Jayendra was instrumental in the Math’s dir­ect service to people, beyond being a mere spiri­tual fountainhead. Today, it runs dozens of schools and hospitals besides a deemed university.

Saddest contradictions are Tamil politicians. They are probably the worst opportunists and the most corrupt, still spouting Periyar and Ambedkar, equally comfortable in a necktie and a konakam (loin cloth)

There's more to the town than sleaze, scandal and silk and Jayendra Saraswati's made a quiet comeback

Saraswati's Sangh-friendliness enables him to offset his Kanchi peetham's 'lesser' status