Sri Kanchi Mahaswami V.V.S.Manian

A rare gem among saints

What makes the Sufi? Purity of heart; Not the patched mantle and the lust perverse Of those vile earth-bound men who steal his name. He in all dregs discerns the essence pure: In hardship ease, in tribulation joy. The phantom sentries, who with batons drawn Guard Beauty's palace-gate and curtained bower, Give way before him, unafraid he passes,.. Rumi

In ancient days there were not many saints. Today you have dime a dozen persons who call themselves saints, Jagadh gurus, sadhus, spiritual leaders, soothsayers, etc. A “new breed of sanyasis”, who indulge in everything from rape, murder squandering devotees’ money to satisfying their sex urges and five star living have sprung up. Among this criminal crowd of saffron scoundrels, it is very difficult to cull out a true sanyasi who can guide the troubled world to walk in the path of divinity, devotion and prayer. In the present day, pursuing a saint’s life is a highly lucrative profession; easy to wear ochre robes and proclaim oneself as path finder of prosperity and heaven. There are enough superstitious suckers who fall into this trap. Women devotees unwittingly lose their chastity and hard earned money to some flamboyant sanyasis.

Profile of a true saint The rishis, seers, sadhus, sanyasis, gurus and acharyas, were the storehouse of spiritual knowledge. They scrupulously followed Hindu dharma and were considered as Gods on earth. Swami Sivananda while narrating the glory of saints observes “To him (saint) the whole world is mere straw. To him pleasure and pain are the same. The saints are the Gods on earth... the saints constitute a ladder for the pilgrims to the shrine of God. Through history, the saints have played a great part in preserving spiritual values in the world. A saint is a spiritual washer man. He applies soap of devotion and knowledge and removes spots of sin in worldly people.” Today, it is the public and the police who wash the dirty linen of overfed fat God men. This cluttered lot of ‘spiritual’ crowd painfully drives us to recollect some of the great souls of the past era who have given everything to the world and took nothing in return. Among the few noble sages, let me recall the rarest of gem among sages, Jagadguru Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal

Jagadguru Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal is popularly known as the sage of Kanchi, Maha Swamigal. He was the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He was respectfully and fondly addressed by all devotees as Paramacharya, MahaSwami or Maha Periyavaal.

Swamimalai Lord Swaminatha

Courtesy: Keshav

Maha Periyavaal was born on 20 May 1894, under Anuradha star, in a Smartha Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family in Viluppuram, South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu. He was the second son of Subramanya Sastri. His mother Mahalakshmi was a Kannada Brahmin from the village Icchangudi near Thiruviyaru. The child was named Swaminathan, after the family deity, Lord Swaminathan of Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam.

Kumbakonam is famous for its temples and mutts (monasteries). There are around 188 Hindu temples in this town. Apart from this, there are over a thousand temples in the surrounding area, thereby giving the town the sobriquet “Temple Town” and “City of temples”. The town is well known for renowned educational institutions, carved panchaloka idols, brass and metal wares. Kumbakonam is also famous for silk products. The temples have stunning architectural beauty with exquisite pillars, carved drawing o walls and legendary stories.

Kumbakonam and surrounding areas are the birth place of many saints, scholar and musicians. The fertile and green flush fields and Cauvery water has inspired many and fertile brains bloomed in the tiny hamlet.

Swaminathan began his early education at the Arcot American Mission High School at Tindivanam, where his father was working. He was an exceptional student and excelled in several subjects. He won a prize for his proficiency in recitation of the "Holy Bible". In 1905, his parents performed his Upanayanam, a Vedic ceremony, which qualifies a Brahmin boy to begin his Vedic studies under an accomplished teacher.

During the childhood of Acharya, his father consulted an astrologer who, upon studying the boy's horoscope, is said to have been so stunned that he prostrated himself before the boy exclaiming that "One day the whole world will fall at his feet."

66th Acharya In 1906, the 66th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, performed the annual Chaturmasyam (a forty-day annual ritual performed by Hindu ascetics while remaining in one place), in a village near Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu. Swaminathan who happened to be present on the occasion greatly impressed the Acharya. This was Swaminathan’s first exposure to the Math and its Acharya.

In February 1907, the Kanchi Kamakoti Math had informed Subramanya Sastrigal that Swaminathan’s cousin Lakshminathan was to be installed as the 67th Peetathipathi. The presiding Acharya was suffering from smallpox and had the premonition that he might not live long. He had, therefore, administered upadesa to his disciple Lakshminathan before he died.

Sastrigal being away on duty arranged for the departure of Swaminathan with his mother to Kanchipuram. The boy and his mother started for Kalavai (where Lakshminathan was camping) to console his aunt who, while also being a widow, had just given up her only son to be an ascetic.

