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V.Balasubramani
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Experiences with Maha Periyava: Periya Doctor... (The Great Doctor)
It would have been in the year 1957. Kanchi Maha Swamigal and Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal were camping in a house in Rameswaram Road, T. Nagar (Chennai). I was living with my parents in the Northern end of the same street. My age then was twenty two. I was studying in a Secondary Grade Teachers Training School.
Sometimes Maha Periyava used to pass through my house, either during the morning or the evening hours. I have often seen Sri Swamigal cross my house on the street. My mother at those times would be waiting at the entrance with a camphor plate, after having drawn a kolam in front of our house. It became her custom to show the lighted camphor before Sri Maha Periyava when he came in front of our house, and prostrate to him.
The progressive thoughts in my mind, a sense of defiance, the nerve of youth, the lack of maturity to distinguish between good and bad--all these came together when I chided my mother, "This man is some sanyasi. Why do you prostrate to him? What do you gain by that act? You are thus prostrating to him in an uncivilized way continuously, is he going to save you? Don't do such wrong things hereafter." Hearing my indecent words my mother said, "Podaa, Po!" ("Mind your business!") And went inside.
Years rolled by. I started working as a teacher in the P.S. High School, Mylapore, Chennai in the year 1959.
A few years later, my mother started suffering from a severe setback in her health, her BP shooting up. The VHS hospital at Taramani, Chennai had just then been established. I admitted my mother there for treatment. At that time I was taking tuition at their house for the two sons of Mani Aiyer, proprietor of Kalyani Hotel (the hotel is no longer there now) near Mylapore Kapali temple. His family was very devoted and loyal to Sri Maha Swamigal. They would often go to Kanchipuram and have darshan. They would consider doing service to His holy feet as their most enduring happiness.
Mani Aiyer was residing in a house in Mandaveli near Mylapore. In the small puja room opposite the hall of their house, an adorned holy picture of Sri Maha Periyava was kept. A lamp would always be burning by the side of the picture. I would be sitting on the swing in the hall and taking class for the two boys. Since the puja room was always kept open, when Sri Periyava's picture came under my glance, a prickling sensation would arise in me. I would get down, go and close the puja room doors and then continue my teaching. It has happened several times this way.
As I mentioned earlier, I was worrying over my mother's health condition and was teaching the lessons somewhat for namesake. Tears would fill my eyes. The worry and fear that my mother would pass away leaving me alone would surge through my mind.
One day when the teaching was going on, Thiru. Mani Aiyer who was just back home asked me, "What Sir! You are worried, your eyes have turned red! What is the matter?" Wiping my eyes I said, "Nothing of that sort Mani Aiyer! My mother's health is not alright. Hypertension. I have admitted her in the VHS. That is the cause of my worry."
Mani Aiyer: You showed her to a good doctor?
Myself: I told you already that I have admitted her in the VHS.
Mani Aiyer: What did they say?
Myself: They said that she will be alright, no cause to worry. But I am not satisfied with their words.
Mani Aiyer: Sir! Let your worries go. I shall take you to a big doctor. Your mother will become alright by his mere look.
Myself: Is that so? Who is that doctor, my mother would be cured if she is shown to him? Where does that big doctor reside? When can I see him? Shall I bring my mother right now?
There was anxiety in my reply; also haste and enthusiam; much anticipation; because my mother should get well completely soon.
Mani Aiyer: Your mother need not come. It is enough if only you come.
Myself: Mani Aiyer! The disease is not for me, but my mother! If I come how can my mother become alright? Shoud not that big doctor test my mother?
Mani Aiyer: Not necessary. If that big doctor just looks at you, your mother will become alright.
Myself: (with some distrust) If I am seen my mother would become alright? Such a kind of doctor? Alright. If that is the case I shall come right now. Come on, let us go and see him.
Mani Aiyer: You cannot see him just like that. He is not here. He is in Kanchipuram.
Myself: In Kanchipuram? Why should such a big doctor reside in that place? Who is he? M.B.B.S. or M.D.?
Mani Aiyer: He is beyond those degrees. He is the doctor of the doctors. (Pointing to Periyava's picture in the puja room) He is the doctor I referred to.
