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32 1
Author: Sri Subi Anna
Volume 3
September 2013 - Anusham
E-Book from Kanchi Periva Forum
© Copyrights reserved Kanchi Periva Forum – www.periva.proboards.com & www.periva.org
Glimpses from
Sri Maha Periva’s Life History
Glimpses from Sri Maha Periva’s Life History – Volume 3 By Subi Anna
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3
Author's Note ............................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 10 .................................................................................................................... 5
Year 1926 - visit to Udayarpalayam....................................................................... 5
Bangaru Kamakshi .................................................................................................. 5
Visit to Puducherry .................................................................................................. 7
Thiruvarur Temple Chariot ................................................................................... 7
Year 1927 .................................................................................................................. 8
Brindavanam for Peetam’s 58th Sankaracharya ................................................. 9
Kerala Trip ............................................................................................................. 10
Tirupugazh Mani ................................................................................................... 11
Meeting with Mahatma Gandhi ........................................................................... 11
Year 1928 - Travel in Cochin & Thiruvananthapuram................................... 13
Vyasa Puja 1928 ..................................................................................................... 14
Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru meets Maha Periva ........................................................ 14
Year 1929 ................................................................................................................ 15
Kaarthikai Deepam in Thiruvannamalai ............................................................ 15
Year 1930 ................................................................................................................ 17
The Missing Elephant ............................................................................................ 17
Visit to Sri. Appayya Dikshitar’s Village ............................................................ 18
Travel to Chengalpattu ......................................................................................... 18
Year 1931 ................................................................................................................ 18
Paul Brunton’s Meeting .............................................................................................................. 19
Glimpses from Sri Maha Periva’s Life History – Volume 3 By Subi Anna
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Introduction
Hari Om! A warm welcome to the Kanchi Periva Forum, a forum intended for the devotees
of His Holiness Sri Kanchi Paramacharya, fondly known to His devotees as Sri Maha Periva.
Since its inception on 21st Dec 2011, (the Aaradhana Day of Sri Maha Periva), the Kanchi
Periva Forum has been actively engaged in disseminating the teachings of the Living God,
Sri Maha Periva in various forms - through regular postings on the Forum in Tamil and
English; exclusively designed posters carrying the precious messages of Maha Periva;
monthly Ebooks, our blog and also through our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/periva.
Our mission has been to reach out to all devotees of the Mahaswami across the globe in any
way possible so as to take His valuable and precious life lessons far and wide. The Forum is
a Satsang of over 2350 devotees of Maha Periva who live in different countries, belong to
different age groups, speak different languages, but with one common thread between them
– their love, bakthi and devotion to the Paramacharya.
Now, with the abundant grace and blessings of His Holiness, we have launched a complete
package of Periva’s life history followed by a Quiz program to encourage and motivate
people to know more about the Life and teachings of Sri Maha Periva. Every Hindu must
know the greatness of the Great Saint of our time, and all the initiatives that we are taking
from the Forum are aimed at that direction.
Our special thanks to our respected member and moderator, Sri Subi Subramanian, based
out of Chicago, USA for this brilliant and untiring efforts in authoring this E-book series. We
also thank our moderator Smt Sumi for her commendable efforts in coordinating the Quiz
program.
Please read this book in detail so that you can answer the questions with ease. This will be
an Online Quiz program which will be held every month.
We have plans to take this Quiz program to a larger audience - especially to the younger
generation in schools and colleges, and also to the general public.
We invite Quiz Administrators who will be interested in organizing this Quiz program in their
own locality - India or Overseas. We will provide the reading material and the Question
Bank. All you would have to do is to gather interested youngsters in your locality and
conduct the Quiz competition every month. This will be a great service.
If you are not already a member of our Forum and received this ebook from any of your
friends, please register on the forum http://www.periva.proboards.com/ to receive our
updates on the Quiz program and also to receive our regular free publications.
Please also visit our parent site http://www.periva.org/ which has a rich treasure of
information, articles, rare collection of videos and a large online library of direct audio files
of Periva's Upanyasams.
Any feedback or queries may be sent to us at [email protected]
Administrator - Kanchi Periva Forum
Jaya Jaya Shankara! Hara Hara Shankara!!
Glimpses from Sri Maha Periva’s Life History – Volume 3 By Subi Anna
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Author's Note
In this Volume 3, I have
continued with the description
of Maha Periva's 'Vijaya Yatra'
to various parts of India. In
Chapter 10, I have provided
glimpses of some important
events in Maha Periva's
travels from the year 1926
onwards. Where necessary, I
have included relevant
background information for a
better understanding.
While writing this volume, I
found it challenging to
translate some of the Tamil
words into their exact English
terms. For example, the Tamil
word 'Ther' is commonly used
for temple's wooden car
intended to be taken out on
festival days for processions.
Many newspapers including
'The Hindu' have used the
word 'car' to describe the
'Ther.' To me, the word 'car'
seems to be easily mistaken
for an automobile, especially
by the younger generation.
Therefore, I have used the
word 'Chariot' which, though
not exact, is the nearest
equivalent word that I could
find. Likewise, I have
provided the nearest meaning
English terms for many
Sanskrit words.
The quality of some old
photos reproduced from
elsewhere in this book is poor.
However, I have included
them as they provide an
opportunity to visualize Maha
Periva in his early days and
appreciate the historical
events related to him.
