Sri MahaPeriyava’s convoy was on the move. While Periyava goes on palanquin, 8 bearers will carry and another 8 bearers will come in cycles. After sometime, they change positions. Sri Kannan Mama and Sri Sethuraman Mama were going along with the ‘Pallakku’…

At Pandhanallur near Mayavaram, Sri Sethuraman Mama told Sri Kannan Mama,”Let’s move forward to identify the place for the morning rituals of Periyava”. Both agreed and left Periyava’s Pallaakku and moved forward.

Paddy fields were filled on both the sides of the road, typical of Tanjore District. Around 2.00-3.00AM, hardly there would be any light other than the moonlight.

When they were moving on, suddenly they saw 2 people approaching them with ‘கத்தி’ (longer-knife). Those people blocked mama’s way and raised a threatening voice asking who they were. Quickly, Sri Sethuraman Mama who was riding little backward turned around and said in a loud voice, “I will come with our men for help !”

Sri Kannan Mama was stuck and shocked, “எனக்கு… கொஞ்ச நேரம்…ஒன்னுமே புரியல..”. Probably, he drew blank with such frightful instance especially at that odd hours. He further explains, “கிட்ட வந்துட்டான்! உடனே சைக்கிள எடுத்து ஒருத்தன் மேலே போட்டேன்! நாந்தான் ஆள் வாட்டசாட்டமா இருப்பேனே…”( I threw my cycle on them).

It fell on his neck and one person fell down, slipping the knife on the road. By the time the other person approached Sri Kannan Mama , the palanquin bearers rushed to that spot. Both the robbers couldn’t manage to run away as those 8 palanquin bearers surrounded them…. “These two people blocked us and attempted to stab”, Sri Mama explained to the palanquin bearers.

“ஆளுங்களுக்கு கேப்பானேன்… சக்கையா அடிச்சுட்டான்… கையை ரெண்டும் கட்டி இழுத்துட்டு வந்தாச்சு…”, explains Sri Mama. [“Palanquin bearers…what to say… They beat the 2 people well… Tied their hands…”]

After Periyava completed all rituals for the morning, slowly Sri Mama revealed what had happened. What Periyava asked made Kannan mama startle!

Periyava asked, “ரொம்ப அடிச்சிட்டானோ?” [“Did they beat the two people a lot?”]

By now, Sri Mama sensed and tried to downplay, “இல்லை… ரொம்ப அடிச்சிருக்க மாட்டான்… புடிச்சதுக்காக சும்மா ரெண்டு…” [“May not be… Not much… Just, as they caught them…”]

Still not convinced about the body language, Sri Mama concluded, “…போலீசுல ஒப்படைச்சுடுறேன்னு சொன்னான். “They said they’ll handed over those guys to the police”

“Shouldn’t be going to the police! Poor guys…ended up this way because of poverty!! right? Check out where they belong to and give them fifty rupees and send them off!”, Periyava said…

“எனக்கும் ஒன்னு புரியலை…! பணத்தை வேற குடுக்கச் சொல்லறாலேன்னு யோசிச்சேன்…”, (just couldn’t understand … why is Periyava asking to money to the robbers), recollects Sri Mama.

Periyava added justification. “Shouldn’t they get something for the efforts of being awake the whole night?”

Sri Mama thoroughly perplexed, “…’ரொம்ப அடிச்சிட்டானோ? ரொம்ப அடிச்சிட்டானோ?’னு திருப்பிப்திருப்பி வேற கேக்குறா…” [‘Have they been beaten too much?’ The question was repeatedly asked…]. So Mama stopped thinking and decided to just follow what Periyava said.

“May not be… Let me check out!”, replied Sri Mama to Periyava.

Periyava said, “Go! Check out! Arrange to give them fifty rupees each!”

So Mama went and enquired. The robbers belonged to Pandhanallur. They agreed that they didn’t know about Swamigal coming this side. They apologized . So Mama asked palanquin bearers to set them free and advised them to give the robbers, fifty rupees each.

Now, it was palanquin bearers turn to get startled, “என்னாங்க இப்படி விட்டுட்டீங்களே!” [“How come! You let go like this…”]

Then Sri Mama revealed, “எஜமான் உத்தரவுடா! இன்னும் ஏதாவது கேக்கப் போனா… நூறு ரூபா கொடுக்க சொல்லுவா… இந்த வேலையே வேண்டாம்… அவங்களை அனுப்பி வை!” [“Periyava’s order! What do we do? If we debate further, Periyava may ask to give them hundred rupees! We shouldn’t put up with HIM!”]

Today’s Nectar :

Periyava! Periyava! Periyava!

பெருங்கருணை பேராறே! [Great Karunya River!]

We too do such blunders all along without knowing about You, Oh Periyava! For our efforts (though sinful), please do not pay that ‘fifty rupees’ (called promotions, pay hike, beautiful/ handsome spouse, children etc) and dispose us away!

Show us your…பெருங் கருணை [Great Karunyam]!

No one can show such a great Karunya, like You – PeriyavA!
Without Your Karunya, where is the hope for people like us – SiriyavA! [Smaller]

Shine on us! Shine on us!
Keep us with you or Be with us!
Carry us to your abode!

Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara

Article Courtesy: Sri Rathinam