Maha Periyava
I have been reading about Periyava whenever I can. And each time I read something I feel very touched, emotional. It is just beyond words what HE has achieved - what HE meant to his followers, critics. I am touched by his simple austere living. He never travelled by a motor vehicle all his life. He initially travelled by the palanquin which in his later years he abondoned for Pada yatra. His abode or living wherever he went were huts and other dilapidated mansions, where he slept on bare floors and his kashaya vastram served as his bed spread and blanket. His food habits were minimal - fruits, leaves etc. He never touched money or asked for it. HE lived the Vedic way of life - explaining the Vedas and Dharma Sastras wherever he went. HE has conducted various Kumbhabishekams, initiated Vedic schools and other wonderful Vedic rituals like Yagas etc. He spoke slowly and very little, in fact Periyava's Kashta Maunam vratams occurred quite too often and too many times. But what ...