle grazing boy, you may not use it. That is why I did it
clandestinely. Upon god this is the true reason and nothing else
A greatly moved Acharyal was silent for some time and asked him Purandara
kesavalu Tell me what you like and what you want. I will ask the mutt officials to
fulfill it,
Purandarkesavalu said Shiva Shiva, My father has told me Purandara
Purandara, In this world you should not have desire for anything. But you should
desire for one important thing alone. I have two desires now. If you permit me I
will tell one now and the IInd one I will tell when you are leaving from here. Thus
saying he fell at the feet of the Acharyal and tears were flowing from his eyes.
Acharyal who melted like a candle at this said Tell me tell me. What is your
desire?
Hesitatingly he said Nothing samy. My father has taught me a lot of songs of
Purandara dasar and Thyagaraja. I want to sing them in front of you and sek your
blessings.
Acharyal was immensely pleased and said Purandara, You should definitely sing
and I will surely listen. Every day evening come at 3 o clock come here. You
must sit and sing. You will have the blessings of Shri Chandra mouleeswara.
Purandara kesavalu was very happy.
Acharyal did not leave at that. Purandara, you said you have a second desire.
Tell me. I want to hear that.
Purandara kesavalu respectfully said Samy. I will tell you on the day you leave
from this village
A smiling Acharyal asked the secretary to give him prasadams and Thulasi mala.
Purandara kesavalu was rejoiced at this and received them wore them and left
after falling at the feet of Acharyal.

Next day, exactly at three o clock, he came in, sat and sang the kirtanas.
Acharyal personally sat thro listened and enjoyed it. His voice was very sweet.
Whenever he made mistakes, Acharyal corrected him.
It continued till the 21st day.
Acharyal finished his Shri Chandra mouleeswara pooja and Bikshavandanam and
was about to leave from the village. He came out of the choultry, met the people
who were waiting for him and gave them his blessings. Acharyal started walking
away from the choultry. As if remembering something he suddenly stopped and
looked around and saw Purandara holding onto one of the legs of the shelter and
weeping uncontrollably.
Acharyal called him. He came running and fell in the sand at the feet of the
Acharyal.
The Parabrahmam smiled him full of love.
Acharyal said For the love and shraddha you displayed, you will live with all
blessings. OK You said that you will tell me your second desire on the day I
leave this village. Tell me now
Purandara kesavalu said, When I used to graze the cattle along with my father, he
used to tell Purandara, do you know what to ask god in your prayer? God..God,
I do not want next birth. I should go to moksha loga. You must bless me for that.
You must live with truth and dharma always. Whenever you see great saints you
must ask only this. Samy, will you now give me this moksha.
The Parabrahmam was surprised at the words coming out of this 12 year old boy.
He said smilingly Do not worry. At the right time Bhagavan will bless you with
this.
Then he called the Zamindar separately and told him that mutt should be
informed of any event connected to Purandara and left the village to Sri

Sailam.Years roll by. One day in the afternoon two o clock, Acharyal was talking
with devotees in the mutt. Suddenly he got up and went out of the mutt and was
walking quickly. The devotees rushed behind him. He went to the pond inside the
Kamakshi Amman temple. He entered the water, closed his eyes and started
some Japa. After about an hour, he took bath and again started the Japa. Like
this he repeated about seven to eight times. Then Acharyal climbed out of the
pond and sat in the steps, when a mutt employee rushed inside the temple.
Acharyal enquiringly looked at him and he said There is a telegram from Kurnool
with a message Purandara kesavalu is serious. We do not know who this
Purandara kesavalu is.
Acharyal looked at the devotees around him and said Purandara kesavalu is not
alive now. He passed away a short while ago. When I left from his village he
asked me You should get me moksha. I told him that Shri Chandra
mouleeswara will bless him for that. He had a sudden fever. He was suffering, but
thinking only of Moksha. If he has to go to moksha in the routine manner, then he
has to undergo six more births. I prayed that he should get moksha somehow.
Purandarakesavalu is a good athma. Thus saying Acharyal started walking
towards the mutt.

