Experiences with Maha Periyava: "Conduct the marriage of their daughter”

Experiences with Maha Periyava: "Conduct the marriage of their daughter”

This incident happened several years ago. An aged couple was standing in the queue to have Sri Maha Periyava’s darshan. When their turn came they prostrated to Him.

"Periyava, I have retired from my service. I do not have any children. Hence I am very eager to serve in the Kanchi Mutt. You should please bless me", said the man.

There was so much humility and sincerity in his request to Him. By his side was his aged wife.

"You seem to be worried and disinterested that there is nothing to look forward to in life, is it not?” asked Periyava.

"Yes, Periyava."

"Will you accept if I give you some task?"

"Please order me Periyava, I am waiting...”

Periyava now turned to the next couple who also prostrated to Him. He enquired about their ancestry. This couple was also aged. Their daughter was also with them.

"She is our only daughter. We need to conduct her marriage. Only You should bless her..."

The Sarveshwaran lifted His hand and blessed them. The couple who had come earlier was looking at the goings-on. Now Periyava turned to the gentleman of the first couple and said,

"You said you wanted to do something meaningful in life, why don't you conduct the marriage of their daughter in a nice manner by bearing the marriage expenses?"

"I will do it... I will do it...” saying this he fell down and prostrated to Sri Maha Periyava.

Periyava looked at him showing His two fingers and then looked at the wife of the first couple. The old man understood His gesture and replied, "Yes, she is my second wife. I married her after my first wife passed away".

Now, there was a determined change in Periyava's face.

"Ok, what happened to your daughter by your first wife?"

The man felt he was though he was struck by thunder! How did Periyava know this, he wondered.

Embarrassed, he said in sorrow, "My second wife did not treat my daughter properly, and hence she had left the house when she was young. I searched for her desperately, but could not find her".

"You said you wanted to do something meaningful and useful in your life, right… Look, this is your daughter who ran away in her childhood! Take her and get her married well", said the Sarveshwaran.

The man was stunned. But it was tinged with joy.

Yes, it was true. The second couple had found this girl crying, lying abandoned in a railway station!

Both the biological and the adoptive parents took 'their' daughter away and started to prepare for her wedding!

Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya/Fb