The 67th Acharya also died. Swaminathan was installed as the 68th head of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam on February 13, 1907, the second day of the Tamil month of Masi, Prabhava year. He was given Sanyasa Asramam at the early age of 13 and was named Chandrasekharendra Saraswati.

On May 9, 1907 his "Pattabishekam" as the 68th Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam was performed at Kumbakonam Math. Devotees including Shivaji Maharaja of Tanjore, government officials and pundits participated in the event. Even though there was not enough property in the mutt, the court considering the benefit of the mutt, ordered the mutt to be administered under the “Guardian and Wards Act”. Sri C.H.Venkataramana Iyer, an illustrious personality from Kolinjivadi village near Coimbatore was appointed as guardian by the court. The administration of the mutt was under guardianship from 1911 to May 1915. On Sankara Jayanthi Day in the year 1915, Swamigal took over the administration of the mutt on completion of his 21 st year. The administration of the mutt was taken over in name only; the actual work was taken care of by an agent, Sri Pasupathi Iyer. Sri Swamigal did not sign any document; instead “Sri Mukham stamp” was placed on documents.

Maha Periyava spent several years in the study of scriptures and dharma shastras and acquainted himself with his role as Head of the Math. He soon gained the reverence and respect of devotees and people around him.

Maha Periyava was the head of the Mutt for eighty-seven years. During this period, the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam acquired new strength as an institution that propagated Sankara’s teachings. Throughout his life, the focus of his concern and activities was rejuvenating old temples, encouraging Vedadhyayanam and study of Dharma Sastras, which had suffered decline. "Veda rakshanam” " was his very life breath, and he referred to this in most of his talks.

Pata yaatra

The sage of Kanchi undertook pilgrimages on foot from Rameswaram in the south to Kasi in the North. By providing support to Veda Patasalas through the Veda Rakshana Nidhi which he founded and honouring Vedic scholars, he reinvigorated Vedic studies in India. He organized regular sadhas ('conferences') which included discussions on arts and culture—these led to a renewed interest in Vedic religion, Dharma sasthras, and Sanskrit. His long tenure as Pitadhipathi is considered by many as the Golden Era of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He attained Mukti (died) on January 8, 1994 and was succeeded by Sri Jayendra Saraswati.

“The sage of Kanchi” left behind a treasure house of knowledge (Kanchi Math) and huge wealth in the “land of thousand temples”, with a hope that his inheritors would live a true saintly life as inscribed in the Vedas and teach the values of disciplined life.

Kanchi Mutt Miracles of Mahapriyava

Stamped wish Indira Gandhi had a special liking for Kanchi Mahaswami and hence for 1983 Sankara Jayanthi, she wanted to release a stamp on Adi Sankara. She did not want to release it without getting permission from Periyavaa and hence she had sent Sri. C.Subramaniam, who was the minister of agriculture and an ardent devotee of Periyavaa, to Satara where he was stationed. Kanchi Mahaswami treats everybody as equal. When CS came, he asked him the purpose of his visit. CS humbly told him that he had come to take his permission to release the stamp of Adi Sankara. Kanchi Acharya smilingly replied, ‘permission means you have already decided to release the stamp. You have come here to convey the information. If I give my opinion that would be binding on the government’. CS responded to Mahaswami that the Prime Minister was clear that whatever was the desire of Acharya, it would be carried out. CS presumed that Acharaya would concur with the government's decision. Mahaswami made it explicitly clear that he was against the release of the stamp. He said that people would lick the stamp for affixing it on envelopes. He further added that in case the PM wished to release the stamp it was her wish. ‘I gave my opinion since you have come all the way and asked for it’. Indira Gandhi understood what Mahaswami meant and immediately gave up the idea. Indira had great respect for Mahaswami.

Brewing vision An old couple was ardent devotees of Sri Kanchi Periyava. Both were coffee addicts and wanted to stop drinking coffee as per Mahaswami’s wish. For many years, the old couple remained addicted to coffee. One fine day they decided to stop it. The first day they stopped it, their thoughts were circling around the aroma of coffee only. The couple managed to spend three days without drinking coffee. On the fourth day, they offered the coffee as neiveidyam to Mahaswami and consumed the coffee as prasadam. After three weeks the couple went to Kanchi to have darshan of Periyava. When the couple approached Mahaswami, they heard him talk about coffee to another devotee. Kanchi Mahaan looked at the old couple and addressed another gentleman sitting near him: “The coffee made in their home is really good. Find out from where they are buying the coffee powder” .The old couple was shocked and couldn’t speak. Mahaswami gave them plenty of prasadam. Mahaswami blessed them with the divine power to see what was happening around him and what ardent devotees do whenever they decide. Jaya Jaya Shankara, Hara Hara Shankara.