Arul : Discovery of Atma-bhodendral Adhistanam

Vg Krishnamurthy Sage of Kanchi Group in FB Share details about
Acharya Atma Bhodendra on 22nd Oct 2011:
Oct 23rd 2011 is 58th Acharya Atma Bhodendra's Aradhana, his
adhishtanam is located in Vadavambalam near Villupuram...
Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati , the 58th Acharya of Sri Kanchi
kamakoti Peetam, was a native of Vruddhachalam, Tamilandu and
born in the year 1586. His pre-sanyasa name was Visvesvara. He
toured extensively and stayed at Benares for a long time. He wrote a

Bhasya on the Sri Rudram. It was Atma Bodha who directed

Sadasiva Brahmendra to write the Gururatna Malika.
Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamiji attained mukti on the banks
of the river South Pinakini, known in Tamil as Then Pennai on
Krishna Ashtami in the month of Tula of the cyclic year Eswara
(1638 AD). The Adhistanam of Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswathi
Swamiji is located at the place, now known as Vadavambalam, near
Panrutti. The Adhistanam was discovered by the directions of His
Holiness Pujyasri Mahaswamiji (details of which are painted on the
walls of the adhistanam) and was consecrated on 17 January 1927.
Jeernodharana Ashtabandana Kumbabhishekam was performed on
17 January 1981.
Discovery of Atma-bhodendral Adhistanam
In the year 1926 while on padayatra Mahaperiyava was crossing
Vizhupuram. Periyava got a divine call and suddenly entered a
Village called Vadavambalam along with his sishyas. Mahaperiyava
then enquired the elderly people in that village whether they know
about any Sannyasi who lived in that village? Unfortunately no one
was aware of any such sannyasi. However one old person in the
crowd came forward and told Periyava that he heard that some few
hundred years back there lived a Sannyasi who later attained
samadhi in that Village but unfortunately there is no trace available
currently about the exact place where the Sannyasi attained
Samadhi.
Paramachrya realized that is the place, where the 58th Pontiff of
Kanchi Kama Koti Peetam Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati who was
the Guru of Bhodendra Saraswati Swamigal of Govindapuram, must
have attained samadhi. He then wandered the entire village and

while crossing a plaintain field He sensed some thing different and

told one of his sishya who accompanied him to dig one particular
spot.
One Kumaramangalam Sambamoorthy Shastrigal was supervising
the activity. When the digging was in progress suddenly there was a
huge crying voice from Sambamoorthy Shastrigal Dont Dig. Dont
Dig and fell unconscious on the filed. The sishya who was was
digging shocked and stopped digging. He then gave water to
Shastrigal who woke up to reality after a long gap. Shastrigal then
told the following which is breathtaking.
I saw one Sannyasi in front of me. He was standing from earth to
sky wearing rudraksha, having kamandal in his hands, wearing
saffron dress, wearing vibhuthi in his forehead and about thousands
of vedic brahmins were chanting vedas, then that Sannyasi uttered
Dont dig, Dont Dig and then that big figure reduced to a small
size and vanished. Later I heard somebody chanting Sadasivam!
Sadasivam!. Then I dont know what happened to me. Hearing
above Mahaperiyva confirmed is guess that is place where Sri Atma
Bhodendra Saraswati would have attained Samadhi. Later in the
year 1927 on January 17th Periyava conscreated a Shivaling on the
Spot and constructed a Brindhavana to Atma Bhodendral. Now the
aradhana to atma bhodendral happens every year there in
Vadavambalam near Vizhupuram. Let us workship Mahaperiyva and
Atmabhodendral who initiated bhodendral to establish nama
siddantha

Arul Ananda Vikatan Deepavali Malar

Sage of Kanchi 311 : Shri.Bharanidharan : 1961.work was in full
swing for Ananda Vikatan Deepavali malar when the assistant editor
Shri.gopalakrishnan called me to his office and said ' get Maha
Periyava's message and blessings for the malar'. Normally, i would
have jumped in joy. But now,my heart was heavy, the beat was fast
and i was sweating. Well, there was a valid reason for my feeling so.
only about 4 weeks ago, I had criticized Upanyasa Chakravarthy
Shri.Sengalipuram Anantharama Dheekshitar for a few unwanted
references in his discourse, in AV which drew a lot of appreciation
and criticism and i came to know later, through a few ardent
devotees of Maha Periyava, that HE was upset and angry with me
about the review.
But, this was duty. So, i finally gathered courage, said to myself that
in any case I have to face HIM one day and with
Shri.S.S.Krishnamurthy, left for Ilayathangudi, near Karaikudi,
where HE was then camping. He was a good photographer and was
with me when Maha Periyava stayed in Samskrit college, Chennai.
It was around 5 am. Maha Periyava was talking to an old man in
Chandramouleeswara sannidhi. the place was dim lit with a ghee
lamp. i kept as much away from HIM as possible, but, Maha
Periyava, indicated me and asked the elderly man 'ivan yaru
theriyuma'. the old man came near, looked at me and said 'yes, he
does political cartoons in AV and his name is Sridhar. he used to
come to the mutt in Chennai often and i have seen him there'.
'you know him only as the cartoonist Sridhar. do you know that he
writes articles under the name Bharanidharan ?'. i froze. I even
wished that HE would ask me directly. every moment was like a yug.

