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 Sage
of Kanchi
What has attracted me most to the Paramacharya is
his child like attitude and pranks, which he plays endlessly, with
those around him. Not a regular and traditional believer in 'Godmen',
I was driven to him naturally and effortlessly, due to his grace and
charm. Not that it has become a habit, and, I cannot cross
Kanchipuram without having his refreshing 'Darshan'. In this way,
with the grace of God, I have had numerous Darshans of the sage.
Even though most of them have been unplanned, just like, dropping by
the 'Ashram', I have been always lucky to find him there.
First time when I had my encounter with his
holiness, he was sitting in the courtyard and people were passing
near him, one by one in a queue. I was so enchanted by his presence
that I would not move forward; and behind me the queue came to a
halt. Immediately he understood my inner desire to linger over
there, and with his eyes, beckoned me to sit down. It was a most
joyful moment for me as he allowed me to bask in his presence and
glory. In the meanwhile he took out a book (it was a book about
South Indian temple architecture by Dr. Nagaswamy). Peering through
his thick glasses he started happily reading it, quite unmindful of
the throngs passing by. He read like this for about an hour, and
then suddenly he looked up from his book, and with the movement of
his eyes, gave me permission to leave. The joy in my heart was so
great that I did not even realise how much time had passed. If he
had allowed me to sit there the whole day, I would not have moved.
 My
next visit, which I recollect very vividly, was made along with the
family of a service colleague. The whole family, particularly the
wife of my colleague, was in great distress and had come to Kanchi,
in search of solace. This was not known to anybody.
On this occasion visitors were allowed to sit down
in front of the sage in small groups for a few minutes at a time.
Devotees were also making their modest offerings of fruits etc. My
colleague's wife had instead brought a bright coloured box full of
dry fruits. The box had many compartments and each contained a
different dry fruit.
All the offerings were routinely placed before
Paramacharya and then removed by one of the disciples and he took no
note of it. However, when the colourful box was being removed from
before him, he immediately protested, like a small child. He took
the box in his hands. He felt the packing material with his fingers.
Then he insisted that it be opened immediately. He bent down and
started peering over the contents, some of which he could not make
out due to his eyesight. He wanted to know the name of all the
ingredients kept in different compartments. One of the disciples was
shouting on top of the voice, Drakshay (Sultanas), Badam (almonds),
Mundri (cashew nut), figs, pista etc. etc. To everybody's amazement
he played with the box and its contents for good fifteen minutes,
like a pure and delighted child. This was a rare spiritual
experience enjoyed by all those present. Everybody was laughing. My
colleague's wife had not laughed in years, and suddenly all misery
left her heart and she also started laughing. She felt specially
blessed for the special treatment given to her offering. It is
needless to mention that all her anguish was washed away and her
life was different from then on.
 During
one particular visit I remember I was with some Government of India
officials. I had finished my tenure as Collector of South Arcot and
was working in Health Department. As soon as we sat before the
Paramacharya he gave me a little picture of 'Nataraja'. I did not
understand the meaning of it, so I looked around wanting to know
what I was supposed to do. Then one of the disciples leaned forward
and said Paramacharya is happy that you have been serving 'Lord
Nataraja' of Chidambaram temple. Then only I realised Paramacharya
might be referring to the 'Nataraja Festival' in which Dr. Nagaswamy
and myself have been involved for many years. I was really
overwhelmed by this gesture of his…
To be continued next week…
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