Though I have spent many
hours in writing this e-book, I
am only human and as the
saying goes, “humans make
mistakes!” If you should find
an error or a mistake in this
E-book, please do not hesitate
to contact me.
Please bear with me on these
small issues. I welcome any
suggestions that readers
might have to improve this E-
book.
Thank you.
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Chapter 10
Year 1926 - visit to
Udayarpalayam
In July 1926, Maha Periva
visited Udayarpalayam city in
Tamil Nadu. From early days,
Kanchi Mutt and the
Udayarpalayam royalty had
excellent relations. In those
early days, Udayarpalayam
was a small kingdom under
the rule of Thanjavur
Mahratta Kings. The members
of Udayarpalayam royalty
(later called Zamindars) were
great devotees of Kanchi
Kamakshi Amman and for this
reason, they used to prefix
their names with the word
“Kachi.” They were lovers of
art and music.
Bangaru Kamakshi
Background: Udayarpalayam
and Bangaru Kamakshi are
somewhat connected.
Udayarpalayam royalty made
all arrangements to receive
and host Kanchi
Sankaracharya Swamigal
when Kamakoti Peetam’s
Sankara Mutt moved from
Kanchi to Kumbakonam.
It is said that the Swamigal
carried with him the golden
idol of *Bangaru Kamakshi
from Kanchi Kamakshi temple
to protect it from Muslim
invaders. Knowing this, the
then ruling Thanjavur
Mahratta King Pratap Simman
invited the Sankaracharya
Swamigal to Thanjavur.
Fig. 24 Bangaru Kamakshi Amman
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*Bangaru is a Telugu word for ‘gold.’
Following the Mahratta King’s
invitation, Sankaracharya
Swamigal stayed in Thanjavur
for some time. During
Swamigal’s stay in Thanjavur,
in deference to royal wishes,
the idol of Bangaru Kamakshi
was installed in a new temple
built by the king in Thanjavur.
In order to perform Puja to
Bangaru Kamakshi Amman, a
group of Brahmins moved
from Kanchipuram to
Thanjavur. It is noteworthy
that the well-known composer
Sri Shyama Sastri, one of the
Carnatic Music Trinity,
belonged to this group of
Brahmins. Shyama Sastri has
composed many songs on
Kamakshi Amman.
After installing Bangaru
Kamakshi in Thanjavur,
Sankaracharya Swamigal
desired to move to
Kumbakonam to establish the
Mutt. The Mahratta King’s
minister Dabirpant built a
mutt with a surrounding
agraharam for the Brahmin
scholars on the southern
coast of Cauvery river.
Therefore, the Agraharam was
later called as “Dabir Street.”
Following this, Kumbakonam
became the headquarters of
Kamakoti Peetam.
Fig. 25 Maha Periva at Udayarpalayam
before the start of procession in 1926
In 1926, Udayarpalayam’s
Zamindar (landlord) received
Maha Periva with royal honors
in his palace. He also donated
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an elephant calf, two horses,
a camel, and several cows to
the Mutt.
Visit to Puducherry
In December 1926, Maha
Periva visited the French
territory of Puducherry (also
known as Pondicherry).
Whenever the Kanchi
Peetam’s Sankaracharya
Swamigal visited Puducherry,
the French government had
received him with due honors.
When Maha Periva visited, the
entire city of Puducherry was
beautifully decorated with
beautiful arches and pandals
at government expense.
At the city outskirts, Maha
Periva was received with full
honors including a formation
of local police forces and
government musical band.
The French governor, his wife,
and senior European officials
greeted Maha Periva with
folded hands as per Hindu
tradition and expressed their
happiness at Maha Periva’s
visit to Puducherry.
The people of Puducherry
were delighted to have
darshan of Maha Periva.
During the visit of Maha
Periva to Puducherry, a very
interesting incident happened
in the holy city of Thiruvarur
in Tamil Nadu. This incident
relates to building a new
chariot for the Thiruvarur
Thyagarajar Temple. The
background to Maha Periva’s
involvement in this building
project follows.
Thiruvarur Temple
Chariot
In Tamil Nadu, many temples
have beautiful hand-carved
wooden chariots that are
generally used on festival
days for processions.
Sometime during the end of
19th century, miscreants burnt
many of these chariots to
ashes.
The wooden chariot belonging
to the Thyagarajar temple in
Thiruvarur was one of the
most beautiful and largest in
the country. This chariot too
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was burnt by the action of
some evil-minded elements.
The trustees and many
devotees of the Thyagarajar
temple were very keen to
build a new chariot.
Maha Periva too was
interested in this project and
persuaded his devotees to
support this effort of
constructing a new chariot. A
devotee who took a major
part in this effort was Ezhulur
Subbaraya Vadyar. He was a
priest by profession and sold
most of his properties to
spend on temple-related
work. He came often to see
Maha Periva.
In 1926, Vadyar met with
Maha Periva in connection
with the building of Thiruvarur
Chariot and accepted a
donation of Rs.1001 from
Maha Periva for the project.
Inspired by Maha Periva’s
involvement and support to
this project, Subbaraya
Vadyar later worked most
enthusiastically and collected
about Rs. 1 lakh for the
project.
Year 1927
Maha Periva visited Kerala in
1927 and provided further
help towards procurement of
teak wood for the chariot.
Thus began the construction
work for a new Chariot.