the old man said 'oh, i have read them, but did not know that it was
him'. luckily he did not say anything about the review. in my heart i
wished him to live 100 years ! then, Maha Periyava turned to us and
asked ' did you come for darshan?'. ' no, we came for your message
for AV deepavali malar'. Maha Periyava kept quiet, turned to the old
man, assigned him some work and retired to HIS room. I was
perplexed. 'So, no message this year and all this due to me'. SSK
must have read my mind and said ' do not worry. HE will give us HIS
message and blessings'.
It was 8 am and still no word from HIM. We went to the 'kulakarai'
where HE was having bath and asked HIM again. 'this year you write
the message'. blood drained out of my system. so, like i thought, no
message this year. then HE called an youngster and said 'they are
from Madras and have the habit of drinking coffee. give them coffee'.
that relaxed me a bit.
Again i went to HIM and stood silently. 'have you written?'. no ans
from me. 'why are you quiet?'.'don't know what to write?'. 'write
something'. that came as a thunderbolt. but, SSK laughed it off and
said 'do as HE said and show it to HIM'. 'i cannot write even a word'.
'meditate on HIM and start writing tomo morning'.
Next day early morning Maha Periyava asked me again 'have you
written?'. there was a train of thoughts, but i kept quiet. 'you gave
you coffee y'day?'. i told HIM. then HE said ' go to the kitchen in the
mandap. there is a huge Pillayar, behind which a group is making
coffee. go and drink coffee there'. under the supervision of
Mayavaram Visu (now, Rameswaram Visu) a group was indeed
making coffee. they asked ' who told you about this?' 'Maha
Periyava'. blood drained from their face 'aiyayoo, Maha

Periyavalukku epdi therinchuthu?'.After coffee SSk encouraged and

enthused me.
I got 3 or 4 white sheets from the mutt manager and started writing.
thoughts came in a nice flow and i was filling the pages rapidly and i
thought that we could leave in the evening itself.
At 6.30p, we went and met HIM. there was a small kutthu vilakku
near HIM. He asked me ' have you written?'. 'yes'. 'come near to the
lamp and read. there is not enough light where you stand'. As i
started to read, i was trembling and sweating and it took me a few
minutes to regain my composure. Maha Periyava understood and
waited, but now, the voice deteriorated. then, Maha Swami started
singing and it was melodious. I lost myself in that and also thought
'my writing is not good enough, HE is not listening'. I was quite
relieved as i read the last sentence and it was a huge burden off my
heart.
'where did you write this'. 'in the athishtanam of Sri Maha Devendra
Saraswathi Swamigal' (the 65th pontiff of the mutt). 'So, HE
HIMSELF has written it on your behlaf !'. Tears were welling up in
my eyes as HE added 'Akshara laksham perum. Publish as it is. no
changes !!'. My heart did 1000 crore namaskarams to HIM.'take
prasad tomo morning and leave'. The next day. 'you know why i
made you stay for 2 days?'. 'its 'cos its quite sometime you came to
the mutt !!". my heart was light during the return journey.
Sri Maha Periyava Thiruvadigal Saranam. Hara Hara Sankara, Jaya
Jaya Sankara.

Arul: Solace in Faith

Solace in faith Mrs. Rajalakshmi Sastry, M.A., B.ed.,
God is watching you in all that you do. Whatever you do, be
conscious of His presence. I remembered these words of His
presence. I remembered these words of Mahaswamigal, in the midst
of my crying. It was nearly 17 years ago in Madras. I was crying
from my heart leaning on a wall in that small room in my in-law's
house in Madras. We, and my husband, arrived there only the
previous day. I had brought with us plenty of homemade sweets and
savouries and gifts for my in-laws. Everything was going on in that
house cheerfully till that fateful morning. All of us had our morning
tea and I was helping my mother-in-law in arranging flowers for
puja. We were happily talking about the household matter. My
sisters-in-law were also joining in our conversation now and then in
the middle of their cooking chores.
Suddenly my father-in-law entered the room, where we were sitting,
and looked at me very angrily, turned towards my mother-in-law
and asked "why is she arguing with you, Lakshmi? She has no right
to argue with anybody in this house". We were all taken aback. We
could not understand the reason for his unnecessary anger towards
me. Of course, he was an advocate, who could create "reasons".
"We are not arguing, we talking", I said, standing up from my seat.
"You shut up. Don't argue with me" he shouted at me. My husband,
who cold have heard clearly everything from the next room, came to
my rescue. But no use; the old man made the ugliest comment one
can make in this earth about a married woman. "She is barren, She

