Mahaperiyava and Panduranga

Well, there is always something divine and inspirational to write about Mahaperiyava :) Rencently, came across divine experiences shared by Muralishara Swamigal in his program Veedu Thedi Varugiran Vittalan, about Panduranga and Mahaperivaya

The first incident is about the Maha Periyava's Hatha Yoga expertise. So, the legend goes that there was a bhakta who wanted Maha Periyava to visit his home. He was a devout bhakta, but had a secret desire. He wanted sit in an asana (posture) higher than Maha Periyava. On the appointed day, Maha Periyava comes to the Bhakta's residence with his mutt officials. They all lay out his peetham (seat). The Bhatka was waiting to take an asana higher than the guru, but Maha Periyava made an unusual change. He did not sit in his designated asana, but chose to sit in Kukkutasana and conversed with the Bhakta for hours. This asana is very complicated asana, but apparently, paramacharya could sit and converse in this posture for hours on end. Such was maha periyava's knowledge of Hatha Yoga. Now, what is the link to Pandarpur and Panduranaga? So, Pundalika was a sant who was on a pilgrimage to Kashi. On the way, his parents were unwell, so, he halted in Pandarpur, so that he could take care of his old parents and young child. He was still longing to go to Kashi. One day, on the banks of Chandrabhaga is where is met Kukkutaka maharishi, who advised him to stay in Pandarpur and take care of his aged parents. The guru mentioned that the punya of visiting Kashi would accrue from his service of aged parents. Pundalik lived according to his Guru upadesha and served his parents. This was a time when Lord Krisha was king of Dwaraka. Lord Krisha felt that he had missed the opportunity of serving his parents and hence wanted to experience the same through his Bhakta. Legend has it that he walked with Maa Rukmini and waited on a brick to meet his beloved bhakta, Pundalik. Such is the prowess of Mahaans and their blessings.

There are 2 more incidents. Maha Periya was instrumental in setting up the Uttara Chidambaram Sri Nataraj Mandir at Satara, Maharashtra. The most sacred aspect of the Nataraja temple is the Chidambara Rahasyam (secret of Chidambaram), which is privy to a prevailed few. When the time came to install the chidambara sahasyam, Maha Periya taught this to a Mutt Devotee. The rahasyam was inscribed on the leaves, protected with a Thailam (sacred oil) and installed in the Nataraja temple. The devotee felt happy that he was among the few who knew the Rahasyam. He prostrated before the acharya after the installation of the rahasyam in the satara temple and Acharya said "the purpose of your rahasyam learning is over and may you forget the rahasyam". The devotee could not recollect it anymore.

On a visit to this temple, a couple came and prayed to the acharya that they beget children. Acharya blessed them. As per the blessings of the Acharya, the couple had a son, but they came to the Acharya later with a concern. The child had a strange impression on his head and they were concerned that it might impact the health of the child. The acharya asked them to visit the Panduranga temple and request the priest to let them touch the head of Panduranga. The couple found a similar impression on Panduranga's head. Paramacharya explained that when the couple asked for his blessings, he was worshipping Pandu Ranga and hence, the child had the features similar to Pandu Ranga. Thus, people came to know about the impression on Pandu Ranga's head :) This incident is explained by Muralidhara swamigal in his lectures. Such is the power of Mahaan and how fortunate are we to live in the land where he lived and prayed to Ishwara..