It was during Vyasa Pooja in Pusamalaikuppam Camp (North of Madras) in 1930. Near Pusamalaikuppam, there is a water falls, where Periyava used to go for ‘Snanam’. Quite a few Vidwans had come and a ‘Sadas’ was conducted.

When serious discussions were going on, Periyava asked an unusual question…

Periyava : “சன்யாசிக்கு எதாவது ஸ்நானம் உண்டா, பந்துக்கள் யாராவது செத்துபோனா?”

Vidwan(s) : “இல்லை…இல்லை… சன்யாசிக்கு பந்துக்கள் செத்துபோனா ஸ்நானமெல்லாம் இல்லை…”

Periyava was probing even more deeply, “தாயாருக்கு மட்டும் உண்டோ?”

Vidwans replied, “ஆமா! ஆமா! தாயாருக்கு மட்டும் உண்டு!”

Everybody there were perplexed thinking why Periyava asked that question! However, within a few minutes a ‘Telegram’ arrived stating that Periyava’s (Purvaashrama) mother had passed away! Everyone were shell shocked! But they were even more stunned to see what happened next!

Periyava got up for a ‘Snanam’ and called everyone with a smile…

Periyava said, “வாங்கோ! வாங்கோ! நான் கேட்டேன்! சரியா போச்சு!”

HE called everyone for ‘Snanam’ at the water falls, nearby. Though Vidwans had inherited abundant knowledge, they couldn’t control their tears.

What a ‘Sanyasi’!
What a detachment!
What a blessed Mother Smt. Mahalakshmi, to have children like Sri Maha Periyava and Sri Sivan Sar!

Sri Kannan Mama recollected another incident similar to this.

In Ilayaaththangudi camp, Periyava completed the Second Kaala-Pooja. Usually after pooja, Periyava would complete HIS ‘Anushtanam’, then would go for Sri Chandramouleeswara Swamy darshan and then would go for ‘Biksha’!

Periyava was doing his ‘Anushtanam’. At the entrance, Sri Saambamoorthy Sastrigal (Periyava’s Purvaashrama Brother) was crying loudly. A sad news that Sri Ganapathi Sastrigal (another Periyava’s Purvaashrama Brother) had passed away was received and hence he broke out.

Sri Kannan Mama was doing the ‘para’ duty for the ‘pooja-kattu’. So he asked someone to be there and rushed to the entrance hearing Sri Saambamoorthy Sastrigal’s cry.

“எங்க அண்ணா போயிடாண்டா, கண்ணா! பெரியவா தரிசனத்துக்கு வரணும்னு சொன்னான்டா… நான்தான் ‘ஒரு வாரம் கழிச்சு வா’ன்னு சொன்னேன்! பெரியவா தரிசனம் இல்லாம நான்தான் பண்ணிட்டேன்டா!” – he cried loudly.

“ஓ!ன்னு அழறார்… நான் உள்ள வந்துட்டேன்!”, recollects Sri Kannan Mama…

Sri Kannan Mama couldn’t withstand the sad news. He returned back to the ‘Pooja-kattu’ as Periyava would come for Sri Chandramouleeswara darshan anytime… In few minutes, Periyava did complete His ‘Anushtanam’ and came for darshan. Sri Kannan Mama was in dilemma whether to convey the news to Periyava or not! Periyava was about to enter for ‘Biksha’- Should I tell now or not? Sri Mama was confused! Suddenly, Periyava asked a question out of blue!

What? Any special news? , asked Periyava to Sri Kannan Mama. Mama bowed his head down. Not sure what to say and how to express. Mama’s voice was stuttering.

கணபதி போயிட்டானா?, asked Periyava.

Sri Kannan Mama raised his face and looked at Periyava. Periyava understood and went inside.

“…கணபதி போயிட்டானான்னு கேட்டா… விடு விடுன்னு நேரே உள்ளே பிக்ஷைக்கு போயிட்டா!”, wonders Sri Kannan Mama and Mama awes about the Periyava’s ‘VairAgyam’…

“வாழைக்காய் பறிச்சாக் கூட பால் ஒரு துளி சொட்டும்… ஆனா…” wonders, Sri Kannan Mama.

Similarly, when a telegram message came to Sri Sivan Sar, he didn’t open it, but simply kept it inside. One devotee asked what was it, out of curiosity. Sri Sar asked the devotee to open the telegram and see by himself. When read, the devotee was shocked! It was about Sri Sar’s brother’s death.

Today’s Nectar :

Both Anna and Thambi are true ‘Thuravi’, detached. Totally unaffected! Is that all, Periyava? Won’t you remember us ? Would our presence or absence matter at all? Would you even think of us during our last breath? Our mind could be longing with such thoughts.

To our solace, Sri Kannan Mama wrapped up this incident by saying, “ஆனா… அடுத்த நாள் சகஜமா ஸ்நானம் பண்ணறப்போ, ஒரு நிமிஷம் நினைச்சிடுவா… மடத்து பக்தாளை, மத்தவாள்ளை எல்லாம்…ஒரு நிமிஷம் நினைச்சிடுவா!”. And Mama explains how Periyava does that generally…

In case of, Sri Ganapathy Sastrigal, though Periyava just moved on with His chores on hearing the sad news, the next day, Periyava casually started talking…

Periyava: ‘இந்த கணபதி இருக்கானே, சின்ன வயசுல ரொம்ப கிண்டல் பண்ணுவான். அங்கே லட்சுமீன்னு ஒரு அம்மா சாதம் போடுவா எங்களுக்கு… ஒருத்தர் இலை வைக்கணும்… ஒருத்தர் தண்ணீர் வைக்கும்னு ஆளுக்கு ஒரு வேலை செய்வோம்… அப்போ அந்த லட்சுமி அம்மாவை கிண்டல் பண்ணுவான்’…

அப்படீன்னு ஒரு நிமிஷம் பெரியவா நினைச்சிடுவா!…”, recollects Sri Kannan Mama.

Periyava did a ‘Snanam’ when Esaiyanur Kokila Paati passed away, as she was having ‘Mathru-Bhakthi’ for Periyava. For the rest, Periyava ‘remembered’ them during the ‘Snanam’ the next day.

What else this ‘Jeevan’ requires other than Periyava’s thought (Smaranai) always, especially while leaving the mortal coils?

ஒரு நிமிஷம் பெரியவா நினைச்சிடுவா!… – Aha, What else in this materialistic world is worthier, both now and then ??? Periyava bless us with Your Smarana Deekshai!

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

Article Courtesy: Sri Rathinam