Myself: (laughing loudly without being aware of it) What Mani Aiyer! This man, a doctor? He is the doctor of doctors? What do you babble? How can a sanyasi become a doctor? If it is a question of some puja or rituals I can believe it. But then you talk of this man as a big doctor! Hmm... Would it be possible for this sanyasi to cure my mother? This is just your imagination... (The words came out of the edge of my sorrow).
Mani Aiyer: What, MeenakshiSundaram! You who is born in the Brahmin community talk this way?
Myself: Then what Sir! After saying that you would take me to a big doctor, you now say that you would take me to a sanyasi! How can it be possible by this kind of an action?
Mani Aiyer: Meenakshi Sundaram, your mother should become alright for you. Only that, right? I am responsible for it. We go to Kanchipuram tomorrow itself, alright?
Myself: (with klesha) Mani Aiyer, if we go to him will my mother really get well?
Mani Aiyer: Certainly. Enough if you have darshan of him and just speak about your mother. Your mother will certainly get well. You can also remain in peace.
Myself: In that case I shall come to Kanchipuram. But when we are there you should not compel me to remove my shirt, take bath, wear vibhuti-kumkumam, or do namaskaram. I shall come; see him; tell him about my mother; that's all. (The torsion of the young blood was not gone yet).
Mani Aiyer: What Ayya, would you not take bath daily? Would you not remove your shirt occasionally? Not wear vibhuti-kumkumam even rarely? Do those things just once tomorrow! What, will that drown your lineage?
Without knowing why, I did not object but agreed to those words of him. On the next day, the three of us--Mani Aiyer, myself and Thiru. Venkataraman who worked with me started and reached Kanchipuram in the morning hours. Taking bath in the Sarva Tirta Kulam and wearing vibhuti and dhoti, I reached the gates of Kanchi SriMatham for the first time in my life. And yes! There was a feeling of something like an electric vibration in my body.
We entered the Matham. Kanchi Maha Swamigal was in the front hall! Yes, the big doctor! He was sitting, leaning on a rice bag. Fruit plates and garlands of flowers are seen before him. Also a queue for his darshan. We too tucked ourselves in that queue.
A bamboo plate in my hand. In the plate were fruits, spinach and some vegetables. My glance fell on the ascetic king seated there. Without any efforts, tears started to flow from my eyes. Yes, I wept without my knowing it. I didn't understand the reason. Why should I weep?
His keen look that has divine light fell on me. Raising his head that God gestured me to come to him. He might have known my sorrow with his prevision.
Again that Talking God beckoned me with a raised hand. I walked slowly and peacefully to him, placed the bamboo plate in my hand before him and prostrated to him unknowingly.
"Are you ashtasahasram (a sub sect)?"
"Yes."
"What relationship do Seshadri, Kunju in Karukudi have with you?" (Karukudi is a hamlet near Thiruvaiyaru).
"They are relatives of my aunt."
"Your grandfather was the Palace Receiver in Thanjavur! Was he before or after Sundaram Aiyer?"
I nodded head that I did not know it. Silence prevailed for sometime.
Raising his head, "You have admitted your mother in the hospital? How is she now?"
What! That God asked me the same question that I came to him with, seeking remedy. For this too, I just stood sobbing, with no reply from me.
"Don't worry! Your mother will get well and return home."
Yes! That big doctor had given a new lease of life to my mother! That Mahan looked sharply at me for sometime. Then, giving me prasadam, he blessed, "Give this to your mother. She will get back home well."
To this date, I heartily bow and adore that "great doctor" who vanquished the demon of ignorance in my mind and put me on the right path.
As foretold by that "great doctor", my mother got well and arrived home safely. The big doctor has saved my mother's life. He is taking care of us till this day.
Author: V. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary, Hindu Dharma Manram, Chennai-33
Source: Maha Periyaval - Darisana Anubhavangal vol. 1
Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya/Fb
Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1132824566807422&id=668285496594667&substory_index=0
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ஹர ஹர சங்கர ஜெய ஜெய சங்கர !!
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