Remembering MahaPeriyava
A write up series by Chandarsekharan Raman.

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

Sri MahaPeriyava was born on May 20th, 121 years ago.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna expounds on ‘the right action, the right attitude towards the results of all actions’ to Arjuna. He also talks about the Highest Truth. Arjuna is comfortable when the Lord talks about actions and the attitude, but a bit perplexed when He talks about a person with Self-Knowledge. In fact, the first of Arjuna’s questions to the Lord is a very curious question as to how will such a person be.

Lord Krishna explains a set of qualities (occurs at the end of Chapter 2 in the Bhagavad Gita) to Arjuna called “Stithaprajna lakshana”( स्थितप्रज्ञ-लक्षणानि). If we want to understand these verses clearly, we just need to know about this great Mahan..

Sri MahaPeriyava was caring to everyone around Him. He was never attached to anyone or any place, but travelled a lot around the entire country. He lived even in dilapidated houses and old temples. If there was no food or water in some remote villages, His attendants were worried, but He never showed any such concerns. In fact, food and rain would pour just at the right time, to the surprise of the attendants! Wherever He went, only auspiciousness followed — that was the power His Thapas!

यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहः तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम्‌ |
नाभिनन्दति न द्वेष्टि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता || 2-57||

For the one is unattached in all situations, who neither rejoices on gaining the pleasant and nor hates the unpleasant, his knowledge is well-established.

Let us remember this great Mahan on this day!

श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः |

Article Courtesy: Remembering MahaPeriyava Write-Up Series