Mahaperiyava started spreading his knowledge in spiritual journeys across the Indian hinterland. These included devotional practices and daily rituals such as performing various
Poojas and recitations of the
Vedas.
Iyengars (who were not part of the mutt), various sub castes and
Abrahamic followers became his devotees. He carried the responsibility effortlessly and made simple practices for devotees to increase devotion, like chanting and writing the holy name of
Rama. Devotees soon realized he was not a normal person and labelled him a Jagadguru (lit. the
guru of the universe) for his help in rectifying their issues. Mahaperiyava dedicated his life to the deity
Kamakshi in the premises where he was the spiritual guru,
Kamakshi Amman temple. The temple is where the goddess herself came personally for devotion to
Shiva. Throughout his life, Mahaperiyava breathed and practised the
Advaita philosophy of his guru,
Adi Shankaracharya, the great Hindu philosopher and reformist. Mahaperiyava renovated multiple temples across India and increased the recitals of sacred texts like the
Vishnu Sahasranāma (which was not allowed by women at the time). Mahaperiyava helped
Vedic priests on their pronunciation of the holy
Sanskrit texts and implemented rigorous
Agama Sastra teachings describing cosmology, epistemology, philosophical doctrines, precepts on meditation and other topics. He also had a huge love towards Tamil language. He had many discourses with esteemed Tamil Scholars. He also bought in the practice of conducting the "Paavai Nonbu Padal Poti"(Margazhi month Thiruppavai and Thiruvempavai singing competition) for young children. He made radical social changes by allowing devotees inside the temple premises. The day India became independent on
August 15th 1947, he gave a speech on the significance of the
flag and the
Ashoka Chakra in it. He died without celebrating his centenary on 8 January 1994. His attainment of
Videhamukti invited devotees to go beyond numerology and believe only the name of god in their lifespan. He was also considered an avatar of the Hindu deity
Shiva .
Discourses As a religious head of the
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham obliged to spiritual duties, Mahaperiyava travelled across the country by foot and started giving discourses. On several occasions he addressed the common masses on diverse aspects of
dharma, ancient culture, and a variety of subjects. He delivered the discourses on simple verandahs, river beds and sabhas (smaller halls) unlike in the 21st century. The discourses "Deivathin Kural" (The Voice of God)were compiled by his disciple R.Ganapathi and published in English and
Tamil as.[https://archive.org/details/DeivathinKural It has been also translated to other Indian languages. Discourses were related to various subjects across different topics, which are well researched and well advised. His discourses were important for his devotees and others across India suffering from lack of devotion. He brought back the ancient practice of
sanatana dharma, travelling throughout the country offering guidance, founding schools and providing for the people.
Influence on Indian Freedom Movement Mahaperiyava reconverted
Indian National Congress leader
F. G. Natesa Iyer from
Christianity to Hinduism. Iyer, as a boy of ten, took shelter with Englishmen who brought him up and converted him to Christianity. Twenty years later, dissatisfied with the ability of the priests to clarify his doubts, he met the Kanchi Sankaracharya and, getting satisfactory answers from him, reconverted to Hinduism.
The Indian National Congress, in the decade of the 1920s, started organising the
Non-Cooperation Movement, which involved getting many people to protest on the streets. F.G.Natesa Iyer, the leading Congress activist of
Tiruchirappalli then, as also the elected Mayor, took this opportunity to convert the movement to also show support for the Mahaperiyava. He described the occasion, thus: "I was nominated by the public as the chairman of the Reception Committee for arranging a reception for the Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. As the municipal chairman, it was my duty to provide a proper welcome and respect to Swamigal who was visiting after a long time. The opportunity to welcome His Holiness in a manner that was exponentially greater than receptions given to kings and viceroys, was accorded to me, along with my supporters: Sri M.Kandaswamy Servai, Sri. R.Srinivasa Iyengar, the lawyer and the larger public. The procession that was seven miles long, was preceded by seven groups of nadaswaram players, three band groups, four elephants, many horses and camels, instrumental players, Bhajan singers, Seva Samitis. I had the blessing to hold the front side of the ivory palanquin where our guru for the whole world, Sri Sankaracharya Swamigal was seated. He gave darshan to numerous people lined on both sides of the roads, all of whom were chanting the words "
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara", in every floor, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. There was no count of arathis, Poorna kumbams, garlands, asthika goshams. The procession that started at 6 pm ended at 10 pm in front of the mutt at
Thiruvanaikkaval. I was enthralled in my service to Swamigal as service to Lord Shiva himself". ==See also==