is a runaway woman..." This was too much for me. It was true that I
was "childless" even after seven years of our marriage, but to call
me a "runaway woman"! No doctor had declared me as a barren and
I was praying God Almighty to bless me with a healthy child all these
seven years.
I burst out when I heard these harsh comments from my own
father-in-law. My mind and heard bled with an endless pain. I felt
like running away to a place where I would get mental solace. But
where? Where? To whom, to whom? I did not know. A sudden
numbness, a sudden emptiness, as if I was left alone in an island
with no affection, no love, no sympathy .... Oh God; but where is
God! Where to go? Where? Where? Suddenly, something in me
whispered "Kanchi". Yes, I got the answer. My numbness vanished, I
remembered the words of Mahaswamigal. "God is watching you. In
all that you do, be conscious of His presence". I opened my eyes. My
mother-in-law and sisters-in-law tried to console me. They asked me
to eat and drink something. I didn't talk to anybody, I didn't eat
anything. I packed my suitcase, took some money from my
husband's purse and got ready to go out of that house. "Where are
you going?" my husband asked. I answered softly "To Kanchi. I want
to see Mahaswamigal".
"I am also coming with you to Kanchi" he said. He stuffed his dress
and other necessary things in my suitcase. Then my mother-in-law
rushed towards us "Please don't go anywhere, please. I am sorry,
come inside, in the name of God". I turned and answered weeping,
but firmly, "Yes. I am going to see God in Kanchi, the living God.
With His blessing I will get a child within one or two years and come
inside this house." They were stunned.

Alas! At Kanchi we came to know that the Mahaswamigal was out of

station. We got the "Darshan of Sri Jayendra Sarasvathi Swamigal.
When I was standing in the queue for the darshan I was mentally
praying to Mahaswamigal for his blessings since I had read
somewhere that `prayers' were granted by the Living God even from
a distance. When my turn came, I stood before Sri Jayendra
Sarasvathi Swamigal and bowed before Him. I cried silently and said
softly, "Please bless me. I want a child, a healthy intelligent baby...."
I could not say anything more, I was sobbing. All that time I was
silently putting my wish before the Mahaswamigal in my mind. Sri
Jayendra Sarasvati Swamigal did not say anything, but raised His
hands and blessed with a smile. He smiled with an expression of "I
know everything"... I felt suddenly the utmost faith and tranquillity
in my mind. I mentally placed all my worries in the `lotus feet' of
the Mahaswamigal. We returned to Hyderabad.
One year passed. What a wonder! I got a lovely son. I named his
`Karthikeyan', since he was the gift of Lord Siva. He was the product
of the blessings of the Sankaracharya, the Living God of this Yuga.
My son is now 16 years old.

Arul 29 What did Kanchi SwamigaL Say to VinAyaka?

By SriSri MuraLidhara Swamiji
The divine set up where Parvati-Parameshvara are sitting with
Skanda on their lap is known as the form of SomAskanda. In the
SivAsthAna Alayam (Tenambakkam) near Kanchipuram, however,
we can see SomagaNapati. That is, on the lap of ParvatiParameshvara, instead of Skanda, Ganapati would be sitting.

Kanchi Maha PeriyavaaL was ...staying here for sometime. One

night, Maha PeriyavaaL was lying on a bed of darbha grass,
spreading it out like a mat. Some devotees were also with him. At
that time the sound of firecrackers being exploded was heard.
"What for is that noise of firecracker explosion?" asked maha
PeriyavaaL, as if he knew nothing about it.
"Kamakshi Amman is coming in a procession in her car", they said.
"That's why the noise of crackers."
Saying, "AmbaaL is coming in bhavani in her car. Should we not have
darshan of her?" Maha PeriyavaaL got up and prepared to leave the
place.
Those with him said, "It is over ten o' clock now. PeriyavaaL's health
is also giving problem. Further, it would take time to reach Periya
Kanchipuram from here. By this time, AmbaaL would have come near
the Kacchabesvara temple. It is the custom that only there the vANa
vEDikkai (festivities of firecracker explosions) is held on a large
scale. Within the next half hour, AmbaaL would have gone inside the
temple."
PeriyavaaL did not receive any of that into his ears. Before moving
away from there, he went to the small PiLLaiyAr at the
Tenambakkam temple known as the SivAsthanam. Keeping one hand
folded over his eyes, he bowed to PiLLaiyAr and said something in
rahasya (private). Then he moved away.
Maha PeriyavaaL was walking silently.
As they reached the bigger Kanchipuram, it was a surprise for those
who came with Maha PeriyavaaL. They learnt that Kamakshi

Amman's car was standing near the Kacchabesvara temple for hours
together!
As they sighted Maha PeriyavaaL, some of the people assembled
there came running and prostrated to him. They informed him, "For
whatever reason not known to us, the elephant which came
smoothly until this far, is adamant now against further movement. If
the car is pulled, it blares as if it has gone mad. If the car is kept
still, it is also calm and silent."
After having darshan of AmbaaL, Maha PeriyavaaL came near the
elephant. Then, keeping a hand on its body, he said, "We can go."
That was all! The elephant started moving, with its own majesty,
faning its ears. Everyone who saw this was surprised.
Only now the people who came with him understood why Maha
PeriyavaaL talked in rahasyam to that SivAsthAnam Small PiLLaiyAr.

