Swami Krishnananda Shashtyabdapurti Mahotsava Commemoration Volume

A Souvenir released on Swami Krishnananda's 60th Birthday

Two Anecdotes

by G.N. Bodha

In 1965, my sister Ganga, neighbour Smt. Kaushalya Devi and I attended the Sadhana Saptah in Sivananda Ashram for the first time. I was amazed to hear the words of wisdom in the discourses of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji maharajah expressed very beautifully in the English language. I liked him very much, but looking at his sober face, did not dare to talk or introduce myself although I earnestly wished to do so.

At the time of our departure after the Sadhana Saptah, when we were about to get into a Tonga, Swamiji suddenly appeared, to give us Darshan and shower his mercy. He inquired whether we were leaving for Jaipur. He said lovingly that we could have stayed a few days more. We prostrated at his lotus feet and got his blessings. “May God bless you. Your pilgrimage is a success. Wish you a comfortable journey.” We were wonderstruck. We did not know that Swamiji was so kind and loving. Our joy really knew no bounds. It was like a boon to us. All the way, we were saying to one another that are unexpressed desire was fulfilled.

Once, a devoting of Jaipur expressed his desire to donate something to the Jaipur branch of The Divine Life Society. At the time of the Sadhana Saptah, the then Secretary of our Branch and I consulted Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj in that matter. He smiled and said, “Beware of Dushala Donors”. We could not understand his words he therefore said, “Perhaps you do not know the story of Dushala Donor”. He narrated the story. Once upon a time, a rich man went to hear a Katha. He was very much impressed by the Pundit who was telling the Katha in an interesting manner. When it was all over, he gave his Dushala or shawl as an offering to the Pundit and asked him to wear it. When the Pundit got into the street, he saw Sethji coming behind. He thought that Sethji might have some business in that direction, but the next minute he heard the shouting, “Punditji, there is dirty water ahead, see that the Dushala does not get spoiled”. Punditji again pulled up the Dushala and cross the spot. To his surprise, he again heard: “Punditji, a bullock cart is coming; see that the Dushala does not touch the wheel and get a black stain”. Punditji was perplexed. He was sick of it all. He said to himself: “Abandon the gold that troubles the ear”. He had once pulled off the Dushala and returned it to the donor. Swamiji summed up the story by saying, “There are people who donate various things physically, but mentally they are not prepared to disclaim their ownership”.

We could not compare our wood-be donor with the Dushala Sethji at that time. But, before anything could actually be donated to our branch, are so-called donor came out in his true colours and acted like the Dushala Sethji. We had once remembered the advice of Swamiji Maharaj, dropped the idea of accepting that donation and realize the foresight of Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj to whom the past, the present and the future are as clear as the bright midday sun.