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HomePeriyava LibraryArchivesThe world was at HIS feet

The world was at HIS feet

17 Comments | Posted on 02.13.16 by Periyava Puranam

SRI CHANDRASEKHARENDRA SARASWATI was born under the star of “Anuradha” in a Kannadiga Smartha family in Villupuram (South Arcot district) as the second son of Sri Subramaniya Sastrigal, District Education Officer. The child was named Swaminathan, after the family deity, Lord Swaminatha of Swamimalai. Swaminathan had his early education at the Arcot American Mission High School at Tindivanam, where his father was working. He stood first in all the subjects in all the examinations winning several prizes. It is interesting that he won a prize for his proficiency in the recitation of the “Holy Bible.”

Periyava A small boy

During the childhood of the Acharya, his father consulted an astrologer. After studying the horoscope, the astrologer asked his wife to bring some water, washed the boy’s feet and prostrated before him. Then he explained to the bewildered father, “One day the whole world will fall at his feet.”

In the first week of February 1907, a message came from the Kanchi Kamakoti Math to Subramanya Sastrigal, asking him to come with his son Swaminathan. Subramanya Sastrigal was away in Tiruchi on duty and relatives arranged to send Swaminathan with his mother to Kanchipuram. The then Acharya was suffering from smallpox and had the premonition that he might not live long and decided to install Swaminathan as the next “Peetathipathi.” It was for this reason that he had directed the Math officials to bring Swaminathan to Kalavai, a village 30km from Kanchipuram, where he had camped. But even before the arrival of the boy, the 66th Acharya attained Siddi. He had administered upadesa to his disciple Lakshminathan, who was none other than Swaminathan’s cousin (son of his mother’s sister). He was to be installed as the 67th Peetathipathi.

Swaminathan and his mother started for Kalavai. He travelled by train to Kanchipuram and halted at the Sankara Math there. Swaminathan was taking his bath at the “Kumara Koshta Theertham” when one of the Math servants asked him to accompany him in a separate horse-drawn cart. In the Acharya’s own words (reproduced from T.M.P. Mahadevan’s “The Sage of Kanchi.”):

Periyava Doing Poojai

“My mother, accompanied by myself and other children, started for Kalavai to console her sister on her son’s assuming the Sanyasa Asramam. We travelled by train to Kanchipuram and halted in the Sankara Math there. I had a bath at the Kumara Koshta Tirtha. A carriage of the Math had come there from Kalavai with the people to buy articles for the Maha Puja on the tenth day of the passing of the previous Acharya. One of them, a hereditary maistry of the Math, asked me to accompany him. A separate cart was engaged for the rest of the family to follow me. During the journey the maistry hinted to me that I might not return home and that the rest of my life might be spent in the Math itself. At first I thought that my elder cousin having become the Head of the Math, it was his wish that I should live with him. But the maistry gradually clarified matters as the cart rolled on. The acharya had fever which developed into delirium and that was why I was being separated from the family to be taken to Kalavai… I was stunned by this unexpected turn of events. I lay in a kneeling posture in the cart, shocked as I was, repeating “Rama… Rama,” the only prayer I knew. My mother and other children came some time later only to find that instead of her mission of consoling her sister, she herself was placed in the state of having to be consoled.”

The 67th pontiff passed away soon after. Swaminathan was immediately installed as the 68th head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam on Wednesday, February 13, 1907, the Second day of the Tamil month of Masi, Prabhava year. Swaminathan was given Sanyasa Asramam at the early age of 13 and was named Chandrasekharendra Saraswati.

To don the mantle of “Sanyasi” at the age of 13 and to perform the rituals, namely extreme penance, dyanaa and puja not to mention renunciation along with control in dietary habits are no mean tasks. The parents who had doted on the child wondered whether the boy had the strength to live up to the expectations.

Rare Periyava From Anandhandapuram

The Math officials consoled them, reminding the parents that they had three other sons and should be proud to dedicate one child to the country. The most poignant words came from the incumbent himself. Moving towards them he made his obeisance and said, “Why do you all hesitate?” I have the full Anugraha from my Guru and I will safeguard and will maintain the greatness of this Sanyasa Peetam and my Ashram as the 68th Peetathipathi. Give me wholehearted permission.” Pacified, the parents left.

When His Holiness as 68th Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam visited Tindivanam in 1907, the entire township had a glimpse of him. They had last seen him as a boy of 12 years and now he was adorning the Peetam of the Kanchi math. All of them, including elders and women, assembled and prostrated before him. The teachers of the Arcot American Mission Higher Secondary School, where His Holiness studied, and his students came in large numbers to have darshan. The Acharya, conversed with each teacher and presented them with mementoes.

On May 9 of 1907 (Thursday, Bilavanga year, Chitra month, 27th day) “the Pattabishegam” for His Holiness as the 68th Peetathipathy of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam was performed at the Kumbakonam math. Devotees and government officials, Pandits including Shivaji Maharaja of Thanjavur with their representatives participated in the memorable event. On that day pujas were performed in all the temples and the Acharya offered worship in all of them. This was followed by Annadanam. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi was acknowledged as “Jagathguru,” the Great Preceptor, whose blessings people across the globe sought.

