At first, Guru Ramakrishna <br />Allowed Disciple Narendra <br />To have his own convictions <br />And free talks on religions. <br /> <br />Narendra as a member <br />Of Brahmo Samaj before, <br />Believed only one God, <br />Saying all were not Gods. <br /> <br />Once, before Guru, he said, <br />“To say is it not absurd <br />That this cup or jug is God <br />Or, we too are Gods? ” <br /> <br />Guru laughed at his words <br />For making fun of Gods <br />Of His Universal existence, <br />In every living substance. <br /> <br />It was at that right time, <br />Guru gently touched him, <br />Which effect, like a magic, <br />Gave him a rude shock. <br /> <br />This was a new experience <br />O’er different consciousness, <br />And he saw the Divine Spirit <br />Spread o’er wherever he went. <br /> <br />The presence of Brahman <br />He could feel in everyone, <br />Including himself, his horses, <br />And every material substances. <br /> <br />A glimpse of non-dualism <br />In his vision, came to him <br />Yet, his doubting mind, <br />Its real form, didn’t find. <br /> <br />Guru always said, “Believe not <br />My word until you test it.” <br />One day, Narendra, as a test, <br />Placed a coin under Guru’s mat. <br /> <br />A pricking pain Guru felt, <br />When he sat on the mat, <br />And the pain vanished, <br />After the coin was removed. <br /> <br />Guru tested, in his turn, <br />His disciples, one by one, <br />He didn’t care to recognize <br />Narendra two or three times. <br /> <br />But still Narendra came, <br />With love to see him, <br />And when Guru asked <br />In reply, he coolly said, <br /> <br />“I come here to see you <br />Because I love you; <br />Your words just to hear <br />I’ve not come here.” <br /> <br />The Master saw the disciple, <br />Thereafter, more loveable <br />For his sincerity and devotion, <br />From his open expression.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/11-vivekananda-the-guru-and-the-disciple-i/
