Remembering MahaPeriyava
A write up series by Chandarsekharan Raman.

(Thanks to Chandru for sharing his insight of Maha Periyava through Bhagavad Gita)

On this day February 13th, 107 years ago, a young 13-year-old boy took to Sannyasa ashrama to eventually ascend the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Let us remember Mahaswami, the greatest of all sannyasis!

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna (who wants to run away from the battlefield) keeps asking Sri Krishna about the sannyasa lifestyle and the Lord keeps stressing about how “internal sannyasa” is what defines a “nityasannyasi”.

ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति |
निर्द्वन्द्वो हि महाबाहो सुखं बन्धात्प्रमुच्यते || 5-3 ||

The person who neither hates nor longs (for anything) should be known as always a renunciate, O Arjuna, because one who is free from the opposites (likes and dislikes) is effortlessly released from bondage.

Sri Maha Periyava was a living example of a “nityasannyasi”.. A couple of anecdotes to remember this Sannyasi:

1. A great pandita was once requested to give the poornakumbham to Sri Maha Periyava when He was visiting a village. This pandita was highly respected by everyone and was always invited to honor any sannyasi visiting the village. The pandita did not have great regard for The Sannyasi and accepted to give the poornakumbham with some hesitation. The day of His arrival came. The pandita was standing in front with the poornakumbham and a few others were standing near him to receive the Sri Maha Periyava. He got out of the palanquin and took the poornakumbham from another person and just walked away! The pandita just then realized his folly and knew that He was a real sannyasi who didn’t expect any great pomp and glory. He fell at His feet and Sri Maha Periyava blessed him wholeheartedly – na dveshti, na kaangshati!

2. Once another pandita released a small booklet mentioning that Kanchi mutt was false and Sri Maha Periyava happened to see it. He immediately summoned Prof. Veezhinathan (former professor of Sanskrit college, Chennai). He said, “Veezhi, make 1000 copies of this booklet and distribute it to people. It is enough if only those people who, inspite of reading this booklet, come to the Mutt.” Will any Peetadipathi say this?!

Paramacharya lived His life as a true sannyasi, even though He shouldered the great responsibility of being the Peethadipathi of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. He lived a life to show how one be free from likes and dislikes – nirdvandvaH

Article Courtesy: Remembering MahaPeriyava Write-Up Series