The Ramakrishna’s teachings <br />The visits to pilgrim centers, <br />The Eastern-Western culture, <br />All shaped Narendra’s basic nature. <br /> <br />One day he sat with pariahs, <br />Another day with Maharajas, <br />Or ministers, or orthodox pundits, <br />Otherwise, with college professors. <br /> <br />He had such an equality of mind <br />To move with men of every kind, <br />Low or high in their status, <br />As a selfless soul of the masses. <br /> <br />Behind joys or sorrows, <br />Hopes or frustrations, <br />Of the low or high people, <br />He saw a kind of struggle. <br /> <br />The cry of the people for aid <br />Wherever he went, he heard. <br />His tender heart, it touched. <br />To help them all, he decided. <br /> <br />At Alwar, In February 1891, <br />He was a star attraction, <br />Among Muslims and Hindus, <br />Who gathered at one place. <br /> <br />As ‘Swamiji’ they called him. <br />He went on by that new name. <br />He appreciated the Holy Koran <br />For its purity in interpretation. <br /> <br />One Maharaja told, “You’re so old, <br />Also strong and able bodied, <br />And a scholar too, I’ve heard <br />Why do you wander like a vagabond? ” <br /> <br />Swamiji said, “For a hunt <br />Why do you go at the cost <br />Of all your royal duties <br />Just to satisfy your whims? ” <br /> <br />Maharaja replied, “I go <br />Because I like to go.” <br />Swamiji said, “I like to wander <br />Among monks, so I wander.” <br /> <br />Next, Maharaja did ridicule <br />“Why do you worship idol, <br />Just made of some metal <br />Or stone, or some clay soil? ” <br /> <br />Swamiji told, “The idol <br />Is a kind of symbol <br />That brings to one’s mind <br />The existence of God.” <br /> <br />He asked the Prime Minister <br />To spit on the Majaraja’s picture, <br />That stunned the audience, <br />And kept them in silence. <br /> <br />He explained, “It’s only a picture, <br />Yet it’s treated with honor. <br />Likewise, this idol remains <br />To honor God’s presence.” <br /> <br />Maharaja apologized then <br />For his impertinent question, <br />And appreciated his boldness, <br />In giving convincing replies.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/28-vivekananda-equality-among-masses/