Arul: Karunai to Old Patty

- By Ra.Ganapathi
It is not clear to my mind if this incident happened at the SriMaTham
camp in Trichy National College High School campus, or Madurai
Sethupathi High School campus.
The darshan queue was stopped from moving because of some
important deliberation that was going on inside the SriMaTham
camp. An old woman was standing in the queue. She can be
described as the old woman of old women! She could have be...en
over a hundred years old, standing bent at a right-angle, a staff in
her hand that she was holding shakily. She was crying with all the
tiredness of her soul: "Sankara, my Sankara! I was agitated if I

would see you, or leave this world without seeing you. You came
seeking this place! Since you have come, I came to have your
darshan, but you have stopped me (nirutthi vecchu-tiyedaa)
Sankara!"
Sri Sambha Murthi SastrigaL was going inside the camp, passing the
old woman on his way. He was the pUrvAshrama younger brother of
Maha PeriyavaL. He was of a kind heart, true to the family blood that
coursed his veins. No sooner he heard the old woman's wail of
yearning than he hastened his steps towards the interior. As he
entered, he told Sri CaraNar who was immersed in an important
delibration, "Outside--a Paatti--of a hundred or hundred and twenty
or whatever age. Stands yearning and wailing for Periyavaa's
darshan."
Before the last words were out of his mouth, PeriyavaaL stormed
outside!
"Why have you stopped me, Sankara?" The Paatti was wailing
repeatedly. He went to her, stood very near to her and said, "PaattI,
here your Sankaran has come. Look! Without knowing that you have
come, I was busy with something inside. And as I came to know it,
here I have come running." The Ruler of Grace spoke the words of
nectar, which came up as the essence of his love.
"Vanduttiya, Sankara (so you have come, Sankara)!", said Paatti and
held his hands tightly! The hands that were held by his mother
Mahalakshmi AmmaL, were held today by another person, after a
span of about 55 years!
As she raised her face and looked at the holy visage of Sri CaraNar,
the vRiddhAmbikA (the good old mother) said, "Though you have

come running for my sake and stand before me, I cannot look at you
properly with my dim eyesight! ennappA (my son), only you should
give me some good sight for a good darshan."
It was the time of a hot sun. There was a narrow, thatched roof over
the heads of the people in the queue. At Paatti's words, the bhakta
parAdhIna jumped aside the shelter of the roof and stood in the hot
son, barefooted!
"Is the vision better now, Paatti?" he said.
"It shows up very well ennappA, it shows very well!" Paatti patted
her cheeks loudly.
PeriyavaaL gave her a complete darshan of his person, letting
sunlight fall well on his face, tilting it, lifting it, and turning it in
many angles, even turning his whole body giving her a darshan of
his back.
In a torrent of emotion, without knowing what she spoke, the old
woman stuttered and lisped, cried profusely and was very happy!
Sri CaraNar came near her again and said, "Have you seen me well
Paatti! Can I go?"
"Yes, I have seen you very well (PAtthuNtempa), my son! Even for
this anAmadeyam (nonentity), KaruNAmurti, you have given your
darshan. I was holding my soul just to see you. I have seen you
know. Take me now my son, take me!" The parama bhakta prayed to
him.
"PaattI! When the time comes, let us take it. I shall ask you now to
be dropped in your place. Go there and remain in Swami smaraNa
(remembrance of God). Don't come running again to see me! I shall

always be with you without leaving you aside for a moment!" The
kRupA varSA (shower of compassion) gave her his words.
Is there anything that matches the bhAgyam of the Paatti who
received such words of assurance from Sri CaraNar who out of his
modesty uses words only sparingly when he gives his abhayam to
the bhaktas?

Arul: Mahaswamigal and Chandra Grahanam

Panchanathan Suresh
Mahaswamigal and Chandra Grahanam -- Dr Kalyanaraman, the
eminent Neuro Surgeon's experience
============================================
======
Mahaswamigal was suffering from some pain in the back of His neck.
Dr Badrinath who had just operated on Him for cataract suggested
that Dr Kalyanaraman examine Him for suspected spondylosis and
its treatment. One afternoon Dr Kalayanaraman arrived at His camp
in Sholapur.
After lunch he was taken to His presence and was told that He was
suffering from high fever in addition to the neck pain.
Swamigal gave him permission to examine Him. Dr Kalyanaraman
did a namaskaram first. He asked him why he did a namaskaram. He
replied, Before I examine every patient in my clinic, I perform
namaskarams mentally to You and pray that the patient should be
cured. When You Yourself

