Many Jaya Jaya Sankara to Shri Mani for the share. Heard this incident in one of the Periyava upanyasams. Rama Rama
Experiences of Maha Periyava: Periyava’s compassion towards a Poor Scholar
Every Friday there used to be ‘Sadas’ (Tharkam) at Kanchi Sri Matam, where learned scholars would debate on various topics and Sri Maha Periyava would give the final verdict. Then He would give ‘Samaanam’ to all the Pandits.
On one such day, there was an Iyengar Swamy from Chinna Kanchipuram. He offered his ‘Namaskarams’ to Periyava and accepted the money Periyava gave him, but his face showed that he was not very happy with it. Periyava noticed it and asked him’ Enna, Iyengar Swamigale, santhosham dhane?’ The Iyengar Swamy mumbled ‘Yes’ and left.
After a few more Pandits, it was the turn of the general public to offer pranams to Maha Swami. The first was an advocate with his family. He offered a plate full of flowers, fruits, cashews, etc. and said, “Periyava, a request”.
Maha Periyava asked him to stay quiet and called a shishya. “Go and bring that Iyengar Swamy. He will be on the bus to Chinna Kanchipuram”. The shishya went and found him on a bus at Gangai kondan bus stop. He told the Iyengar Swamy that Periyava has asked him to come back.
The Iyengar Swamy said, “I have taken a 30p ticket and if I get down now, I will lose 30p”. The bus conductor who was watching this said,”Iyere, people are coming from far and abroad for His darshan and He is calling you. You return the ticket and I will give you 30p. Go, see Him, it should be something important”.
The Iyengar Swamy returned the ticket, took 30p, got down from the bus and went with the shishya to see Periyava. Maha Periyava remarked smilingly, “Enna, Iyengar Swamigale, you would not get down from the bus without getting your 30p?”
The Iyengar Swamy was stunned. How did He know that?
Now, the advocate started again, “Periyava, a request”.
Periyava said, “Wait” and asked the Iyengar Swamy to sit near the advocate. He then asked the advocate to take the Iyengar Swamy’s address and told the Iyengar Swamy that the next bus is ready at the bus stop and asked him to leave.
The Iyengar Swamy left, confused.
Now, let us get back to the advocate.
He started yet again, “Periyava….” “Enna, you wish to give a learned poor Brahmin some money every month, is not that your wish?” The advocate, for a moment, was speechless. Recovering, he said, “Yes, Periyava”.
“You know, that’s the reason I asked you to take the Iyengar Swamy’s address. Send him Rs.250/- every month without fail. If you stop after a few months he will come back here again. He is a nice person, but it is just that he is poor”.
The advocate accepted it. The whole family offered their ‘Namaskarams’ and left.
For the next few months, Periyava checked through his shishyas whether the Iyengar Swamy was receiving the money.
Source: Maha Periyava Darisana Anubhavangal
Categories: Devotee Experiences
His greatness is not only he is omnipresent, etc . That was different samacharam.
His way of attending loukika matters , is proving his inner sincereity, by checking thro his attendants whether the person is getting money, etc. These kind of things I wondered, when I read lot of incidents like that. That was his way. He wont keep quiet simply . That was his nature. He will check. That was his
thanithanmai. If one Baktha is accepting to help other Baktha, next step he will check and after that only he will get full satisfaction. He is a great man. In his life time he behaved like an ordinary man.
I’m getting tears one reason being Maha Peryiavaa’s concern to people and the other reason that he is omnipresent , Divine and all knowing because he is none other than Lord Shiva blessing all us mere human beings and his earthly presence only proves without doubt that God exists .
Maha Peryiavaa Saranam