I Shall Not Wait a Moment longer!

Meditation became tough as my mind was disturbed by an inexplicable urge to rush to Kanchipuram for the darshan of my living God Kanchi Mahaperiyava. There was no way I could go immediately due to my assignments. I had a row of concerts till January 9th on which day I had to perform in Sathguru Sangeetha Samajam, Madurai during the sabha's Annual Music Festival. I told myself firmly, "I am going to Kanchi immediately after returning from Madurai, I SHALL NOT wait a moment longer than that''.

Each day until January 9th passed at a snail's pace. I developed high fever on Jan. 8th, took a crocin and headed for Egmore Railway Station to board Pandian Express for my concert in Madurai on the next day. I was cut off from practically everything except for packing and changing my veena strings due to fever on 8th, maybe my impatience to rush to Kanchipuram made me feverish!!

On January 9th morning, I got off the train and shivered in the chill morning breeze, my fever not yet gone.

I dragged my feet behind the railway porter and the Sabha's representative who had come to receive me.

As I weakly gazed around my attention was captured by huge blowup pics of Maha Periyava displayed outside the big book stall on the platform.

I stood rooted to the spot while my shocked gaze took in word by word and in slow motion headlines announcing Maha Periyava's departure from this world leaving behind all of us.

Initially I wanted to cancel my concert that evening, but well wishers advised me to perform as a homage to Maha Periyava.

Remembering that He liked Hindolam and Keeravani I rendered the same elaborately, apart from Maithreem Bhajatha, Bhaja Govindam and many many devotional krithis.
As years have rolled by, I am convinced that Maha Periyava is alive, with and within all His devotees.

*****

Narrated by the blessed Smt Veena Gayathri. 


Here is the Crown which He used to wear on His head while doing Pradosham poojas and on Shivarathri too. He later blessed Veena Gayathri with this, when she performed before Him when she was just 10 years old or something! How supremely blessed she is.