Many Jaya Jaya Sankara to Shri Mani for the share. Rama Rama
Experiences with Maha Periyava: Bhikshavandana Puja
One morning Sri Swamigal just entered the store room in the campsite and moved away through its exit.
Four or five chippantis (staff members) were preparing coffee in that room and taking it without Periyava’s knowledge. They were all worried now as to whether Periyava would have seen what they were at. But then since Periyava did not ask anyone anything about it, they came to the samadanam (acceptance) that Periyava might not have seen their act!
Calling me that night, Periyava told me to inform through the Manager that a meeting of the chippantis (staff) would be held after supper. He asked the Manager to bring the book of accounts when attending the meeting.
“Which book of accounts?” asked the Manager to me.
I went and told it to Periyava.
“Any one or two of the books of accounts…”
When the chippantis assembled, Periyava told them, “Declare that ‘everying in this notebook is correct!’ and do a namaskaram.”
Some chippantis hesitated with nervousness in their hearts.
“What is the hesitation about? If everything is alright, you can do the namaskaram?”
“…Vandhu (that is)…”
“That expense (andha silavu), in which account does it figure?”
“As having purchased the cattle-feed of cotton seeds for the cows…”
Sri Swamigal understood the embarrassment of the employees. Since the custom was that they would take their meal only after Sri Maha Periyava had his bhiksha, and as that would be beyond two o’clock on many occasions, they needed some panam (drink) in the meantime. So Swamigal said: “From tomorrow I shall perform the first kala (session) Puja before ten o’clock. After you people have had your meal, I shall do the bhiksha vandana Puja after some leisure and then I shall have my bhiksha.”
Thenceforth that custom which was favourable to the staff members came into force.
Author: N.Venkataraman, Mayiladuthurai
Book: Maha Periyaval – Darisana Anubhavangal Vol. 2, Pages 10-21
Categories: Devotee Experiences
Jaya Jaya sankara Hara Hara Sankara. Sri Periyava knows what is going around but at the same time he did not want his attendants to do the job in hunger. Pure compassion. Janakiraman. Nagapattinam.
Seeing this photo for the first time
ஸ்ரீ பெரியவா சரணம் Sri Periyava Saranam
No one servent be allowed to feel hungry while at service to others ; this is HIS greatness and stand tall.