Hi Guys,

Today's post is dedicated to Sri Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He is usually referred to as Paramacharya or Maha Periyavaal.
Maha Periyavaal was born on 20 May, 1894 into a Bramhin family in Villupuram, South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. He was named Swaminatha after their family deity. Swaminatha began his early education at Tindivanam at Arcot American Mission High School. He was not only an exceptional student but also good in debates and recitations. He also won a prize for proficiency in reciting the Holy Bible.
It is said that life is a set of random occurrences. Incidents leading to his sainthood really support the above statement. It so happened that the 66th Jagadguru had attained Sidhi at Kalavai, a village which was 10 miles from Arcot. He had installed the maternal cousin of Swaminatha as the 67th Jagadguru of the Math. Swaminatha along with his mother and other siblings went to Kalavai to console his widowed aunt for her son had assumed the Sanyasa Ashram. They met the hereditary mason of the Mutt at Kanchipuram. He asked Swaminatha to accompany him and arranged another vehicle for his mother and siblings. On the way he informed him that he would be the next Jagadguru as the 67th Guru had developed delirium and would not last long. Swaminatha was stunned by the unexpected turn of events and started to chant Rama mantra ,the only spiritual mantra he knew then. He was installed as the 68th Jagadguru on 9th May, 1907. He was only 13 then. His robes of sanyasa were not the result of any renunciation from his part nor did he have the advantage of living under the tutelage of a Guru for any length of time.

Maha Priyavaal spent several years in the study of Scriptures and Dharma Shastras and acquainted himself with his role as the head of the Math. He soon gained the reverence and respect of devotees and people around him. He was the head of the Math for 87 years. This period is called the Golden Era of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. During this period, the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam acquired new strength as an institution that propagated Sankara's teachings. The devotion, fervor, and intensity with which the Paramacharya practiced what Śankara had taught are considered to be unparalleled by his devotees. Throughout his life, the focus of his concern and activities was rejuvenating Veda Adhyayana and Dharma Shastras.
The sage of Kanchi was active throughout his life. He undertook pilgrimages form Rameshwaram to Varnasi on foot, just like Sankara his Paramaguru. He attained Mukti on Jan 8, 1994. He was 100 years old.

What makes these people great is their Sacrifice. He sacrificed and suffered all through his life for people. He was humble through out his life. I came across an article that he had written long time ago for Bhavans Journal. I will copy some of the contents below which gives us a glimpse of the great personality he was. In his own words,
"On a tour in Tiruchunapalli District in 1923, I halted at a village when I heard a girl of about 12 admonishing her younger brother for his having uttered an untruth. Her advocacy of truth and her love for her brother which prompted her to see that he was not spoiled, far surpassed a saints direction. I cannot forget this incident after a lapse of so many years. When touring in Kerala, I happened to camp in a public halting place where in one room some elderly Namboodri Bramhins were talking together. One of them opened his Puja box in order to begin his Puja, but nevertheless took part in the gossip. After some time he realized his mistake and turned his attention to the Puja, but wound up the box and exclaimed that owing to his having taken part in the gossip, his inner efforts to secure the mental equilibrium required for Gods Puja had failed and rather than making a show of Puja without inner equilibrium, he would not perform the Puja that day.This incident which is fresh in my memory spells the need for honesty of purpose in ones own religious pursuits ".
These incidents pretty much happen everyday in our lives, but we don't pay any attention to them. But what a simple and profound message it has. Here is another incident written by him.

" I came into contact with two people. They were full of ecstasy in the adoration of my feet, absorbed in thought of me all day and night, which they told me, gave them immeasurable strength to bear any calamity or temptation very lightly. But when they came to know of my shortcomings and natural unsteadiness, not only did they discontinue their worship of my feet but also did their best to prevent anyone from gaining access to my feet as they thought that adoration of my feet by devotees contributed in a degree to my limitation. They too renounced all other responsibilities of their life and resolved to spend the rest of their lives in either entreating and imploring me or being engaged in austerities and prayers for my correction. Life has taught me only this that God has created some souls to live for others only".

Indeed, he was a Paramacharya. He had countless number of devotees worshiping and adoring his feet. But he had the honesty and integrity in him to accept the shortcomings if at all he had any.His charm invited the rich and the poor, old and the young to be his devotees. May his Grace protect all.

Signing off for now,
Krishna