To Narendra, monastic life meant, <br />Control over lower nature first, <br />The realization of God then, <br />Thro’ constant meditation. <br /> <br />While following this process, <br />As well disciplined ascetics, <br />It shouldn’t also be painful <br />To any of his brother disciples <br /> <br />The day to day incidents, <br />And the current world events, <br />Should be known to them, <br />To keep up with the time. <br /> <br />On topics like world histories, <br />Other philosophical theories, <br />Compared to Hindu systems, <br />They held deep discussions. <br /> <br />Some devotees questioned, <br />“Have we now realized God, <br />By following all these days, <br />Such strict austere measures? ” <br /> <br />Narendra then furiously asked, <br />“If we haven’t realized God, <br />Should we lose our higher nature, <br />And return to a life, far inferior? ” <br /> <br />As monks wandered normally <br />From place to place periodically, <br />Staying at the same place, <br />Some of them became restless, <br /> <br />To enhance their spiritual values, <br />They wished to visit holy places. <br />A solitude life, Narendra wished for <br />To gain inner strength more and more. <br /> <br />Also he wanted other disciples <br />Should take care of their lives, <br />Not depending on him always, <br />That would build self-confidence. <br /> <br />At first, he went to Varanasi, <br />The learned pundits there, to see. <br />In their midst, he felt uplifted. <br />A peaceful atmosphere, he found. <br /> <br />There, some monkeys, one day, <br />Chased him on his way, <br />A monk there told him, <br />“Don’t run, but face them.” <br /> <br />When he turned and faced, <br />In fear, they all disappeared. <br />This taught him a good lesson. <br />“Face all dangers, don’t run.”<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/22-vivekananda-narendra-s-visit-to-varanasi/