Quantum Theory Sri Yuvaraja (Son of Sandoor Maharaja) was working as Head of the Department (Mathematics) in a foreign university. When he visited Kanchi Mahaswami, he asked him what he was doing. Yuvaraja sarcastically replied “Mathematics,” thinking that the saint may not be conversant with his subject Quantum theory. Acharya casually asked him the subject of his specialization and research. Yuvaraja reluctantly told him that he was doing research on Quantum theory. Immediately, Kanchi Mahaswami drew 2 circles in the sand and marked + (plus) in one circle and – (minus) in the other circle. Then Kanchi Mahaswami asked him, “Is your research on Quantum Theory a positive approach or negative approach?” Yuvaraja was stunned. The casual attitude disappeared. He said “positive approach showing the + (plus) sign”. Kanchi Mahaswami showed the – (minus) sign and asked, “Did you not do this?” When Yuvaraja was contemplating his reply, Kanchi Mahaswami said, “Because it is difficult you didn’t do. Is it?”

Kanchi Mahaswami started saying that Quantum Theory positive approach appears in Veda and Kanchi Mahaswami said how one divides into many. Now, Yuvaraja was totally taken aback. Kanchi Mahaswami continued that, “The advaita Vedanta philosophy also says how one divides into many like the Quantum Theory positive approach. Kanchi Mahaswami laughingly added, “had you known this earlier, you would have probably learnt Vedanta here itself instead of going and doing your research abroad”.

From this, one can easily realize the fact that Kanchi Mahaswami is the incarnation of Lord Shiva. A very complicated matter will be explained by Him in the most beautiful way which even small children can understand easily. All those who are listening will also understand the matter clearly. Listening to Kanchi Mahaswami is a great experience that one would even forget their food, sleep and even flies and mosquitoes entering their mouth because one would be immersed totally in a delightful state or bliss. Even pundits, scholars would be extremely delighted and would say that they had not heard such things earlier and always rejoiced among themselves.

The King Cobra This incident happened in the year 1983. Kanchi Mahaswami and His disciples were staying in a school at Maruthur (near Andhrapradesh Karnataka border). The school had only two classrooms. On the other side there was a space in between, followed by two rooms and a playground. The school had windows but no doors. Srikantan was preparing for Sri Kanchi Mahaswami’s Bhiksha. Sri Kanchi Mahaswami was sitting near the window and performing His maanasika pooja. With a curiosity to know what Kanchi Mahaswami was doing, Srikantan looked at Kanchi Mahaswami and was stunned to see a big black King Cobra near the window. Srikantan called Ekambaram and Balu to show the big black King Cobra near the window. All of them got scared and kept quiet without making any noise as it might lead to some trouble to the little crowd standing outside to have darshan of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami. While Kanchi Mahaswami was deeply engrossed in His pooja performing sahasranama archana, the black King Cobra looked at Kanchi Mahaswami and moved backwards. The black King Cobra was silently participating in the pooja for more than 5 minutes without changing its position. This proves that Kanchi Mahaswami was an avatar of Lord Shiva. After the pooja got over, the disciples Srikantan, Ekambaram & Balu shared this incident with Kanchi Mahaswami. He laughed and said Is It?

Arunachala

A close shishya of Kanchi Mahaswami, Vedapuri wanted to go to Tiruvannamalai. After completing his routine task in the Mutt, Vedapuri approached Kanchi Mahaswami to seek his approval before starting. Kanchi Mahaswami was not giving him the green signal. Actually, Vedapuri wanted to visit his daughter in Tiruvannamalai. Vedapuri however told Mahaswami that he wanted to go to perform giri pradhakshana in Tiruvannamalai. Kanchi Mahaswami looked at Vedapuri and said 'You come around me 3 times. That is enough. That is giri pradhakshana '. Vedapuri was stunned. Later, Mahaswami allowed him to go to his daughter's place. A true saint can see through the intentions of the people.

Goddess Kamakshi This incident happened in Kanchi Mutt. Once after the day's anushtanam, pooja and darshan to the devotees were over; Periyava called the Mutt Manager and asked him to read the daily accounts Statement. Before the manager could start, Kanchi Mahaswami said "Look, the oil lamp is glowing (Deepam Yeriyardhu).The Holy Cow is here (Gomatha). Pointing to himself 'A sanyasi is sitting in front of you. Lord Chandramouleeswara and Kamakshi are all there as witnesses. Now, you read the accounts statement.

The manager read the accounts statement and ended up with a balance of mere 25paise. It was almost close to midnight, when the manager finished reading. Kanchi Mahaswami told the manager to go and put the balance to any of the beggar in the street who was awake. When the manager gave a look expressing "what will we do for tomorrow?” Kanchi Mahaswami said "Kamakshi will take care tomorrow". Goddess Kamakshi gives whatever Mahan asks for.

The Cricket "Has Swamigal ever seen a Cricket Ball?!" I have seen Him right since my childhood; the earliest I recall seeing Him is when I was 6 or 7 years old. I always used to go to the Matam during my holidays when I was in school and college. All my vacations were spent with Him.

Once I went to have His darshan in Elayaathangudi when I was in my 2nd year in college. And the next day early morning before He commenced poojas, I told Him I was leaving. He asked me, "Wait, what is the hurry?!" I told Him, "I am playing in a cricket match tomorrow". "Match? Do you play for your college?" "Yes." "Are you a bowler or batsman?" "Both", I replied. "Are you a fast bowler or a spin bowler"? "Fast". "Are you an Opening Bowler? Do you bowl with the New Ball"? "Yes." "Do you bowl in swingers or out swingers?" "Both". "Out swing means, you hold the seam of the ball upright and point it in the direction of first/second slips and bowl with this action, no?” said Sarveshwaran. He showed me the action and I was stunned! "In swing means, the seam of the ball is pointed in the direction of leg slip and bowled with this action, no?" Has He ever watched cricket being played or has he ever seen a cricket ball?! He took a class that day and eventually let me go! Narrated by the very blessed Shri Chandrasekhar, who is the son of Pollachi Jayam Patti! Out swing and in swing? Wow. Shankara. "He showed me the action and I was stunned!" How I wished that I could see His Action! Shankara!

The Jaggath Guru This story dates back to the year 1933, when Kanchi Mahaswami was in Varanasi. Kanchi Mahaswami was received in the palace of the Kasi King. Many important personalities and learned men (Pundits) were also present. In the Pundits' mind there was an element of jealousy. How can he, Kanchi Mahaswami, have the title ‘Jaggat guru’.

One of the Pundits thundered, “Who is this Jaggath Guru”? Periyava politely replied: “I am” The Pundit then remarked sarcastically: “So you are the Jaggath Guru” Kanchi Mahaswam replied: जगतां गु셁ः न - When I say I am Jaggath Guru, I Did not mean to say, I am The Guru of this Jaggath. जगति प饍यमनाः सर्वे मम गुरर्वेः all living beings in this world are my Gurus. The Pundits were completely taken aback by this simple but yet great explanation. Kanchi Mahaswami did not stop with that. In that hall where this debate was going on there were some nests built by sparrows. Kanchi Mahaswami pointed to one of them and asked the Pundits किं इदं? What is this? The Pundit replied: नीडः Nest Kanchi Mahaswami asked: के न निर्मिमतं? By whom was this built? The Pundit Replied: चटकै ः by the sparrow. Periyava continued: This nest is built by birds which do not have hands or legs. We have hands and legs. Yet we are unable to build a nest like the sparrow. The sparrow has Kriya Shakti (क्या शक्तित) but I do not have that Shakthi. Hence this sparrow is my GURU!!!

Saranam

Mr. and Mrs. Chandramouli from Bangalore once came to have darshan of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami. At that time, in the street outside, a merchant was selling rice shouting “Arisi Vangalayo Arisi Vangalayo” (Rice for sale)

Kanchi Mahaswami said to the couple “Do you know what he is saying? He is telling us not to waste time by talking about useless worldly things. Instead he is reminding us, in the morning, to talk about Hari and Siva. I hear his saying as ‘Hari Siva Engalaya’ (Say Hari, Siva)”

Kanchi Mahaswami who is none other than Easwaran said “Arisi (Rice) will fill our stomach. Hari, Siva Japam will fill our Mind.”

Padapooja

Rajagopal Iyer, an ardent devotee of Kanchi Mahaswami was employed in Karnataka. He had Mahaperiyava's padukas at home and was doing Pada Puja with absolute devotion.

Once, he had gone officially near Sringeri. Rajagopal decided to go to the Sringeri Mutt and get the blessings of Acharya and Saradambal. Somehow, he had a feeling that "I am doing Pada Puja to Kanchi Mahaswami padukas and I have come to Sringeri Mutt for darshan of Acharya. Is it Right?”

When Rajagopal turn came for darshan, the Acharya of Sringeri, Sri Bharathi Thirtha Swamigal asked Rajagopal Mama, "Pada Puja Ellam Nanna Nadakkaratha? Kshemma Iruppezh (Hope the Pada puja went on well. You will have a prosperous life.) Rajagopal Mama was surprised and stunned. The Acharya gave Rajagopal with plenty of Prasadam. Gnanis have vision and foresee things as it would happen.

Now, Rajagopal lives in Salem. Mama resides in the First Floor and the ground floor is called "Periyava Graham". Many people today visit Periyava graham at Salem and feel Sri Kanchi Mahaswami's presence there. The above incident was narrated to me by Rajagopal at Periyava Graham.

