Experiences With Maha Periyava: Oneness Of Lord Shiva And Lord Vishnu

It was Pradosham day when Sri Maha Periyava was camping in Mylapore. He was suffering from high fever. It must have been about 2 o’ clock in the afternoon and there was no sign of Periyava recovering. Devotees who had turned up in large numbers to watch Him perfom Abhishekam and Pradosha Pooja to Lord Shiva were worried about His health. Perhaps they felt there was no way Periyava would recover that day. Do ordinary mortals like us know the leelas of the Mahan Atma?

All of a sudden, He called His attendants to inform the Vedic Scholars nearby to assemble immediately and start chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam continuously. At about 3 o’clock, as people around were chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, Maha Periyava started sweating profusely and His fever vanished. He took a bath and started performing Abhishekam and Pradosha Pooja to the Lord.

Sri Maha Periyava showed us a living example of the importance of chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam. On a day auspcious to Lord Shiva, His suggestion to chant Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam emphasized the oneness of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Thirdly, He could easily get rid of any ailment but His suffering from fever suggested His belief in Prarabda Karma and how one can get rid of the three Karmas (Prarabda, Sanchita and Aagaami) through pure devotion.

"Shivaya Vishnu Roopaya Shiva Roopaya Vishnave
Shivasya Hridayor Vishnuh, Vishnusya Hridyam Shivam"

Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya