Swamiji described his time when he was seeking alms as being essential for his mental health and growth. He credited this period as being responsible for whatever he received in life. He lived five years as a wandering ascetic. He spent nights under the stars, under a Banyan tree, or sleeping in somebody’s veranda.

He wandered everywhere from Afghanistan to Burma and did not have a paisa in his pocket. When he travelled by train, he would tell the ticket conductor that he wished to go to Varanasi. The ticket conductor would say “Ok, sit anywhere.” He always sought permission.

Swamiji travelled all over India in the time of the British Raj. In Madhya Pradesh, he stayed in a remote tribal village. He was dropped by an inspector, who was a disciple of his Guru. There were no roads and no bicycles even. The people were very poor, and he was spending four months (Chaturmaas—holy period) with them as it was the monsoon season.

Chaturmaas is the time when Vishnu is asleep in Yoga Nidra, so people do not undertake any auspicious activities in this time. People eat very light food. They used to give him soup and rice everyday as that is all they had. The family lived in a tiny hut and Swamiji also slept there.

Generosity and kindness of the poor

The disciple returned to fetch Swamiji and the tribal brought the same food for him as what he brought for Swamiji. The disciple asked, “What is this?” The tribal said, “Mouse Soup.” The disciple said that it was sacrilege. Swamiji replied that he was a very poor man, and it had not affected him adversely. He did not fall sick and he only now knew that it was mouse soup and he had managed to survive on it.

The mouse soup was shared daily by the family of tribals with Swamiji. Look at the generosity and kindness of the poor. It was shared with love.

Aim Hrim Klim