Gold coin

Paramacharya had announced a plan, with the intention of spreading the divine karma of writing and chanting the holy Rama Nama, among all people far and wide. According to this plan, He would give a gold coin along with kumkum, to everyone who wrote One Lakh times ‘Rama Jayam’ and submitted it to Him. Many people started writing Rama Nama, for the sole purpose of receiving a gold coin from Paramacharya. Many devotees, when they came for darshan used to bring the notebooks containing ‘Rama Jayam’, submit to Paramacharya and receive the gold coin from Him.

In order for this good habit to grow among people more and more, he made another plan, according to which, those who were unable to write One Lakh Namas, could write at least one eighth of that number that is 12,500 and receive a silver coin from him. As he expected, the number of people writing the Nama, grew day by day. Even during Acharya’s yatra time, the attendants used to take with them a few gold and silver coins, so that, those who came for darshan along with notebooks with Nama written there, could be given the gold or silver coin. Once during His visit to Chennai, he was camping in Sanskrit college and giving darshan.

A little girl, came to him one day, prostrated and placed a notebook in front of Him and said, “Please give me a silver coin.” Sri Kanchi Mahaswami, gave her a silver coin, asking her “Have you written Rama Nama correctly?” with a laugh. “Yes” she said, took the silver coin and hurriedly left the place. This happened in the morning. In the afternoon, the same little girl was walking here and there in front of Acharya and searching for something. As time passed, her eyes started swelling with tears, and she started crying slowly.

Observing all this, Acharya asked his attendant to call her. She came and stood in front of Him wiping the tears from her eyes.

“My dear child, why are you crying? Have you lost anything?”—asked Acharya, his voice full of Love.

“Yes, I lost the silver coin which you gave me as prasadam”, replied the girl.

“I will ask you something. You have to tell me the truth without hiding anything; how many times had you written ‘Rama Jayam’ in the notebook, which you brought to me?”—-Acharyar.

“I had written eight thousand and five hundred times.”—–replied the little one.

“Oh, I see! Don’t you know that I give silver coin only to those who write 12,500 times?”

That very moment, she burst out crying aloud, and said amidst cries, “I know Periyava! I lied to you, only to get the silver coin from you; what I did is wrong. Please forgive me!”

Those around them, watching this incident, expected Kanchi Mahaswami to call her parents, and ask them to admonish and punish her. But that great Soul! Do you know what He did?

“This innocent girl has done a small mistake; do not magnify this. Now all of you, including this girl, sit down here and write the remaining 4000, Namas”. All were thrilled on hearing Him say this!

Why were they thrilled? There are two reasons; one, they could witness an incident which showed Sri Kanchi Mahaswami’s abundant love towards children and His noble attitude of pardoning. Second, they all got the opportunity of writing Rama Nama in front of Him. Everybody sat down and started writing; soon the four thousand was completed, and submitted to Sri Kanchi Mahaswami.

He called the girl and told her, “My dear child, you were upset that you lost the silver coin which I gave you. Now I will give you a Gold coin; keep it carefully.” He gave her the Gold coin with His Asheervadham. The girl took it gleefully.

Kanchi Mahaswami gave her a silver coin in the morning—this is true; it was lost by the girl—that is also true. But neither the girl who lost it nor anybody else could get that silver coin! How did he know that the actual count in the notebook was less than 12,500 and enact this little drama?

Where did the lost coin go? That would remain a secret which only Kanchi Mahaswami knew! It seems as though Kanchi Mahaswami enacted this drama to give a gold coin to this girl, the same way, ‘Sankarar’ enacted a drama in Madurai, to give a bag of gold coins to the poet Dharumi!

"Anjalai, is your Second Son in Delhi?!"

The year was 1984. A lady named Anjalai was a Maintenance Worker. She came to know that a 'Samiyar' Swamiji was camping in her village and hence came to see Him. She had His darshan and was about to leave when Periyava asked her, "What is your name?” She replied, "Anjalai". He says, "Oh that means you do not fear anything?” She did not know what to say. Swamigal continued, "Is your second son in Delhi?". But, her 2nd son, about 2 years old, was by her side only, dressed in torn and worn out shirt and shorts! Again, she did not react! The year now was 2008. Sri Kanchi Mahaswami’s Aradhanai procession was passing through Anjalai's village. She was there and so too her second son, 27 years old, now an Officer in the HRD Ministry in Delhi! "Is your second son in Delhi?” How did Swamigal say these Golden Words, when her second son was just Two Years Old! Wonder, how Anjalai must have felt when His words came true, 25 years later!

A Person Will Come For That!

In the month of February 1945, Kanchi Mahaswamigal was camping in Ranipettai. Although it was a place where maximum number of people were non- Hindus, a lot of people, crossing the religious barrier were coming for His darshan. In a place called Naavalpur near Ranippettai, some devotees who decided to build a temple for ‘Devi Karumariamman’ were a worried lot when they realised that the funds required would be in lakhs!

Worried as they were, they came to Kanchi Mahaswami to seek His Blessings.

