Experiences with Maha Periyava: Places of Divinity in the Forest

Experiences with Maha Periyava: Places of Divinity in the Forest

That was the day of the transit of the planet Guru. A devotee came to Sri Maha Periyava. "According to my horoscope, Guru has arrived at the house of astronomical nativity. It seems that Shri Rama went to the forest because Guru came to his house of nativity in his horoscope at that time.So it is said that I will undergo heavy hardship. The astrologer says that I should do some shanti-pariharam (appeasement to get relief from planetary afflictions)", said the devotee.

Periyava replied, "There is indeed a view that Shri Rama was exiled to the forest when Guru reached his house of nativity. However, that is not right. Shri Rama was comfortable in the forest... doing tapas (penance), doing sambhashanam (conversing) with the maharshis (great sages), and giving them darshan...

"Let it be. Since Shri Rama went to the forest, you want to do the same, right? There are many kshetras (sacred places of divinity),--vana-kshetras (divine abode in forests), such as Vedaranyam, Swetaranyam, Vilvaranyam, Champakaranyam, Darbharanyam... and so on: Aranyam means forest. You go to one of these Aranyas, stay there for two or three days, have Swami darshan (darshan of God), and come back. You will find mental peace for youself and the astrologer’s words will also become meaningful".

The devotee promised to do so and left the place.

Author: A Kanchi SriMatham attendant
Source: Maha Periyaval - Darisana Anubhavangal - Vol 3
Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya/Fb