Shri Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal (1894–1994), also known as the Sage of Kanchi or Mahaperiyava was the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

He travelled all over Bharat, and spread his spiritual knowledge among the people. People belonging to other religions also became his devotees. Mahaperiyava dedicated his life in the worship of Kamakshi Amman in Shri Kamakshi Amman temple. He advised his followers and devotees to chant and write the holy name “RAMA”, in order to remove the bad karmas of the people. Devotees from all parts of Bharat, were impressed by the way of his teachings and worshipped him. His speeches were aimed at invoking spirituality even among the common people.

He studied at Kumbakonam and subsequently at Mahendramangalam. He was interested in various fields of art. He returned to Kumbakonam in 1914, and occupied his seat as an active sanyasi. He attained Maha Samadhi during the year 1994, but his devotees strongly believe that he is alive even today and answers to the sincere prayers of his devotees from his Samadhi Shrine.

I also had some of the spiritual experiences with Maha Periyavaa (Paramacharya), during my young age, and I was very much interested to share it with the readers.

MY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE WITH KANCHI PARAMACHARYA (THE HOLY JAGADGURU)

I used to visit Kanchi Matam since my childhood. During my visits, I used to witness Sri Maha Periyaval’s Pooja. I have also once seen him in the busy streets of Kanchipuram during 1980s along with his Mutt staffs and devotees, where they all chanted “HARA HARA SHANKARA JAYA JAYA SHANKARA” in a high pitch sound filled with divinity. While visiting the Kanchipuram Mutt, sometimes, we also had the opportunity to observe him closely, and we could also share a few words with him, provided we had the “GOOD GOLDEN LUCK”.

I have also seen lot of devotees donating fruits, flowers, vegetables and of course costly things like gold and money. But Paramacharya considered everything, that is cheap things as well as rich things as alike. With a golden smile, he used to observe the things placed on the floor. Sometimes, he himself would distribute fruits and eatables like nuts and sweets to the gathered devotees.

One day afternoon, large number of Harijans arrived at the gate of the Mutt, with the hope of getting Periyaval’s Darshanam and Prasadham. At that time, Swamigal had just finished his short and simple lunch and was resting. But when he came to know about the devotees’ arrival, he came out and with a divine smile, he blessed them all, and also asked the Mutt’s authorities to give Prasadam to all, and then he returned to his place.

One fine day during the year 1987, when I was waiting for my tenth standard results, I was very much anxious to know about my results, and I kept praying to Paramacharya for hours together, for securing good marks in exams. My prayers were answered and I passed in First Class. I expressed my desire to my parents to visit Kanchipuram in order to have a darshan of Paramacharya, since I want to thank him personally. After a few months, my family visited Kanchipuram and I had nice darshan of Paramacharya.

He smiled at me and nodded his head, which means, “WAS YOUR PRAYER ANSWERED”? On seeing that, joyful tears began to flow from my eyes and I also happily nodded my head. He gave some fruits to my parents and blessed my entire family. I still remember his eyes which were mercifully seeing me and shined like our divine goddess Ma Kanchi Kamakshi Amman’s eyes.

“OM SRI MAHA PERIYAVAA SARANAM”

–R. HARISHANKAR

(Featured Image Source: Tirumalesa)