“We have made an ambitious plan. We may not get sufficient donations. Kanchi Mahaswami should bless us……” they appealed to Him.

After a few moments’ silence, Kanchi Mahaswami said, “It is for Ambal, is it not? She will take care of it”. “We have that belief, but we don’t have even 25% money at hand as of now…..” They said.

“Build a construction to the height of 4 feet from the ground” said Sri Kanchi Mahaswami. “Then, what are we to do for other things like Gopuram, Vigrahas, and Kumbhabhishekam etc.?” Devotees

‘A certain person will come for that” said Sri Kanchi Mahaswami.

The devotees got the Divine secret but wondered, “When will he come? Where to find him?”

Though they were happy to receive Prasadam, they were still a worried lot!

This happened on the 14th of Feb. 1945. Where was ‘that’ person on that day?

World War II which started in 1939 was continuing in 1945. Allied forces were fighting the Japanese in Burma (today’s Myanmar) in the river Airavathi. The Japanese were on the Eastern bank and the Allied forces in the west bank. Allied forces were not familiar with the place and the environment. The Major who was leading the Allied forces sent an SOS to London to send somebody who was familiar fighting in the river water. Such a battalion, trained in that type of warfare was in Madagakar. It was immediately sent to Airavathi. They sent the Indian soldiers to the bank who plunged into the water.

The Japanese were furious at this turn of events. Realising a certain defeat, they turned into monsters and killed those in the bank like sparrows. Only one person survived that onslaught.

“Why was I alone saved? “

In May 1945, when Germany surrendered, the war came to a halt!

The one man who survived in Airavathi fight, Major Narayanaswamy, retired from the army, and settled down in Ranippettai with wife Chandrika.

One evening, when they went for a walk, Devi crossed their path! They saw the incomplete temple and Devi’s idol in the open. Devi seemed to say to them, “Look! I saved you from that atrocity of war, but look at me, with the sun and the rain beating down on me! Won’t you put a roof above me?”

The devotees who came to the camp for darshan were flooding the place with their tears of joy! “This is Military Major Narayanaswamy and that is his wife. They have undertaken to construct the temple and perform the Kumbhabhishekam also. Exactly like ‘Saami’ told us a few days ago!

Sri Kanchi Mahaswami’s ‘Karuna Kadaksham’ fell on that happy couple and sanctified them!

Education

Two professors had come for Kanchi Mahaswami’s darshan from the college at Mayiladuthurai – one from Commerce, the other, Sanskrit. Kanchi Mahaswami looked at the Professor of Commerce and asked him, “Where is your native place?” “Waltair…” “How far is it from here?” “About 1000 miles…” “About or Nearly?” The Professor was in a fix and was not able to give a satisfactory reply. Kanchi Mahaswami answered the question himself, “About” means more or less. May be a little more or a little less, “Nearly” means almost. Less than a thousand miles, is that not so? Kanchi Mahaswamithen looked at the Professor of Sanskrit, “What have you studied?” “Sanskrit M.A.” “That is, you have studied about Sanskrit. Then, when are you going to study Sanskrit?” The Professor of Sanskrit was taken aback. “One is considered a scholar of Sanskrit only when one studies literature or grammar and obtains the title of Sironmani. History M.A, or Tamil M.A., means that one has studied about History or Tamil, isn’t it?” Kanchi Mahaswami taught the professors a few nuances in education before he sent them away.

Dr.Anandavalli belongs to Hospet.

When Kanchi Mahaswami was staying at Hampi, she would visit him every day and talk to Him without any pretentions. She would call Him 'Appa' 50 times in just about 5 minutes. She would take the upper hand, as would a daughter with her aged father, and say ' you can take milk at least on Ekadesi day, nothing wrong, you should take fruit juice twice a day and things of that sort. After she left, the shishyas would joke about it... Ennappa chandru saaptiappa, Balu nanna thoonginiappa. But still, Doctor's 'Appa' was like a sparkling diamond. Then, one day, she came to the camp after midnight and called out 'Appa, Appa'.

The shishyas told her that ladies should not come to the camp at night. But she would not listen. 'Appa, Appa’, she again called. The sishyas were now angry. 'Are you not a Doctor? Don't you understand what we say'. Then Kanchi Mahaswami's voice cut through: 'Anga ennada satham?' The Doctor immediately prostrated. Then Kanchi Mahaswami called her near and the sishyas were taken aback. The Doctor said 'Appa, I was in a village. A young girl was in a critical stage. However much I tried, I could not save her.

She was gone. Then, crying, I called out 'Appa, Appa' 108 times and she came back to life!! I could not come and see you during the day. So, I came now. Kanchi Mahaswami said ' you should not have come at this time of the night. I was awake. If I was not, what would you have done?'The Doctor, silent for a moment said' I just wanted to see Appa. I never thought it would not be possible-day or night how does it matter to me to see my Appa?

