LIFE OF SAINT EKNATH MAHARAJ - 2

March 9, 2004

LIFE OF SAINT EKNATH MAHARAJ – 2

(March 12 is sacred as Saint Eknath Jayanthi)

Once, in Pithan, as Ekanath was coming out of the river after taking his bath, a

Muslim man spat on him. Ekanath calmly went back to the river and took another

bath, but again the same thing happened. Unmindful of the repeated harassment

of the tormentor Ekanath went on taking baths without showing any sort of anger

or irritation until at last the Muslim said remorsefully, "Sir, in spite of my

cruel acts you are not even getting angry with me. I am a sinner to have

perpetrated this sort of misdeed on a person like you. Please forgive me." Then

Ekanath said to him, "No! I look upon you only as a virtuous man who has given

me the chance of taking a river bath so many times… But then, Allah is not in

the mosque alone, He is present everywhere and in everything. One must always

keep him in mind and continue living his life, carrying out good deeds.’ Thus

he gave him a noble advice.

Why do you abuse the low caste on and on?Is not the flesh and blood of all

one?What is the caste of he who shines within all?Vemana hails Lord Rama, the

master of the Universe.

Many people tried to make Ekanath angry. Once, when he was doing his daily

worship, a brahmin entered the room with his shoes on and went straight up to

Ekanath and sat down. Ekanath was unperturbed and asked him to be his guest for

the day. When they all sat for lunch, Girija Bai started serving the meal, when

suddenly, the brahmin climbed on to her back. Ekanath said politely, "Careful

Girija Bai, lest the Brahmin fall down and get hurt." The noble wife said even

more politely, "Don’t worry! Of course, I am used to doing my work with our boy

Hari Pundit on my back!" The brahmin repented and said that as he was in need of

two hundred rupees he took up the challenge of some brahmins, who offered to

give him the money if he succeeded in enraging Ekanath. He then begged Ekanath

for forgiveness. Having heard the story, Ekanath gave him the required money

for the upanayana ceremony of his son.

(Written by Sri T. Subramanyam)

Search - Find what you’re looking for faster.

Recommended Posts