Voice of Periva

No sooner Paramacharya drank all the milk, then the treasurer patted his cheeks resoundingly and fell at the feet of the sage. "Periyava should excuse me! I shall never disturb you hereafter." Maha Periyava laughed like a child and said, "So you wouldn't come in my way henceforth!", and blessed the treasurer with raised hands. Periva has always hidden His true powers and only in such close-door situations /incidents, He has shown a miniscule sample of his omnipresence and divinity - that too in very subtle, sookshma roopam. Those who understand Him as the Parameshwara Himself are blessed - because they have found an easy way to unlock the tiring puzzles of life - especially because it is much easier to get the grace and kataaksham of a Guru than the Almighty Himself. As it is rightly said (Shive ruShTe gurustraataa gurau ruShTe na kashchana), if God is angry with you, then Guru can intervene to make truce but if Guru is angry, even God can’t rescue you. Let us all make use of the great Bhaagyam of praying Periva and be blessed. Periva Saranam ! Compiled by: Voice of Periva | https://t.me/PerivaVoice An initiative of Kanchi Periva Forum - www.periva.org | www.mahaswami.org

Experiences with Periva - < The Amazing Bhiksha that Paramacharya Took > Author: Sri. Raa. Ganapathi Book: Maha Periyavalh Virundhu (Tamil)(pages 92-96) Publisher: Divya Vidhya Trust, 1998 edition Translator: Saidevo More often than not ParamAchArya observed shuddha upavAsaH (rigorous fast), which sometimes extended to days together. Even on the days he took bhikShA (offered food), his usual take was a small amount of nel pori (the rice equivalent of popcorn) that was offered to Sri ChandraMauleesvara or Mother Kamakshi. The days he took cooked rice with the accompanying dishes were very rare. To give up rice totally, he even tried the flour extracted from raw bananas, but had to give it up on the entreaties of his doctor devotees. Sometime in the year 1936, ParamAchArya was observing the Chaaturmaasyam (Ahimsa dharma followed by sanyasis by staying at one place and meditating) at Berhampur on his way back from Varanasi. At that time, he observed rigorous fasting for several days together. And he did it so secretly that most people around him were not aware of it. The treasurer Ramachandra Iyer,  somehow came to know about the rigorous fast. He went to Maha Periyava and pleaded with him to give up the fast. Paramacharya immediately called his biksha assistant and told him about the things that should be added to his personal food the next day. The treasurer was happy. As he returned to his office, he got a doubt if Periyava had really granted his entreaty when he did not listen even to such people as 'Annadhana Sivan' in such matters. When he checked up with the biksha assistant, his doubt was confirmed. The assistant said, "As soon as you left him, Periyava asked me to forget it all as he had only told so to satisfy you." The treasurer went again to Maha Periyava, but couldn't have an opportunity to talk to him. Everytime he tried, Paramacharya saw to it that he had somebody nearby discussing something. This continued for some days, until one day, the treasurer was able to 'catch' Paramacharya at ten in the night, when the latter had finished the Friday puja, appearing rather tired. "Periyava should have a stomachful of biksha tomorrow," said the treasurer. "Otherwise, I shall quit the maTham." That did not work. With a broad smile, Paramacharya said, "Will nothing move in the maTham if you are not there?" "Then I shall quit this world", uttered the treasurer vehemently, and started weeping. He knew that Periyava could not ask the same question with this offer to quit the world. "Alright, I will have the biksha. Why tomorrow, I shall have it now. You said that you will offer to fill my stomach. Will you, do it?" said ParamAchArya. "I am only waiting for such words", said the treasurer as he prostrated, his eyes full of tears. He thought that at that time of night Periyava wouldn't take anything other than milk and fruits, so he rose to call the biksha assistant who knew about his Guru's habits. "Why do you call him? I asked only you to offer me the bhiksha and you agreed", said ParamAchArya. "Since I don't know about the quantity, I thought I would ask him..." "So what? Bring what is available." The treasurer brought the baskets and bamboo plates that were filled with fruits. He thought Periyava could take what he desired from the lot. A totally surprising order came from Paramacharya. "Where is the suji (a sweet dish) and sundal (boiled and fried seeds) that were offered at the Friday puja? Bring them at once!" The treasurer ran and brought the large utensils that had the dishes, and placed them in front of his Guru. A miracle happened there! Periyava emptied the utensils quickly and asked for more! The treasurer moved the fruit baskets near the sage. That was also emptied in no time. And the question came, "What else is there?" The treasurer was aghast. "You offered to fill my stomach and stirred the hunger in me, now I can't bear it!" said Paramacharya. Not able to withstand those words, the treasurer brought a large kujA (a pot like container) of milk and offered to the sage.

