I wanted to write this post right after the recent anusham but forgot…..
It is proven beyond doubt that bhaavam is very important in bakthi. The combination of bakthi & bhaavam can take closer to God. We all do bakthi – sure. But when it comes to bhaavam, at least I have a long way to go…
Here are some incidents, I’ve read, observed, heard etc…Read, enjoy & let us all learn from these people.
First incident from Sri Pradosham mama (I can’t push mama any less than the first spot when it comes to bakthi) – not sure who told me this – I guess it is Sri Kumar, Vignesh Studio. Even if someone brings a Periyava photo to mama’s house, mama will arrange for vaidheekas to receive Periyava with poorna kumbam with proper vedha gosham. To him, there is no photo there – there is only Periyava!
Our veda teacher in Chicago Sivasri Chandrasekara Gurukkal was performing this month’s anusham puja at our friend’s place. He recently underwent a surgery and sitting on the floor longer would cause some pains in his stomach etc. I requested him to sit on a small stool (palagai), which is not even 2″ in height from the ground. He refused. I insisted. He still resisted and explained “how can I sit on that aasanam in front of Periyava?”. I got stunned. It never occurred to me that these things matter. Astonishing bakthi and bhaavam towards Periyava.
Another incident from Sri Ghatam Subash mama’s visit to our place couple of years back. We have periyava photo on one of the kitchen walls. After dinner, mama started walking around that wall in a circle. As usual, I thought elders are used to walking after dinner for digestion etc. When I asked mama, he responded, “I am doing pradakshinam of Periyava”. What? I’ve been having this picture in that wall for the several years and such a thought never occurred to me.
My friend, Ganjira Ganesh is another example. In his puja room, he will not enter with shirt as Periyava is sitting there. He consistently does that – so far I’ve noticed, he never missed once – even if he needs to go inside to pick up a small paper!!!
One more – recently narrated to me by my dear friend (whom I am yet to meet in-person!!) Sri Seetharaman, Auditor, VA. He has a friend in India, who owns a car and this person has never allowed anyone to sit on the front passenger seat as it is reserved for Periyava! Can you believe this?! You better.
Last but not the least – Smt Saraswathi Thyagarajan mami and Smt Srividhya of Cupertino. To these individuals, Periyava is sitting right there in their houses. They talk to Periyava – He responds.
List goes on …
I often wonder if I will ever learn from these examples! I think the answer is “avan arulale avan thaal vanangi” – even to develop bakthi towards Iswaran, one should have His blessings.
Let us pray to Sarveswaran to bless us all with an unshaken devotion like these devotees.
Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara
Do you have any such examples? Please share….Want to know more, learn more and follow more….