Hundreds of skilled workers
tirelessly worked for about
two years to build the new
chariot for Thiruvarur temple.
Fig. 26 Thiruvarur Temple Chariot
The Thiruvarur Thyagaraja temple
chariot weighs approximately 300
tonnes with a height of over 90
feet. It is considered to be the
biggest in the State of Tamil Nadu.
(Source: The Hindu)
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Brindavanam for
Peetam’s 58th
Sankaracharya
There is a small village called
Vadavambalam located east
of Senthanur Railway station
and south of Vizhupuram
town. Maha Periva visited this
village prior to Puducherry
trip. According to Kamakoti
Peetam’s Guru Parampara
(succession of Gurus), Sri
Atmabodhendra Saraswathi
Swamigal, the 58th
Sankaracharya had attained
Samadhi (a state of final
absorption into the Self at
death) at this village.
The Guru Parampara further
says that Sri Atmabodhendra
Swamigal had belonged to
Vriddachalam city, he had
traveled all over India and
lived in Kaasi (now
Varanasi)for many years,
wrote the commentary for Sri
Rudram, and was the head of
the Peetam for 52 years.
The location of the Swamigal’s
Samadhi was not known.
Maha Periva visited
Vadavambalam village to
discover this location. After
going around the village’s
green fields, Maha Periva
pointed to one spot and
wanted that spot to be dug.
The villagers who followed
Maha Periva said that they
had dug the place many times
but never found any signs of a
Samadhi. However, Maha
Periva persuaded them to dig
that spot again. Therefore,
the villagers started digging
and after some depth, a
human skull was discovered.
During the digging process,
one of the diggers whose
name was Kumaramangalam
Sambamurthy Sastri fell down
and shouted “Stop, Stop” to
the other diggers. For some
time, Sastri was lying
unconscious.
When Sastri regained his
consciousness, he described
the miraculous vision that he
had seen in the unconscious
state as follows:
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“The figure of a sannyasi
wearing saffron robes, holding
a dhandam (stick) in his
hand, vibhuti (ash) on his
forehead, rudraksha (bead)
mala around his neck and
reaching almost the sky,
appeared before my eyes.
I saw thousands of Brahmins
before the figure chanting
Upanishad Mantras. Following
the giant figure's order to stop
the chanting, I also said
"Stop."
Then I heard the figure say
feebly "Don't dig, don’t dig."
Soon, the figure gradually
receded and finally
disappeared. Later, I heard
someone chanting
‘Sadasivam, Sadasivam’ and
that too stopped after
sometime."
The villagers were surprised
to witness this incident and
asked for Maha Periva’s
instructions on what needs to
be done further. As per Maha
Periva’s desire, the piece of
land over the dug spot was
donated to the mutt.
Under the supervision of a
local Reddiar, a Brindavanam
was built at that spot.
(Brindavanam is the tomb of a
Hindu Spiritual Guru. It is
simple in construction and
consists of a raised platform
over which a Tulasi Plant is
grown.
It is believed that the Guru's
spiritual powers still exist and
prayers are generally held at
the Brindavanam.)
Thus, on January 17, 1927, at
Vadavamablam, Maha Periva
established the Brindavanam
for Atmabodhendra Swamigal,
the 58th Sankaracharya of the
Kamakoti Peetam.
Kerala Trip
In May 1927, Maha Periva
visited Palakkad in Kerala. He
stayed in Palakkad’s 18
Agraharams for about a
month and later accepted
royal honors from the King of
Kollengode.
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Maha Periva spoke so clearly
in Malayalam language that
the local people believed that
he belonged to Kerala.
Fig. 27 Map of Kerala*
(Source: Kerala Tourism)
*includes some cities visited by Periva
Tirupugazh Mani
A Chennai-based lawyer Sri.
T.M. Krishnaswamy Iyer and
his group performed
Thirupugazh Bhajans before
Maha Periva in Palakkad.
Thirupugazh songs are in
praise of Lord Muruga and
Maha Periva was always
happy to hear them.
Iyer’s devotional music was so
pleasing that Maha Periva
named Iyer as ‘Thirupugazh
Mani’ and honored him with a
Kashmir Shawl.
Meeting with Mahatma
Gandhi
On October 15, 1927, a
historic meeting took place
between Maha Periva and
Mahatma Gandhi. This
meeting was held in a cow-
shed in Nallichery village of
Palakkad. Only one or two key
persons were admitted into
this meeting. None of the
media reporters was
admitted.
Mahatma Gandhi greeted
Maha Periva in the traditional
Hindu way. After a few
minutes of silence, Maha
Periva spoke a few words in
Sanskrit extending a welcome
and requesting Gandhiji to be
seated. After taking a seat on
the floor, Gandhiji requested
permission to speak in Hindi
as he was not used to
converse in Sanskrit though
he could understand Sanskrit
words.
Since Maha Periva could
understand Hindi, the
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dialogue began with Maha
Periva talking in Sanskrit and
Gandhiji in Hindi.
During this meeting, Maha
Periva appreciated Gandhiji's
services as they were based
on religious fundamentals and
spirituality that would help
nation building and also the
recognition that relying on
human strength alone would
lead to destruction. Gandhiji
was known to express his
thoughts frankly without
distortion.
The dialogue was without any
arguments and reflected the
affection for each other. The
conversation lasted for about
an hour. Finally, when
Gandhiji took leave, he said
he was greatly benefited by
this meeting with Maha Periva
and would keep Maha Periva’s
suggestions in mind and to
act upon them as much as
possible.