are my patient now, to whom can I pray, except You, that I should
be successful in my treatment?
Swamigal smiled and said, Go ahead.
After completing the examination, he found that His temperature
was 105 degrees fahrenheit. He hesitatingly told Him, Periyavaal is
having high fever. Will it be possible to avoid cold water bath for a
day or two until the fever subsides?.
Swamigal replied, How can that be done? Yesterday was Chandra
Grahanam and I performed Grahana Snanam last night at the time of
eclipse with the same fever!
Dr Kalyanaraman was shocked at His reply and said, Iswara, how
can Periyavaals physical system withstand such strain?
HH asked, Do you know how Grahana Snanam is performed?
I do not know, said the Doctor. HH said, You have to hold your
nostrils and take a dip in the river till the whole head is fully
immersed in the water.
The Doctor was aghast and stunned to hear this. Then
Mahaswamigal added, Not once da, but 108 times!. (oru thadavai
ille da, 108 thadavai)
(I sort of cried and imploded on hearing this the first time, I am
crying now also)
The Doctor nearly fainted and said, What treatment can a mere
mortal like me give You! Only Lord Shiva, whose incarnation You are,
is protecting Your body despite 108 head dips in the river with a

temperature of 105 degrees. I can only pray to Lord Shiva to keep

You in good health for our sake, for many more years to come.
(((Please let me know if someone does not understand Tamil, I can
translate this.)))

Arul: Making a kid talk

As with the world-famous Adi Sankara, the world would also know
well about the greatness of Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati, the
sixty-eightth PiThAdhipati of Sri Kanchi KamakoTi PiTham.
At those times, the world is in a position to know about the divinity
of sages. Through those incidents we can realize that they are
deivAmsa sambMbhUta (made of divinity), that they are avatAra
puruShAs. In tha...t way, it is the fortune aDiyEn (myself) received
through Sri MahaSwamigaL's anugraham--the miracle of making the
inarticulate child of mine speak.
The time I was working in All India Radio Station, Puduvai
(Puducherry). Pondicherry Gopala Aiyar was the one who helped, by
taking me to Sri MahaSwamigaL and making me have the darshana
bhAgyam of the sage.
During the years 1969 and 1970, Sri MahaSwamigaL was in his
blessing stance in the SivAsthAnam at Tenambakkam. My second
daughter Santhalakshmi was inarticulate though she completed
three years of age. Even the words 'Amma, Appa' did not come out of
her mouth. Since it happened in birth, the doctors told that it was an
impossible task to make her talk. They said no treatment could be
effective since it is 'genetically predetermined'. They (also) said that
only by a miracle happending through the divine power of

Vaidhyanatha Swami or Lord Sri dakSiNAmUrti, would it be possible

to make my child talk.
My wife prompted me to take the child to Sri MahaSwamigaL and
pray for his anugraham!
I took the child to the sannidhi of Sri MahaSwamigaL. On that way,
there was not much crowd near Sri SwamigaL. Disciples like Sri Balu,
Sri Ramamurthy, Sri SrikaNTan, Sri Kumaresan were with him.
"Chary has come!"--Sri Balu supplicates to MahaSwamigaL.
"Who is this child?"--Sri MahaSwamigaL's question.
"Adiyen's child. She can't talk. With Periyavaa's anugraham she
must talk. My ahamuDayAAL (wife) asked me to pray to you..."
"Why, you don't have that desire?"
Knowing nothing to reply, I looked stupid.
"She will talk well, and she will talk much, go!" Sri MahaSwamigaL
blossomed his holy mouth and spoke the words of grace.
"All Periyavaa anugraham", I said, prostrated, and returned home.
Once we reached home, the child ran inside, brought her dining plate
and spoke, "ammA, mammu poDu (Mommy, give me food!)!" What a
wonder! The inarticulate child talks! Our bodies were shivering in
ecstasy. The miracle that happened by the divine power of Sri
Acharya's favour. No words to express it. Thinking about the
supreme compassion of that walking God, and holding on to his holy
lotus feet in mind, we adored him and felt happy. What can the
graha balam (power of the planets) do, only the Acharya's anugraha
balam is the power, we realized and started adoring the Guru's
grace.
Since it was already night time, we met Sri MahaSwamigaL on the
next day, prostrated and told him the miracle of the child talking.

I supplicated to him, "By Periyavaa anugra mahima, speech has

come to the child."
nannA pEsuvA; nannA iruppA! she will talk well; she will be
prosperous!", said Sri MahaSwamigaL.
BY SRI T.V.R.Chary, Kanchipuram
Source. Maha PeriyavaL - Darisana AnubhavangaL vol. 2.