Article Courtesy: The Hindu


109 years ago, on 13th Feb 1907 (English Date & Tamil date Maasi 2nd which is tomorrow Sunday), at the tender age of 13, Sri MahaPeriyava took Sanyasa Aashramam. The world continues to be at HIS feet!!!

Periyava Padham

On this auspicious day, let us pray together and may Ambal Sri Kamakshi, Sri Sri Sri MahaPeriyava shower their Blessings to all.

PeriyavaAdistanam


Categories: Archives, Devotees Experiences - Articles Tags: archives, Devotees Experiences - Articles, february 13th 1907, sanyasam

{ 17 Comments }

  1. Thiyagarajen Sundaresan. says

    February 13, 2016 at 8:27 am

    ஜகத்குருவின் பாதார விந்தங்களில் அனந்த கோடி நமஸ்காரங்கள்.

    Reply
  2. Gopalan.K.S says

    February 13, 2016 at 9:04 am

    tears roll as we read His charithram

    Reply
    • Vedanayaki T Iyer says

      February 13, 2016 at 11:08 pm

      Yes this is my experience also as I read. Why this emotional tears I really don’t know.

      Reply
  3. bhama Kumaraswamy Iyer says

    February 13, 2016 at 9:07 am

    ஹர ஹர சங்கர
    மஹா பெரியவாள் பாதம் போற்றி

    Reply
  4. ஜெகதீஷ் says

    February 13, 2016 at 9:38 am

    இறைவன்

    Reply
  5. Doraiaswamy Ganesh. says

    February 13, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Namo Namaha Sri Guru Padhukabhyam. Namo Namaha En Deivattin Padhukabhyam.

    Reply
  6. Doraiaswamy Ganesh. says

    February 13, 2016 at 10:27 am

    Namo Namaha Sri Guru Padhukabhyam.

    Reply
  7. R Balasubramanian says

    February 13, 2016 at 5:33 pm

    The most touching part of the story is that in rhe turn of events, Periyava’s morher who came down to Kanchi to console her sister, herself had to be consoled.
    Pranams to the mother.
    Pranams to Periyava on His Peetaharonam Day..
    R Balasubranian, Chennai-59.

    Reply
    • navEdaham says

      February 27, 2016 at 6:23 am

      Aha! What a ‘bhagyam’ she must have to have, not just one ‘gnani’ Sri MahaPeriyava but Sri Sivan Sar too…

      Very aptly, the Orikkai trust has been named, SSSMM Trust, meaning
      Sri Sri Sri Mahalakshmi Maathrubutheswarar Trust.

      Anantha-koti namaskaram to Periyava…
      Anantha-koti namaskaram to Sri Sivan Sar…
      Koti-Koti-Koti Namaskaram to their ‘குடி இருந்த கோயில்’…. Smt. Mahalakshmi Ambal…

      Ram. Ram.
      Jai GuruDev!

      Reply
  8. RANGANATHAN says

    February 14, 2016 at 6:24 am

    HE IS LORD SHIVA !HE CAME TO BLESS US ALL TAKING A HUMAN FORM.
    JAYA JAYA SANKARA HARA HARA SANKARA!

    Reply
  9. srinivasan Ravi says

    February 14, 2016 at 8:38 am

    Hara hara Shankara Jaya jaya Shankara

    Reply
  10. Natarajan says

    February 19, 2016 at 3:02 am

    Nothing to say, but to do
    anatha kodi namaskarams
    to parama padaravindam

    Reply
  11. sridhar says

    April 28, 2016 at 1:48 am

    Mother of Shri Mahaperival is blessed to give birth to a great saint and he is with all of us.
    He has lived a simple life all through out the Life, some time I think of myself if current goes off we are not able to sleep and we scold the Electricity Board and wake up late the next morning with tired ness in our face.
    we should try try try try to live a simple life like Mahaperival with prayers to him and give us peace of mind,health,etc.
    Om Shri Mahaperival Thunai, Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara.

    Reply
  12. Rajan Padayachee South Africa says

    February 14, 2019 at 1:05 am

    I am Rajan Padaychee from Johannesburg South Africa it is a very divine blessings to live in the era of a God Like Saint like Periyavar , I was in Chennai in 1983 when the three kanchi Swamis came together i have the photos, , it was divine. I love Periyavar’s simplicity his humblesness, one is blessed in an instant when you just look at him. He was totally immersed in God every second of his life , he was Like God on earth.
    Aum Shri Mahaperivar Thunaiye

    Reply
    • ravi rama says

      January 18, 2021 at 9:49 am

      Please can you share your email. I was in Joburg for about an year or so, in 2012, but i had not spiritual community there. Perhaps i did not look well enough.

      Reply
  13. P. Rajani Purushothaman says

    September 19, 2019 at 6:36 am

    Jaya Jaya Sankara harahara Sankara. Gurupyo namaha. Mahaperiyava charanam.

    Reply
  14. U. G. Suseela says

    November 5, 2020 at 4:13 am

    Whenever my mind feel very bad or in sorrow I always pray to Maha Periyava to be with me and started writing Sri Rama Jayam. But reading this I felt that nothing is impossible and nothing is in our hand. Everything is under our Maha Periyava Malar Padha Padmam.

    Reply

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