It was around 5:30 in the
evening, and Rajaji who was
waiting outside went inside
the shed and reminded
Gandhiji about his evening
meal; as it was known that
Gandhiji would not take food
after 6 pm.
At this, Gandhiji seems to
have observed, “The
conversation that I am having
with the Acharya is itself my
evening meal for today.”
Maha Periva gave Gandhiji a
grapefruit. Gandhiji received it
with devotion and said it was
his favorite fruit.
That evening, at a public
meeting in Coimbatore,
Gandhiji was asked about the
details of his conversation
with Maha Periva. Gandhiji
declined to reveal the details
as it was a private meeting
and matters close to his heart
were discussed.
Maha Periva also did not
reveal any details about this
conversation. The description
provided here is based on the
information gathered from
someone who was present at
this private meeting.
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Year 1928 - Travel in
Cochin &
Thiruvananthapuram
After completing Chaturmasya
Vratam in Kanchikode village,
Maha Periva traveled to the
southern parts of Kerala. On
February 2, 1928, he visited
Guruvayur and had the
darshan of Sri Krishna at the
famous shrine located therein.
He later moved to Tiruchur
and had the darshan of the
deity at Vadukkunathan
Temple. In Tiruchur, there
were two ancient Sankara
Mutts that were administered
by Namboodiri Sanyaasis.
Maha Periva visited both
these mutts and reviewed the
old documents relating to Adi
Sankara’s history.
He made a trip to a
Gurukulam called ‘Brahmasva
Matam’ and blessed the
students of this school. On
March 19, 1928, Maha Periva
reached Ernakulam where he
was received with honors by
the members of the Cochin
Royal family.
Maha Periva stayed in
Thrippunithura, a suburb of
Cochin until end March 1928.
During this time, he visited
the Sanskrit College located
there and counseled the
students. Maha Periva then
moved on to Vaikom, other
cities in Thiruvananthapuram
district, Kottayam and
Alapuzhai.
In Alapuzhai, Maha Periva
visited the Sri
Chandrasekarendra Patasalai
(now Sree Sankaracharya
University of Sanskrit). He
met with Patasala students
who were learning Vedas and
Sastras and blessed them.
It is noteworthy that the
governments of Cochin and
Thiruvanathapuram had
arranged accommodation in
palaces and buildings for
Maha Periva’s stay at various
places in Kerala. Concluding
the Kerala trip, Maha Periva
moved on to Kanyakumari in
Tamil Nadu.
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After a dip in the Indian ocean
and darshan of Kanyakumari
Ambal, Maha Periva traveled
to a village called
Thiruvedagam.
Vyasa Puja 1928
Thiruvedagam is a village
about 18 kilometers away
from the holy city of Madurai.
It is located on the bank of
the River Vaigai. There is a
Shiva temple in the name of
Thiru Edaganathar in this
village.
According to historical
information, this village was
once occupied by Jains
following the conversion of
the Shaiva Pandya King to
Jainism. Legends say that at
the request of the Shaivaite
queen, a great saint by the
name Thiru Gnana
Sambhandar visited Madurai
and cured the King of leprosy.
The saint Sambhandar won
over the Jains by his
arguments and powers.
The Vaigai river runs from
North to South behind the
temple. As it was an ideal
location for meditation, Maha
Periva performed the Vyasa
Puja and Chaturmasyam
rituals in Thiruvedagam. After
completion of Chaturmasyam,
Maha Periva moved to
Madurai city.
Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru
meets Maha Periva
Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru (1875-
1949) was a leading Indian
lawyer and politician. He was
a prominent leader of the pro-
British Raj Liberal party in
British-ruled India. During
Maha Periva’s stay in Madurai,
Sir Sapru had darshan of
Periva and sought his
blessings.
At that time, there was great
confusion in the country
caused by the imprisonment
of Gandhiji and other political
leaders. Sir Sapru was
attempting to reform the
situation by convening an all-
party conference and
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consultations with the
government. He explained his
ongoing efforts in detail to
Maha Periva.
While appreciating Sapru’s
efforts, Maha Periva
expressed his desire that
eventually there should be
peace in the country and the
people should get the
benefits.
Year 1929
In the year 1929, Maha
Periva covered many places in
Tamil Nadu including Tiruchy,
other cities and villages in
South and North Arcot
districts. A shepherd at the
village of Thandalam showed
his deep devotion to Maha
Periva by selling his property
and offering the proceeds to
Periva.
While appreciating the
villager’s devotion, Maha
Periva made arrangements
through the local Tahsildar to
register four Kaanis (Kaani is
a measure of Land equal to
1.32 acres) of land to the
shepherd.
On July 24, 1929, Maha
Periva's father Sri Subramania
Shastrigal passed away in
Kumbakonam. When the
mutt officials conveyed this
news to Maha Periva, he
listened to it quietly and said
nothing.
Kaarthikai Deepam in
Thiruvannamalai
Background: Located on the
foot of a hill, Thiruvannamalai
is a temple city about 190
kilometers from Chennai in
Tamil Nadu.
Fig. 28 Thiruvannamalai Temple
Gopuram with the hill in background
In significance of the five
natural elements (Earth
Water, Fire, Air and Sky or
Ether), there are five sacred
spots in South India called in
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Sanskrit (italicized) as 'Pancha
Bootha Sthalas.' These spots
are located in Kanchipuram
(Earth - Prithvi).