Kanchi Mahaswami blessed her. She said she would come back for the morning Visvaroopa dharsanam and left. Promptly she was there at 5am. For the shishyas she now looked like a devathai!!

Biksha, which Paramacharya took

More often than not Paramacharya observed shuddha upavasah (rigorous fast), which sometimes extended for days together. Even on the days he took bhiksha (offered food), his usual intake was a small amount of nel pori (the rice equivalent of popcorn) that was offered to Sri Chandra Mouleeswara or Mother Kamakshi. The days he took cooked rice with the accompanying dishes were very rare. To give up rice totally, he even tried the flour extracted from raw bananas, but had to give it up on the entreaties of his doctor devotees.

Sometime in the year 1936, Paramacharya was observing the Chaturmasyam (ahimsa dharma followed by sanyasins by staying at one place and meditating) at Berhampur on his way back from Varanasi. At that time he observed rigorous fasting for several days at a stretch. And he did it so secretly that most people around him were not aware of it. The treasurer Ramachandra Iyer somehow came to know about the rigorous fast.

He went to Kanchi Mahaswami and pleaded with him to give up the fast. Paramacharya immediately called his biksha assistant and told him about the things that should be added to his personal food the next day.

The treasurer was happy. As he returned to his office, he got a doubt if Kanchi Mahaswami had really granted to his entreaty when he did not listen even to such people as 'Annadhana Sivan' in such matters. When he checked up with the biksha assistant, his doubt was confirmed. The assistant said, "As soon as you left, Kanchi Mahaswami asked me to forget it all as he had only told so to satisfy you."

The treasurer went again to Sri Kanchi Mahaswami, but did not get an opportunity to talk to him. Every time he tried, Paramacharya saw to it that there was somebody nearby discussing something. This continued for some days, until one day, the treasurer was able to 'catch' Paramacharya at ten in the night, when the latter had finished the Friday puja, appearing rather tired.

"Periyava should have a stomach full of biksha tomorrow," said the treasurer. "Otherwise I shall quit the Matham."

That did not work. With a broad smile, Paramacharya said, "Will nothing move in the Matham if you are not there?"

"Then I shall quit this world", uttered the treasurer vehemently, and started weeping. He knew that Kanchi Mahaswami could not ask the same question with this offer to quit the world.

"Alright, I will have the biksha. Why tomorrow? I shall have it now. You said that you will offer to fill my stomach. Will you do it?" said Paramacharya.

"I am only waiting for such words", said the treasurer as he prostrated, his eyes full of tears. He thought that at that time of night Kanchi Mahaswami wouldn't take anything other than milk and fruits, so he rose to call the biksha assistant who knew about his Guru's habits.

"Why do you call him? I asked only you to offer me the biksha and you agreed", said Paramacharya.

"Since I don't know about the quantity, I thought I would ask him..."

"So what? Bring what is available."

The treasurer brought the baskets and bamboo plates that were filled with fruits. He thought Kanchi Mahaswami could take what he desired from the lot.

A totally surprising order came from Paramacharya. "Where is the sojji (a sweet dish) and sundal (boiled and fried seeds) that were offered at the Friday puja? Bring them at once!"

The treasurer ran and brought the large utensils that had the dishes, and placed them in front of his Guru.

A miracle happened there! Paramacharya emptied the utensils quickly and asked for more! The treasurer moved the fruit baskets near the sage. That was also emptied in no time. And the question came, "What else is there?" The treasurer was aghast.

"You offered to fill my stomach and stirred the hunger in me, now I can't bear it!" said Paramacharya. Not able to withstand those words, the treasurer brought a large kuja (a pot like container) of milk and offered to the sage.

No sooner did Paramacharya drink all the milk, the treasurer patted his cheeks resoundingly and fell at the feet of the sage. "Kanchi Mahaswami should excuse me! I shall never disturb you hereafter."

Kanchi Mahaswami laughed like a child and said, "So you will not come in my way henceforth!", and blessed the treasurer with raised hands.

The Mystic Who Dazzled the Western Professors

A few years back some Russian and American professors, who came to Chennai, had darshan of Maha Swamigal.

In the year 1987, Soviet Union celebrated the Indian Cultural Festival. It was my custom to write research papers related to our culture and tradition and show it to Periyavargal. We took one such blessed paper to hand over to Professor Ribekov, the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Oriental Studies in Moscow. The only picture that adorned his room was that of the Kanchi Mahaswami! What wonder, he had not even seen Swamigal in person until then. He said, 'When I come to Chennai--once, I should meet the Kanchi sage and converse with him and two, I want a valampuri shankhu (a conch with threads going clockwise)'.

After some years, Ribekov came to Chennai. We went to Kanchi with him. As we entered the Matham, they said, "No darshan today, Periyava has fever."

