English version of Mahaperiyava volume 1 magnum opus of Sri. P. Swaminathan in tamil, translated by Sri Gopalakrishnan Venkatraman. Maha Periavaa was an example of simplicity and humility in the way he led his life. Maha Periavaa was also compassionate and benevolent to all who came seeking his blessings. Over the hundred years of his life, Kanchi Maha Periavaa looked to the welfare of his devotees and helped them many a time, whenever problems and difficulties cropped up in their lives. The mahaan of Kanchipuram had incarnated to help the people live more wholesome and fulfilling lives. An ordinary human can also become a sage or saint through the following spiritual practices: * By rooting out unwanted desires. * By the suppression of his senses, like anger, jealousy, lust, etc * By raising his consciousness to a higher level of awareness. A saint of this stature was the venerated Kanchi Mahaswamigal