From our archives- Kanchi Periva Forum newsletters - volume 1  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwuDCferB6sJMzFmZ0tRTi1IaXM/view

Independence day message - part 2 of 2 (Continuation of Sri Maha Periva's Independence day message from part 1) ........... "For long, the Indian Nation has strived hard for winning freedom. By the grace of God, by the blessings of great men, and by the unique sacrifice of the people, independence has been won. Let us all pray to the Omnipresent God to shower his grace so that with the hard won freedom, our country becomes prosperous, is rid of famine, and there are no social skirmishes and the entire nation lives in an atmosphere of amity and kindness. Now that freedom has been attained by the nation, all of us must also try to develop Independence. If we understand ourselves fully we may consider ourselves as independent. We are not capable of controlling the senses. We are unable to suppress desire and control anger, which always troubles us. Whichever thing in whatever measure we obtain does not lead us to contentment. Worldly sufferings cause worry to us. The mind gets confused on noticing these sufferings. What is the way out of all these? we must try to control, albeit gradually the mind which has been functioning vigorously for such a long time. Once the mind is set at rest, we will not be in need of anything. That state of mind which ensures complete freedom is what we must attempt to achieve. Every day atleast some time should be set apart for practising the control of mind and bereft of other thoughts, we must meditate upon God. Then gradually, the mind will become calm, whereupon we will have the mental power to subjugate desire and anger. Spiritual knowledge will accrue fast for him who practises such meditation. Only these who attain such true spiritual knowledge can truly be independent citizens. Any woman other than one's wife must be respected as one's own mother. We must regard other living beings as we would regard ourselves. Even at the risk of death, truth alone must be spoken. Petty social feuds must be averted totally, Every one must strive for improving his knowledge and his spiritual attainments and move with others in an atmosphere of kindness. We must sincerely wish that all people should live happily and peacefully." Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitaha Periva Saranam! Compiled by: Periva Kural Channel | https://t.me/perivakural An initiative of Kanchi Periva Forum - www.periva.org | www.anusham.org

Sri Maha Periva's message on India attaining independence (1947) - Part 1 of 2 "On this happy occasion when our country Bharat has attained Independence, the people of this ancient country must pray whole heartedly and with one mind to Sri Bhagavan. Let us all pray to God to vouch safe to us strength of mind and energy to engage ourselves more and more in attaining spiritual knowledge. It is only by the grace of Almighty that we can safeguard the freedom that we have achieved and also help all the living beings on earth to lead a happy life. It is worthy to note that luckily the Chakra of Bhagavan, who is the embodiment of Dharma, has its place in the centre of our National Flag. This Chakra reminds us of the moral values enjoined by Emperor Ashoka, who is historically famous as Devanampriyaha. Further, the Chakra makes us contemplate on the spiritual discipline imparted by Bhagavan Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. That Dharma which shines in the form of a Chakra is clear from Lord Krishna's reference to the Chakra as "Evam pravartitam chakram" in Verse 16 of the III chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Also in Verses 14 and 15 of the same chapter Bhagavan avers that "The human body originates from food, food grains grow because of rains, rain showers because of performance of Yajnas(Vedic Sacrifices), these Yajnas are prescribed in the Veda and that the Veda has emanated from Brahman who is in the form of Akshara(Sound recorded as letter of the alphabet)". Thus, the Dharma Chakra explains to us that the supreme Brahman is manifest in Vedic sacrifices. May this Independence, dawning with the rightful remembrance of Emperor Ashoka, grant us such fruits as Aram(Dharma or Righteousness) Porul(Wealth), Inbam(Happiness) and Veedu(Moksha - deliverance), by the grace of God. There are three stripes in our National Flag. They are of dark green, white and orange colours. These colours seem to indicate to us, that military strength for protection from enemies and evil, wealth for welfare and prosperity, and knowledge for the sake of proper administration are essential for the nation. It may be remembered that dark green is the colour of Durga - the Parasakti who is the mother protector, Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is of orange colour(golden hue) and Saraswathi the source divine of all knowledge is white in colour. It is a happy coincidence that the colour of the three Shakthis(Goddesses of Power) are seen in the three stripes of the National Flag. (continued in part 2 post below)...

