Jagat Guru

This story dates back to the year 1933, when MAHA PERIYAVAA was in Varanasi. Periyavaa was received in the palace of the Kasi King. 

Many important personalities and learned men (Pundits) were also present. In Pundits' mind there was an element of jealousy. How can he Periyavaa have the title of JAGAT GURU. (जगत् गुरु).

One of the Pundits thundered, “Who is this Jagat Guru”?

Periyavaa politely replied: “I am”

The Pundit then remarked sarcastically: “So you are the Jagat Guru”

Periyavaa replied: जगतां गुरुः न When I say I am Jagat Guru, I Did't mean to say, I am The Guru of this Jagat. जगति पद्यमनाः सर्वे मम गुरवः All living beings in this world are my Gurus.

The Pundits were completely taken aback by this simple yet great explanation. Periyavaa did not stop with that.

In that hall where this debate was going on there were some nests built by sparrows. Periyavaa pointed to one of them and asked the Pundits किं इदं? What is this?

The Pundit replied: नीडः Nest

Periyavaa asked: केन निर्मितं? By whom was this built?
The Pundit Replied: चटकैः By the sparrow.

Periyavaa continued:This nest is built by birds which do not hands or legs.We have hands and legs.Yet we are unable to build a nest like the sparrow.The sparrow has Kriya Shakti (क्रिया शक्ति) But I do not have that Shakti.

Hence this sparrow is my GURU!!!