Arul : Paramacharyas boundless concern

Paramacharya's boundless concern - J. Sudha

When I, a graduate in Computer Engineering, try to recollect those
precious events that happened some fifteen years ago, I get a
strange feeling of both bliss and perplexity, bliss because not every
one gets a chance to have that experience and perplexity because I
was too young then to fully understand the significance of the
experience.
I was doing my fourth standard in a local school at Madurai, My
father, a professor of Sanskrit, had prepared a dramatised version of
Bhagavad-Gita and had trained two of us in enacting it. On repeated
practice, I also got trained in mono acting the same. We came to
know that His Holiness Sri Paramacharya was camping at Pandarpur
in Maharashtra for Chaturmasya. My father suddenly decided to go
to Pandarpur for a holy darshan of the Paramacharya along with Sri
A. Kuppuswamy, one our well wishers, an ardent devotee of His

Holiness and presently engaged in Swamiji's services at

Kancheepuram.
We landed at pandarpur one fine morning. Paramacharya's Ashram
was on the bank of the river Chandrabagha. The town was heavily
crowded for a local festival and we could not hire a room in any
lodge. After a bath, we went to the Ashram with our luggage. The
Mahaswami was talking to some local visitors. When my father got a
chance to talk with His Holiness he informed Him about the
dramatised version of Bhagavad-Gita and asked him to enact it.
When I was doing so, I could see the accordance with the dialogue. I
too was aware of the meaning and when I saw someone as great as
His Holiness Himself enjoying my action I felt encouraged to do my
part better.
Paramacharya then called one of His disciples to look at the action
and with a unique expression of bliss and interrogation, had a talk
with the latter. Later we came to understand that His Holiness had
planned to make a banner of that particular verse of Bhagavad-Gita
the same expression with which uttered it, Everyone was astonished
by the coincidence. On the same day, I had the privilege of enacting
the drama three or four times in the august presence of His Holiness.
After the lunch there were no visitors. I was busily engaged in
gathering pebbles and His Holiness was there, quite nearby, alone,
watching me. He was going on questioning me and I was replying
very casually. I could not understand how privileged I should have
been get that chance, but now I realise the greatness and kindness
of His Holiness in devoting His precious time to talk with such a little
girl as I. Suddenly Paramacharya called one of His disciples and
enquired in a caring tone "Kuzhandai saappitaalaa?" (Did the child

take meal?) Doesn't this one question reveal the soft sympathetic
nature of His Holiness who is as anxious about every living being as
a mother? Later on I learnt from my father that all including him
were very much moved by that enquiry.
Afternoon passed off in such conversations. Then came the evening.
There were many local people for darshan. In the afternoon itself, I
told His Holiness that I was learning Hindi. In the evening, when I
was still enjoying myself collecting shells, Paramacharya called me
and put to me a few questions in Tamil. How happy I was then! As a
small girl, I was overwhelmed with joy on the importance given to
me and I did not realise Swamiji's intentions. Though nothing is
unknown to Him, the way His Holiness makes others feel their
importance and responsibility it does not matter if it were only a girl
of 7 years, is a true mark of His greatness.
That night we were asked to stay in the Ashram itself. Usually no girl
is allowed to stay there but Paramacharya's kindness permitted us,
as otherwise, we had no other place in the town to go to. Next
morning also I had the chance of enacting the drama.
After the lunch, with a heavy heart, we left for Madurai.
That was the festival day at Pandarpur and we could not enter the
temple of Lord Panduranga. But our hearts were so filled with
happiness that we had the satisfaction of having a very peaceful
darshan of the Mahaswami who was none other than the Lord
Panduranga Himself.
It is because of His Holiness's unfathomable grace and unfallible
blessings. I am what I am. I prostrate at the lotus feet of His

Holiness and pray that the entire humanity gets the share of His
blessings.

Arul : Paramacharya an Avatar of Lord Sankara Himself

Maha Periyavar once visited Madurai. He was staying in a school in

the North Masi Street. It was raining heavily, and the rains lasted for
three days! ThamizhVeL P.T. Rajan, who was a resident of Madurai,
had the desire to take Maha Periyavar to the Meenakshi Amman
temple. He brought the car he had purchased recently and parked it
in front of the building where Periyavar was staying. "It is rainin...g
heavily. If you get inside the car you may go and alight near the
temple. I have great happiness to take you (in the car)." P.T. Rajan
told the sage politely.
Periyavar asked him, "A new car?"
"Yes, but no other person has sat inside; only you should sit first!"
Periyavar smiled at these words. Then he called his disciple who
stood nearby and said, "Go and have a look at the path that leads to
the Meenakshi Amman temple."
That disciple carefully walked over the path to the temple and came
back.
"How is the path?" asked the Mahaan.
"It is all dirt and mud, and bear the tyre marks of the vehicles that
went to and fro." He continued, understanding the purport of
Periyavar's question, "And in that mud, creatures such as worms and
snails are crawling unsteadily."

