Thanks to Shri Rathnam for the article.
Periyava was saying, “Tank (kulam) is being dug out in Aanathaandaapuram… I am planning to go there…”
Periyava was saying to Sri Viswanatha Iyer, the Mutt Manager. Manager was looking bit uncomfortable.
“Paddy weren’t sold out… About Rs 10,000 is due for this (provisions) shop… I feel it is better to move out after paying it off”, said the Sri Matam manager.
Apparently, the campseems to be Mayavaram where the balance to the supplier of provisions to the mutt has gone above Rs. 10,000/-. So Manager was trying to prolong the stay. Probably, he has sensed (or expected) some anxiety with the supplier who has given the provisions to the tune of Rs.10,000+. Of course, it is huge in those days that too for a small town.
Periyava said, “I have given the word to them that I would be coming!”.
Meanwhile, the ‘Pandaram’ who was running the shop has come for his daily darshan.
Usually, Periyava will raise the ‘Abhayahastham’ & give prasad. But this time… ‘Pandaram’ was shocked to hear what Periyava said…
The entire India – starting from President to PM, CMs to ministers, industrialists like Tata, Birla was waiting for any small signal from Periyava to do kainkaryam – be it material, physical whatever.
That Periyava said, “I will pay back your kadan (loan)”.
‘Pandaaram’ had a big jolt and said, “Samee, you should not say like that. Only with your blessings, we are surviving…As how I buy things for my shop, I buy for the matam too. That’s all”
Periyava looked at the manager, which looked like, “What this Pandaram is saying that there is no rush and this manager is saying that we need to pay right away”.
Meanwhile, some devotees have come for darshan. There was one from Andhra. He did the ‘namaskaram’ & kept a small bag in front of Periyava. He said his Grandfather came for Periyava’s darshan long ago & since then his Grandpa was saving some part of his earning for Periyava, which is kept as a bag in front of Periyava. Manager awaited the order from Periyava to count…
Periyava enquired about his grandfather & all his family members. The devotee was shedding tears to realize how much Periyava know about & remembered their family members that even he himself didn’t know much… Periyava blessed him with a gold coin, dhoti, Anga-vastram etc. Finally, gave him ‘utharavu’.
Manager was looking at the bag…
Periyava, “Give the bag as such to him (provisions shop) and ask him to count them!”.
It was roughly Rs 60,000+!
When Periyava camp left that place after few months, hardly Rs.500/-was left.