The man who came with me had noted down the questions he had in his mind and was seeking answers for them. When it seemed that we would be disappointed, somebody came and told us, “Kanchi Mahaswami asked me to bring you people to him." A crowd less, private darshan for us.

Periyava, who was lying down, got up and silently looked at the newcomer. Within minutes, tears of joy started flowing from the eyes of the man who came to meet the sage. No one talked, it was very silent. At length Periyava himself talked to me: "Tell him to ask whatever questions he has." Ribekov said, "I got the answers even without asking them." He could not get around to speak anything more.

Periyava: Though Sanskrit is seen mixed in the Russian language, is it there in the dialect spoken in the extreme north of that country?" Ribekov was taken aback. "It is true," he said.

Periyavargal: Your country has the name Rishivarsham. The reason was, it was only there that Rishis like Yajnavalkya established a Vedic research centre.

The sage gave us many more such details and made us ecstatic. When we took leave of him, Ribekov told the sage, "What should I do to become a Hindu?"

"Even without doing anything you are a Hindu."

Not satisfied, he said, "I would rather have a Hindu name." Looking at us and laughing, Periyava said, "With a white beard this man has the look of a Rishi. Let him have the name 'Rishi'." Ribekov was immensely happy. Rishi (Ribekov) then started a branch of the Ramakrishna Mutt in Moscow. (This author details are unavailable)

Lord Balji Darshan (May 1, 1969) Swamigal had darshan of Lord Balaji in Tirupati. He stepped out of the Sanctum Sanctorum after receiving the Temple Honors and Prasadam. There was not a trace of tiredness in Him despite having waved the Chamaram (Fan) for Lord Venkateswara during the entire Sahasranama Archana for the Lord in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Swamigal came out of the Sanctum in all His radiant Tejas! He then stood in a spot and raised His Hand. And there was pin drop silence amongst the devotees who had assembled there. "I am going to bestow a spiritual instruction to you all, please listen. After waking up in the morning one must say 'Sri Venkateswara Namaha' and in the night just before sleeping one must say 'Sri Venkateswara Mangalam'!"

108 Dips during Chandra Grahanam!

Maha Swamigal 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 spondylytis and its treatment. One afternoon he arrived at His camp in Sholapur. After lunch the doctor 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. Kanchi Mahaswami 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 is my patient, 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, “Kanchi Mahaswamigal 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 (Lunar Eclipse) and I performed Grahana Snanam last night at the time of eclipse with the same fever”!

Dr Kalyanaraman was aghast at His reply and said, “Esswara, how can Kanchi Mahaswamigal’s 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 Kanchi Mahaswamigal added, “Not once. But 108 times!”. (Oru Thadavai Illeda, 108 Thadavai!).

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!!

Incredible Mantra Upadesam

Incredible Mantra Upadesa – A Rare Boon from Maha Periyava

Vinayakar, Murugan, Sivan, Vishnu …. are different forms of one God? Mantras have been composed praying to these devathas (like Vinayakar, Murugan etc.). But why is there no mantra dedicated to the one and only almighty – Brahmam (Moola Kadavul)?

Om, which is known as Pranavam, refers to the almighty Brahmam (Moola Kadavul). According to some scholars’ interpretation of sastras, ‘Om’ can be chanted along with mantras of other deities – for example ‘Om Ganesaya Namaha’. They say Pranava japam should not be chanted in isolation.

Omkaram or Pranavam is a sound which emanates from the Anahatha chakra near the heart. For some people ‘Om’ emanates on its own. According to Maha Periyava, such people can do Panama Japam, even if they are not sanyasis. Thirty-seven years ago I went to Thenambakkam, where Kanchi Mahaswami was camping, to seek clarity on this subject.

Time was 5 PM. Kanchi Mahaswami used to give darshan from a hut near a well. The devotees used to stand on the other side of the well. About 40-50 bakthas of various ages, social back grounds (including few foreigners) were waiting. During the darshan, one Iyengar Lady asked with compassion “Last night in my dream Kanchi Mahaswami taught me a Mantra. Unfortunately I have forgotten that Mantra. I request Periyava to teach me the Mantra again. Do I have to come privately, observing ‘Madi’, ‘Aaacharam’, etc?

The reply given by Kanchi Mahaswami made everyone wonder if this response was from Periyava, the protector of saastras. Periyava said “No madi acharam or privacy is required to teach this mantra. “UMBHAGAVA: UMBHAGAVA: UMBHAGAVA: “-Kanchi Mahaswami taught thrice.

All devotees who had assembled there were overjoyed because all of them got ‘UMBHAGAVA:’ mantra upadesam from Kanchi Mahaswami without asking.

Memorable memories of Mahaperiyava

Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal . Sri Vijayendra Sarawathi

Source: Wikipeadia/Divya Darashan of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami by G.Vaidyanathan/Shree Vignesh Publisers, Chennai.