The Resolve of a Monk – A Divine Incident Showcasing Kanchi Paramacharya’s Compassion

The Resolve of a Monk

Once, Kanchi Paramacharya Mahaswami was observing Chaturmasya in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. A monk named Sri Janardhanananda Saraswati, who regarded Paramacharya as the very embodiment of Lord Shiva, resolved to spend those sacred days in the divine presence of Mahaswami. News reached Mahaswami that the monk had begun a padayatra (pilgrimage on foot) from Vijayawada to Kurnool.

Just two or three days after the monk started his journey, Paramacharya instructed two attendants of the Mutt, Sri Ekambaram and Sri Mettur Raju, to travel by car to Vijayawada. He also directed them to meet the revered monk and bring him back in the car.

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The devotees present were puzzled. Mahaswami never approved of monks traveling by car, nor would he normally instruct anyone to do so, as it was contrary to the traditional code of renunciation.

The two attendants had no idea where they could find the monk. Since Swami Janardhanananda Saraswati had not announced his pilgrimage in advance, there was no information in newspapers or elsewhere. They reached Guntur and searched the surrounding areas. Eventually, they found him in a small village called Shivapuram.

When the monk heard that Paramacharya himself had sent a car for him, he was overwhelmed with astonishment. Filled with joy and devotion, he praised Mahaswami, declaring that he was none other than Lord Parameshwara of Kailasa Himself.

Until the previous day, the monk had been walking toward Kurnool with the sole desire of having darshan of Mahaswami. Suddenly, a severe pain caused by a twisted leg nerve forced him to halt at Shivapuram. Deeply distressed, he prayed to Mahaswami:

"O Lord! As Kailasanatha, You at least have an old bull as Your vehicle. But now, having incarnated as Kanchinatha, Paramacharya, You have even given up that bull and chosen to walk across the entire country on foot."

Had he continued after treatment, he would have reached Kurnool only after the conclusion of Chaturmasya. Witnessing the suffering of the Vijayawada Swami through His divine insight, Mahaswami compassionately sent a car to bring him to Kurnool. Swami Janardhanananda Saraswati realized that only an incarnation of Adi Shankaracharya could have such divine awareness.

Despite the intense pain in his leg, the monk somehow managed to board the car and traveled to Kurnool, where he reached the sacred presence of Paramacharya. Along with fulfilling his Chaturmasya resolve, Mahaswami, through His boundless compassion, also relieved him of the pain in his leg.

— From the "Pradosham Mama Gruham" Newsletter

Apāra Karuṇā Sindhum Jñānadaṁ Śānta Rūpiṇam
Śrī Chandrasekhara Gurum Praṇamāmi Mudāvaham.

"I bow with joy to Sri Chandrasekhara Guru, the boundless ocean of compassion, the giver of wisdom, and the embodiment of peace."

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Swami Janardhanananda Saraswati in the Kanchi Paramacharya story?

He was a monk who regarded Paramacharya as the embodiment of Lord Shiva. He resolved to spend Chaturmasya in Mahaswami's presence and set out on foot from Vijayawada to Kurnool.

Where was Kanchi Paramacharya observing Chaturmasya in this incident?

Mahaswami was observing Chaturmasya in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The monk's padayatra from Vijayawada was meant to reach him there.

Why did Paramacharya send a car for the monk if he disapproved of monks traveling by car?

Mahaswami normally never approved of monks traveling by car, as it went against the traditional code of renunciation. He made an exception because, through his divine insight, he saw the monk's suffering and that he would otherwise reach Kurnool only after Chaturmasya ended.

Where did the attendants find the monk?

Sri Ekambaram and Sri Mettur Raju, the two Mutt attendants, reached Guntur and searched the surrounding areas. They found him in a small village called Shivapuram, where a twisted leg nerve had forced him to halt.

What happened when the monk reached Kurnool?

He fulfilled his Chaturmasya resolve in Paramacharya's presence. Mahaswami, out of boundless compassion, also relieved the pain in his leg.

How can devotees receive more Kanchi Paramacharya stories?

Those who wish to receive Kanchi Paramacharya Vaibhavam through Telegram can subscribe to the channel t.me/KPDSTrust.