A little girl was seeing mangoes growing in the tree at their home. Somehow developed a wish to give 4-6 of them to Periyava. Once they’re ripe, she came with her parents for darshan to Periyava. She has got those mangoes & requested in her tender voice “Periyava eduthukkanum (sweharichikanum)”. Periyava was silent. After repeated requests, Periyava has said something unusual…
Periyava, “அதை நான் சாப்பிட முடியாது” (“Adhai naan saapida mudiyaadhu”). Kid has begun to explain “இது பெரிய்வாகுன்னே எடுத்து வச்சது. பெரியவா இதை சாப்பிடனும்..” (“Idhu Periyvaakunnae eduththu vachchadhu. Periyava idhai saapidanum..”) Periyava smiled & asked the parishadhar to cut them all. All of them had ‘vandu’ inside. Then Periyava explained “சன்யாசி, வண்டு இருக்கும் பழம் சாப்பிடக்கூடாது, அதனால் தான் சொன்னேன். அதை நான் சாப்பிட முடியாதே” (“Sanyasi vandu irukkum pazham saapidakoodathu, adhanaal than sonnen. Adhai naam saapida mudiyaadhu”). Periyava has seen through them. By now the kid have understood that Periyava is not going to take but couldn’t withstand. She has begun to cry. Everyone was embarrassed. Her parents tried to console but couldn’t. Will Periyava relax the dharma for the sake of this kid? Or the kid has to leave dejected? Neither of them. Periyava always bless us with a solution…
Periyava had a similar situation with a devotee who is a trader from Chennai’s famous ‘Kothavaal chavadi’ market. He brought a plate full of quite a big size ‘vilaam pazham’ (wood apple). Periyava has said “அதை நான் சாப்பிட முடியாது”, as usual unusual (“He can’t eat them”). The trader pleaded again pleaded that he has specially brought it for Periyava. Also referred what he heard that as ‘kabistha pazham’, which is acceptable for a sanyasi, preferred for Lord Vinayaga, etc. etc. Again Periyava “அதை நான் சாப்பிட முடியாது” (“Adhai naan saapida mudiyaadhu”). Finally, asked tha parishadhar to break them all. Every fruit was empty. Just empty! Periyava has seen through them all. “என்னதப்பா சாப்பிட சொல்றே? ஓட்டையா?” (“Ennathappa saapida solrae? Ottaya-shell?”). Because only the shell was available. Then explained that there is a disease called ‘anai kaal viyadhi’ to the tree due to which all ‘vilaam pazham’ will become empty inside…
Now, the kid was crying that Periyava won’t eat the mangoes she has brought from home specifically for Periyava & kid’s parents were embarrassed that they couldn’t control their child in Periyava’s sannidhi. Karunyamurthy, Periyava has said “Buy mangoes from the shop outside, I’ll take it”. Her Parents took her, bought it & then Periyava took a piece & also blessed her with a piece of that mango. What a Blessed child!
Periyava see through us irrespective of our outer show. Periyava knows that it’s empty inside or diseased or usable. Like that kid, need to learn to cry to Periyava. So that the karunamurthy will bless us like that of the kid with his ‘amurtha prasad’ (‘uchishtam’).