Thiruvanaikkaval (Water-
Appu), Thiruvannamalai (Fire
- Theju), Thirukalahasti (Air-
Vayu), and Chidambaram
(Ether-Akaasa).
Of the five holy spots,
Thiruvannamalai is the Theju
(Fire) Sthala and an ancient
centre of worship.
According to a legendary tale,
there was once a rishi (sage)
called Bringi, who had such a
deep devotion towards Lord
Shiva that he was not inclined
to worship any other deity
including Goddess Ambikai -
the consort of Lord Shiva.
The Goddess is then said to
have merged with Lord Shiva
on His left side. Shiva in this
unique form is called in
Sanskrit as Ardhanareeswarar
(Ardha means half; Naari
means a woman).
Shiva in Thiruvannamalai is
called Arunachaleswar and
also known by the name of
Ardhanareeswarar. Shiva’s
consort is known by the name
of Abhithakuchalamba.
Fig. 29 A view of Thiruvannamalai
(Source: Wikipedia)
Kaarthikai Deepam is a
festival of lamps observed in
Hindu homes and temples in
South India. It is celebrated
on the full moon day of the
Tamil Kaarthikai month
coinciding with Krithikai star.
To demonstrate the Lord in
His glorious form of fire, a
Jyothi, a huge fire is lit on top
of the hill, on the day of
Kaarthikai. This fire, called
“Deepam,” is visible for miles
around the hill (Giri).
Thousands of devotees gather
at Thiruvannamalai to see the
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Kaarthikai Deepam and offer
prayers to Lord Shiva.
In December 1929, Maha
Periva visited the holy city of
Thiruvannamalai to witness
the Kaarthikai Deepam. This
was Maha Periva’s first visit of
to Thiruvannamalai.
The local people received him
with great devotion and full
honors. Maha Periva stayed in
this city for almost a month.
He went around the hill (Giri)
and had darshan of Aruna-
chaleswarar several times.
Year 1930
During the year 1930, Maha
Periva mostly traveled in
North Arcot district. Vyasa
Puja and Chaturmasyam took
place at a village called
Poosaimalaikuppam.
The Missing Elephant
During Maha Periva's stay in
this village, a shed close to
where the mutt elephant was
kept shackled caught fire
during the night. Unable to
withstand the heat from the
fire, the elephant broke the
shackles and ran off. By next
morning, the shed was burnt
to ashes and the elephant was
missing.
Mutt officials launched a
search for the elephant but
could not find it anywhere.
Later, on hearing that an
elephant was found lying
down in a water pond, about
five miles away, the
elephant's caretaker with
others went to the pond spot
and tried to pull the elephant
out but their efforts were
futile.
Later, Maha Periva himself
went to the pond spot. On
seeing Maha Periva, the
elephant rose up, came to the
shore and knelt before him.
There were burn blisters on
the elephant's body. Maha
Periva gently caressed the
elephant and gave
instructions for treating the
elephant.
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Visit to Sri. Appayya
Dikshitar’s Village
Appayya Dikshitar was a great
Sanskrit Scholar who lived in
the 15th century in a village
called Adayapalam, located
about three miles from Arani
city, in the North Arcot district
of Tamil Nadu.
He was a great devotee of
Shiva and had authored many
religious treatises in Sanskrit.
On June 2, 1930, Maha Periva
visited Adayapalam. After
performing puja in the local
Shiva temple, Maha Periva
gave a lecture on the life and
works of Appayya Dikshithar.
He persuaded the citizens of
the village to celebrate
Dikshithar’s birth day every
year.
Maha Periva also visited
Virinchipuram, the village
where Dikshithar was born.
He asked Appayya Dikshitar's
descendants not only to be
proud of their lineage but also
learn Dikshitar's works and
make his fame sustain in the
world.
Travel to Chengalpattu
Maha Periva continued his
travels to Cauveripakkam,
Ranipettai, Valajabad, Arcot,
Thiruvallur, Poondamalli, and
Koyambedu and other places
near Chennai.
Towards the end of the year,
Maha Periva visited
Thirukazhukundram, a holy
town near Chengalpattu
where he had darshan of
Vedagiriswara Swamy in the
local temple there. At this
place, on December 25, 1930,
the All India Sadhu Sangam
extended a very warm
welcome to Maha Periva with
a deeply devotional speech.
Year 1931
In the beginning of January
1931, Maha Periva visited
Chengalpattu. The people of
Chengalpattu who were
expecting Maha Periva for
many years were immensely
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happy at Periva’s visit. Maha
Periva gave lectures every
night at the Shiva temple.
Paul Brunton’s Meeting
During this period of time, an
Englishman by name Paul
Brunton was traveling in India
with the intention of meeting
Yogis in India and finding a
real Yogi to provide spiritual
guidance to him. After
completing a tour of North
India, he came to Chennai to
begin a tour of South India.
He had brought with him a
letter of introduction from
England addressed to Sri. K.S.
Venkatramani, a well-known
English writer and a member
of the Madras University
Senate. Carrying this
introduction letter, he met Sri.
Venkataramani for the first
time in Chennai.
During the meeting with K.S.
Venkataramani, Paul Brunton
expressed his desire to meet
real yogis and not waste time
with fake yogis.
