[Advaita-l] An interesting episode

[V Subrahmanian]

[17/04, 00:10] V Subrahmanian: Noted lyricist Kannadasan visited Kanchi
Maha Periyava and as usual they discussed Aaanmigam. Kannadasan was earlier
an atheist and wrote articles criticizing religion.

Slowly he changed due to the effect of Maha Periyava who weaned him from
useless rationalism. But the basic nature of criticism still Continued.

He asked Maha Periyava when milk is White then how come the Parkadal is
shown as Megavarnam? Has the colour of Mahavishnu dissolved in the ocean of
milk.

Acharyal gave a smile. He just said ‘Enjoy you will get the reply by noon’.

Kannadasan was perplexed. He dare not sat anything. Vummidi Bangaru Chetty
visited the Sri Matham that afternoon. Both Kannadasan and Vummidiyar
belonged to the same Chettiar community and greeted each other in their
traditional way. Afterwards Vummidiyar placed a Large Green Emerald at the
Acharyal’s feet pleading him to accept . The sage had no discrimination for
a gem and a monolithic rock.
He asked the staff member of the mutt to bring milk in a vessel. After it
was brought he asked Vummidiyar to immerse the emerald in milk.
Now this was a shock to the Jeweller. This is the process used to check the
genuineness of emerald in his field.

Did the Kanchi seer suspected his intentions or the gem. Silently he did.
Acharyal then Called Kannadasan to see. Kannadasan  was shocked. The milk
turned pale green and a tinge of light emanated from the Emerald immersed
in milk.

Kannadasan was speechless. How did this happen? The Acharyal explained the
reason in a scientific way about the change of colour and drew parallel
with Parkadal “When Parandaaman is lying in the parkadal,he too emits such
radiance. Hence it is Megavarnam’.

Tears filled Kannadasan who then immediately composed the famous song
‘Tiruparkadalil pallikondar Sriman Narayana……….’

As for Vummidiyar, Acharyal Blessed him requesting him to take the Emerald
to the Varadaraja perumal kovil and make a Magudam for the Perumal’.

He too wept for his ignorance that he had felt humiliated earlier when
Acharyal told him to immerse the emerald in milk. It was not to test the
Genuineness of the Gem.

It was the greatness of this Gnana Guru to drive away ignorance and guide
people.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara!

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[17/04, 00:10] V Subrahmanian: Very interesting. Shankaracharya, in his
commentary to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishat 4.3.7 says: यथा वा मरकतादिर्मणिः
क्षीरादिद्रव्ये प्रक्षिप्तः परीक्षणाय, आत्मच्छायामेव तत् क्षीरादिद्रव्यं
करोति,   [Just as a gem such as marakata, when immersed in milk, etc., for
testing, makes the milk, etc. appear hued by its own color..]