In 1927, (on October 15) Mahatma Gandhi, during his tour of South India called on Paramacharya, who was camping at Nallicheri in Palakkad. The meeting took place in a cow-shed. Gandhiji was highly impressed with the handspun saffron cloth the Acharya was wearing.
The remarkable dialogue between the most venerated religious head and the Father of the Nation went on for more than an hour, Paramacharya using the medium of Sanskrit and Gandhiji speaking in Hindi. The Sage of Kanchi impressed upon the Mahatma, that faith and devotion to God, alone, decided the fate of all human activities. Gandhiji reciprocated the sentiments.
It was 5.30 p.m. and when Rajaji (C.R), who had accompanied him, but not present during the dialogue came back and reminded him that it was meal time (Gandhiji did not take food after 6 p.m.), the Mahatma replied that the dialogue with Swami was more nutritious for him. Paramacharya presented an orange to Gandhiji, which he received with great satisfaction, the fruit he expressed, he loved most.
Rajaji asked later Gandhi about the 'talk' and if Gandhi wished for anything. Gandhi refused to reveal what he wished for. After Gandhi's death, after several years, Kanchi Mahaswami told a devotee about this. Gandhiji had asked Chandrasekara Saraswati: "Swami! I wish for a death saying Lord Rama's name! Please grace me." Kanchi Mahaswami had told him, "Thy wish will be done by God's grace. Do not worry!"
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