Periyavar said, "A sannyAsi (ascetic) has three dharmas. The first
dharma is that he should have no possessions; that is, he should not
keep anything for himself. The second is brahmacharya (celibacy).
He should know how to control and rule over his senses. And the
third dharma is ahimsA. He should ensure that no jIvarAsi (living
being) suffers because of him. In the present situation, if I go on
foot or either in the car, there would be countless jIvarAsis that
would be trodden over. Hence there should be no temple program
for the time being. Postpone it. We will go later." Thus Periyavar
avoided going to the Meenakshi Amman temple at that time.
Later, when the rains had stopped completely and the situation
improved, he went on foot for darshan at Meenakshi Amman temple;
and that with ThamizhVeL P.T. Rajan!
In Kanchi Mahaan's Shade of Mercy...
Compiler: Raa. Venkatasamy Source: Sakthi Vikatan

Arul : Paramacharya an Avatar of Lord Sankara Himself

C.N. Kuppuswamy
Sir Isaac Newton, said that he seemed to have been all his life
gathering a few pebbles on the shore, whilst a boundless ocean of
truth still lay beyond. Who can, on this earth, attempt even feebly to
scale the immeasurable, matchless mighty and the majestic
Himalayan glory and the grandeur of the Maha purusha, who
occupied and animated the whole century. I am honest fact an
alpathma with a limited knowledge, endeavoring to pay my humble
obeisance to a Paramatma, based on direct and intense personal
experience.

Way back in 1972 to say precisely, on 8th January, I proceeded to

Kanchi to received the blessings of Maha Periyaval, for the
sathabishekam of my father-in-law and my mother-in-law
accompanied me. On the way near walajabad a small town my
father-in-law, wanted to relax and I escorted him to the other side
of the highway. My second daughter who was only 4 years old then,
sneaked out of the car and darted across to reach me, like an arrow
released from the bow.
Being a highway a vehicle was coming at a great speed and my
daughter was knocked down and crushed under the wheels. Every
one saw the accident and was stupefied in sheer horror at the tragic
accident. As a result, my daughter sustained skull injury and her
head was drenched in blood. Virtually it was like potato mash. She
was bleeding profusely through her nostrils, ears indicating severe
and serious head injury. Her pelvis cracked, left leg fractured, left
jawbone gave way and was dangling down. Her left eye ball got
stuck up leaving a red blood streak. To crown all these external
injuries she sustained multiple internal injuries. My wife who was in
the advanced stage of pregnancy saw the accident and she swooned,
portending deleterious impact on her health. The child was rushed to
the Govt. Hospital at Kanchipuram and a team of doctors who
attended on her emphatically declared that her life was ebbing
away. The child was then brought back to Madras, without
Mahaperiyaval's darshan and admitted in the General Hospital.

Even here the specialist, Neuro surgeons unanimously said that the
child would not survive. It was a measureless shock to me, at the
drastic medical verdict on her condition. Immediately my wife
dispatched her brother to Kanchi to convey the news of the accident
to Paramacharya. Her intense faith in his blessings and grace
remained un-wavered and unshaken.
After patiently hearing the report of the accident, the great sage
closed his eyes for a few seconds, picked out an apple from a nearby
bamboo tray anointed it with holy water from his kamandalam
performed pooja to it and gave it to my brother-in-law directing him
to keep it by the side of the child in the hospital. He assured that the
child would survive the crisis through the grace of the Jaganmatha
Devi Kamakshi. The child was not responding to any treatment. The
doctors were much worried. The apple blessed by Paramacharya was
kept near her bed. In a week's time miracle took place. My child
recovered fully baffling the Doctors. She started telling me and
others that a small child with extraordinary beauty defying
description, wearing rich habiliments, with a golden crown on her
head displaying divine smile was guarding her day and night. Lord
Tennyson said that "More things are wrought by prayers than this
world dreams of". Here no prayer was offered but the infinite mercy
and the grace of Mahaperiaval saved my daughter from death.
The second incident was after she fully recovered, I took her to
Mahaperiaval. Though he was laid up with high temperature he gave
me darshan, and enquired the health of my daughter. I burst into a
tempest of tears for his mercy, compassion, kindness and divine
blessings. He then instructed me to perform Sahasra Aavrti (1000)
Gayatri Japa, every Sunday and avoid discussing politics which

would invariably involve turning the mind away from things

spiritual. He said that my performance of Gayatri Japa alone would
repay my indebtedness. For some months afterwards I obeyed his
command with implicit faith and earnestness and switched over
doing Gayatri Japa every day instead of only on Sundays