https://youtu.be/20umfNBibqQ

https://youtu.be/3bIRzzvRjlE

https://youtu.be/m2sL6yZo3q4

Experiences with Periva - Care for the Atheists too! It was the beginning of May, with the sun at its scorching best. There was a political meeting opposite to Kacchabeswarar (Kacchabam - tortoise) temple held by a group of Atheists. The audience was around 200. The leader swore that he would demolish all temples, build industries in those places and provide jobs to everyone. Inside the Kanchi mutt, Periava called for the Paatti who used to serve butter milk in front of the mutt. He told her to make an 'Unda' full of butter milk. He listed the ingredients - asafetida, curry leaves, green chillies, ginger, mustard (boiled). The Sishyas and devotees were surprised and were also worried because it was an ordinary day and there were not too many people at the mutt. Meanwhile, the atheist's meeting ended, and the leader got into the car and drove away. The crowd walked to the bus stop near the mutt. Then they saw the Paatti serving butter milk. In hardly 10 minutes, the 'unda' was empty. Then, one of them said to another, ' shall we go and have darshan of Sami?'. Everyone felt the same, but hesitated because they thought others would curse them. At that moment, Maha Swami came out to go to Gangai Kondan Mandapam to have darshan of Anjaneyar. The whole crowd prostrated before Him on the mid-day, May month, hot sand. Periava stopped, blessed them and asked, 'did all of you get butter milk?'. There could be limits to Gods' (Shiva, Vishnu...) mercy, but not for Periva's compassion. பெரியவா சரணம்! தொகுப்பு: பெரியவா குரல் | https://t.me/perivakural An initiative of Kanchi Periva Forum - www.periva.org | www.anusham.org

In the presence of the divine Chapter 11 - from our collection of articles  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fBAHZOr9q-omGY8AvauloNzXsWHIb4tO/view

https://youtu.be/BrEASOLJKwI

https://youtu.be/choZrdmm8WQ

https://youtu.be/qgC4i57fOHA

Experiences with Periva - Why did the priest faint? Periva saranam. Author: A. Thiyagarajan, Chennai-80 (in Tamil) Source: Sakthi Vikatan issue dated Mar 03, 2007 Publisher: Vikatan Publications Translator: Sri Saidevo When I had gone to Kanchi MaTham once, I heard about this incident from an arcakA (priest). Maha Periyavar was camping in a village near Trichy, about 45 years ago. When he started for the usual ChandraMauleesvara puja one day, he told the manager of the MaTham, "Within a short while, the Akhiladeswari Koil (temple) arcakAs will come here. Provide them bhojana (food) and bring them to me around two o' clock." Then he told a siSya (disciple), "Arrange it with the sthapati (sculptor) to carve a two-foot Vinayaka statue." As directed by Periyavaa, the manager received the arcakAs with honours when they came in the afternoon, fed them and then took them to the sage. Periyavaa inquired them about their welfare. The head priest told him, "The arcakA who goes daily in the morning to open the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Akhilandeswari for public darshan, faints and falls down as he opens the door. He recovers only after ten minutes. Since this happens daily, the other arcakAs are hesitant to take up the puja." Periyavaa said at once, "Tomorrow I shall come to the temple myself. You can open the temple after my arrival." He gave them prasAda and bade them farewell. Periyavaa went to Sri Akhilandeswari temple at 5:30 hours the next morning. The arcakA fainted as he opened the door. He recovered after ten minutes and then got up and went about his work. Periyavaa sat in niSTa (meditation) for sometime. Then he called the head priest and said, "From tomorrow, ask him to enter the sannidhi (building where the deity is installed) by opening the side door!" He also explained the priest the way to do it and asked for the arcakA to enter the sanctum two minutes after opening the door. When the sthapati came with the Vinayaka statue at four in the evening, Periyavaa asked him to build a stUpi (tope) and install the Vinakaya statue on the tope in such a way that the lines of sight of both Akhilandeswari and Vinayaka met each other on the same plane. Sri Vinakaya was installed in the temple opposite (his mother) Sri Akhiladeswari according to Agama rules and pujas were performed to Him. The incident of the arcakA fainting did not continue thereafter. The Vinayaka statue is still located directly opposite AmbaaL's sannidhi (so the mother's first look every morning falls on her first son). Glossary: stUpaH - stUpi in Tamil; a tope, a monument Periva Saranam! Compiled by: Periva Kural Channel | https://t.me/perivakural An initiative of Kanchi Periva Forum - www.periva.org | www.anusham.org

In the presence of the divine Chapter 10 - from our collection of articles  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V-ekoBhlQp90Racc6Zy0zy3QRWRszw2r/view

https://youtu.be/FXVeIaOmKEE