Experiences with Maha Periyava: Power of Panchakshara Japam - ‘NamaShivaya’

A few devotees had built a temple for Lord Shiva somewhere in Andhra. When they tried to carry the sculpted Linga made of stone to the sanctum, they could not move it even an inch. Anxiety writ large on their faces, they came to report the matter to Sri Maha Periyava. After a few minutes pause, Maha Periyava asked them to bring one Sri Vaidyanatha Shastri from somewhere near Trichy. Maha Periyava whispered something into his ears and advised the Andhra devotees to take him along with them to their town.

On reaching their place, Sri Shastrigal was doing Japa for hours together after his daily anushtanams. The devotees were perplexed as they expected this Shastrigal to advise them something useful to allay their predicament. Nonetheless, they just kept on and did not disturb Sri Shastrigal.

On the 21st day of his stay there, after his Japa, Sri Shastrigal asked them to shift the Lingam. Lo! They were able to do it in no time!

They told Sri Shastrigal that the Lingam which earlier weighed so much not allowing them to move it by even an inch was now like a mass of cotton, so light and easy to move.

They requested him to explain the miracle to them. Sri Shastrigal told them that he too did not know, except that Maha Periyava asked him to do the Panchakshara Japam for 21 days devotedly sitting in front of that Lingam. That’s all!

Sri Maha Periyava’s Tapomahima could demonstrate in the 20th Century what Appar Swamigal did centuries ago to prove the efficacy of Shiva Panchaksharam!

Appar (Tirunavukkarasar) Swamigal’s absolute faith in the efficacy of ‘NamaShivaya’ manthram which came to his rescue to float him on the waters. This happened when the Jain King sought to punish him by tying him on a big stone and throwing him in the deep water to make sure he would drown.