Venkataramani thought for a
while and after careful
consideration of his request,
told Brunton that it was hard
to find real yogis given the
then prevailing situation of
atheism and western cultures.
He also said that real yogis
are unseen as they are
meditation in remote places,
and while it was difficult for
an Indian to approach a real
yogi, it was even more
difficult for a European.
However, that night,
Venkatramani received the
news that Maha Periva had
arrived in Chengalpattu. The
very next day, Venkatramani
met Paul Brunton and made a
suggestion that completely
changed the course of events.
The following are excerpts of
the conversation between
K.S. Venkataramani (KSV)
and Paul Brunton (PB) from
PB’s book titled "A Search in
Secret India."
KSV: “His Holiness Shri
Shankara Acharya of
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Kumbakonam is the Spiritual
Head of South India. Millions
of people revere him as one of
God’s teachers.
It happens that he has taken
a great interest in me and has
encouraged my literary
career, and of course he is the
one to whom I look for
spiritual advice.
I may now tell you what I
refrained from mentioning
yesterday. We regard him as
a master of the highest
spiritual attainment. But he is
not a Yogi. He is the Primate
of the Southern Hindu world,
a true saint and great
religious philosopher.
Because he is fully aware of
most of the spiritual currents
of our time, and because of
his own attainment, he has
probably an exceptional
knowledge of the real Yogis.
He travels a good deal from
village to village and from city
to city, so that he is
particularly well informed on
such matters. Wherever he
goes, the holy men come to
him to pay their respects. He
could probably give you some
useful advice. Would you like
to visit him?”
PB: “That is extremely kind of
you. I shall gladly go. How far
is Chingleput?”
KSV: “Only thirty-five miles
from here. But stay?”
PB: ”Yes “
KSV: “I begin to doubt
whether His Holiness would
grant you an audience. Of
course I shall do my utmost
to persuade him.”
PB: But “”I am a European!”
KSV: ”You will take the risk of
a rebuff?”
PB: “Certainly. Let us go.”
So, early morning next day,
Venkataramani and Paul
Brunton left for Chengalpattu.
On the way, Venkataramani
described Periva’s simple way
of life, the biography and
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greatness of the Peetam's Adi
Acharya, Sri Sankara and his
Advaitic philosophy. Brunton
listened with great attention.
Both of them reached the
place where Maha Periva was
staying. The mutt officials told
Venkatramani that it was not
possible to obtain an interview
for Paul Brunton as he was a
European and there were
already hundreds of people
waiting for Periva's darshan.
Later, on Venkatramani's
personal appeal, Maha Periva
permitted him to bring in Paul
Brunton. Venkatramani was
absolutely thrilled to get Maha
Periva’s permission.
Taking some flowers and
orange fruits, Paul Brunton
entered the house where
Maha Periva was staying. In it
was a dark room without any
furniture. In a corner of the
room was a dim oil lamp.
In the dim light, Paul Brunton
saw a short figure standing in
the shadows. He approached
closer to Maha Periva with
some hesitation, put down his
little offerings of flowers and
fruits and bowed low in
salutation. What transpired
later is best described in Paul
Brunton's own words in his
book "A Search in Secret
India."
(Quote) “I look at him in
silence. This short man is clad
in the ochre-coloured robe of
a monk and leans his weight
on a friar’s staff. I have been
told that he is on the right
side of forty, hence I am
surprised to find his hair quite
grey.
His noble face, pictured in
grey and brown, takes an
honoured place in the long
portrait gallery of my
memory. That elusive element
which the French aptly term
spirituel is present in this
face.
His expression is modest and
mild, the large dark eyes
being extraordinarily tranquil
and beautiful. The nose is
short, straight and classically
regular. There is a rugged
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little beard on his chin, and
the gravity of his mouth is
most noticeable.
Such a face might have
belonged to one of the saints
who graced the Christian
Church during the Middle
Ages, except that this one
possesses the added quality
of intellectuality. I suppose we
of the practical West would
say that he has the eyes of a
dreamer.
Somehow, I feel in an
inexplicable way that there is
something more than mere
dreams behind those heavy
lids. “Your Holiness has been
very kind to receive me,” I
remark, by way of
introduction. He turns to my
companion, the writer, and
says something in the
vernacular.
I guess its meaning correctly.
“His Holiness understands
your English, but he is too
afraid that you will not
understand his own. So he
prefers to have me translate
his answers,” says
Venkataramani.
I shall sweep through the
earlier phases of this
interview, because they are
more concerned with myself
than with this Hindu Primate.
He asks about my personal
experiences in the country; he
is very interested in
ascertaining the exact
impressions which Indian
people and institutions make
upon a foreigner.
I give him my candid
impressions, mixing praise
and criticism freely and
frankly. The conversation then
flows into wider channels and
I am much surprised to find
that he regularly reads
English newspapers, and that
he is well informed upon
current affairs in the outside
world.
Indeed, he is not unaware of
what the latest noise at
Westminster is about, and he
knows also through what
painful travail the troublous
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infant of democracy is passing
in Europe.
I remember Venkataramani’s
firm belief that Shri Shankara
possesses prophetic insight. It
touches my fancy to press for
some opinion about the
world’s future.
“When do you think that the
political and economic
conditions everywhere will
begin to improve?”
“A change for the better is not
easy to come by quickly,” he
replies. ” It is a process which
must needs take some time.
