Many Jaya Jaya Sankara to Smt. Mala for the share. Rama Rama
Vetrilai (Betel Leaf) – Periyava’s Explanation
Once when Sri Periyavaa was staying in Sivasthanam, Kanchipuram, a youth who had obtained the doctor degree for his researches in botony sought his darshan. Periyavaa asked him, “What is the reason for the name vetrilai (betel leaf), you know?” When he said that he did not know it, Periyavaa explained, “Vetrilai is a creeper. Any creeper would have flowers that ripe into fruits. The ripening into fruit may not be there, but at least the flower will be there. There is no creeper that never blossoms. But then in this creepr there would be no flowers or fruits. Only the leaves will be there. Since this creeper remains a plant with mere leaves it got the name vetrilai (mere leaf).”The youth who had taken the doctor degree realized that it should really be given to Periyava.
Prasadam for a Muslim Judge
Chief Justice M.M.Ismail used to go to Kanchi, pay his obeisance to Periyava and discuss with Him for hours at an end spiritual matters of both Hinduism and Islam. On one such occasion it was getting late for Periyava to do His daily rituals and a sishya informed Him about it very politely. Periyava then said, ‘We must give Prasad for the judge ‘. Everyone was taken aback. ‘What to give? He may not accept it’ was the thought in their minds. Periyava then called a sishya to come close to Him and whispered something in his ears. The sishya went inside and returned with a ‘Velli pezhai’. Again, everyone thought,’ hah, that can’t be the Prasad. There must be something inside it’ and they were curious to know. CJ accepted the pezhai and opened it. The fragrance of ‘chandan’ filled the air. Periyava then said ‘this is the common Prasad for both Hindus and Muslims’. You celebrate ‘Chandana Koodu’ festival and we offer ‘Chandan’ after abishekam….. Periyava was laughing and there were tears in Chief Justice’s eyes.
Categories: Devotee Experiences
Leave a Reply