An 18 year old teenager Sri Janakiraman from Nallamagudi village, have had darshan of Periyava in 1930. He has visited Kumbakonam Mutt to have darshan of Periyava. It was 1935, he was standing with folded hands, while hearing Periyava’s upanyasam. Suddenly Periyava interacted with him… After which Sri Mama has begun to come to Periyava very often & has become one of the earliest long term devotees taking up many projects. Periyava’s Shashiapthapoorthi Trust for developing Veda Bhasya Pundits, works on Kalavai Aradhana are some of them. Interaction was short & simple but has tremendous impact…
Periyava was delivering an Upanyasam & Sri Janakiraman Mama was standing by his side with folded hands…
Suddenly Periyava turned to his side, “ஏன் கையை கட்டிண்டு நிக்கிறே? விசிறிய எடுத்து விசுறு…” (“why are you standing with hands folded?? Take that hand-fan and fan”) Aha! Amused by Periyava’s direct instruction, Sri Mama has taken up the pleasant task of ‘kaingaryam to Parameswaran’.
After sometime, Karunyamurthy has asked,”கை வலிக்கிறதா?” (“does your hand hurt?”)
Sri Mama negated & continued. After some time, “போதும். க்ஷேமமா இரு!” (“Enough. you will have my blessings!”)
Sri Mama has left the mutt for the day. Periyava is ‘pancha bootham’ including air, said Sri Ramadurai Mama. Does he sweat? It’s a small incident to give some blessings. After this Sri Mama has begun to come to Periyava very often…
Periyava has created Shashtiapthapoorthi Trust. When everyone wished to have Shashtiapthapoorthi for Periyava, Periyava has asked them to create a Trust for developing vidwans in Veda Bhashyam, as there are very few for all vedas.
Periyava turned to mama, “நீ ஒரு Trustee!” (“you’re a trustee”)
Mama was anxious knowing his capacity, “என்னால முடியாதே…” (“I am afraid I can’t do it…”)
“முடியும்!” (“Yes, you can!”) Periyava in an ascertained tone.
Are things happening in our capacity? Mama took it up. It’s about collecting donations from every agraharam in every village, in order for them to get the benefits. So he personally drove the car to many villages. 50 members were working on it.
Periyava one day asked, “எவ்வளவு இருக்கு?” (“How much you have?”)
Sri Mama told the status.
“இன்னும் வசூலாகனும்…போ!” (“you may go…you need to collect more..!”) Periyava ordered.
Again Sri Mama drove to many villages. It has come to a shape, importantly, as told by Periyava. Now, it has a good base.
Another day, Periyava, “கலவை-ல… ஆராதனை பண்ணறியா?” (“Do you want to do aradhana in Kalavai?”)
Again Mama with his usual humbleness, “என்னால முடியாதே…” (“I am afraid I can’t.”)
Again Periyava, “முடியும்!” (“You can!”) with an ascertained tone. It did happen ..
Likewise Sri Mama has served the mutt & Periyava in various ways. One day during the last few years, Periyava was so called “immobile”. Sri Mama has requested for Padugai. Periyava put on a new ‘Padugai’ walked few steps & given the precious ‘Padugai’ to Sri Mama…
“Whatever you ask you’ll get it immediately!” is the concluding remark by Nallamangudi Sri Janakiraman Mama.
What an experience! Whether good or otherwise, their love for Periyava is unshaken. What a faith!
Prayers to Bhakthas like Sri Mama to give us a fraction of their bhakthi.