How can things improve when
the nations spend more each
year on the weapons of
death?”
“There is nevertheless much
talk of disarmament to-day.
Does that count?”
“If you scrap your battleships
and let your cannons rust that
will not stop war. People will
continue to fight, even if they
have to use sticks!”
“But what can be done to help
matters?”
“Nothing but spiritual
understanding between one
nation and another, and
between rich and poor, will
produce goodwill and thus
bring real peace and
prosperity.”
“That seems far off. Our
outlook is hardly cheerful,
then?”
His Holiness rests his arm a
little more heavily upon his
staff.
“There is still God,” he
remarks gently.
” If there is, He seems very
far away,” I boldly protest.
“God has nothing but love
towards mankind,” comes the
soft answer.
“Judging by the unhappiness
and wretchedness which
afflict the world to-day, He
has nothing but indifference,”
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I break out impulsively,
unable to keep the bitter force
of irony out of my voice.
His Holiness looks at me
strangely. Immediately I
regret my hasty words.
“The eyes of a patient man
see deeper. God will use
human instruments to adjust
matters at the appointed
hour. The turmoil among
nations, the moral wickedness
among people and the
suffering of miserable millions
will provoke, as a reaction,
some great divinely inspired
man to come to the rescue.
In this sense, every century
has its own savior. The
process works like a law of
physics. The greater the
wretchedness caused by
spiritual ignorance,
materialism, the greater will
be the man who will arise to
help the world.”
“Then do you expect someone
to arise in our time, too?”
” In our century,” he corrects.
“Assuredly. The need of the
world is so great and its
spiritual darkness is so thick,
that an inspired man of God
will surely arise.”
“Is it your opinion, then, that
men are becoming more
degraded?” I query.
“No, I do not think so,” he
replied tolerantly. “There is an
indwelling divine soul in man
which, in the end, must bring
him back to God.”
“But there are ruffians in our
Western cities who behave as
though there were indwelling
demons in them,” I counter,
thinking of the modern
gangster.
“Do not blame people so
much as the environments
into which they are born.
Their surroundings and
circumstances force them to
become worse than they
really are. That is true of both
the East and West. Society
must be brought into tune
with a higher note.
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Materialism must be balanced
by idealism; there is no other
real cure for the world’s
difficulties. The troubles into
which countries are
everywhere being plunged are
really the agonies which will
force this change, just as
failure is frequently a sign-
post pointing to another
road.”
“You would like people to
introduce spiritual principles
into their worldly dealings,
then?”
“Quite so. It is not
impracticable, because it is
the only way to bring about
results which will satisfy
everyone in the end, and
which will not speedily
disappear. And if there were
more men who had found
spiritual light in the world, it
would spread more quickly.
India, to its honor, supports
and respects its spiritual men,
though less so than in former
times. If all the world were to
do the same, and to take its
guidance from men of
spiritual vision, then all the
world would soon find peace
and grow prosperous.”
Our conversation trails on. I
am quick to notice that Shri
Shankara does not decry the
West in order to exalt the
East, as so many in his land
do. He admits that each half
of the globe possesses its own
set of virtues and vices, and
that in this way they are
roughly equal!
He hopes that a wiser
generation will fuse the best
points of Asiatic and European
civilizations into a higher and
balanced social scheme. I
drop the subject and ask
permission for some personal
questions. It is granted
without difficulty.
“How long has Your Holiness
held this title?”
“Since 1907. At that time I
was only twelve years old.
Four years after my
appointment I retired to a
village on the banks of the
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Cauvery, where I gave myself
up to meditation and study for
three years. Then only did my
public work begin.”
“You rarely remain at your
headquarters in Kumbakonam
I take it? “
“The reason for that is that I
was invited by the Maharajah
of Nepal in 1918 to be his
guest for a while. I accepted
and since then have been
travelling slowly towards his
state in the far north.
But see! – during all those
years I have not been able to
advance more than a few
hundred miles, because the
tradition of my office requires
that I stay in every village
and town which I pass on the
route or which invites me, if it
is not too far off.
I must give a spiritual
discourse in the local temple
and some teaching to the
inhabitants.”
I broach the matter of my
quest and His Holiness
questions me about the
different Yogis or holy men I
have so far met.
After that, I frankly tell him:
“I would like to meet someone
who has high attainments in
Yoga and can give some sort
of proof or demonstration of
them. There are many of your
holy men who can only give
one more talk when they are
asked for this proof. Am I
asking too much?”
The tranquil eyes meet mine.
There is a pause for a whole
minute. His Holiness fingers
his beard.
” If you are seeking initiation
into real Yoga of the higher
kind, then you are not seeking
too much. Your earnestness
will help you, while I can
perceive the strength of your
determination; but a light is
beginning to awaken within
you which will guide you to
what you want, without
doubt.”
I am not sure whether I
correctly understand him. “So
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far I have depended on
myself for guidance. Even
some of your ancient sages
say that there is no other god
than that which is within
ourselves,” I hazard.
And the answer swiftly
comes: “God is everywhere.
How can one limit Him to
one’s own self? He supports
the entire universe.”
I feel that I am getting out of
my depth and immediately
turn the talk away from this
semi-theological strain.
“What is the most practical
course for me to take? “
“Go on with your travels.
When you have finished them,
think of the various Yogis and
holy men you have met; then
pick out the one who makes
most appeal to you.
