Experiences with Maha Periyava:

Swamigal was sitting like a Statue with the flower in His Hand!

It was 35 years ago on Saraswathi Pooja day during Navarathri that this incident happened.

As usual, Sri Maha Periyava completed the Chandramouleeswara pooja and started doing the Saraswathi pooja. One Vaideekar Purohit Mama was sitting near Him and was reciting the pooja mantras from a book in his hand.

He recited the Sankalpam, Aavahanam, Prana Prathista, Anga Pooja and started reciting the Saraswathi Ashtotram. At the end of each Namaha, Swamigal was offering Her a flower.

Then the Vaideekar came to the line and read:

"Om Brahma Jayayai namaha!"

The flower in the Hands of MahaSwamigal did not reach Saraswathi's Lotus Feet but remained motionless in His hands, about to be delivered!

The Vaideekar kept reciting the same Namavali “Om Brahma Jayayai namaha” in the same manner, several times but MahaSwamigal was sitting like a Statue, with His Hands raised and the flower in His hand!

Everyone present there got worried as to what mistake had occured! Why did MahaSwamigal not offer that flower to Her!

The news reached the SriMatham Manager, Sri Viswanathan Iyer and he rushed to the pooja spot. He asked the Vaideekar to repeat that line again and the Vaideekar promptly said the same: "Om Brahma Jayayai Namaha!"

The flower remained motionless in MahaSwamigal's hands.

Fortunately there was a Sanskrit Pandit nearby. He corrected it and asked the Vaideekar to recite it as:

"Om Brahma Jaayayai Namaha!"

Now the flower in MahaSwamigal's hands took flight to Saraswathi's Lotus Feet!

One may ask what the difference between the two Namavalis is.

Here is the meanings of those phrases:

Correct one is "Om Brahma 'Jaayayai' Namaha!" which means Salutations to Her who is the Consort of Lord Brahma!

Wrong one is "Om Brahma Jayayai Namaha!" which means Salutations to Her who is Victorious over Lord Brahma!

Sri Maha Periyava never performs the poojas mechanically but He always does it with full devotion and perfection. This is a true example for that.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara