Kanchi Paramacharya was known for his walking expeditions. While camping at Pandaripuram, a mill owner requested him to visit his factory and offered his car for transport.
Politely declining, the sage explained, “On coming to the monastery I resolved to avoid boarding any motorised conveyance as I, while trekking on a rainy day, happened to witness many creatures that climbed the road from nearby fields coming under the wheels of speeding vehicles. Further, by treading I can interact with more people easily as also my trips wouldn't be causing economic burden to poor villagers.”
Often he observed strict silence (
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He clarified to astonished onlookers that as they were 'special children,' it was the only way he could interact with them and make them happy.
Enquiring a couple about their native place, he asked whether the trees they nurtured were in tact, referring their trip on foot to the Ettukudi Murugan temple. He wished to know whether `kavadi’ festival took place there, the tradition of Ramayana recitation, etc. When the awe-struck couple marvelled at his memory, he replied: “What is the use? I don’t seem to be immersed in Iswara-thought.”
“Those who demand dowry and conduct weddings in opulent style use your name in wedding invitations,” to which observation Periyava had this to say: “Yes, this wasn't the case with my predecessors, who were tapasvis. Probably I am not anywhere near them… Perhaps it is for the same reason that I have been ordained to take charge of the peetam… when values have become diluted.”
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Paying a tribute, legal luminary Nani Palkiwala said, “The pontiff saw with the eyes of his soul and exemplified the towering tenets of Indian culture. No man ever asked of life so little for himself.”
Kulapati Munshi, who founded the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, on the occasion of its silver jubilee (1962), paid respects to Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. The sage blessed him with a donation of Rs 1,000. Moved to tears, Munshi said, “This is the holiest of holy prasads. This is invaluable, much more than several thousands of crores of rupees. Nothing can surpass divine grace.”