Return to him, and he will
surely bestow his initiation
upon you.”
I look at his calm profile and
admire its singular serenity.
“But suppose, Your Holiness,
that none of them makes
sufficient appeal to me. What
then? “
“In that case you will have to
go on alone until God Himself
initiates you.
Practise meditation regularly;
contemplate the higher things
with love in your heart; think
often of the soul and that will
help to bring you to it.
The best time to practise is
the hour of waking; the next
best time is the hour of
twilight. The world is calmer
at those times and will disturb
your meditations less.”
He gazes benevolently at me.
I begin to envy the saintly
peace which dwells on his
bearded face. Surely, his
heart has never known the
devastating upheavals which
have scarred mine? I am
stirred to ask him impulsively:
” If I fail, may I then turn to
you for assistance?”
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Shri Shankara gently shakes
his head. “I am at the head of
a public institution, a man
whose time no longer belongs
to himself. My activities
demand almost all my time.
For years, I have spent only
three hours in sleep each
night. How can I take
personal pupils?
You must find a master who
devotes his time to them.”
“But I am told that real
masters are rare, and that a
European is unlikely to find
them.”
He nods his assent to my
statement, but adds:
“Truth exists. It can be
found.”
“Can you not direct me to
such a master, one who you
know is competent to give me
proofs of the reality of higher
Yoga?”
His Holiness does not reply till
after an interval of protracted
silence.
“Yes. I know of only two
masters in India who could
give you what you wish. One
of them lives in Benares,
hidden away in a large house,
which is itself hidden among
spacious grounds.
Few people are permitted to
obtain access to him;
certainly, no European has yet
been able to intrude upon his
seclusion. I could send you to
him, but I fear that he may
refuse to admit a European.”
“And the other?” My interest
is strangely stirred.
“The other man lives in the
interior, farther south. I
visited him once and know
him to be a high master. I
recommend that you go to
him.”
“Who is he?”
“He is called the Maharishee. I
have not met him, but know
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him to be a high master. Shall
I provide you with full
instructions, so that you may
discover him?”
A picture flashes suddenly
before my mind’s eye. I see
the yellow-robed friar, who
has vainly persuaded me to
accompany him to his
teacher.
I hear him murmuring the
name of a hill. It is: “The Hill
of the Holy Beacon.”
“Many thanks, Your Holiness,”
I rejoin, “but I have a guide
who comes from the place.”
“Then you will go there?”
I hesitate.
“All arrangements have been
made for my departure from
the South to-morrow,” I
mutter uncertainly.
”In that case I have a request
to make.”
“With pleasure.”
“Promise me that you will not
leave South India before you
have met the Maharishee.”
I read in his eyes a sincere
desire to help me. The
promise is given.
A benignant smile crosses his
face.
“Do not be anxious. You shall
discover that which you seek.”
Shri Shankara’s grave mouth
relaxes. He follows me into
the ante-room and whispers
something into the ear of my
companion. I catch my name
in the sentence.
At the door I turn to bow in
farewell salutation. His
Holiness calls me back to
receive a parting message:
“You shall always remember
me, and I shall always
remember you!”
And so, hearing these cryptic
and puzzling words, I
reluctantly withdraw from this
interesting man, whose entire
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life has been dedicated to God
from childhood.
He is a pontiff who cares not
for worldly power, because he
has renounced all and
resigned all. Whatever
material things are given to
him, he at once gives again to
those who need them. His
beautiful and gentle
personality will surely linger in
my memory.
I wander about Chingleput till
evening, exploring its artistic,
old-world beauty, and then
seek a final glimpse of His
Holiness before returning
home. I find him in the
largest temple of the city.
The slim, modest, yellow-
robed figure is addressing a
huge concourse of men,
women and children. Utter
silence prevails among the
large audience.
I cannot understand his
vernacular words, but I can
understand that he is holding
the deep attention of all
present, from the intellectual
Brahmin to the illiterate
peasant. I do not know, but I
hazard the guess that he
speaks on the profoundest
topics in the simplest manner,
for such is the character I
read in him.
And yet, though I appreciate
his beautiful soul, I envy the
simple faith of his vast
audience. Life, apparently,
never brings them deep
moods of doubt. God is; and
there the matter ends.
They do not appear to know
what it means to go through
dark nights of the soul, when
the world seems like the grim
scene of a jungle-like
struggle; when God recedes
into shadowy nothingness;
and when man’s own
existence seems nothing more
than a fitful passage across
this small, transient fragment
of the universe which we call
Earth.
We drive out of Chingleput
under an indigo sky gemmed
with stars.
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I listen to palms majestically
waving their branches over
the water’s edge in an
unexpected breeze. (Unquote)
Thus, in the year 1931, the
historic meeting between Paul
Brunton and Maha Periva
ended on a pleasant note.
Paul Brunton’s Background
His real name was Raphael
Hurst. He was born in London
in 1898, the son of Jewish
parents who had emigrated to
England from Eastern Europe.
We know almost nothing of
his childhood, except that his
mother died of tuberculosis
when he was thirteen, and
that his father subsequently
remarried.
Paul Brunton wrote a book
titled “A Search in Secret
India” in which he narrates his
meeting with Maha Periva.
Paul Brunton is considered as
one of the twentieth century's
greatest explorers of the
spiritual traditions of the East.